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pussreboots's review
3.0
About three years ago Tepper Isn't Going Out by Calvin Trillin first appeared at our local BookCrossing group. Someone grabbed it and that's that last most of us thought of it. Until it reappeared earlier this year. Suddenly it was the hottest book in our group. Curious about it, I grabbed it when it reappeared at the most recent meeting.
Tepper works in marketing research. His day job it to figure out the magic product that would bridge the maximum number of demographic groups. Right there I have a point of love for Tepper as my mother is in the same line of work and I've skimmed it with my work in web marketing.
But the book isn't so much about that magic product or service. It's about Tepper needing a little time to himself and his quiet act of rebellion through parking. New York City has notoriously complex parking rules. Tepper though has figured them out. The only place he can get peace and quiet and the time to read his paper is in his car.
Unfortunately a person in a car draws attention. Hopeful drivers see him in his car and hope he's "going out" of the spot. If there's time on the meter or his time is otherwise not up, he isn't. When Tepper's parking and reading develop into a routine, he gets the attention of the mayor of New York. He sees a threat to his authority and possibly some sort of espionage.
Tepper Isn't Going Out is dry and slow book. You have to be in the right mood to read it. I struggled with it but it grew on me and continues to do so even though I've passed it along to a new reader in our book club.
Tepper works in marketing research. His day job it to figure out the magic product that would bridge the maximum number of demographic groups. Right there I have a point of love for Tepper as my mother is in the same line of work and I've skimmed it with my work in web marketing.
But the book isn't so much about that magic product or service. It's about Tepper needing a little time to himself and his quiet act of rebellion through parking. New York City has notoriously complex parking rules. Tepper though has figured them out. The only place he can get peace and quiet and the time to read his paper is in his car.
Unfortunately a person in a car draws attention. Hopeful drivers see him in his car and hope he's "going out" of the spot. If there's time on the meter or his time is otherwise not up, he isn't. When Tepper's parking and reading develop into a routine, he gets the attention of the mayor of New York. He sees a threat to his authority and possibly some sort of espionage.
Tepper Isn't Going Out is dry and slow book. You have to be in the right mood to read it. I struggled with it but it grew on me and continues to do so even though I've passed it along to a new reader in our book club.
lookingforcarmensandiego's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
quodfelix's review against another edition
4.0
A short little book I read in two days - ah the joys of vacation. There was a delightful twist at the end. The description of New York "characters" was fun, although a bit stereotypical. The hero is not as heroic in the end, but it still all made me smile.
emilybolivia's review
3.0
Endearing, silly, and irresistibly charming. This book did not change me in any way and it wasn't a page turner but the charm of the characters kept me coming back. It is a short book and a quick read so go for it!
elsie07's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
edwarde3ddd's review against another edition
5.0
What a great book....a book about New York...about how one man living his life in the way that he dictates rather than the way politicians, the media, or society says is acceptable. It is also a story of maturing love between Ruth and Tepper. There is also an element of making connections between seemingly unrelated things (and people). I had trouble deciding if this is the best book I've read because it was funny or that good or so different than all the other things I've read. Still, I'll find it very easy to express my enthusiasm for Tepper Isn't Going Out to anyone I talk to in the near future.
clambook's review against another edition
4.0
It's been on the shelf for quite some time, finally got around to it when in need of a quick, light read. Fun and funny.
laura_sorensen's review against another edition
4.0
A very fun book with a lot of humor and a dash of Kafka. I don't much care for books about New York but if you live in a city, parts of this book are universal (yes, I live in LA, and no, I have no valet to park my car).
"Sometimes, I'll pull up to their corner, on Madison, and there are four or five spots available at meters that don't need to be fed after seven. I just glide into one of the spots. I take my choice. I always say to my wife, 'Well, I've just had the high point of the evening. No matter what happens, the rest of it will be downhill.'"
"Sometimes, I'll pull up to their corner, on Madison, and there are four or five spots available at meters that don't need to be fed after seven. I just glide into one of the spots. I take my choice. I always say to my wife, 'Well, I've just had the high point of the evening. No matter what happens, the rest of it will be downhill.'"
ericb's review against another edition
4.0
Very funny and entertaining. One of my favorite light reads.
toddtyrtle's review against another edition
3.0
When it comes to movies, there's a certain kind of movie that my partner and I say is really great on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Usually not an Oscar winner, often not even widely known but one that brings a smile to your face and makes you glad you spent the time to relax and enjoy it.
This book is the literary equivalent. "Comfortable" to read and brought a smile to my face.
This book is the literary equivalent. "Comfortable" to read and brought a smile to my face.
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