Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Publication
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (2009), 320 pages
Description
Fiction. Literature. HTML: A hysterical phone call from Henry Archer's ex-wife and a familiar face in a photograph upend his well-ordered life and bring him back into contact with the child he adored, a short-term stepdaughter from a misbegotten marriage long ago. Henry is a lawyer, an old-fashioned man, gay, successful, lonely. Thalia is now twenty-nine, an actress-hopeful, estranged from her newly widowed eccentric mother�??Denise, Henry's ex. Hoping it will lead to better things for her career, Thalia agrees to pose as the girlfriend of a horror-movie luminary who is down on his romantic luck. When Thalia and her complicated social life move into the basement of Henry's Upper West Side townhouse, she finds a champion in her long-lost father, and he finds new life�??and maybe even new love�??in the commot… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member blakefraina
Please indulge me by allowing me to write this review as if it was the delightful film I so wish it could be.
Single gay bachelor Henry Archer (George Clooney – channeling a mix of legal eagle Michael Clayton and the hapless cuckold of “The Descendants”) is embarking on a quiet retirement from
Reconnecting with Denise ultimately leads Henry back to Thalia (unfiltered screwball Jennifer Lawrence), now a 20-something struggling actress whom he invites to move into the basement apartment in his brownstone. To further her career, and against Henry’s advice, Thalia agrees to pose as the girlfriend of a 40 year-old horror film star (Lukas Haas, equal parts weirdo and wounded puppy) whose PR people believe engagement to an attractive young starlet will change his public image and help him achieve mainstream success. While Henry is thrilled to have Thalia back in his life, both she and Denise turn his ordered existence into a constant state of pandemonium. Adding to all this, Denise fixes him up with Todd Weinreb (menschy Mark Feuerstein) who dives headlong, and with unbridled enthusiasm, into both Thalia’s PR drama and Henry’s heart.
I enjoyed this story way more than I expected to. The characterizations were so vivid and everyone, even the obnoxious Denise, was so loveable and fun. The plot moves in a few unexpected directions and is never a downer. The entire thing sparkles like champagne. I honestly wish this could be made into the movie I imagined. Hopefully some producer is reading it right now.
And if J-Law isn’t available for Thalia, they could always cast one of Clooney’s previous co-stars like Anna Kendrick or Shailene Woodley.
Read this.
Single gay bachelor Henry Archer (George Clooney – channeling a mix of legal eagle Michael Clayton and the hapless cuckold of “The Descendants”) is embarking on a quiet retirement from
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his law career when he receives a desperate phone call from his self-absorbed ex-wife Denise (Patti Lupone – chewing the scenery) asking for legal advice. You see, before Henry came out to himself and the world, he was a happily married man and a loving stepfather to Denise’s four year old daughter, Thalia. It seems the sons of Denise’s late third husband (the one she dumped Henry for) are trying to squeeze her out of his will because their marriage didn’t last past the 25 year pre-nup. Even though Henry is still bitter that she cheated on him and took away custody of Thalia, she’s extremely needy and exceptionally nervy, so he agrees to help her out.Reconnecting with Denise ultimately leads Henry back to Thalia (unfiltered screwball Jennifer Lawrence), now a 20-something struggling actress whom he invites to move into the basement apartment in his brownstone. To further her career, and against Henry’s advice, Thalia agrees to pose as the girlfriend of a 40 year-old horror film star (Lukas Haas, equal parts weirdo and wounded puppy) whose PR people believe engagement to an attractive young starlet will change his public image and help him achieve mainstream success. While Henry is thrilled to have Thalia back in his life, both she and Denise turn his ordered existence into a constant state of pandemonium. Adding to all this, Denise fixes him up with Todd Weinreb (menschy Mark Feuerstein) who dives headlong, and with unbridled enthusiasm, into both Thalia’s PR drama and Henry’s heart.
I enjoyed this story way more than I expected to. The characterizations were so vivid and everyone, even the obnoxious Denise, was so loveable and fun. The plot moves in a few unexpected directions and is never a downer. The entire thing sparkles like champagne. I honestly wish this could be made into the movie I imagined. Hopefully some producer is reading it right now.
And if J-Law isn’t available for Thalia, they could always cast one of Clooney’s previous co-stars like Anna Kendrick or Shailene Woodley.
Read this.
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LibraryThing member bearette24
In this book, Elinor Lipman turns her acerbic wit to New York City instead of Massachusetts (her usual setting). The lightning-quick repartee was a bit much for me - I felt like I was watching a high-speed tennis match! But the characters were endearing and the concept entertaining. The story
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focuses on Thalia, a would-be actress who agrees to a publicity stunt. The plot is kind of beside the point, since it ends predictably. The story is more about the characters - Henry, a refined gay lawyer; Denise, a meddlesome heart-of-gold type who recalls the mother in Lipman's Then She Found Me; Thalia, a flirtatious drama queen; and Todd, Henry's warm-hearted retailer boyfriend. Show Less
LibraryThing member Brianna_H
Whitty & pithy dialog make The Family Man an entertaining novel. Lipman creates amusing and eccentric characters that make reading this book highly enjoyable.
LibraryThing member teaperson
A solid performance by Elinor Lipman, a master of the modern comedy of manners. It tells an interesting story about a gay man reconnecting with his now-grown stepdaughter, an aspiring actress, and his crazy ex-wife. The characters are interesting yet not caricatures.
LibraryThing member bell7
After his ex-wife's husband of 24 years dies, leaving her with nothing thanks to a pre-nup that stipulated the marriage had to last 25 years, Henry Archer sends her a sympathy card. He has, for the most part, gotten over any heartbreak, and in fact has made peace with his homosexuality. He decides
Lipman's newest novel is set in New York City, a departure from the other books that I've read by her so far. The dialog kept the pace fast and funny, even though the plot focuses primarily on the characters and their relationships. A light read that was fun, and would have gotten a higher rating if I had been in a different mood.
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to reconnect with Thalia, the daughter from Denise's first marriage that Henry adopted but hasn't seen in two decades. Meanwhile, Denise has no idea about this, and is clinging to Henry as her last lifeline...oh, and wants to set him up, too.Lipman's newest novel is set in New York City, a departure from the other books that I've read by her so far. The dialog kept the pace fast and funny, even though the plot focuses primarily on the characters and their relationships. A light read that was fun, and would have gotten a higher rating if I had been in a different mood.
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LibraryThing member LesaHolstine
Up until now, The Inn at Lake Devine has been my favorite Lipman novel. All of her books have wonderful characters, people with a wry way of looking at life. Lipman's characters often cut through the hypocrisy of life. Elinor Lipman writes social satire, fun novels with underlying messages of
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acceptance. And, Henry Archer, is a kind, gentle man who exemplifies the best of Lipman. He's perfect for The Family Man. Show Less
LibraryThing member hammockqueen
found this book to be fun with clever characters. Gay father Henry Archer, unhappy ex wife, Denise. daughter of theirs Thalia. Denise 2nd husband leaves all to his sons and denise and thalia need monies to live. Prenup was for 25 yrs. but guy died at 24. Clever.
LibraryThing member crazy4novels
Elinor Lipman's "The Family Man," set in contemporary Manhattan, is a witty celebration of engaging dialogue and the triumph of love. Wordy characters abound in this fast-paced domestic farce: Henry Archer, a successful, recently retired gay attorney; Denise, his histrionic ex-wife from the distant
Denise's Xanax-induced "eulogy" of her deceased husband (third one and counting) is almost as entertaining as her verbal overtures to her new soul mate, Albert Einstein, a greyhound rescued from the racing circuit and formerly named "Kill Bill." Todd's "coming out" interchange with his house-coated Brooklynese mother is priceless. The story is saturated with New York references both real (Zabar's, the Number 7 Line, a haute restaurant named "Per Se") and imagined which reinforce the urbane nature of the wordplay. Lipman's novel may fall on the light side of the literary scale, but that doesn't make it any less rewarding on a long summer afternoon.
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past; Todd, a middle aged sales clerk with his eye on Henry; Thalia, an aspiring actress who seeks to reunite with her stepfather Henry after twenty years of estrangement -- all of these characters are bubbling over with something to say, and the result is a light yet gratifying verbal soufflé reminiscent of Grant/Hepburn screwball comedies of the 30's and 40's. Denise's Xanax-induced "eulogy" of her deceased husband (third one and counting) is almost as entertaining as her verbal overtures to her new soul mate, Albert Einstein, a greyhound rescued from the racing circuit and formerly named "Kill Bill." Todd's "coming out" interchange with his house-coated Brooklynese mother is priceless. The story is saturated with New York references both real (Zabar's, the Number 7 Line, a haute restaurant named "Per Se") and imagined which reinforce the urbane nature of the wordplay. Lipman's novel may fall on the light side of the literary scale, but that doesn't make it any less rewarding on a long summer afternoon.
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LibraryThing member bookmagic
This is the first Elinor Lipman book I have read, recommended to me by a friend. Elinor creates memorable characters, the fatherly Henry, out of his comfort zone, Thalia, his larger than life step-daughter, and the annoying but ultimately likable Denise. Denise barges back into Henry's life after
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the death of her husband, whom she left Henry for. Her husband died one year before the expiration of their 25 year old pre-nup and her step-sons are cutting her out. Henry reluctantly becomes her only confidant, while trying to build a relationship with Thalia. This book is light, witty, and sharp. There is also Todd, a potential new love for Henry and Leif, the actor hiring Thalia to pose as his fiance. It is humorous and whimsical. An easy and enjoyable read for a Saturday afternoon. It's hard to put down once you start. There are so many brilliant scenes that make the reader laugh. Now I just have to decide what will be my next Elinor read. Show Less
LibraryThing member triscuit
Lipman, a once-bitingly funny author of social comedy, is sliding into the miasma of wealthy middle-aged sophisticates who are far too self-congratulatory. Rich man with all the right values re-adopts his former step-daughter as she launches acting career in Manhattan while her dipsy-doodle mother
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fights to hang on to spoils of marriage to yet another rich man. Show Less
LibraryThing member sjmccreary
This is a funny and sweet story about Henry, a recently retired attorney and gay man; Denise, his ex-wife whose husband just died; and Thalia, Denise's daughter whom Henry adopted and then gave up but never stopped loving. Denise is fighting her step-sons over her husband's estate, since the prenup
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stipulated she would not inherit unless she'd been married 25 years, but it had only been 24 years. Thalia is a struggling actress who isn't speaking to her mother and is currently employed in the salon where Henry gets his hair cut. Henry is thrilled to finally recognize Thalia and invite her into his life. So many delightful characters - and a wonderful, feel-good story about this awkward family who aren't always sure how to relate to one another as each one searches for their own place in life and someone to love. Show Less
LibraryThing member infojunkie
A wonderful, very well-written and amusing tale of the life of an extended family in NYC. The plot is not the star, the dialogue is, and Lipman has a terrific ear for conversation and bon mots. In fact, it read a bit like a screenplay; would not be surprised to see this made into a film. While not
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as moving or deep as The Inn at Lake Devine, this was a perfectly entertaining read, and sometimes that's just what's desired. Show Less
LibraryThing member smallwonder56
Henry and Thalia. The odd couple. I say that tongue-in-cheek, but it is an odd pairing. An older gay man and the step-daughter that he lost track of when her mother divorced him. Elinor Lipman is another author whose greatest talent is writing wonderful characters and this novel is no exception. I
I enjoyed the book very much. I didn't relate to it as well as I have some of Elinor Lipman's other books but it was a satisfying read.
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loved Henry, put up with Thalia (though it's a very good depiction of a certain type of young woman, it reminded me a little too much of my son's girlfriend), couldn't *stand* Thalia's mother (and Henry's ex-wife) Denise. All is as it should be.I enjoyed the book very much. I didn't relate to it as well as I have some of Elinor Lipman's other books but it was a satisfying read.
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LibraryThing member detailmuse
The Family Man is pure Elinor Lipman: witty, quirky, and optimistic. Set in Manhattan, it’s about a middle-aged gay man who (no spoiler) reconnects with the step-daughter he lost decades earlier when he and his ex-wife divorced after a brief marriage. The story unfolds easily through Lipman’s
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abundant and expert dialogue, revealing lovable (and lovable-to-hate) characters and entertaining plots of family, romance, and the media. Beautiful neighborhoods, yummy restaurants, and the lively cast made me think, in the words of 30 Rock’s Liz Lemon, “I want to go to there!” And for 300 pages with Elinor Lipman, I did. Show Less
LibraryThing member mkschoen
Good, but...I kept thinking there was going to be more, I don't know plot? Which sounds strange, because a lot of stuff happens in this book (Man sends condolence card to his ex-wife, who is recently widowed, is reunited with his long-lost daughter, and finds a new love) but it all seemed very
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passive somehow. Like the plot was just sort of flowing by while Lipman made wry comments about it, insetad of being actively engaged in what was going on. Show Less
LibraryThing member kelley1223
Funny book about a gay man who gets in touch with his ex-wife and finds both his daughter and the love of his life. Through a series of strange circumstances Henry finds love and family. Great summer read. Light, funny and entertaining.
LibraryThing member Periodista
A trifle, but passable for an airport distraction. Years ago I enjoyed And Then She Found Me. The characters popped off the page and there was some dialogue and asides that were oh so true of real life.
None of these characters seem real. This is fairytale New York, Eloise for grown-ups, where a
I think he'd be pestered for pro bono work. Early retired in New York but he has to depend on a long lost stepdaughter to give him something to do. It all might have seemed cute if published in the 1970s, but now?
None of these characters seem real. This is fairytale New York, Eloise for grown-ups, where a
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multiply-married, not-rich-by-birth woman has never held a job and a young "actress" can pay her rent on hatcheck girl salary. Then we get the gay character--nice, well-off, presentable, recently retired lawyer, but he has no gay friends? No interest in the arts, interior decoration or food? It takes his ex-wife, not a friend, to introduce him to another gay man? I think he'd be pestered for pro bono work. Early retired in New York but he has to depend on a long lost stepdaughter to give him something to do. It all might have seemed cute if published in the 1970s, but now?
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LibraryThing member Bellettres
Elinor Lipman starts with a pretty unbelievable situation--gay ex-husband reconnects with his stepdaughter whom he hasn't seen in 24 years--and creates an entertaining story. The writing is very good, the characters are mostly lovable, and the ending, while wildly improbable, is just what we're
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hoping will happen. Many laugh-out-loud moments. Show Less
LibraryThing member CasualFriday
The family man of the title is Henry Archer, an aging, cultured gay man who finds his life upended with the sudden reappearance of his dotty ex-wife and his actress-wannabee stepdaughter, who lands a bizarre gig as a faux girlfriend for a socially awkward movie star.
Lipman is a shrewd observer of
Lipman is a shrewd observer of
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family dynamics and social mores; her work is witty and I would almost say light, although certainly not frivolous or frothy. I started out not liking this one as much as I have other Lipman books, because I'm not particularly interested in the rich Manhattanite characters that are being portrayed here. However, I warmed to Henry - it's impossible not to - and I warmed to the story as it went along. The book teaches us that there are many different ways to be a family, and that all families are a little nutty. No great revelation, right, but a pleasant read. Show Less
LibraryThing member espref
Very fun read! Light, quick and easy.
LibraryThing member gbelik
An all-around pleasant, warm-hearted family drama/comedy. A fun and quick read.
LibraryThing member eachurch
A perfect, easy-to-read, airplane book full of good humor and warmth.
LibraryThing member quirkylibrarian
A cast of mostly very likable characters, typical rom-com/chick-lit storyline, but a less than stellar end . Henry's estranged ex-wife and step-daughter come back into his life, he finds love with Todd and general satisfaction with life. The story is a lighthearted romp, but while the reader
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expects-and gets- a happy ending, this ending is a mediocre and unlikely summing up of events. Lipman has other, better works but if you're looking for a light beach read, it's fine. Show Less
LibraryThing member franoscar
Read on Kindle -- purchased at a sale. This was OK. Competently written. Nice story. Spoilers are here. Nice story about a guy who married a woman with a little girl & bonded with the little girl but then lost her through the divorce. Now it is enough years later than the little girl is a young
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woman. The ex-wife becomes widowed & our hero extends condolences & finds himself caught up in a nutty friendship with her. And he and the young woman find each other & build a father-daughter relationship. Meanwhile the ex-wife finds him a new boyfriend who is very sweet. Sort of a sweet NYC slice-of-life book. Show Less
LibraryThing member Megabaker
This was a light read with good dialogue: fast, witty, and humorous.
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2009
ISBN
0618644660 / 9780618644667
UPC
046442644662