Elinor Lipman crafts humorous novels that offer astute observations of contemporary American society. Her distinctive style blends witty social commentary with a keen eye for the absurdities and intricacies of everyday life. Lipman's narratives are marked by their engaging plots and memorable characters, inviting readers into worlds that are both relatable and delightfully unexpected. Through her sharp prose and insightful portrayals, she consistently delivers stories that are both entertaining and thought-provoking.
When her mother receives a notice about a Vermont inn that caters especially to non-Jewish guests, Natalie Marx becomes obsessed with the once-restricted, family-owned resort and wangles an invitation to join a friend on a vacation there.
Faith Frankel buys a sweet but dilapidated bungalow in the hope of a peaceful life. When a policeman knows on the door, she discovers that the history of her new home is anything but tranquil. A madcap comedy from one of America's most acclaimed novelists.
Will Rachel Klein bring down the President? Or will he manage to do that all by himself?
The contents of a discarded high-school yearbook take on a new urgency in this light-as-a-feather comedy
"Jane Morgan is a valued member of her law firm--or was, until a prudish neighbor, binoculars poised, observes her having sex on the roof of her NYC apartment building. Police are summoned, and a punishing judge sentences her to six months of home confinement. With Jane now jobless and rootless, trapped at home, life looks bleak. Yes, her twin sister provides support and advice, but mostly of the unwelcome kind. When a doorman lets slip that Jane isn't the only resident wearing an ankle monitor, she strikes up a friendship with fellow white-collar felon Perry Salisbury. As she tries to adapt to life within her apartment walls, she discovers she hasn't heard the end of that tattletale neighbor--whose past isn't as decorous as her 9-1-1 snitching would suggest. Why are police knocking on Jane's door again? Can her house arrest have a silver lining? Can two wrongs make a right?"--
Set against a backdrop of darkly romantic comedy, the story explores the complexities of relationships and the pursuit of happiness among intelligent, opinionated characters. The author’s wit and elegance shine through as the narrative unfolds, drawing comparisons to Jane Austen's sensibility. With a blend of humor and insight, the book captures the nuances of modern social interactions and the often convoluted path to personal fulfillment.
Everyone in King George, New Hampshire, loved Margaret Batten, part-time amateur actress, full-time wallflower, and single mother to a now-distant daughter, Sunny. But accidents happen. The death of Margaret, side by side with her putative fiance, brings Sunny back to the scene of her unhappy adolescence, to the community that remembers her solely, nervously, as "the girl who golfed." Reentry is to be dreaded; there's no hiding in a town with one diner, one doctor, one stop sign, one motel. Yet allies surface: The country club opens its doors to its former Orphan Annie caddie. High school classmates, even the tormenters, have grown up nicely, matured in unforeseen and gratifying ways. Maybe, Sunny begins to think, she wasn't as beleaguered as she felt she was; maybe her mother's life was richer than anyone suspected; and maybe the man at the funeral-the one with her face, her flyaway hair, her golf swing-is the halfbrother she doesn't know she needs. Elinor Lipman writes with the wry authority of a latter-day Jane Austen. The Dearly Departed is another perfect blend of social comedy, pointed wit, and precise pacing from our last urbane romantic.
When Harriet Mahoney first sees it, Isabel Krug's bed is covered with sheared sheep and littered with celebrity biographies. Unpublished, fortyish, and recently jilted, Harriet has fled Manhattan for Isabel's loudly elegant Cape Cod retreat, where she will ghostwrite The Isabel Krug Story, based on the sexy blond's scandalous tabloid past. Unusually "talented" in the man department ("I give lessons"), Isabel revamps and inspires Harriet as they gear up to tell all, including the tangled history Isabel shares with her odd lodger, Costas. Life according to Isabel is a nonstop soap opera extravaganza, an experience to be swallowed whole -- and the attitude is catching....
Alice Thrift, a socially inept surgical intern at a Boston hospital, is pursued romantically by shady social climber Ray Russo, until her roommate and her neighbor decide to guide Alice through the social complexities of life.
A delightful blend of romance and crime unfolds in this comedic narrative, showcasing the author's signature humor. The story promises to entertain with its engaging characters and clever plot twists, making it a must-read for fans of romantic comedies. The author, known for their wit and charm, delivers a tale that balances love and mischief, ensuring readers will be both amused and captivated throughout the journey.