Jami Attenberg Books

From one of today's hottest novelists and author of the bestselling The Middlesteins -- a provocative story about friendship and self-discovery. Catherine Madison left her small town in Nebraska after her husband deserted her. She's also left behind her most shameful secrets-of a family and a marriage that have plagued her with self-doubt. On the road, she's trying to become a new person. But running away from the past isn't as easy as she'd hoped. Her journey leads her to Las Vegas, where she forms surprising new friendships that compel her to reveal what she'd sworn she'd keep hidden, and teach her what human connection really means.

From the bestselling author of The Middlesteins comes comes this unique novel about a forgotten heroine of the 1930s.Meet Mazie Phillips: big-hearted and feisty, she runs The Venice, the famed movie theatre in the rundown Bowery district of New York City. She spends her days taking tickets, chatting with drunks and eccentrics, and chasing out the troublemakers. After closing up, the nights are her own, and she fills them with romance and booze aplenty-even during Prohibition.When the Great Depression hits, and homelessness soars, Mazie opens The Venice to those in need, giving them shelter and dimes for food and booze, and earning the nickname 'Saint Mazie'. Inspired by Joseph Mitchell's essay about Mazie in Up in the Old Hotel, acclaimed author Jami Attenberg's novel honours an extraordinary life and heralds a completely original approach to writing historical fiction.Weaving together fictionalised diaries, writings and interviews, Attenberg has constructed an utterly convincing portrait of Mazie Philips, which is also a deeply moving portrait of New York as it passed through the First World War, Prohibition, the boom of the '20s, and then the terrible depression of the '30s.

For more than thirty years, Edie and Richard Middlestein shared a solid family life together in the suburbs of Chicago. But now things are splintering apart, for one reason, it seems: Edie's enormous girth. She's obsessed with food--thinking about it, eating it--and if she doesn't stop, she won't have much longer to live. When Richard abandons his wife, it is up to the next generation to take control. Robin, their schoolteacher daughter, is determined that her father pay for leaving Edie. Benny, an easy-going, pot-smoking family man, just wants to smooth things over. And Rachelle-- a whippet thin perfectionist-- is intent on saving her mother-in-law's life, but this task proves even bigger than planning her twin children's spectacular b'nai mitzvah party. Through it all, they wonder: do Edie's devastating choices rest on her shoulders alone, or are others at fault, too? With pitch-perfect prose, huge compassion, and sly humor, Jami Attenberg has given us an epic story of marriage, family, and obsession. The Middlesteins explores the hopes and heartbreaks of new and old love, the yearnings of Midwestern America, and our devastating, fascinating preoccupation with food.

A fierce, and funny memoir of how the New York Times-bestselling author embraced her creativity - and how it saved her.

Hilarious, courageous and mesmerizing from page one, ALL GROWN UP is a little gem that packs a devastating wallop. It's that rare book I'm dying to give all my friends so we can discuss it deep into the night. I'm in awe of Jami Attenberg. Maria Semple, author of Where'd You Go Bernadette

A moving, hilarious, and deeply perceptive novel of universal themes: family, love and greed.

With a blend of emotional depth and humor, this novel explores the complexities of human relationships and the struggles of everyday life. Set against a backdrop that contrasts with the typical cynicism of urban narratives, it offers a heartfelt and genuine portrayal of its characters. The story invites readers to connect with its relatable themes, making it an engaging and uplifting read.

Exploring themes of despair and longing, the narrative captures the emotional struggles of individuals navigating a city filled with unfulfilled desires. The metaphor of hearts as dying fish evokes a profound sense of melancholy, reflecting the characters' internal battles and the pervasive sense of hopelessness. Through vivid imagery, the story delves into the complexities of love and connection in an urban landscape, inviting readers to empathize with the characters' plight as they seek meaning amidst their sorrow.

An unforgettable novel of family secrets from New York Times bestselling author of The Middlesteins.

Exploring the complexities of family dynamics, this novel follows a troubled mother and her two daughters over four decades. Set against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving American landscape, the story delves into their struggles and aspirations as they navigate personal challenges in their quest for identity and belonging. The narrative captures the essence of resilience and the pursuit of self-discovery through generational shifts and societal changes.