Recently separated Toby Fleishman is suddenly, somehow--and at age forty-one, short as ever--surrounded by women who want him: women who are self-actualized, women who are smart and interesting, women who don't mind his height, women who are eager to take him for a test drive with just the swipe of an app. Toby doesn't mind being used in this way; it's a welcome change from the thirteen years he spent as a married man, the thirteen years of emotional neglect and contempt he's just endured. Anthropologically speaking, it's like nothing he ever experienced before, particularly back in the 1990s, when he first began dating and became used to swimming in the murky waters of rejection. But Toby's new life--liver specialist by day, kids every other weekend, rabid somewhat anonymous sex at night--is interrupted when his ex-wife suddenly disappears. Either on a vision quest or a nervous breakdown, Toby doesn't know--she won't answer his texts or calls. Is Toby's ex just angry, like always? Is she punishing him, yet again, for not being the bread winner she was? As he desperately searches for her while juggling his job and parenting their two unraveling children, Toby is forced to reckon with the real reasons his marriage fell apart, and to ask if the story he has been telling himself all this time is true. (less)
It’s hard to make comments at stopping points because this book is pretty much just 5 huge chapters. I hate when books don’t have smaller chapters. That’s my only complaint so far. About 8% in. Liking it.
I’m about 10% through and enjoying it too. Very easy listen. I am painting my son’s room today and listening while I work so I should knock out a good bit
Part one Spoiler So far so good. For a while I was thinking Rachael had died or something. But that last little paragraph apparently not. I’d be fucking pissed if I was Toby. Also funny how he makes two 250 K but he’s considered not well off in his community. The sext convos are pretty funny. Well not the convos as much as his internal dialogue during them
I’m halfway through part one so I’m not reading your spoiler but what are your nonspoiler thoughts. Still enjoying it?
I am. This is something I would have never picked on my own. Good writing , character development. Funny dialogue. Divorced dad trying to navigate his new life isn’t something that sounds too interesting but it’s a good story I’m invested in.
Pretty much my same thoughts. Doubt I would have ever read it had Sepinwall not recommended it so highly. 1/2 way through part 1 semi but not really spoiler. Spoiler Im not in my mid 40s nor divorced, but a guy I work closely with is. After he went through a rough divorce 2-3 years ago he told me the same thing about the dating scene for guys his age. Just a bunch of 35-55 year old women wanting to get fucked. He would always want to show me all the pics he had on his phone. Said it wasn’t even fair how easy it was. Like Fleishman he discovered how great it was to be free and know exactly what you want for guys and girls alike.
Part 2 Spoiler This author is an asshole. Super long chapters only to end w huge cliffhangers than make you want to keep reading There has to be some kind of twist coming e Rachel. Even the shittiest mom would check in on her kids. Seth cracks me up. When Toby told him Rachel was sleeping w someone from school.. What Grade? Lol
Part 3 Spoiler So Rachel just had a breakdown. That’s kind of unsatisfying. However the author is a really good writer because when I read why she ordered lo mein 3 times in a row, i thought maybe the ebook I had was corrupted or maybe I was going crazy. It confused the shit out of me for a bit, then i felt dumb because i didnt pick up on what the author was doing right ways. Lol. I was also a bit frustrated Elizabeth dominated so much of the ending. I know She was there as a control case in marriage against Toby/Rachel. I just didn’t care as much about her story w Adam . I wish Toby could have gotten more resolution w Rachel. Maybe he will now that she’s standing in his door. I wanted to see that interaction play out. Also , the author is /was a writer for GQ. I wonder how much of Elizabeth is actually her. If she has a friend like Toby irl. It all seemed so realistic and stuff like this happens all the time. I guess thats a compliment to her story telling. Really liked the the journey. Was underwhelmed but not disappointed in the destination. Gonna be hard for me to rate. I liked it. Need to let it marinate a bit before ranking it. I cant decide if I liked the ending or not.
In the process of reading it now.. About 17% in and lady and her kids sat next to me at airport terminal.
I don't really understand how the narrator/faux author of the book is part of the story. Is she just a storyteller or does her path cross more heavily with Toby's later in the book? I'm also curious how much of this book is based on real people and events. Part 1: Spoiler Really enjoying the book, but not really sure what to write. Rachel has disappeared, but we know she's alive and well after his friends told him they'd seen her. The obvious answer is that she found a man, right? I'd assume it's one of the husbands of a mutual friend of theirs or something, but that's just a wild guess. This life they were living sounds miserable. He's also a tight ass, and I find myself agreeing with Rachel about half the shit that is rehashed in his mind.
Also some Maslow references I’m curious to see if y’all agree or disagree. Also, who is Romolino? Her pregnancy doctor or old boss?
Romolino... Idk how to spell it. It's for the part "Rachel Fleishman is in trouble" and she says he made her feel like this. I think it was the doctor who helped her with her first childbirth.
Enjoyed it, still trying to figure out the point when she became such a bitch about status and stuff or if she was always like that and he just never noticed
Spoiler: In case you haven't read or seen Show did a great service to the book. As in the book, the author's husband is the real hero here.
Taffy Brodesser-Anker was the lead writer on the show. They did a really good job. Although, it had been so long since I read this, I couldnt tell you any minor changes. But it felt very close to the book.