Elinor Lipman

Elinor Lipman is renowned for her amusing and literate works of fiction, in which quirky characters interact in unexpected ways. Thirty-two-year-old Daphne Maritch endured a disastrous albeit mercifully short marriage. Her advice? “Never marry a man who proposes too early.” After Daphne’s mother (a former English teacher) passes away, she leaves Daphne an unexpected bequest--“a painstakingly annotated high school yearbook”--in which June Maritch wrote copious and often snarky comments about her students. In the mood to declutter, Daphne puts the yearbook out with the trash, not expecting that her nosy neighbor, Geneva Wisenkorn, “a boundary-challenged chatterbox,” would pluck it out of the recycling bin. Ms. Wisenkorn concocts a harebrained scheme—to use the yearbook as inspiration for a documentary film she plans to make.

“Good Riddance” is an occasionally diverting novel about the bond between parents and children; the challenge of finding a loyal and loving romantic partner; and the complications that can ensue when explosive secrets suddenly come to light. There is a great deal that Daphne never knew about her mother, and what she learns unnerves her. In addition, not only must Daphne deal with the persistent and obnoxious Geneva, but our heroine finds herself in an ambiguous relationship with Jeremy Wynn, a twenty-five-year-old actor who lives across the hall from her. Fortunately, Daphne’s father, Thomas, decides to move from their hometown in New Hampshire to New York City. He provides comfort and advice to Daphne, who lives on a tight budget in a cramped Manhattan apartment, and is studying online to be a chocolatier.

The author focuses on her characters’ off-the-wall shenanigans, the dialogue is witty, and the situations are mostly absurd. Lipman satirizes the mores of New Yorkers, particularly in some funny sequences about affluent clients who pay dog walkers to care for their precious pooches. Although she is a basically good-hearted person, the daffy Daphne lacks a clear sense of who she is and what she would like to do with her life. The talented Lipman does not fully succeed in balancing her story’s lighter elements with its more serious themes. Daphne’s behavior is exasperating, Lipman’s plot is slapdash, and the proceedings culminate in a sweet but unremarkable conclusion. Readers will get a few chuckles from the book’s sarcastic narration, but it is unlikely that even diehard fans will give this novel much thought after they turn the final page.
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Elinor Lipman's "On Turpentine Lane" is narrated by Faith Frankel, a bright, good-natured, and somewhat gullible woman in her thirties who works in the fundraising office of her alma mater, Everton Country Day, a private school in Massachusetts. She impulsively decides to purchase "a chronic headache masquerading as a charming bungalow," while her freeloading and self-absorbed fiancé, Stuart Levine, travels across the United States trying "to find his own path." When she gets into trouble, her pushy but protective relatives come to the rescue.

This is a wacky and mildly amusing novel about relationships between partners, parents and children, married couples, and siblings. What makes two people right for one another? What drives formerly affectionate pairs apart? Can husbands and wives who have been married for decades maintain their intimacy and passion? Faith is fortunate to have a wonderful brother, Joel, and the siblings are supportive of their mother when her husband, Henry, behaves badly. Lipman describes the challenges that each character faces with breezy humor; she casts a satirical eye on workplace politics, late-in-life crises, and the pretentions of the super-rich.

Unfortunately, the author goes too far when she throws in an unnecessary subplot about the dark secrets of those who previously owned Faith's home. This superfluous element is a jarring intrusion that does not mesh well with book's tongue-in-cheek tone. At its best, "On Turpentine Lane" is a lighthearted, literate, and pleasant work of romantic fiction. Faith comes to realize that although happiness may be elusive, it is not unattainable.… (more)

This is a collection of short stories set in New York City. As the title implies, the focus is on love … falling in love, attraction, heartbreak, excitement, intimacy, falling out of love.

Lipman peoples her work with a variety of urbanites. They are newly married, newly divorced, eager to meet “the one,” swearing off romance after a breakup. Some are focused on careers but find love in friendship. Some actively seek a partner. Some don’t want a long-term relationship, but a quick hook-up. All of them are interesting and, mostly, people I’d want to know. One couple, Tim and Hannah, meet in line at the Department of Motor Vehicles, and their romance unfolds over several stories in the book.

This was Lipman’s debut work. I’ve become a fan of hers in the last few years and decided to go back and read some of her earlier works. She writes with wit and tenderness and eyes wide open to her characters’ flaws and gifts.… (more)

Digital audiobook performed by Piper Goodeve

An attorney is spotted by a nosy neighbor with binoculars engaging in consensual sex on her rooftop patio. The outraged busybody calls police and Jane Morgan is convicted of indecent behavior and sentenced to six months of house confinement. With no job and stuck at home, life looks bleak. But then her doorman lets slip that there is another resident of her building who is also wearing an ankle monitor. And so Jane meets Perry Salisbury, whose white-collar crime doesn’t completely put him out of the picture.

This is a delightful modern-day rom-com with an interesting plot twist, or three. I just love Lipman’s sense of humor!

Jane’s twin sister provides moral (and financial) support. Her relationship with Perry moves along nicely. But wait … why are police knocking on Jane’s door once again? You’ll have to read the book to find out.

The audiobook is performed by Piper Goodeve, who does a fine job. She sets a good pace, and I was engaged and entertained from beginning to end.… (more)