Description
Tom Violet always thought that by the time he turned thirty-five, he’d have everything going for him. Fame. Fortune. A beautiful wife. A satisfying career as a successful novelist. A happy dog to greet him at the end of the day.
The reality, though, is far different. He’s got a wife, but their problems are bigger than he can even imagine. And he’s written a novel, but the manuscript he’s slaved over for years is currently hidden in his desk drawer while his father, an actual famous writer, just won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. His career, such that it is, involves mind-numbing corporate buzzwords, his pretentious archnemesis Gregory, and a hopeless, completely inappropriate crush on his favorite coworker. Oh . . . and his dog, according to the vet, is suffering from acute anxiety.
Tom’s life is crushing his soul, but he’s decided to do something about it. (Really.) Domestic Violets is the brilliant and beguiling story of a man finally taking control of his own happiness—even if it means making a complete idiot of himself along the way.
The reality, though, is far different. He’s got a wife, but their problems are bigger than he can even imagine. And he’s written a novel, but the manuscript he’s slaved over for years is currently hidden in his desk drawer while his father, an actual famous writer, just won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. His career, such that it is, involves mind-numbing corporate buzzwords, his pretentious archnemesis Gregory, and a hopeless, completely inappropriate crush on his favorite coworker. Oh . . . and his dog, according to the vet, is suffering from acute anxiety.
Tom’s life is crushing his soul, but he’s decided to do something about it. (Really.) Domestic Violets is the brilliant and beguiling story of a man finally taking control of his own happiness—even if it means making a complete idiot of himself along the way.
About the Author
Matthew Norman is an advertising copywriter. He lives with his wife and daughter in Baltimore. Domestic Violets is his first novel.Details
- Paperback: 352 pages
- Publisher: Harper Perennial; Original edition (August 9, 2011)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0062065114
- ISBN-13: 978-0062065117
MY THOUGHTS
LOVED IT
Tom Violet is having a bad day, well, actually a bad life. His sex life is down the drain, his famous father just won the Pulitzer Prize for a book he wrote years ago, he has a dead end job and HIS book will never be published. When his father shows up in his home (actually his father owns the house Tom lives in) states he just left his wife and proceeds to get drunk, Tom really thinks it can't get any worse. Then his mother's husband, Gary shows up as well. If all this sounds depressing, it really isn't since I think I laughed my way through much of this book. This story puts the FUN in dysfunctional.
Tom is such and endearing character that you want to take him home, give him a drink and a quiet room and tell him everything is going to be ok. His dark sarcasm and wit are just icing on the cake. This really reminded me a bit of a cross between Carl Hiaasen and Christopher Moore, well, if Moore wrote without paranormal elements. It is funny, because a friend saw this book before I did and sent me an immediate message that this book was perfect for me! It has exactly all of the things I love in a good read: compelling characters, a bit of wackiness and snark. I prize snark over all else.
Hi! Stopping in from book blogs! I love both your blogs! Very clever, and very interesting.
ReplyDeleteSincerely,
Tori
The title alone would entice me to buy.
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