Play Book Tag discussion

Hmmm...well, I don't really know where to begin with Fleishman Is in Trouble. It is an interesting, inventive, entertaining and funny book, but there are times that it goes over the top and round again. Taffy Brodesser-Akner is a great writer and works for New York Times Magazine, something like Libby, Fleishman's friend who tells his story.

The use of Libby is an interesting device, instead of the unknown third person telling the story, we have an old college friend telling his story. The thing about Libby is that while Fleishman and her are good friends, Toby Fleishman thinks she is a little crazy. I think she gets a little carried away and could have monitored herself better, but then there is this:

That was what I knew for sure, that this was the only way to get someone to listen to a woman—to tell her story through a man; Trojan horse yourself into a man, and people would give a shit about you. So I wrote heartfelt stories about their lives, extrapolating from what they gave me and running with what I already knew from being human. They sent me texts and flowers that told me I really understood them in a way that no one had before, and I realized that all humans are essentially the same, but only some of us, the men, were truly allowed to be that without apology. The mens’ humanity was sexy and complicated; ours (mine) was to be kept in the dark at the bottom of the story and was only interesting in the service of the man’s humanity.

So the deal is Toby Fleishman is a doctor, a hepatologist, and he is in the midst of a divorce and then his wife soon to be ex disappears. Toby has to figure out how he will care for his two children and work and have "play dates."

This book is laugh out loud funny. It uses an inventive technique with the narrative. Does Libby successfully climb into the Trojan horse and insert herself into the story. I don't know , truthfully I found her portions of the story somewhat annoying, but it could be just me.

I am tolerant of sex and language in a book, but there were times when I felt enough already, so this is a warning to any who could be offended.

All in all it is a funny and interesting book which I am still mauling over.

I am very interested in this book, so pleased to see a good review! I am not sure what drew me to this book, the author interview on NY Times Book Review Podcast or other reviews on book podcasts perhaps.

This will have to stay at the bottom of the list though because I just bought 5 books this month :(

Meli wrote: "This will have to stay at the bottom of the list though because I just bought 5 books this month :( ."

I know the feeling. I've purchased at least that many and the month is only half over.

I am often drawn to a book when I hear the author talk about it. This one just sounded interesting to me. It is a little different spin on something which has been done frequently.

Booknblues wrote: "Meli wrote: "This will have to stay at the bottom of the list though because I just bought 5 books this month :( ."

I know the feeling. I've purchased at least that many and the month is only half..."

Same. If you haven't heard it yet I recommend the interview on NY Times Book Review Podcast, it is the June 28th episode.

Meli wrote: "Booknblues wrote: "Meli wrote: "This will have to stay at the bottom of the list though because I just bought 5 books this month :( ."

I know the feeling. I've purchased at least that many and the..."

I'll check it out. I have to think she must be pretty entertaining just from her writing style.