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Fleishman Is in Trouble

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Fleishman Is in Trouble

By: Taffy Brodesser-Akner
Narrated by: Allyson Ryan
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Summary

 'Shrewdly observed, brimming with wisdom and utterly of this moment . . . Taffy Brodesser-Akner's debut is that rare and delicious treat: a page turner with heft' MARIA SEMPLE

ONE OF ESQUIRE UK'S 'BOOKS WE CAN'T WAIT TO READ IN 2019' AND LITERARY HUB'S 'MOST ANTICIPATED BOOKS OF 2019'

Finally free from his nightmare of a marriage, Toby Fleishman is ready for a life of Tinder dating and weekend-only parental duties. But as he optimistically looks to a future of few responsibilities, his life turns upside-down as his ex-wife Rachel suddenly disappears.

While Toby tries to find out what happened - juggling work, kids and his new, app-assisted sexual popularity - his tidy narrative of a spurned husband is his sole consolation. But if he ever wants to really understand where Rachel went and what really happened to his marriage, he is going to have to consider that he might not have seen it all that clearly in the first place . . .

A BLISTERING SATIRICAL NOVEL ABOUT MARRIAGE, DIVORCE AND MODERN RELATIONSHIPS, BY ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING NEW VOICES IN AMERICAN FICTION

'A marvel, full of shrewd observations, barbed wit, and deep insight . . . a remarkable debut novel from one of the most distinctive writers around' TOM PERROTTA

(P)2019 Penguin Audio©2019 Taffy Brodesser-Akner Literature & Fiction Satire Marriage Comedy Witty Dating Thought-Provoking Funny Fiction Divorce
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Critic reviews

From its opening pages, Fleishman is in Trouble is shrewdly observed, brimming with wisdom and utterly of this moment. Not until its explosive final pages are you fully aware of its cunning ferocity. Taffy Brodesser-Akner's debut is that rare and delicious treat: a page turner with heft (Maria Semple)
A marvel, full of shrewd observations, barbed wit, and deep insight. Taffy Brodesser-Akner reveals the twisted hearts of her characters - and the twisted soul of contemporary America - with an eye that is at once pitiless and full of compassion for our human foibles. This is a remarkable debut novel from one of the most distinctive writers around (Tom Perrotta)
You're going to want to read this one: Fleishman in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner. I've long been a fan of Taffy's journalism; in fact, I relentlessly stalked her on social media and insisted that she become my friend. This novel is really special, reminiscent of Tom Perrotta's work . . . It centers on a man recently out of a marriage, but it's about everything - love, friendship, life, death. Or, to borrow what we will now call the Tayari Jones standard, a literary novel with a great plot (Laura Lippman)
This glorious debut has the humor of Maria Semple, the heart of Meg Wolitzer, the lustiness of Philip Roth, and a voice that is pure. It's wild and wonderful and goes in so many directions, each with profundity - my favorite thing that novels can do. How does one's favorite journalist become one's new favorite novelist? With this book (Emma Straub)
Blisteringly funny, feverishly smart, heart-breaking and true. Fleishman Is In Trouble is an essential read for anyone who's wondered how to navigate loving (and hating) the people we choose (Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney)
Known for her often-viral profiles of figures ranging from Gwyneth Paltrow to Tom Hiddleston, New York Times writer Taffy Brodesser-Akner's debut novel is eagerly awaited by her hordes of internet fans
I am a huge fan of Brodesser-Akner's razor sharp-yet-compassionate, delightfully self-deprecating profiles (if haven't read her excellent piece on Gwyneth Paltrow, please do so immediately), so I can't wait to read her debut novel. Its protagonist is a divorcé whose wife disappears one day, leaving him to navigate full-time parenthood as well as the mystery of where she's gone. I have no doubt it will be hilarious, painful, and gorgeous
All stars
Most relevant
Once you get past the repetitive body parts and constant sexual encounters it’s actually a great story albeit a bit long winded especially his swiping right (in more ways than you can imagine)

So much angst

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Great book, interesting, sometimes funny, feels true and important about marriage and life in general. Nightmarishly whiny reader whose pitch and choice of words to punch made the whole thing feel moany, shrill and generally like someone complaining about bad service in a restaurant, unjustly at that. Shame, because the you can still hear the text shine underneath. Just about.

Wish I'd read it instead of listened to it

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Really interesting take on marital breakdown from everyone's perspective. Beautifully conceived and written. I recommend it to you.

Really enjoyed

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This started out as a story which was engaging and intriguing. Believable characters- a good father and a terrifying ex-wife how he appears to be controlled and brow beaten and ignored- taken for granted etc. Eventually you hear her side of the story and then that’s where it goes from a half decent story to a soap box lecture on woman’s disappointments in life. I wish the story had had an ending but to me it just stopped without any real conclusion. Annoying and too long.

Started well but the last quarter ... yawn

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The book started well with witty dialogue and astute observations. When Rachel disappeared without warning, I thought she had been murdered and that Toby would inadvertently frame himself with his apparent indifference, failure to report and nasty messages. It turned out to be much more prosaic and I soon got sick of the rich, privileged, materialistic, self-absorbed characters who had so little to complain about really. Having said that, the book was beautifully read - a great performance

Started well but the twist never came

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