Items related to Starting from Happy: A Novel
While waiting in line for apple pie at a party, Imogene Gilfeather, a lingerie designer who does not understand the reason for romance, meets Wally Yez, a scientist whose business card says “An Answer for Everything.” Imogene is told that Wally is the perfect guy. (“Perfect,” she replies, “is not my type.”) He is told that her company, Featherware, manufactures intimates (that gets his attention). Unfazed by Imogene’s indifference (who needs love when you have a career, friends, and an undemanding affair with a married man?), Wally resolves to win her over. E-mails turn into late-night phone calls; one date turns into two and then into more. Thus begins the most absurd and amusingly unbalanced relationship to grace the pages of a novel.
Wally is certain he and Imogene are meant for each other (They both use mechanical pencils! Neither has had mumps! They are so alike!), but convincing his beloved is another matter. (“Do you know why it is I don’t have pierced ears?” she asks. “Because it’s too permanent.”) In defiance of the odds, or the gods, or perhaps just Imogene’s qualms, Wally and Imogene become a pair. They celebrate their anniversaries—the first time they touched each other on purpose, took public transportation together, saw the other with wet hair. But can they possibly end as happily as they’ve begun? (“Does he really have a cowlick? If yes, no bed will ever be big enough.”)
Made up of hundreds of chaplettes, clever illustrations, and darkly funny commentary on getting together and staying the course, Starting from Happy is a cunning and sophisticated send-up of coupledom that showcases one of the finest comic writers of our time.
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About the Author:
Patricia Marx, a television screenwriter for shows such as Saturday Night Live, is the author of How to Regain Your Virginity and Meet My Staff.
Review:
"Patty Marx is a genius of trenchant zaniness."
--Lorrie Moore, author of A Gate at the Stairs
“Stylish and sarcastic. Marx moves the story forward with infectious zeal and allows readers to revel in a quirky take on sex (and death) in the city.” --Publishers Weekly
"Patty Marx is an authentic wit and her book is funny and often brilliant." –Woody Allen
“A funny boy-meets-girl novel in witty, quick bits that read like your best friend’s best tweets.”
--O Magazine
“A book that’s moving and sweet. As the summer lopes toward its end, those looking for one last beach read could do a lot worse than to read this unexpectedly lovely book - in fact, one could hardly do better.” --Boston Globe
“A poignant portrait of a long-term relationship, with all the disappointments and occasional triumphs that entails. A funny, sad and original take on the mating game.” --Kirkus Reviews
“Comedic high art. Readers who enjoy the sly observations of Nora Ephron and the smart silliness of Woody Allen and Steve Martin should try Starting from Happy.” --Booklist
--Lorrie Moore, author of A Gate at the Stairs
“Stylish and sarcastic. Marx moves the story forward with infectious zeal and allows readers to revel in a quirky take on sex (and death) in the city.” --Publishers Weekly
"Patty Marx is an authentic wit and her book is funny and often brilliant." –Woody Allen
“A funny boy-meets-girl novel in witty, quick bits that read like your best friend’s best tweets.”
--O Magazine
“A book that’s moving and sweet. As the summer lopes toward its end, those looking for one last beach read could do a lot worse than to read this unexpectedly lovely book - in fact, one could hardly do better.” --Boston Globe
“A poignant portrait of a long-term relationship, with all the disappointments and occasional triumphs that entails. A funny, sad and original take on the mating game.” --Kirkus Reviews
“Comedic high art. Readers who enjoy the sly observations of Nora Ephron and the smart silliness of Woody Allen and Steve Martin should try Starting from Happy.” --Booklist
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherScribner
- Publication date2011
- ISBN 10 1439101280
- ISBN 13 9781439101285
- BindingHardcover
- Edition number1
- Number of pages256
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