Staff Pick
Like the iceberg that sank the Titanic, this book has unexpectedly jagged edges beneath the surface. At first glance, it seems like an unusually well-written and juicy social drama — and it is that. But Marcy Dermansky weaponizes her wit and it quickly becomes apparent that her acute observations serve a higher purpose than mere amusement. She captures our current era with terrifying and ferocious accuracy for a story that made me laugh even as I winced. The investment banker who thinks that his financial support of Hillary Clinton's campaign negates his constant, casual misogyny? Horrifyingly spot-on. Sly, cutting, and above reproach, Very Nice is the kind of nice that hurts and I loved every minute of it. Recommended By Lauren P., Powells.com
Rachel is in love with her writing professor, Becca is recently abandoned by her husband, Khloe wants to requite her unrequited love, Jonathan is unsatisfied with his new living situation, and Zahid just wants someone to take care of him. Dermansky gathers these various characters together and writes a scathing, hilarious commentary skewering modern life. The humor here is pointed and merciless, while the story is off and running — dragging you along behind. Dermansky's prose is deceptively simple, but don't be misled; this storyteller writes a complex tale of passion, need, opportunism, family, and luck — a layered critique of human nature — and you will hang on to every word. Brilliant! Recommended By Dianah H., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
A brilliantly funny novel of money, sex, race, and bad behavior in the post-Obama era, featuring a wealthy Connecticut divorc e, her college-age daughter, and the famous American novelist who is seduced by them both. Rachel Klein never meant to kiss her creative writing professor, but with his long eyelashes, his silky hair, and the sad, beautiful life he laid bare on Twitter, she does, and the kiss is very nice. Zahid Azzam never planned to become a houseguest in his student's sprawling Connecticut home, but with the sparkling swimming pool, the endless supply of Whole Foods strawberries, and Rachel's beautiful mother, he does, and the home is very nice. Becca Klein never thought she'd have a love affair so soon after her divorce, but when her daughter's professor walks into her home, bringing with him an apricot standard poodle named Princess, she does, and the affair is...a very bad idea. In a darkly hilarious novel that zigzags between the rarified circles of Manhattan investment banking, the achingly self-serious MFA programs of the Midwest, and the private bedrooms of Connecticut, Marcy Dermansky has written an audacious, addictive, and wickedly smart take on the way we live now.
Synopsis
"A story of sex and intrigue set amid rich people in a beautiful house with a picturesque swimming pool... Very funny." -Rumaan Alam,
The Washington Post A brilliantly funny novel of bad behavior in the post-Obama era, featuring a wealthy Connecticut divorc e, her college-age daughter, and the famous novelist who is seduced by them both.
Rachel Klein never meant to kiss her creative writing professor, but with his long eyelashes, his silky hair, and the sad, beautiful life he laid bare on Twitter, she does, and the kiss is very nice. Zahid Azzam never planned to become a houseguest in his student's sprawling Connecticut home, but with the sparkling swimming pool, the endless supply of Whole Foods strawberries, and Rachel's beautiful mother, he does, and the home is very nice. Becca Klein never thought she'd have a love affair so soon after her divorce, but when her daughter's professor walks into her home, bringing with him an apricot standard poodle named Princess, she does, and the affair is...a very bad idea.
Zigzagging between the rarefied circles of Manhattan investment banking, the achingly self-serious MFA programs of the Midwest, and the private bedrooms of Connecticut, Very Nice is an audacious, addictive, and wickedly smart take on the way we live now.