Less is Lost
'An emotional and soul-searching sequel' (Sunday Times) to the bestselling, Pulitzer Prize-winning Less
Published on 22. September 2022
Book
Hardback
272 pages
978-1-4087-1337-2 (ISBN)
Description
The awkward and lovable hero of Andrew Sean Greer's bestselling and prize-winning novel Less returns in this unforgettable road trip across America.
'Wildly, painfully funny' David Sedaris
'Unforgettable' Elizabeth Day
'The joyfulness of this book is a balm' Madeline Miller
'What a joy' Katie Kitamura
For Arthur Less, life is going surprisingly well: he is a moderately accomplished novelist in a steady relationship with his partner, Freddy Pelu. But nothing lasts: the death of an old lover and a sudden financial crisis has Less running away from his problems yet again as he accepts a series of literary gigs that send him on a zigzagging adventure across the US.
Less roves across the 'Mild Mild West', through the South and to his mid-Atlantic birthplace, with an ever-changing posse of writerly characters and his trusty duo - a human-like black pug, Dolly, and a rusty camper van nicknamed Rosina. He grows a handlebar mustache, ditches his signature gray suit, and disguises himself in the bolero-and-cowboy-hat costume of a true 'Unitedstatesian'... with varying levels of success, as he continues to be mistaken for either a Dutchman, the wrong writer, or, worst of all, a 'bad gay'.
We cannot, however, escape ourselves - even across deserts, bayous, and coastlines. From his estranged father and strained relationship with Freddy, to the reckoning he experiences in confronting his privilege, Arthur Less must eventually face his personal demons. With all of the irrepressible wit and musicality that made Less a bestselling, Pulitzer Prize-winning, must-read breakout book, Less Is Lost is a profound and joyous novel about the enigma of life, the riddle of love, and the stories we tell along the way.
'Wildly, painfully funny' David Sedaris
'Unforgettable' Elizabeth Day
'The joyfulness of this book is a balm' Madeline Miller
'What a joy' Katie Kitamura
For Arthur Less, life is going surprisingly well: he is a moderately accomplished novelist in a steady relationship with his partner, Freddy Pelu. But nothing lasts: the death of an old lover and a sudden financial crisis has Less running away from his problems yet again as he accepts a series of literary gigs that send him on a zigzagging adventure across the US.
Less roves across the 'Mild Mild West', through the South and to his mid-Atlantic birthplace, with an ever-changing posse of writerly characters and his trusty duo - a human-like black pug, Dolly, and a rusty camper van nicknamed Rosina. He grows a handlebar mustache, ditches his signature gray suit, and disguises himself in the bolero-and-cowboy-hat costume of a true 'Unitedstatesian'... with varying levels of success, as he continues to be mistaken for either a Dutchman, the wrong writer, or, worst of all, a 'bad gay'.
We cannot, however, escape ourselves - even across deserts, bayous, and coastlines. From his estranged father and strained relationship with Freddy, to the reckoning he experiences in confronting his privilege, Arthur Less must eventually face his personal demons. With all of the irrepressible wit and musicality that made Less a bestselling, Pulitzer Prize-winning, must-read breakout book, Less Is Lost is a profound and joyous novel about the enigma of life, the riddle of love, and the stories we tell along the way.
Reviews / Votes
So funny, jokes and wit and joy packed into every page. It's beautiful and light and deceptively fun, and then stabs you through the heart. Wonderful Less, more, more! -- Russell T Davies Affecting and funny - so hysterical at times you may find yourself laughing aloud. * Daily Mail * There is no better guide across America than Arthur Less, the "bad gay" whose engaging awkwardness and self-deprecation are tragically funny and hugely insightful. We should all be so lost -- Bonnie Garmus, author of Lessons in Chemistry Andrew Sean Greer's writing nails both the absurdity of the human condition and its wistful beauty. Arthur Less is an unforgettable literary creation and I was so happy to be back in his company as he continues his elegant muddle through life -- Elizabeth Day, author of Magpie Does Andrew Greer think of himself as a comic novelist? Does a giraffe think of itself as a giraffe? Probably it doesn't matter. This book, though, is wildly, painfully funny. It sometimes hurts to read it -- David Sedaris, author of A Carnival of Snackery It is a deep pleasure to return to the adventures of Arthur Less and his beloved Freddy. Greer is a brilliant storyteller as always, and the joyfulness of this book is a balm. I loved reading it -- Madeline Miller, bestselling author of Circe Greer's whimsically Wodehousian metaphors are as delightful as ever * Financial Times * What a joy to be reunited with the beloved, hapless, utterly delightful Arthur Less. With tenderness, wit and his incomparably lovely prose, Greer probes that most profound and mysterious of subjects: love. -- Katie Kitamura, author of Intimacies Excited to be reunited with our neurotic hero Arthur Less, I ripped through this sequel. It was a thrill to go on this odyssey with Less where even the most picayune comic encounters turn profound. Vulnerable and witty, Less is Lost is a joy -- Cathy Park Hong, author of Minor Feelings Funny and uplifting * Grazia * A gift of a story in these muddling, hard times, and a love letter to accepting yourself for who you are. Arthur Less is the protagonist we all need right now' -- Araminta Hall, author of Hidden Depths An emotional and soul-searching sequel ... recalls the plaintive laconicism of the American humourist David Sedaris * Sunday Times * The hapless protagonist of Greer's prize-winning novel, Less, is now touring America's heartlands .... it's huge fun. Greer's delight in language and the comedy of incongruity is infectious. * Spectator * An enjoyable encore ... Read Less to fall in love and then pick up Less is Lost to rekindle a favourite old flame * Irish Times * An unexpected gift... [Arthur Less] cuts a sympathetic, melancholy figure with a capacity for kindness, hope and romance. It's this evidence of his inventor's sympathy for his creation that makes this very funny novel stand out from its peers like Venus's starlight * Big Issue * Brimming with wit and pathos and a thing of joy * Saga Magazine * Shimmering with wit, a passion for language and astonishing insight, Less is Lost revels in its affection for the absurdity of life. Smart, and profoundly uplifting. A joy! * Attitude *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Little, Brown Book Group
Product notice
Trade binding
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 158 mm
Thickness: 27 mm
Weight
474 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4087-1337-2 (9781408713372)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Andrew Sean Greer is the bestselling author of five works of fiction, including The Confessions of Max Tivoli, which was named a best book of 2004 by the San Francisco Chronicle and the Chicago Tribune. He is the recipient of the Northern California Book Award, the California Book Award, the New York Public Library Young Lions Award, the O Henry award for short fiction and fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York Public Library. Greer lives in San Francisco.