Ms Demeanor
Published on 21. September 2023
Book
Paperback/Softback
304 pages
978-1-78563-382-9 (ISBN)
Description
FINALIST FOR THE THURBER PRIZE
'A joyride with a potent dose of wry social commentary'
New York Times
'I never miss one of Elinor Lipman's funny, delightful novels'
Judy Blume
Jane Morgan is a valued member of her law firm - or was, until a prudish neighbour, binoculars poised, observes her having sex on the roof of her Manhattan apartment building. Police are summoned, and a judge sentences her to six months of home confinement.
With Jane now jobless and rootless, trapped at home, life looks bleak. Yes, her twin sister provides support and advice, but mostly of the unwelcome kind. So when a doorman lets slip that Jane isn't the only resident of her building wearing an ankle monitor, she strikes up a friendship with fellow white-collar felon Perry Salisbury.
As she tries to adapt to her new circumstances, she discovers she hasn't heard the end of that nosy neighbour - whose past isn't as decorous as her snitching would suggest. Why are police knocking on Jane's door again? Might her house arrest have a silver lining? Can two wrongs make a right?
'A joyride with a potent dose of wry social commentary'
New York Times
'I never miss one of Elinor Lipman's funny, delightful novels'
Judy Blume
Jane Morgan is a valued member of her law firm - or was, until a prudish neighbour, binoculars poised, observes her having sex on the roof of her Manhattan apartment building. Police are summoned, and a judge sentences her to six months of home confinement.
With Jane now jobless and rootless, trapped at home, life looks bleak. Yes, her twin sister provides support and advice, but mostly of the unwelcome kind. So when a doorman lets slip that Jane isn't the only resident of her building wearing an ankle monitor, she strikes up a friendship with fellow white-collar felon Perry Salisbury.
As she tries to adapt to her new circumstances, she discovers she hasn't heard the end of that nosy neighbour - whose past isn't as decorous as her snitching would suggest. Why are police knocking on Jane's door again? Might her house arrest have a silver lining? Can two wrongs make a right?
Reviews / Votes
'Charm and clever high jinks with a potent dose of wry social commentary. It's not every day that a reader gets to root for an unrepentant middle-aged woman. Lipman makes this envelope-pushing feel like a joyride - but don't be fooled by all the fun. Barriers are being broken. That a scandalous woman's happy ending feels so inevitable turns out to be its own triumph - as much a clap back to sexism as a celebration of guiltless pleasure' New York Times'Filled with humour, heart, and a delightful cast of characters...a charming yet modern exploration of love, self-discovery and the importance of staying true to oneself' Times Leader
'I love the wit, lightness of touch, dry, wry humour and optimism of Elinor Lipman's writing' Marian Keyes
'I never miss one of Elinor Lipman's funny, delightful novels' Judy Blume
'Ms. Demeanor is a complete and utter delight. Of course it is. What Elinor Lipman novel isn't?' Richard Russo
'Elinor Lipman is one of my favourite comic novelists: social satire, Jewish wit, pin-sharp on love, mistakes and age. Pure bliss' Amanda Craig
'I've just finished Ms. Demeanor and absolutely loved loved loved every moment of it. Hugely recommended!' Angela Jackson
'Who knew house arrest could be sexy and fun? Not me, at least not until I read Ms. Demeanor. Written with Elinor Lipman's signature wit and charm, this breezy, engrossing novel tells the story of two people who make the most of their shared confinement' Tom Perrotta
'Best Lipman work yet! When a neighbour's complaint about consensual al fresco sex turns into house arrest and a suspended legal licence, Jane's recipe for survival involves cooking for another home-arrested tenant (could this be a match made in confinement?) while trying to figure out the whys and hows of her mysterious accuser. Filled with food, family, romance and intrigue, Lipman's novel cooks up a bounty of delights as sparkling as prosecco and as deeply satisfying and delicious as a five-star meal' Caroline Leavitt
?'Lipman, a master chef of literary romantic comedy, cooks up a deliciously entertaining story whose ingredients include wit, sass, sex, and social satire. Ms. Demeanor is Lipman's fourteenth novel and one of her best' Wally Lamb
'Elinor Lipman, she of the lightest touch and quickest wit, has written a novel to delight even the weariest, wariest soul of our times. Art, food, real estate - New York City rises enthusiastically to embrace the reader. And the characters rise to embrace each other. Lockdowns morph into charming English villages, and love, as it must, wins out. An enchantment that I, for one, really needed' Cathleen Schine?
'Flawless - has such a light hand while drawing the characters precisely. It's wonderful. Her best to date' Jane Hamilton
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Much Wenlock
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Eye Books
Dimensions
Height: 128 mm
Width: 198 mm
Thickness: 21 mm
Weight
252 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78563-382-9 (9781785633829)
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
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
Elinor Lipman was born in Massachusetts and is the author of fourteen novels.
Her first, Then She Found Me, was published in 1990 and adapted into the 2007 of the same name starring Helen Hunt, Bette Midler and Colin Firth.
She won the New England Book Award in 2001, and her novel My Latest Grievance won the Paterson Fiction Prize. Four of her novels are published in the UK by Lightning Books.
She lives in Manhattan.
Her first, Then She Found Me, was published in 1990 and adapted into the 2007 of the same name starring Helen Hunt, Bette Midler and Colin Firth.
She won the New England Book Award in 2001, and her novel My Latest Grievance won the Paterson Fiction Prize. Four of her novels are published in the UK by Lightning Books.
She lives in Manhattan.