Ms. Demeanor
Books | Fiction / Humorous / General
3.7
Elinor Lipman
Finalist for the Thurber Prize for American Humor "Ms. Demeanor is a complete and utter delight. Of course it is. What Elinor Lipman novel isn't?"--Richard Russo, author of Empire Falls and Chances Are . . . "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, New York Times bestselling author of Tracy Flick Can't Win "When a neighbor's complaint about consensual al fresco sex turns into house arrest and a suspended legal license, 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, New York Times bestselling author of With or Without You From one of America's most beloved contemporary novelists, a delicious and witty story about love under house arrest Jane Morgan is a valued member of her law firm--or was, until a prudish neighbor, binoculars poised, observes her having sex on the roof of her NYC apartment building. Police are summoned, and a punishing 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. When a doorman lets slip that Jane isn't the only resident wearing an ankle monitor, she strikes up a friendship with fellow white-collar felon Perry Salisbury. As she tries to adapt to life within her apartment walls, she discovers she hasn't heard the end of that tattletale neighbor--whose past isn't as decorous as her 9-1-1 snitching would suggest. Why are police knocking on Jane's door again? Can her house arrest have a silver lining? Can two wrongs make a right? In the hands of "an inspired alchemist who converts serious subject into humor" (New York Times Book Review)--yes, delightfully.
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More Details:
Author
Elinor Lipman
Pages
290
Publisher
HarperCollins Publishers
Published Date
2023
ISBN
0358677882 9780358677888
Community ReviewsSee all
"DNF"
Sher Free✌️
"In a world of disturbing news and stories, this novel is a delightful breath of fresh air. Jane is caught having naked sex on a rooftop in NYC, reported to the police by a sad and lonely women who lives in the penthouse across the street. Jane gets fired from her law firm and gets her law license suspended for six months. During those six months, hobbled to her apartment with an ankle bracelet, her life blossoms. Toward the end I alternated between laughter and tears of joy as Jane rose from despair and returned with joy and strength."
Diane Morello
"Well, it surely started nice, and I adored the idea of the novel and its heroine, a blunt and very logical woman, and the lack of her personal drama over what happened with her. However, in the middle of the book, it all went south. What the hell happened to the plot? Why introducing the ridiculous Polish characters and their freaky behaviour? WHY making them freaks at all? Why a stupid plot twist about the woman who turned FL in? Nothing made sense, and all dialogues also became abrupt, like the author was too impatient to write them properly. I am horribly disappointed with this novel. This is below a Wattpad-level fanfiction."
Margarita D
"This book was such a satisfying little read. I loved how easy it was to get hooked until I finished it! If you’re looking for a light, funny, entertaining and quick read, then Ms Demeanor will fit all of the criteria."
Nicole Martin
"This book was odd and quirky with a bit of mystery. Jane is a strait forward, no nonsense lawyer and her POV definitely came across clearly. Jane’s relationship with her twin was honest and endearing. It was nice to see her and Perry’s friendship form and grow during their home confinements that I wish there were more Jane and Perry moments. This book had a very realistic storyline with things that everyone deals with every day. It was a quick and refreshing read, where I was waiting for the other shoe to drop the entire time but it didn’t. Sometimes that’s how life is, things work out and sometimes they don’t. I did wish there was more of a conclusion to the death of her neighbor, but there was justice in the end and it leaves readers to form their own opinion on her death. The writing style did take me a few chapters to get used to with the mix of verbal and inner dialogue between Jane and the other characters. Overall, I’d recommend this book to anyone who wants to read something that is real, quirky and a bit chaotic #unfortunatefood"
Jennifer Crabtree
