For the first time, and probably for the last time, I accepted a book for review. In general, I’m not keen on the idea of ARCs and so forth, for the same reason I don’t do challenges. I simply don’t want someone telling me what to read. As soon as I promise to read something, it feels like a school assignment. No longer pleasure, but obligation.
But Matrimony was different. Different, because I know the author in real life! He was a good friend of my sister’s — the last time I saw him was at her wedding — so of course I was delighted when he contacted me and offered to send me a copy.
The embarrassing fact is, it was hard for me to focus on the actual story. Much of the book takes place in my own hometown of Ann Arbor, Michigan. I was born and raised here. I live here now. I lived here during the time that the Ann Arbor part of the book takes place (early 90s). One of the main characters is a graduate student in clinical psychology — my dad’s department! The very street I grew up on, where my parents still live, is mentioned in the book. And if that’s not enough for you? He relates a friend-of-a-friend anecdote that I also told on this very blog (the greatest waitstaff goofup of all time). Needless to say, I found all this very distracting — in the best possible way, but still, distracting. I suppose people who live in cities like New York City or Paris or London are used to reading novels set in places they know like the back of their hand, but for me it was a charming novelty.
So, anyway. Matrimony is probably not a book I would have chosen to read on my own. The genre, Contemporary Adult Fiction About Love & Relationships, is not my favorite. However, even aside from the setting and personal connection with the author, I must admit that it was fun to read about characters who are the same age as me (40ish), with similar backgrounds (caucasian, privileged and sheltered) and education (fancy small liberal arts college). It’s easy to turn our noses up at this demographic, but Josh never does. He treats his characters with respect even as they muddle up their lives and make bad choices. And he brings the story to a satisfying conclusion without wrapping it up too neatly. If you like contemporary novels about love, marriage, growing together and apart, and coming of age, I would certainly recommend Matrimony.
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Have you ever read a novel written by someone you knew? Ever read one that takes place in your hometown? Was it weird for you too?
9 Comments
It’s cool that you know Mr. Henkin, because he seems like a very decent man. He sent me a signed copy to review and I’m hoping he’ll send a couple of paperbacks to give away in August.
I was in a stoner/loser graduating class, so the most famous person I know is now a Denver news anchor. He’s a nice guy, though. I remember that he used to be able to quote all kinds of lines from H. R. Pufinstuf. This made me crush on him a little bit because at that time I thought Jack Wilde was the poo.
I’ve never read a book that hit so close to home.
When I lived in Miami, the TV show Miami Vice was very popular. It was weird to see a show that was filmed in my hometown. Every so often, I would have to detour around a filming scene but it was fun to see it on TV a few weeks later.
I have this on my review pile and am looking forward to it.
I read a Point Crime novel once (kid’s lit not sure they have them in the US) and it mentioned the street I was living on at the time! Very odd.
The closest I’ve ever gotten is reading a book by someone who went to Saline High (graduated a few years before I did). She kept dropping hints about “living in a small town in southern Michigan” and I managed to pick up the clues. I have to admit that part of me wants to pick up this book, just so I can read about A2… I’d be curious as to his take on the town/time. :)
Well, there’s “Feast of Love” by Charles Baxter. No, I never knew him, but it takes place in Ann Arbor and he lived there for a while. But I’m sure you knew that.
I’ve read manuscripts by a friend and also by my MIL. So if either gets published I can say I know them personally :-).
As for any (published) writers I have known (there’s none that I currently know). I guess the only one I know of is Nicholas Sparks. I attended junior high school with him and his brother. I have read a few of his books, mainly out of curiosity, because like you, I don’t often read that type of genre (contemporary romantic ficiton). However, it was really a weird feeling reading his autobiography (co-written by his brother) “Three Weeks With My Brother” because of intensive mention of our hometown–even mentioned our junior high school by name–and mentioning other people I had known as well. One of his best friends was a co-worker of mine, and he’s mentioned in the book.
I think I will keep my eyes open for “Matrimony”, though…I think I would enjoy it for the same reasons you did.
Also–you may know about “Writing Ann Arbor”, edited by Laurence Goldstein; a collection of writings (poems, fiction, etc) taking place in, or about, Ann Arbor. I bought it before moving away from Michigan.
I’m with you on the ARCs. I don’t want to be forced into reading something in which I’m not interested. Although I am in challenges, I chose books that I really want to read and already are on my TBR pile (but if I don’t get to them, oh, well).
As for knowing someone who has written a novel that I know, no, but I know someone who wrote a nonfiction book that was a bestseller. However, I think he was such a…ahem…a-hole that I couldn’t bring myself to read it.
Chartroose, I only know famous people through my sister. In fact, come to think of it, another one of her friends wrote a collection of short stories that was very well received.
Fred, I bet that was weird! I once saw a movie, I think it was The Pelican Brief, where in one scene there was a closeup of an answering machine that was the identical model to the one we had at the time. And there was Julia Roberts checking messages on OUR machine. ;-)
Mrs. S, nope, don’t know Point Crime, but it sounds fun!
Melissa, who is the author from Saline?
Valerie, you’re the second person to mention Feast of Love to me in the same day! I am embarrassed to admit I’ve never read anything by Baxter. I am definitely adding that one to my list!
And ha ha, yeah, I’ve read a few MSS by aspiring friends too.
Unfinishedperson, ha ha! That’s a bit of a dilemma… or maybe it wasn’t.
Oh, how neat! I’d love to read books set in my hometown, but if people are setting books in South Louisiana, they’re pretty much setting them in New Orleans, so the rest of us get shafted, alas!
Jennifer Allison, formerly known as Jennifer Brostrom, who wrote a series of middle-grade mystery novels (Gilda Joyce). She doesn’t live in the area anymore, but was more than willing to cough up that she grew up there. :)