Eleanor knows she’s a mess. But today, she will tackle the little things. She will shower and get dressed. She will have her poetry and yoga lessons after dropping off her son, Timby. She won’t swear. She will initiate sex with her husband, Joe. But before she can put her modest plan into action, life happens.

Today, it turns out, is the day Timby has decided to fake sick to weasel his way into his mother’s company. It’s also the day Joe has chosen to tell his office — but not Eleanor — that he’s on vacation. Just when it seems like things can’t go more awry, an encounter with a former colleague produces a graphic memoir whose dramatic tale threatens to reveal a buried family secret.

This was an interesting book. At first I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it — it sort of rambled for a bit — but I decided to stick with it. I’m glad I did, though. There were so many laugh-out-loud moments, and I loved the more mature characters (already married and in their 50s). Having been married for more than a decade and being closer to 50 than 20, I appreciated characters I relate to.

I will say, though, that the story itself was a bit odd too. There’s a big section in the middle that deals with Eleanor’s sister, but it’s not really clear how it ties into the rest of the story. It’s entertaining and heartbreaking, but a bit random.

Overall, I enjoy Maria’s Semple voice and enjoyed seeing Eleanor figure out her marriage and family. I will definitely consider picking up another book by Semple.

Rated PG-13/R for some swearing. Get your copy here!

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