Review: We're All Damaged by Matthew Norman

No Spoilers Included!

Ever since I read DOMESTIC VIOLETS in 2011 I have been anxiously awaiting Norman's second book. I loved that debut novel and wondered what he would produce next. It's hard to believe that so much time has passed but when WE'RE ALL DAMAGED showed up on my Kindle Firsts promo, I snatched up my copy in a heartbeat!

What It's About:

This is a story about a guy who thought he had it all. A good job, a beautiful wife and a plan for their future together that would, one day, include a family of their own. Unfortunately for Andy Carter, his wife Karen had different plans. She blew his life apart when she told him she 'didn't want this anymore'. Now, it's a year later and Andy's life is so different he sometimes doesn't even recognize himself.  He lost his job, destroyed his best friend's wedding reception, along with that friendship, and left his Iowa hometown for New York City where he knew absolutely no one. He's working as a bartender for the only friend he has in The City when he gets a call to come home immediately. His grandfather is dying and his mother is demanding he come before that happens.

In the last year while Andy was sulking in The Big Apple, things in his old life have changed dramatically. Andy stumbles along trying to absorb the changes, not to mention the impending death of his grandpa. And then there's Daisy, the tatted up, strange woman he meets at the nursing home who says she's a friend of his grandfather...but can that really be?? Though Andy didn't think he was ready to go home yet, this is a trip he had to make. Back home, he'll see people he's known his whole life in different ways and meet new people who will change how he looks at himself.

My Thoughts:

There have been times when I've read a debut novel and loved it, only to discover the next novel by the same author fell flat.  Well, for me, that is certainly NOT the case with WE'RE ALL DAMAGED. This book was such a refreshing reading experience for me. The opening chapters, especially, were laugh out loud funny. I absolutely loved the snarky wit and characters that came alive within the pages. The Glitter Mafia which brought a very relevant social issue into the story was genius as was the battle his father had with the squirrels. He painted such a vivid picture in my mind that I couldn't quit laughing. I'll never look at a squirrel the same way again. Nancy, Andy's far right Republican mother was another brilliant character, though my views are very different from hers. All of the characters seemed so realistic to me and I enjoyed them all.

I've told you how funny this story is but it's not just funny. It's sweet, it's heartbreaking, sad, hopeful and lovely. It's about family, marriage, regret, forgiveness and awareness and compassion. As I'm sitting here thinking about the book, it reminds me again of how much I loved it. The sweetness of the story took me by surprise, especially when it brought me to tears.

WE'RE ALL DAMAGED is about a regular family in Iowa with problems that are not all that different  from other families'.  It's not a complex story but Matthew Norman, with his unique take on people, along with his incredible sense of humor makes it something very special. At 282 pages and as readable as it is, it's the perfect weekend read.  I imagine it would make for a great audiobook as well and would be perfect for a road trip this summer.  If you read and loved DOMESTIC VIOLETS, you certainly don't want to put off reading WE'RE ALL DAMAGED any longer.

WE'RE ALL DAMAGED 
Author: Matthew Norman
Publisher: Little A
Published: June 1, 2016
Length: 282 pages
Source: Amazon Kindle Firsts

[TSS] Review: Domestic Violets by Matthew Norman (Kindle Version)

Today I'm celebrating the 4th anniversary of my book blog and I am thrilled to be posting a review of such a fantastic book on this day! I hope you enjoy my review and that you run out and read it immediately! Thanks so much for your continued support of my crazy addiction to books!  Happy Sunday! ~Lisa



DOMESTIC VIOLETS by Matthew Norman
The Book:


Tom Violet always wanted to be a writer. He's spent the last five years writing his first manuscript and only one person has read it. Katie, a 23-year old co-worker who he has a mad crush on read it - and loved it. Tom, being 35 and married, feels guilty and out of his league when he thinks about his inappropriate feelings for this hot junior copywriter that is his direct subordinate.

His growing feelings for Katie isn't the only problem Tom has: He and his wife, Anna, have grown distant in the last several months, which is having a direct negative effect on his sexual performance, or lack thereof. He also hates his job as a copywriter for a very large managerial support corporation, whatever that is. He dreams of selling his first book and becoming a full-time writer. This brings us to the other issue in Tom's life.  He's living in the shadow of his father who is a very famous and successful writer, who has just won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction.

With all these things working against him, Tom Violet goes through his days like a man on the way to the death chamber. Soon, things begin to spiral out of control and he is faced with the reality of his life. An unfortunate event at work causes Tom to take the bull by the horns and do something drastic, even though there will be definite consequences. But he believes he is at the point, both in his business and person life, where he must sink or swim. And as he rides this wave, he discovers that, as far as his family is concerned, things aren't always as they seem.

My Thoughts:

I love Tom Violet. I love his personality, his love of family and his ability to use sarcasm to his advantage, mainly towards people he doesn't care for. Not since Jess Riley's DRIVING SIDEWAYS have I enjoyed such snarkiness. Granted, he uses the snarkiness to make up for his lack of confidence, but he does it in a way that makes you root for him. Well, it was that way for me, anyway. But most of all, this book is funny. Matthew Norman had me laughing out loud - a lot. It was the perfect mix of humor and really good family story.

I enjoyed all of the characters in this book, even the less than significant ones because they were easy to believe and they added to the complexity of Tom's character. Katie was a great character and was easy to identify with. Tom's father, Curtis, although he seemed so carefree and full of himself, had redeeming qualities and by the end, I really liked him.

This story, for me, was so well developed and as I read each page, I was drawn in more and more. I especially loved the epilogue. The story itself kept my attention and entertained me, but the epilogue was very moving and insightful and brought the whole book together. I love books about books, and books about people who love books, so this one was right at the top of the list for me.

I don't want to say too much more about it, only that if you haven't read this one yet, you really should change that - right now! Matthew Norman's debut effort was a huge success in my opinion and I will always be curious to see what he comes up with next.  

DOMESTIC VIOLETS by Matthew Norman
Publisher: Harper Perennial
Published: August 9, 2011
Pages: 352
Rating: 5 Stars out of 5