A wise and hilarious novel from the bestselling author of Funny Girl, High Fidelity, and About a Boy.
A brutally truthful, compassionate novel about the heart, mind, and soul of a woman who, confronted by her husband’s sudden and extreme spiritual conversion, is forced to learn “how to be good”—whatever that means, and for better or worse.
Katie Carr is a good person . . . sort of. For years her husband’s been selfish, sarcastic, and underemployed.
But now David’s changed. He’s become a good person, too—really good. He’s found a spiritual leader. He has become kind, soft-spoken, and earnest. Katie isn’t sure if this is deeply felt conversion, a brain tumor—or David’s most brilliantly vicious manipulation yet. Because she’s finding it more and more difficult to live with David—and with herself.
WINNER IMPAC Dublin Literary Award
WINNER New York Times Notable Book
WINNER W. H. Smith Book Award
"Hornby is a writer who dares to be witty, intelligent and emotionally generous all at once."—The New York Times Book Review"
A darkly funny and thought-provoking ride."—USA Today
"A bitingly clever novel of ideas...[a] profound, worrying, hilarious, sophisticated, compulsive novel."—The Sunday Times (UK)
"Daringly different."—New York Daily News
"How to be good? How to be bloody marvelous more like."—The Mail on Sunday(UK)
"Breezily hilarious and thought-provoking at the same time."—New York Magazine
"Seriousness spiked with humor...a page-turner."—The Washington Times
"A thorny parable...very funny and shrewd."—Salon.com
A wise and hilarious novel from the bestselling author of Funny Girl, High Fidelity, and About a Boy.
A brutally truthful, compassionate novel about the heart, mind, and soul of a woman who, confronted by her husband’s sudden and extreme spiritual conversion, is forced to learn “how to be good”—whatever that means, and for better or worse.
Katie Carr is a good person . . . sort of. For years her husband’s been selfish, sarcastic, and underemployed.
But now David’s changed. He’s become a good person, too—really good. He’s found a spiritual leader. He has become kind, soft-spoken, and earnest. Katie isn’t sure if this is deeply felt conversion, a brain tumor—or David’s most brilliantly vicious manipulation yet. Because she’s finding it more and more difficult to live with David—and with herself.
Awards
WINNER IMPAC Dublin Literary Award
WINNER New York Times Notable Book
WINNER W. H. Smith Book Award
Praise
"Hornby is a writer who dares to be witty, intelligent and emotionally generous all at once."—The New York Times Book Review"
A darkly funny and thought-provoking ride."—USA Today
"A bitingly clever novel of ideas...[a] profound, worrying, hilarious, sophisticated, compulsive novel."—The Sunday Times (UK)
"Daringly different."—New York Daily News
"How to be good? How to be bloody marvelous more like."—The Mail on Sunday(UK)
"Breezily hilarious and thought-provoking at the same time."—New York Magazine
"Seriousness spiked with humor...a page-turner."—The Washington Times
"A thorny parable...very funny and shrewd."—Salon.com
