How to Be Good

$9.99 US
Penguin Adult HC/TR | Riverhead Books
On sale Apr 30, 2002 | 9781101215692
Sales rights: US,CAN,OpnMkt(no EU)
A wise and hilarious novel morality and what it means to be a "goof person" from the bestselling author of Dickens and Prince, Just Like you, Funny Girl and High Fidelity.

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."&#151The New York Times Book Review

"A darkly funny and thought-provoking ride."&#151USA Today

"A bitingly clever novel of ideas...[a] profound, worrying, hilarious, sophisticated, compulsive novel."&#151The Sunday Times (UK)

"Daringly different."&#151New York Daily News

"How to be good? How to be bloody marvelous more like."&#151The Mail on Sunday (UK)

"Breezily hilarious and thought-provoking at the same time."&#151New York magazine

"Seriousness spiked with humor...a page-turner."&#151The Washington Times

"A thorny parable...very funny and shrewd."&#151Salon.com

About

A wise and hilarious novel morality and what it means to be a "goof person" from the bestselling author of Dickens and Prince, Just Like you, Funny Girl and High Fidelity.

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."&#151The New York Times Book Review

"A darkly funny and thought-provoking ride."&#151USA Today

"A bitingly clever novel of ideas...[a] profound, worrying, hilarious, sophisticated, compulsive novel."&#151The Sunday Times (UK)

"Daringly different."&#151New York Daily News

"How to be good? How to be bloody marvelous more like."&#151The Mail on Sunday (UK)

"Breezily hilarious and thought-provoking at the same time."&#151New York magazine

"Seriousness spiked with humor...a page-turner."&#151The Washington Times

"A thorny parable...very funny and shrewd."&#151Salon.com