When a friend offered to loan me her copy of Fleishman is in Trouble, I couldn't wait to start. For months, the cover had been dominating my Instagram and Goodreads feeds and I was curious what all the hype was about.
The book is written by Taffy Brodesser-Akner, a staff writer for The New York Times Magazine. This is her first novel and interestingly, she wrote the story with a male protagonist.
Fleishman is in Trouble centers around Toby Fleishman, a man in the process of separating from his wife, Rachel. At the beginning of the story, we meet Toby as he's navigating the world of dating apps for the first time. I found these date scenes were written in a way that was extremely vulgar. Though they may be true to the experience of many people, I felt myself cringing at the explicit descriptions.
In addition to meeting new women almost every night, Toby is also the primary caregiver for his two children, Hannah and Solly. Hannah has entered the nasty pre-teen stage and Solly is clingier than he should be for his age.
We don't hear much about Toby's wife, Rachel, until the second half of the book. In a flashback, Toby shares how Rachel started her own company and began to prefer working over parenting, "Super Duper Creative was now full service. She grew and grew and there seemed to be no limit to her expansion. It was the opposite of parenthood, and, secretly, a necessary correction for it. It was accomplishment in a way that parenthood absolutely couldn't be. Hannah and Solly grew and she fretted over questions of whether they were too programmed or not programmed enough. Whether they should also be taking German like the Leffers. At night, she would fall asleep and in the wild hallucinogenic minefield of her pre-REM sleep her dead mother came to her and said, 'Why can't Solly code yet?' This question rang in her ears for days. An actor's deal got done in a week or two and that was that. She wouldn't know if this whole Hannah and Solly thing worked out until she died and nothing bad had happened yet."
Eventually we learn that Rachel has been having an affair with a dad from the kids' school. Toby is furious at first, but the more he ruminates on why they drifted apart, the more sense it begins to make to him. On page 198, "Sam Rothberg was everything Rachel wished Toby were: ambitious, successful, tall, at home among the wealthy. But he was also vain, vapid, superficial, ostentatious, and idiot bro who played in fantasy leagues. Sam Rothberg was who he pictured when Solly said he wanted to go to golf camp and Toby's blood ran cold from the implications of this place where he lived inside but felt he existed outside - this place he was in but not of. His children were of it, though. He realized that now. They never stood a chance. What had he been thinking?"
This book is 373 pages of disdain. Toby hating Rachel. Rachel hating Toby. Toby hating Sam. Rachel eventually hating Sam. Hannah hating both her parents.
When I discussed the book with a friend, she commented, "I think the problem is that no one in the book is likable." When I finished reading it, I knew I didn't enjoy it and I couldn't quite put my finger on why. That is it! Every single character is irritating.
There was a ton of praise for the book when it was released; famous authors calling it "searingly accurate" and "shrewdly observed" and "feverishly smart, heartbreaking and true." I wanted to like it, but I just never got there.
Tell me, did you read the book? What did you think?
*Image courtesy of TIME.
Comments
saba 033
Tue, 02/23/2021 - 00:41
The article looks magnificent, but it would be beneficial if you can share more about the suchlike subjects in the future. Keep posting. betta fish
saba 033
Wed, 02/24/2021 - 06:38
I can’t believe focusing long enough to research; much less write this kind of article. You’ve outdone yourself with this material without a doubt. It is one of the greatest contents. 먹튀검증업체
saba 033
Fri, 02/26/2021 - 01:32
Great article Lot's of information to Read...Great Man Keep Posting and update to People..Thanks myloweslife
M imran saifi
Sun, 02/28/2021 - 12:42
Your content is nothing short of brilliant in many ways. I think this is engaging and eye-opening material. Thank you so much for caring about your content and your readers. great info
M imran saifi
Sun, 02/28/2021 - 12:42
Your content is nothing short of brilliant in many ways. I think this is engaging and eye-opening material. Thank you so much for caring about your content and your readers. great info
seomoz master
Mon, 03/01/2021 - 14:27
I really loved reading your blog. It was very well authored and easy to undertand. Unlike additional blogs I have read which are really not tht good. I also found your posts very interesting. In fact after reading, I had to go show it to my friend and he ejoyed it as well! Corte Suprema de Justicia
richard jakson
Tue, 03/02/2021 - 01:28
Frencheye suit is blue or pink shorts, and you go to work wrestler with the same tone in your tie. Mens Business Suits
saba 033
Tue, 03/02/2021 - 01:44
I feel a lot more people need to read this, very good info! . walmartone wire
mahnoor faizan
Wed, 03/03/2021 - 09:04
Great job for publishing such a beneficial web site. Your web log isn’t only useful but it is additionally really creative too. สมัคร joker123
saba 033
Fri, 03/05/2021 - 01:43
Do you mind if I quote a couple of your posts as long as I provide credit and sources back to your website? My blog is in the very same niche as yours and my visitors would genuinely benefit from a lot of the information you provide here. Please let me know if this okay with you. Thank you! 먹튀
ayanshah
Fri, 03/05/2021 - 03:13
Thank you for taking the time to publish this information very useful! win a PS5
seomoz master
Sat, 03/06/2021 - 01:52
WWW Office.com/setup. You will get a complete Office Com Setup guide. You just need to follow our complete guideline regarding office.com/setup
mahnoor faizan
Mon, 03/08/2021 - 09:01
I think this is an informative post and it is very useful and knowledgeable. therefore, I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this article. ทิพยประกันภัย pantip
M imran saifi
Mon, 03/08/2021 - 09:44
i was just browsing along and came upon your blog. just wanted to say good blog and this article really helped me. ประกันรถยนต์ที่ไหนดี pantip
sana mirza
Tue, 03/09/2021 - 08:17
Smoking this strain this week! Amazing! Disp. Recommended this after trying Do si dos strain Very relaxing and happy. Started laughing and it was great! Slept all night.
seomoz master
Tue, 03/09/2021 - 08:29
I really loved reading your blog. It was very well authored and easy to undertand. Unlike additional blogs I have read which are really not tht good. I also found your posts very interesting. In fact after reading, I had to go show it to my friend and he ejoyed it as well! top seo services list in germany
M imran saifi
Wed, 03/10/2021 - 05:16
thanks for this usefull article, waiting for this article like this again. TheHiddenPages.com
mahnoor faizan
Wed, 03/10/2021 - 05:37
The website is looking bit flashy and it catches the visitors eyes. Design is pretty simple and a good user friendly interface. Furniture jepara
M imran saifi
Wed, 03/10/2021 - 13:19
You make so many great points here that I read your article a couple of times. Your views are in accordance with my own for the most part. This is great content for your readers. Furniture jepara
M imran saifi
Thu, 03/11/2021 - 12:43
I think this is a really good article. You make this information interesting and engaging. You give readers a lot to think about and I appreciate that kind of writing. supplier.ihrsa
M imran saifi
Fri, 03/12/2021 - 10:46
The post is written in very a good manner and it contains many useful information for me. beautyfull dresses
mahnoor faizan
Fri, 03/12/2021 - 11:50
thanks for the tips and information..i really appreciate it.. realty services in keller
M imran saifi
Sat, 03/13/2021 - 06:28
Great post, you have pointed out some excellent points, I as well believe this is a very superb website. https://www.1800phonenumbers.org/
saba 033
Sun, 03/14/2021 - 06:34
Excellent publish from specialist also it will probably be a fantastic know how to me and thanks very much for posting this useful data with us all. 토토
ayanshah
Mon, 03/15/2021 - 02:14
I recommend only good and reliable information, so see it: Cash App Routing Number
M imran saifi
Mon, 03/15/2021 - 04:02
I think this is a really good article. You make this information interesting and engaging. You give readers a lot to think about and I appreciate that kind of writing. dankwoods carts
M imran saifi
Tue, 03/16/2021 - 11:14
Great post but I was wondering if you could write a little more on this subject? I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit further. Thanks in advance! 토토사이트
saba 033
Wed, 03/17/2021 - 02:26
Wow, cool post. I'd like to write like this too - taking time and real hard work to make a great article... but I put things off too much and never seem to get started. Thanks though. walmart one
saba 033
Thu, 03/18/2021 - 11:46
Hi there, I found your blog via Google while searching for such kinda informative post and your post looks very interesting for me KL Hotels
seomoz master
Fri, 03/19/2021 - 06:20
This type of message always inspiring and I prefer to read quality content, so happy to find good place to many here in the post, the writing is just great, thanks for the post. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qq8d5GZoy90
ayanshah
Fri, 03/19/2021 - 11:54
Awesome article, it was exceptionally helpful! I simply began in this and I'm becoming more acquainted with it better! Cheers, keep doing awesome! Can Men Get Pregnant
mahnoor faizan
Fri, 03/19/2021 - 12:02
Joker สล็อต สล็อตออนไลน์ แจกเครดิตฟรี เล่นกับเราแล้วรับเงินรางวัลจริงๆ! สล็อตออนไลน์เล่นได้ตลอด 24 ชั่วโมง สมัครสมาชิกง่าย ฝาก-ถอนเงินสะดวกและรวดเร็ว เล่นเกมส์สล็อตออนไลน์กับเรา KuyJoker แหล่งรวม Joker Slot เกมส์มันส์ๆคุ้มๆ แจกจริง ไม่มีอั้น เกมส์ดี กราฟฟิกสวย พร้อมโปรโมชั่นคุ้มค่า สล็อต
M imran saifi
Sat, 03/20/2021 - 03:17
I think this is a really good article. You make this information interesting and engaging. You give readers a lot to think about and I appreciate that kind of writing. Hedge fund manager salary
ayanshah
Mon, 03/22/2021 - 04:14
It is the kind of information I have been trying to find. Thank you for writing this information. It has proved utmost beneficial for me. video2teuf
M imran saifi
Tue, 03/23/2021 - 15:02
Awesome blog. I enjoyed reading your articles. This is truly a great read for me. I have bookmarked it and I am looking forward to reading new articles. Keep up the good work! ควย
M imran saifi
Sat, 03/27/2021 - 11:29
I am impressed. I don't think Ive met anyone who knows as much about this subject as you do. You are truly well informed and very intelligent. You wrote something that people could understand and made the subject intriguing for everyone. Really, great blog you have got here. poker 88
ayan shah
Sun, 03/28/2021 - 09:59
Thanks for the blog loaded with so many information. Stopping by your blog helped me to get what I was looking for. poker88
seomoz master
Tue, 03/30/2021 - 14:47
I wanted to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely loved every little bit of it. I have you bookmarked your site to check out the new stuff you post. judi bola
ayanshah
Wed, 03/31/2021 - 08:29
Your blog has chock-a-block of useful information. I liked your blog's content as well as its look. In my opinion, this is a perfect blog in all aspects. music promotion companies
M imran saifi
Thu, 04/01/2021 - 07:22
I have a hard time describing my thoughts on content, but I really felt I should here. Your article is really great. I like the way you wrote this information. 토토사이트
M imran saifi
Fri, 04/02/2021 - 09:46
A very excellent blog post. I am thankful for your blog post. I have found a lot of approaches after visiting your post. CNC milling parts
M imran saifi
Sun, 04/04/2021 - 15:01
Wonderful article. Fascinating to read. I love to read such an excellent article. Thanks! It has made my task more and extra easy. Keep rocking. ??seo??
M imran saifi
Mon, 04/05/2021 - 05:55
Great job for publishing such a beneficial web site. Your web log isn’t only useful but it is additionally really creative too. weightloss
saba 033
Wed, 04/07/2021 - 07:07
Two full thumbs up for this magneficent article of yours. I've really enjoyed reading this article today and I think this might be one of the best article that I've read yet. Please, keep this work going on in the same quality. london travel tips
M imran saifi
Wed, 04/07/2021 - 08:02
Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article. I will be sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I’ll certainly comeback. child lesh issa
saba 033
Wed, 04/07/2021 - 11:04
This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing blog that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free. Pharmaceutical sales rep credential
M imran saifi
Thu, 04/08/2021 - 06:09
Nice post mate, keep up the great work, just shared this with my friendz child leash isaac
M imran saifi
Thu, 04/08/2021 - 09:34
All the contents you mentioned in post is too good and can be very useful. I will keep it in mind, thanks for sharing the information keep updating, looking forward for more posts.Thanks รับทำ seo
saba 033
Fri, 04/09/2021 - 05:53
Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic. If possible, as you gain expertise, would you mind updating your blog with extra information? It is extremely helpful for me. Brasil Cacau
ayanshah
Sun, 04/11/2021 - 11:39
I really loved reading your blog. It was very well authored and easy to understand. Unlike other blogs I have read which are really not that good.Thanks alot! mixtape cover ideas