Fleishman Is in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner

reddit.com · Unknown · 2025-09-20

compelling 4.00

The novel 'Fleishman Is in Trouble' is a razor-sharp exploration of marriage, divorce, and middle-age malaise, initially engaging with its witty prose and unique narrative structure, but later losing some momentum due to repetitive elements and intrusive narration. However, the book's deeper insights into ambitious women and marriage, along with its empathetic portrayal of flawed characters, make it a compelling read that invites a second reading.

The novel 'Fleishman Is in Trouble' by Taffy Brodesser-Akner is a shrewdly observed story about marriage, divorce, and middle-age malaise. The book starts off strongly with its sparkling, witty prose and the entertaining adventures of Toby Fleishman, a recently divorced man navigating the dating scene in New York City. The narrative is cleverly structured with an intrusive narrator, Libby, who initially seems like a mere observer but gradually reveals her own struggles and perspectives. While the book's early sections are engaging, the middle part feels repetitive, and Libby's intrusions can be annoying. However, the novel redeems itself with powerful insights into ambitious women and marriage, offering a nuanced and empathetic portrayal of its characters. Despite some flaws, the book is a twisty story about messy modern relationships and the complexity of human experience, making it a compelling read that invites a second reading.

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That was what I knew for sure, that this was the only way to get someone to listen to a woman — to tell her story through a man; Trojan horse yourself into a man, and people would give a shit about you. My voice only came alive when I was talking about someone else.

The novel is split into three unequal parts, with Part One reading like a very entertaining, very funny adventure in online dating of one Toby Fleishman, a 41-year-old hepatologist in New York City.

In the end, Fleishman Is in Trouble turned out to be a kind of book I really like, a twisty story about messy modern relationships and complexity of the human experience, full of insights and barbed wit.

ivereadthis.com · Unknown · 2025-09-20

brilliant 4.00

Fleishman Is in Trouble is a sharp and witty exploration of modern marriage and divorce, offering a nuanced portrayal of a man navigating midlife crises and family dynamics. The novel's humor and emotional depth make it a compelling read, though some may find the protagonist's self-absorption grating.

Taffy Brodesser-Akner's debut novel, Fleishman Is in Trouble, is a brilliant dissection of contemporary relationships and the complexities of divorce. The story follows Toby Fleishman, a recently divorced man who finds himself navigating the challenges of single life, while also dealing with his ex-wife's sudden disappearance. The novel's strength lies in its sharp wit and the author's ability to capture the intricacies of modern marriage and the emotional turmoil that comes with its dissolution. The protagonist's journey is both relatable and frustrating, making for a compelling narrative that keeps readers engaged. However, some readers might find Toby's self-absorption and occasional lack of self-awareness off-putting, which can detract from the overall enjoyment of the story. Despite this, the novel's exploration of family dynamics and personal growth is both insightful and thought-provoking, making it a standout read.

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The novel is a brilliant dissection of contemporary relationships and the complexities of divorce.

Toby's journey is both relatable and frustrating, making for a compelling narrative.

The protagonist's self-absorption and occasional lack of self-awareness can be off-putting.

literaryelephant.wordpress.com · Unknown · 2020-03-23

impressive 4.00

The reviewer initially had low expectations for Fleishman Is in Trouble but ended up enjoying it. They appreciated the commentary on marriage, divorce, and societal expectations, as well as the unique narrative structure, despite finding the characters deeply flawed and unsympathetic. The book's bold moves and challenging views made it a divisive but impressive read.

The reviewer initially approached Fleishman Is in Trouble with low expectations due to mixed reviews but found themselves really liking the book. The novel's commentary on marriage, divorce, and societal expectations of men and women was particularly compelling. The wealthy New York setting and the elite lifestyle depicted were critiqued in a way that highlighted the unrealistic aspirations many have. The narrative structure, told through the perspective of Toby's college friend Libby, was innovative but not entirely seamless. The characters were deeply flawed and unsympathetic, which might not appeal to everyone, but their complexity added depth to the story. The reviewer also noted that the book's lack of a fast-paced plot might not suit all readers. Despite these criticisms, the reviewer found the book thought-provoking and enjoyable, appreciating Brodesser-Akner's writing and the challenges it presented to traditional views on relationships and societal norms.

Quick quotes

He got some pleasure thinking of Rachel arriving to pick up the kids to find out they weren’t even here. He participated in an extended fantasy about moving to another city with the children and letting her figure it out.

Whatever kind of woman you are, even when you’re a lot of kinds of women, you’re still always just a woman, which is to say you’re always a little bit less than a man.

That was what I knew for sure, that this was the only way to get someone to listen to a woman- to tell her story through a man; Trojan horse yourself into a man, and people would give a shit about you.

Fleishman Is in Trouble

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