Mrs. Fletcher: A Novel

I read the one-star reviews and all I can say is this: these readers lack a sense of humor. Or maybe they are old like me--I'm 76--but unlike me, maybe they aren't exactly up to date with what goes on for anyone any age. This is a very, very, very well-written and very funny novel. Mrs. Fletcher--the title is very ironic because it almost suggests an up-tight woman--is a single mother who has taken her only child off to college. She is very much aware of his having been on porn sites and is not very happy about how sullen he has become. You know what I am talking about: teenagers! Then she discovers that there's porn that she might also enjoy. Oh, yes, she is the director of a center for senior citizens (you'll note my age having been mentioned, so I know of what I speak). So there's a hotbed of potential for all types of humor. So dementia isn't funny! I agree it isn't, especially if you have it! I don't. Yet. I think I don't. But maybe this review suggests otherwise. I say ignore the uptights who have given this a one-star and trust me when I say, this is so good. The writing is wonderful. The dialogues are brilliant. I leader a literature group at the Osher Lifelong Learning Center at the University of Miami. And this novel is going to be an offering coming up. Oh, yes, if you don't know what a MILF is, well Google it! Or ask your teenager sons or grandsons. And watch their expressions when you ask the question. And if by chance you heard Jeffery Brown interviewing the author on the PBS NewsHour (thought I throw this in so you know I'm not totally ignorant and watching the more popular "fake news" sites), you'll know Mr. Brown hadn't read much of this novel when he said there wasn't that much sex in it, the author looking a bit bewildered. There's plenty of sex in it--all of it very, very funny.

It isn't like an NC-17 sex scene filled bookMrs. Fletcher isn't a knock you off your seat, blow you away thriller with plot twists and deception. It is a slow burning family drama with a very sexual undertone. Don't let that deter you from reading it. It isn't like an NC-17 sex scene filled book. The story deals with sexuality in more of an exploratory tone. The main character Eve Fletcher is in her late 40's and is getting ready to drive her 18 year old son to college when she overhears him and his girlfriend engaged in a certain activity in his bedroom. The language she hears him use when speaking to his girlfriend in the heat of the moment disturbs her but she doesn't get the opportunity to address it with him. This is in part due to his bad attitude and general teenage cocky boy attitude he gives her on their way to college in between his frequent naps. Brendan is your typical 18 year old jock who peaked in high school. He thinks the world is his to rule and that life is a giant party filled with girls to sleep with. Once Eve drops Brendan off, her life as a Mom seems to be over. She is filled with an emptiness that she is unsure how to deal with until a mysterious text comes through on her phone that says "U R My MILF" and a few other words that I won't repeat here. If you are unaware of what MILF stands for, look it up. This text sends her mind off in all sorts of wild directions. It awakens her sexuality and takes her on a journey that leads her to new life experiences and gives her new found confidence. Although she has a great and fulfilling career, she re-enlists in community college. She enrolls in a very interesting class on gender and sexual identity which is taught by a transgendered woman named Margo who Eve becomes very good friends with. The quirky students in her class open her eyes to the world and she enjoys their company. All the while she is growing and thriving, Brendan is slowly failing at the life he thought he would rule in college. This isn't my typical go to book to read if I was just basing my pick on the book synopsis, but Tom Perrotta is one of my favorite authors. He takes a simple story and brings life to it with layers and layers of character development. Small moments are thrilling to read because of his intense details and descriptions. These are real people who could be your next door neighbor but their stories are compelling because of the way he brings them to life. This book won't be for everyone, but if you are a fan of any of his other books which have become movies and TV series, you will like this one.

Shallow and though accessible surprisingly unengaging despite all the hype. Couldn't care less about every cardboard character and the book's conceit never gets beyond its own self-congratulation. I finished it only because I finish every book I start.

Ok - this book has a low rating from readers. It deserves it. I suspect they fall into two camps and probably a third that combine the first two. The first camp is not okay with some of the subject matter - trans-gender and gay relationships; adult female with a porn addiction; sex across generations; etc. The second camp just realizes that this book goes nowhere/builds towards nothing/has very little to say.The topics listed above, to me, where in fact that only thing interesting at all. Outside of that the characters had very little depth. I just wanted the book to end. It feels like the author (I am a fan of Tom's work) built this world and the characters around some of these topics first and then never could quite fill in a story that was compelling or thought provoking. Some books can work just as slice of life/view of different stories if they are interesting enough or if there is some backdrop that ties them together (like "bright shiny morning" which is a book I love that really does not say anything). This book was not able to do that.

I'm almost embarrassed for him. This seemed like a "young adult" novel. The plot was listless and uninteresting. I kept waiting for the "big moment". Alas, it never came. When it came to the end of the book, I was shocked. That's it? This is anemic and sophomoric. And it seems to me as though he just simply couldn't have written this and had it published. Not Tom Perrotta! Oh well. I'm glad it's over. What a waste of time.

I truly loved the book The Leftovers and had high hopes for Mrs. Fletcher but unfortunately it's not to be. I did think that the main characters were believable but I had trouble warming to any of them. We are living in very confusing times where online pornography is too easy for anyone to access and in turn misinterpret as real life. Many people have unrealistic relationship and sexual expectations because of these online websites. Tom Perrotta may just be showing us what we don't wish to understand, recognize and accept. That our world has evolved into very scary place indeed !!!

I did not like this book. It was simply written which I sometimes find refreshing but I could not engage with the main characters and in particular Mrs Fletcher was not believable in my opinion. Her behaviour was pretty reprehensible and yet she appeared to be a delightful person in every other respect. Her son did not appear to have any saving graces and I felt the book was written with very little emotional intensity. May be the television series will be more engaging.

im about 30% though it as i was finishing another book ..but is very funny , very reflective of our 'now society' Tom P is a great social observer & his language is very tight,controlled & compelling ..a page turning book ..

Really enjoyed the tv series so looked up the book. Loved it! it has far more character depth than the series.

I wasn't surprised this was written by a man. It felt kind of porny in places, male fantasy driven.