Florence Gordon

A wise and entertaining novel about a woman who has lived life on her own terms for seventy-five defiant and determined years, only to find herself suddenly thrust to the centre of her family's various catastrophes "Always a pleasure to read for his well-drawn characters, quiet insight and dialogue that crackles with wit, Morton here raises his own bar in all three areas. He also joins a sadly small club of male writers who have created memorable heroines." - Kirkus ReviewsMeet Florence Gordon: blunt, brilliant, cantankerous and passionate, feminist icon to young women, invisible to almost everyone else. At seventy-five, Florence has earned her right to set down the burdens of family and work and shape her legacy at long last. But just as she is beginning to write her long-deferred memoir, her son Daniel returns to New York from Seattle with his wife and daughter, and they embroil Florence in their dramas, clouding the clarity of her days and threatening her well-defended solitude. And then there is her left foot, which is starting to drag... "With such a strong protagonist, it's hard for other characters to hold the stage, but Morton captures the undulating family dynamics that ripple out from the rock at its centre... Morton doesn't insult us with cheesy, sentimental breakthroughs, but he does offer this comfort — characters who are so believable you expect to run into them ordering from the deli counter at Zabar's." - Heller McAlpin, NPRWith searing wit, sophisticated intelligence, and a tender respect for humanity in all its flaws, Brian Morton introduces a constellation of unforgettable characters. Chief among them, Florence Gordon, who can humble the fools surrounding her with one barbed line, but who eventually finds there are realities even she cannot outwit. A “hilarious and addictive” novel about a grandmother who just wants to be left alone, from the author of Starting Out in the Evening (San Francisco Chronicle). Named a Best Book of the Year by NPR, the San Francisco Chronicle, Salon, and The Millions, and a Best Fiction Book of the Year by the Christian Science Monitor · Finalist for the Kirkus Prize · Meet Florence Gordon: blunt, brilliant, cantankerous, passionate, feminist icon to young women, invisible to almost everyone else. At seventy-five, Florence has earned her right to set down the burdens of family and work and shape her legacy at long last. But just as she begins to write her long-deferred memoir, her son Daniel returns to New York from Seattle with his wife and daughter, and they embroil Florence in their dramas, clouding the clarity of her days and threatening her well-defended solitude. And then there’s her left foot, which is starting to drag... With humor and a tender respect for humanity in all its flaws, Brian Morton introduces a constellation of unforgettable characters—chief among them Florence, who can humble the fools surrounding her with one barbed line, but eventually finds there are realities even she cannot outwit. “Morton’s intelligent, layered portrait of a feisty, independent older woman is an absolute joy to read, not only for its delightful wit but also for its dignified appraisal of aging and living life on one’s own terms.”—Booklist(starred review) “Exquisitely crafted...Witty, nuanced and ultimately moving.”—Maureen Corrigan, NPR’s Fresh Air “Smart, funny, and compassionate...a treat.”— People “It’s such a cliché to say a book makes you laugh and cry, but this one does, in the deftest way.” —Emily Gould, Paste “Deliciously sharp and deeply sympathetic...a truly gifted novelist.”—Adam Kirsch, Tablet “Morton’s intelligent, layered portrait of a feisty, independent older woman is an absolute joy to read, not only for its delightful wit but also for its dignified appraisal of aging and living life on one’s own terms.”—Booklist (starred review) “Exquisitely crafted...Witty, nuanced and ultimately moving.”—Maureen Corrigan, NPR’s Fresh Air “Smart, funny, and compassionate...a treat.”— People “It’s such a cliché to say a book makes you laugh and cry, but this one does, in the deftest way.” —Emily Gould, Paste “Deliciously sharp and deeply sympathetic...a truly gifted novelist.”—Adam Kirsch, Tablet A “hilarious and addictive” novel about a grandmother who just wants to be left alone, from the author of Starting Out in the Evening ( San Francisco Chronicle ). Named a Best Book of the Year by NPR, the San Francisco Chronicle , Salon, and The Millions, and a Best Fiction Book of the Year by the Christian Science Monitor · Finalist for the Kirkus Prize · Meet Florence Gordon: blunt, brilliant, cantankerous, passionate, feminist icon to young women, invisible to almost everyone else. At seventy-five, Florence has earned her right to set down the burdens of family and work and shape her legacy at long last. But just as she begins to write her long-deferred memoir, her son Daniel returns to New York from Seattle with his wife and daughter, and they embroil Florence in their dramas, clouding the clarity of her days and threatening her well-defended solitude. And then there’s her left foot, which is starting to drag... With humor and a tender respect for humanity in all its flaws, Brian Morton introduces a constellation of unforgettable characters—chief among them Florence, who can humble the fools surrounding her with one barbed line, but eventually finds there are realities even she cannot outwit. “Morton’s intelligent, layered portrait of a feisty, independent older woman is an absolute joy to read, not only for its delightful wit but also for its dignified appraisal of aging and living life on one’s own terms.”— Booklist (starred review) “Exquisitely crafted...Witty, nuanced and ultimately moving.”—Maureen Corrigan, NPR’s Fresh Air “Smart, funny, and compassionate...a treat.”— People “It’s such a cliché to say a book makes you laugh and cry, but this one does, in the deftest way.” —Emily Gould, Paste “Deliciously sharp and deeply sympathetic...a truly gifted novelist.”—Adam Kirsch, Tablet “Morton’s intelligent, layered portrait of a feisty, independent older woman is an absolute joy to read, not only for its delightful wit but also for its dignified appraisal of aging and living life on one’s own terms.”— Booklist (starred review) “Exquisitely crafted...Witty, nuanced and ultimately moving.”—Maureen Corrigan, NPR’s Fresh Air “Smart, funny, and compassionate...a treat.”— People “It’s such a cliché to say a book makes you laugh and cry, but this one does, in the deftest way.” —Emily Gould, Paste “Deliciously sharp and deeply sympathetic...a truly gifted novelist.”—Adam Kirsch, Tablet "A wise and entertaining novel about a woman who has lived life on her own terms for seventy-five defiant and determined years, only to find herself suddenly thrust to the center of her family's various catastrophes Meet Florence Gordon: blunt, brilliant, cantankerous and passionate, feminist icon to young women, invisible and underappreciated by most everyone else. At seventy-five, Florence has earned her right to set down the burdens of family and work and shape her legacy at long last. But just as she is beginning to write her long-deferred memoir, her son Daniel returns to New York from Seattle with his wife and daughter, and they embroil Florence in their dramas, clouding the clarity of her days with the frustrations of middle-age and the confusions of youth. And then there is her left foot, which is starting to drag. With searing wit, sophisticated intelligence, and a tender respect for humanity in all its flaws, Brian Morton introduces a constellation of unforgettable characters. Chief among them, Florence, who can humble the fools surrounding her with one barbed line, but who eventually finds there are realities even she cannot outsmart"-- Provided by publisher A wise and entertaining novel about a woman who has lived life on her own terms for seventy-five defiant and determined years, only to find herself suddenly thrust to the center of her family's various catastrophes Meet Florence Gordon: blunt, brilliant, cantankerous and passionate, feminist icon to young women, invisible to almost everyone else. At seventy-five, Florence has earned her right to set down the burdens of family and work and shape her legacy at long last. But just as she is beginning to write her long-deferred memoir, her son Daniel returns to New York from Seattle with his wife and daughter, and they embroil Florence in their dramas, clouding the clarity of her days and threatening her well-defended solitude. And then there is her left foot, which is starting to drag.... With searing wit, sophisticated intelligence, and a tender respect for humanity in all its flaws, Brian Morton introduces a constellation of unforgettable characters. Chief among them, Florence, who can humble the fools surrounding her with one barbed line, but who eventually finds there are realities even she cannot outwit Meet Florence Gordon: Blunt, Brilliant, Cantankerous And Passionate, Feminist Icon To Young Women, Invisible And Underappreciated By Most Everyone Else. At Seventy-five, Florence Has Earned Her Right To Set Down The Burdens Of Family And Work And Shape Her Legacy At Long Last. But Just As She Is Beginning To Write Her Long-deferred Memoir, Her Son Daniel Returns To New York From Seattle With His Wife And Daughter, And They Embroil Florence In Their Dramas, Clouding The Clarity Of Her Days With The Frustrations Of Middle-age And The Confusions Of Youth-- Brian Morton. A Novel--jacket.