National BestsellerBest Book of the Year: NPR, Shelf Awareness“I didn’t know how much I needed a laugh until I began reading Stephen McCauley’s new novel, My Ex-Life. This is the kind of witty, sparkling, sharp novel for which the verb ‘chortle’ was invented.” —Maureen Corrigan, Fresh Air“McCauley fits neatly alongside Tom Perrotta and Maria Semple in the category of ‘Novelists You’d Most Like to … and Maria Semple in the category of ‘Novelists You’d Most Like to Drive Across the Country With.’” —The New York Times Book Review
David Hedges’s life is coming apart at the seams. His job helping San Francisco rich kids get into the colleges of their (parents’) choice is exasperating; his younger boyfriend has left him; and the beloved carriage house he rents is being sold. His solace is a Thai takeout joint that delivers 24/7.
The last person he expects to hear from is Julie Fiske. It’s been decades since they’ve spoken, and he’s relieved to hear she’s recovered from her brief, misguided first marriage. To him.
Julie definitely doesn’t have a problem with marijuana (she’s given it up completely, so it doesn’t matter if she gets stoned almost daily) and the Airbnb she’s running out of her seaside house north of Boston is neither shabby nor illegal. And she has two whole months to come up with the money to buy said house from her second husband before their divorce is finalized. She’d just like David’s help organizing college plans for her seventeen-year-old daughter.
That would be Mandy. To quote Barry Manilow, Oh Mandy. While she knows she’s smarter than most of the kids in her school, she can’t figure out why she’s making so many incredibly dumb and increasingly dangerous choices?
When David flies east, they find themselves living under the same roof (one David needs to repair). David and Julie pick up exactly where they left off thirty years ago—they’re still best friends who can finish each other’s sentences. But there’s one broken bit between them that no amount of home renovations will fix.
In prose filled with hilarious and heartbreakingly accurate one-liners, Stephen McCauley has written a novel that examines how we define home, family, and love. Be prepared to laugh, shed a few tears, and have thoughts of your own ex-life triggered. (Throw pillows optional.)
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What a treat! This book was funny (hilarious at times), moving, and poignant. David is a charming character, and I was so happy to spend time with him.
Another wonderful and heartfelt novel from Stephen McCauley (author of THE OBJECT OF MY AFFECTION–one of my favorite books). Like all of his books, EX-LIFE is warm, funny, thoughtful and thought-provoking. It’s peopled with characters that we want to root for because we love them so much, both because they’re so flawed and because we see ourselves in each of them.
What a truly touching read that pulls you in at the beginning and doesn’t let go. It takes on different kinds of relationships and opens them up to bare all that they can be. I found the whole book fascinating and felt engaged with all of the characters hoping that things turned out for the better in the end. I found myself touched with a bit of sadness but a ton of laughter as I made my way through each chapter and couldn’t wait to see what would happen next. I can’t tell you how much this book had me delving into my own life and relationships. I know that as much as we may try to forget the past it always has a way of rearing its head and making us take notice of things we have longed to let go. This was my first foray into a book by this author and what a way to get to know him. I look forward to reading more of this authors work!
I bought the audio book and listened raptly while walking taking my dog on her daily walks. I became so caught up in the story and the characters that on several occasions I had to continue listening after we arrived back home. When the book finished today I felt satisfied but sad that the story had ended. I’m going to look for other books by the same author. One of the best books I have read or listened to in the last couple of years – and I read a lot!
This book was so much fun to read, I got another by the same author.
Humor, bruised egos, and realistic concerns balance nicely in this story of characters facing fading circumstances with as much brio, bravado, and empathy as they can muster.
This book is like home. Its the mystery of life and doesnt give an answer or solve your problems. It just lives as comfortably as possible.
I am so in love with this world Stephen McCauley has created. You know. That feeling that you’re climbing into the book to hang out with friends you really care about? That’s this book.
I think the descriptions/reviews of this book are completely off-base. I did not find humor in any of it. It wasn’t “sparkling”, “sharp”, “clever” or “heartwarming.” It is a sad description of split marriages and the angst of relationships. I also feel that the author tries too hard and attempts to be too big for his britches with his use of “big words.” As for the issue with the daughter. I did not approve of the authors take on the whole situation and felt like he justified and of made it seem like it wasn’t the crime that it is. SHAME ON HIM for not denouncing child porn and the exploitation of children. NOT OK.
I received “My Ex-Life,” by Stephen McCauley as an advance reading copy. It’s an unassuming story line – ex-husband goes across country to help his ex-wife’s daughter apply for colleges. I was quickly pulled into the story. The characters are relatable – they could be old friends, they could be a little bit you. The stories of David, Julie, and Mandy amble at a pleasurable pace as the story unwinds to tell their tale. I looked forward to each time I picked up the book and was able to slide into their world. McCauley tells a good tale and his descriptive details make you feel like you’re there. This was my first encounter with McCauley’s writing and I am definitely looking forward to reading more of his works.
#myexlife
I feel like I missed something in this book.
Julie calls David, her gay ex-husband, and asks him to help her daughter prepare for college applications, because that’s what he does for a living. So he flies out and stays with her. But somewhere along the way everyone thinks David is going to help Julie with the house situation, including Julie. I guess I missed that conversation. I don’t like that she had to turn to an ex to save her.
And where was this “one conversation they’ve never had no amount of renovations can fix” per advertised? Julie and David never had a real conversation.
This book is filled with horrible supporting characters. And when I say horrible, I mean that they are bad people. And I don’t like that Julie was saved by one of the more horrible people.
I fell in love with this whole cast of characters. The author has amazing insight into the different ways people build relationships.
This book is the story of David Hedges and Julie Fiske.
David and Julie were once married. Things didn’t work out between them many years go.
Julie went on to get re-married and have a child, Mandy.
David went on to have a relationship with his boyfriend.
After both have crisis’ in the personal aspects of their lives; David’s boyfriend leaves him for an older and more successful man; Julie’s husband leaves her for a more “likeable” woman, their lives intermingle again.
Julie’s daughter is sullen and refusing to apply for college. David helps children of San Francisco’s elite get into prestigious colleges, so when Mandy reaches out to David for help, David comes back into Julie’s life.
Both seem to have hit rock bottom. They both seem to pick up exactly where they left things. The chemistry is still there, they get along well, but there is one conversation they haven’t had that they need to.
I enjoyed parts of this book. I like how they overcame complicated parts of their relationship and find an arrangement that suits them both. Just because they couldn’t stay married, doesn’t mean that the love they had wasn’t real. They were just better off friends than married-to-each-other-people.