This is my first Tom Perrotta novel so I can’t compare this book with his previous works but what I can do is share my experience with Mrs. Fletcher. This isn’t a perfect book but it is ambitious and it fails in certain aspects.
Mrs. Fletcher follows Eve Fletcher a forty-six year old woman who is divorced and has just sent her only son to college. She works at a Senior Center and works with a lot of people but besides her degree in Social Work she decides to go back to school and take up a class at a community college called Gender and Society in order to change her views. It is here that she meets her classmates and becomes close to some of them as well as learning new things about gender and society. Having sent her son Brendan to college she is now all alone and tries to fill that void by watching some adult videos – specifically ones tagged with MILF – and soon becomes addicted to them. This addiction takes grasp into her reality and she begins questioning her own sexuality as well as her outlook on real-life relationships.
Our Mrs. Fletcher isn’t the only narrator to this story because the author includes her son as well. Brendan is a jock and he’s always had it easy with grades because of that reason but now he comes to a whole new world where things aren’t as simple as in high school. His expectations of college quickly change when he starts struggling with his classes and failing them but that’s not all because how he views sex also makes him an outcast in this academic community.
Will Eve and Brendan Fletcher be able to overcome their struggles and rise up to them or will life take them on a different path?
At the beginning of this review I said that Mrs. Fletcher is an ambitious novel and that’s true because the author tries to include many themes in today’s society but it just didn’t feel thoroughly executed. On the blurb we are promised two narratives but that changes as the story unfolds and introduces us to other narrators who I felt were unnecessary to the story even though there were some who I genuinely liked hearing from. I actually enjoyed reading this novel and definitely didn’t like most of the characters but the story wasn’t bad – I mean yes, it was weird and at times awkward reading about Eve [especially the part where she hears her son moaning] – I would call this book entertainment fiction. The themes of sexuality, autism, gender weren’t that much explored in this novel and this is the reason why I call it an ambitious novel. I’ll be looking out for Perrotta’s future works to see if he gets better at exploring these subjects.
Would I recommend reading this book? I mean if you are looking for a light and entertaining read then I would say yes but in case you prefer your fiction to be more thought-provoking then it’s a pass.
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher (Scribner) for allowing me to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review.
My rating:
Add ‘Mrs. Fletcher‘ to your TBR:
*Purchase ‘Mrs. Fletcher‘ here:
*Purchase ‘’Mrs. Fletcher‘ with free worldwide shipping:
**I am in no way compensated by these sites. I am simply sharing it so people can find this book easier.
Tom Perrotta is the author of several works of fiction: Bad Haircut, The Wishbones, Election, and the New York Times bestselling Joe College and Little Children. Election was made into the acclaimed 1999 movie directed by Alexander Payne and starring Matthew Broderick and Reese Witherspoon. Little Children was released as a movie directed by Todd Field and starring Kate Winslet and Jennifer Connelly in 2006, and for which Perrotta received Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations for best screenplay. He lives outside of Boston, Massachusetts.
My rating was the same. I just couldn’t get into this book, just wasn’t for me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s definitely not for everyone. I found it interesting enough to continue reading.
LikeLike
Great review! To be honest, I read one of his books a couple of years ago and discarded the author as not-for-me… And after reading your review, I think I’ve made the right decision. xD
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’s not for everyone yeah. I am fascinated by the American life and suburbs so this story was a good read but sadly not a perfect one. Thanks for stopping by Yvo!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmm I don’t think this is a topic for me.. it sounds rather special. I’m happy to hear you still liked it well enough to finish this novel.. Nice review!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The reason I requested it is because it had quite a buzz around it but it’s not for everyone. Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Black Cat Blue Sea Award # bookblogger – Cover to Cover
Ok, wow! The MILF videos and moaning son definitely make this book sound something… of a… peculiar one? 😀
Glad it was entertaining and pity that it failed to explore the themes/issues on a deeper level… I have to say I am curious but only because it offers such awkward reading… I love to be challenged into awkwardness! Great review!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It definitely was weird haha. It was interesting to me so who knows.. it might be interesting to you too! I think people who like reading about Americans will like it..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I think this would be quite interesting reading for me, as well… I best go add it to the TBR pile so I won’t forget about it 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not something I’d typically read. Makes me raise an eyebrow, haha. Thanks for an honest review!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice review. If interested here is mine on the same book: https://books6259.wordpress.com/2017/08/19/mrs-fletcher-by-tom-perrotta/
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree with it! For what I can gather it wasn’t Perrotta’s best.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You might want to try another but than there are so many books out there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll keep him in mind because right now I’m not feeling like it..
LikeLiked by 1 person
The whole premise sounds interesting though a bit weird. Glad that you liked it enough though to read it to the end. Great review.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha it’s definitely weird and at times uncomfortable 😀 Thanks Diana!
LikeLike
OMGAD. I absolutely love your design graphic. I mean, it’s the first time I oepned you blog on my Mac and not my cellphone. Everything looks soooo neat ❤ Completely fangirling over here LOL Okay back to subject 😉 LOVE you review too, the plot sounds weird I admit. But a good weird you know 😀 but that honesty is alwayyys appreciated !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Trang. I’m glad you like it!
Thank you! It’s pure entertainment kind of read – a glass of wine and rock on haha.
LikeLike
Pingback: Award: Real Neat Blog #2 and #3 – STEPHANIE'S NOVEL FICTION
Wow, this definitely sounds different and odd. But that might make it an ideal read for me 😉 I tend to favor those quirky titles that can be almost uncomfortable to read at times. Not sure why or what that says about me haha. I do hope to see future reviews of the author’s work by you. It sounds like he has some intriguing concepts and room to grow. Wonderful review!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m surprised that many people are attracted to the book after reading my review haha! I think that we all sometimes like to read an easy and fun read which this was. Well yeah the author has written a few books before this one but this one just jumped at me out of all. Thank you Danielle!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, it was a great review and I must admit that certain “elements” have my curiosity piqued 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really intriguing subject, I’m feeling quite ambiguous on what’s happening and where it all leads. It’s good that you were being honest about it all. It does sound like something that wouldn’t appeal to everyone out there. Great review.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I actually liked Mrs. Fletcher, but I enjoyed Perrotta’s breakout book The Leftovers too. I enjoy the focus on suburban life, it’s nice to read about things that are familiar sometimes….although the porn stuff, not as normal or familiar feeling haha
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mrs. Fletcher is definitely entertainment fiction!
LikeLiked by 1 person