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Domestic Violets
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Humor (2011)In the tradition of Jonathan Tropper and Tom Perrotta comes Matthew Norman's Domestic Violets—a darkly comic family drama about one man’s improbable trials of love, loss, and ambition; of attraction, impotence, and infidelity; and of mid-life malaise, poorly-planned revenge, and the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.
329 pages, Paperback
First published August 9, 2011
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9235 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Norman
25 books1,016 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Matthew Norman is an advertising copywriter. He lives with his wife and two daughters in Baltimore. His first novel, Domestic Violets, was nominated in the Best Humor Category at the 2011 Goodreads Choice Awards.
Matthew Norman is an advertising copywriter. He lives with his wife and two daughters in Baltimore. His first novel, Domestic Violets, was nominated in the Best Humor Category at the 2011 Goodreads Choice Awards.
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November 22, 2012
Ugh... OK, I am starting to lose my patience for contemporary novels starring this guy: handsome, comfortably successful/family money, precocious child/ren, hot, intelligent wife (whom he is bored/stifled/misunderstood by, ALWAYS), approaching 40, and life is just like, so hard! And like, no one "gets" me! And what if I'm like, not fulfilled by my hot wife and beautiful family and lovely home? BOOHOO, ENDURE MY HANDSOME MIDLIFE ANGST! It's just... enough out of you, guy. Why are you in every novel I pick up these days? And in this incarnation, dude gets to hook up with a hot 25 year-old with no repercussions (while he allows his wife to be tortured by her indiscretion), discover that - omg, he is secretly a brilliant writer! (enter new fulfilling career, oh hooray, you win again!), and at the end of the book he even gets a free goddamn PORSCHE. UGH. Ugh. Ugh. Ugh. By that point, I really don't care how clever or charming a writer you are. I'm done participating in your generic, offensive frat boy fantasies. And also I am pissed off (clearly).
June 8, 2016
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
Don’t feel like reading a review? Join the club, because I don’t really feel too keen aboutwriting picturing one up either. Here’s the short version for any of you who have better things to do today . . .
For the three of you who are still here, let’s have a go with what exactly brought the “meh” factor for me when it came to Domestic Violets.
Let’s start with how I even discovered this book in the first place. My friend Melki was reading another Matthew Norman book that I immediately went and tried to get on NetGalley. However, since NetGalley enjoys toying with my emotions, that request is still pending - even though the book in question was published a week ago . . . .
I mean really.
I can confirm that Domestic Violets was, in fact, a “family drama about one man’s improbable trials of love, loss, and ambition; of attraction, impotence, and infidelity; and of mid-life malaise, poorly-planned revenge, and the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.” Unfortunately, for me it failed to deliver in the “darkly comic” department. And the comparison to Jonathon Tropper and Tom Perrotta? Well, that’s where things just get a little unfair for poor Matthew Norman. Tropper has made an art out of writing the quintessential loveable loser paired with a dysfunctional ensemble cast. Perrotta is a master of writing the aforementioned darkly comic twist. Matthew Norman is noJack Kennedy (sorry – too much election coverage) Tropper or Perrotta. I didn’t enjoy any of the characters in this story and I really didn’t want them to end up with any sort of happily ever after. It’s bad enough when it seems all the d-bags in the world never get what’s coming to them (*cough Drumpf cough*), karma could at least kick some fictional ass for me. Even the humor in this one was borrowed and not fresh . . .
The good news is that even though this one didn’t work for me, I read another Tropperesque book that was nearly as good as I was hoping it would be (Amp’d for those who are curious since I officially suck at writing timely reviews – I’m going to blame it on growing closer with slackers like Ron 2.0 and internet-challenged Delee) and I’m also still very interested in getting my hands on We’re All Damaged because any fella who gets dumped in an Applebee’s is probably a fella I’d like to get to know better.
Don’t feel like reading a review? Join the club, because I don’t really feel too keen about
For the three of you who are still here, let’s have a go with what exactly brought the “meh” factor for me when it came to Domestic Violets.
Let’s start with how I even discovered this book in the first place. My friend Melki was reading another Matthew Norman book that I immediately went and tried to get on NetGalley. However, since NetGalley enjoys toying with my emotions, that request is still pending - even though the book in question was published a week ago . . . .
I mean really.
I can confirm that Domestic Violets was, in fact, a “family drama about one man’s improbable trials of love, loss, and ambition; of attraction, impotence, and infidelity; and of mid-life malaise, poorly-planned revenge, and the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.” Unfortunately, for me it failed to deliver in the “darkly comic” department. And the comparison to Jonathon Tropper and Tom Perrotta? Well, that’s where things just get a little unfair for poor Matthew Norman. Tropper has made an art out of writing the quintessential loveable loser paired with a dysfunctional ensemble cast. Perrotta is a master of writing the aforementioned darkly comic twist. Matthew Norman is no
The good news is that even though this one didn’t work for me, I read another Tropperesque book that was nearly as good as I was hoping it would be (Amp’d for those who are curious since I officially suck at writing timely reviews – I’m going to blame it on growing closer with slackers like Ron 2.0 and internet-challenged Delee) and I’m also still very interested in getting my hands on We’re All Damaged because any fella who gets dumped in an Applebee’s is probably a fella I’d like to get to know better.
October 7, 2016
I enjoyed this book and would have given it four stars, had I not hated the ending so much. The characters were wonderful, including the dog, but especially the father. By the end, I wanted something positive to happen to the main character but I think something bad happened to him, only it was painted in a positive light.
August 31, 2013
Tom Violet is my new literary superhero. This man is fan-fucking-tastic. He’s a god among the rest of us mere mortals with his smartass attitude, literary pedigree (his dad is Curtis Violet, the greatest writer of the modern era, at least according to himself), ability to attract women more than ten years his junior, obsession with great exit lines, and he’s capable of more one-liners than a basket full of fortune cookies. His dad may have a bit of a drinking problem, but he’s a Pulitzer prize-winning author, who ends up being handed literary awards the way children are passed ice cream cones. And his old man seeks out love with a passion better reserved for one woman, yet he’s constantly trying to one-up himself in the love department.
Despite being in his sixties, his old man’s latest discard (stepmother Ashley) could be next month’s Playboy centerfold with a killer body and an attitude and freakish personality to match, even going so far as to stalk Curtis in a skintight black tracksuit and faking her own death. She’s the human equivalent of plutonium, but she’s just one in a laundry list of characters strong enough to celebrate her own novel, yet relegated to the confines of secondary character status.
As for Tom, since DOMESTIC VIOLETS is really his nirvana, he keeps a file of Gregory’s HR complaints in his desk drawer and reads them when he’s bored or needs a little pick-me-up, which at least for him, is apparently better than Red Bull. He also manages to please himself and confuse his insurance company by name-dropping a different rock star’s real name with his doctor’s secretary before each visit. Last time he was Gordon Sumner (Sting); this time he transformed into Paul Hewson (Bono). And this is just one of many gems contained in this dastardly funny read that had me laughing so hard I was glad I wasn’t drinking at the time.
I really wanted to get wowed by a book and then this little beauty came along. It knocked me on my ass, kicked me in the crotch, and then stole my lunch money. If I ever meet Matthew Norman in real life, I’d probably attempt to hug him, at which point the men covered in riot gear and dark sunglasses would tackle me to the ground, tase me, and after I’m done twitching like a dying cockroach, I’d be handcuffed and shoved in the back of a police cruiser.
The novel introduced me to new words and phrases like the anti-boner, morning missile, cock with narcolepsy, Cubeland, douche-baggery, flash fantasy, tractor beam of sucking, corporate communications turd, and probably my personal favorite: Darth Gregory.
He may have a mild case of erectile dysfunction, but at least he can consume a little blue pill and still manage to keep his sense of humor about the situation: “My normal, average-as-can-be penis has been replaced with something cartoonish and chemically altered, like a penis from the future.”
This probably tells you all you need to know about his mother: “When I was fourteen she tried to tell me about condoms and I nearly choked to death on a Nilla Wafer.”
His rivalry with Darth Gregory is the stuff of legends and during an otherwise productive lunch, he manages to toss Greg’s love of buzzwords back in his face: “Everything at lunch was going well until I said that I was going to leverage a strategy that could create a synergy between my chicken sandwich and my iced tea.”
A professor’s thoughts on capitalism that I found entirely entertaining: “According to him, there are only a handful of jobs that actually fuel the American economy and the rest are wholly orchestrated boondoggles designed to keep people in offices all day or in malls buying shit on weekends and not rioting in the streets.”
Describing his stepmother’s (Ashley) emotional range: “She’s a complex bomb in a movie about terrorists, ticking steadily toward zero in a crowded train station full of children and nuns.”
His exit line:
If you like to read, I’d say you should buy or beg for a copy of this emotionally charged laugh parade, but my view may be slightly tainted by my own euphoria.
Cross-posted at Robert's Reads
Despite being in his sixties, his old man’s latest discard (stepmother Ashley) could be next month’s Playboy centerfold with a killer body and an attitude and freakish personality to match, even going so far as to stalk Curtis in a skintight black tracksuit and faking her own death. She’s the human equivalent of plutonium, but she’s just one in a laundry list of characters strong enough to celebrate her own novel, yet relegated to the confines of secondary character status.
As for Tom, since DOMESTIC VIOLETS is really his nirvana, he keeps a file of Gregory’s HR complaints in his desk drawer and reads them when he’s bored or needs a little pick-me-up, which at least for him, is apparently better than Red Bull. He also manages to please himself and confuse his insurance company by name-dropping a different rock star’s real name with his doctor’s secretary before each visit. Last time he was Gordon Sumner (Sting); this time he transformed into Paul Hewson (Bono). And this is just one of many gems contained in this dastardly funny read that had me laughing so hard I was glad I wasn’t drinking at the time.
I really wanted to get wowed by a book and then this little beauty came along. It knocked me on my ass, kicked me in the crotch, and then stole my lunch money. If I ever meet Matthew Norman in real life, I’d probably attempt to hug him, at which point the men covered in riot gear and dark sunglasses would tackle me to the ground, tase me, and after I’m done twitching like a dying cockroach, I’d be handcuffed and shoved in the back of a police cruiser.
The novel introduced me to new words and phrases like the anti-boner, morning missile, cock with narcolepsy, Cubeland, douche-baggery, flash fantasy, tractor beam of sucking, corporate communications turd, and probably my personal favorite: Darth Gregory.
He may have a mild case of erectile dysfunction, but at least he can consume a little blue pill and still manage to keep his sense of humor about the situation: “My normal, average-as-can-be penis has been replaced with something cartoonish and chemically altered, like a penis from the future.”
This probably tells you all you need to know about his mother: “When I was fourteen she tried to tell me about condoms and I nearly choked to death on a Nilla Wafer.”
His rivalry with Darth Gregory is the stuff of legends and during an otherwise productive lunch, he manages to toss Greg’s love of buzzwords back in his face: “Everything at lunch was going well until I said that I was going to leverage a strategy that could create a synergy between my chicken sandwich and my iced tea.”
A professor’s thoughts on capitalism that I found entirely entertaining: “According to him, there are only a handful of jobs that actually fuel the American economy and the rest are wholly orchestrated boondoggles designed to keep people in offices all day or in malls buying shit on weekends and not rioting in the streets.”
Describing his stepmother’s (Ashley) emotional range: “She’s a complex bomb in a movie about terrorists, ticking steadily toward zero in a crowded train station full of children and nuns.”
His exit line:
If you like to read, I’d say you should buy or beg for a copy of this emotionally charged laugh parade, but my view may be slightly tainted by my own euphoria.
Cross-posted at Robert's Reads
January 17, 2015
Dear Matthew Norman,
You’ve written a fantastic, entertaining book about a great character. The picture of you on the back is very attractive and I’ve had a great track record with men from Omaha. Why don’t you forget your wife and kids and come here to Philadelphia and be mine? I’m single and old enough that I’m not really a twentysomething harlot. Also: I have big boobs.
Love,
Jessica
Ugh, this book is practically perfect. It’s everything I wanted This is Where I Leave You to be: funny without being wacky or vulgar, heartwarming without being sappy, easy without being mindless. It’s just...great.
Tom Violet doesn’t have a bad life, but it’s certainly not what he wanted for himself. He hates his job as a copywriter for a heartless corporation whose practical applications are murky in that heartless corporation kind of way. He’s embattled with a nemesis who embodies everything he hates about corporate America, he’s got a crush on his coworker that he knows is inappropriate, his penis isn’t working, and his wife is drifting away from him. His father andstepfather are knocking at his door with their own romantic troubles. That father, by the way, just won the Pulitzer Prize while Tom’s own ambitions of becoming a legitimate writer have been shoved into a drawer along with his manuscript.
Tom decides he’s going to Take Action, and that’s exactly what he does. He’s not a flawless man and some of his Actions are less than moral, but you have to feel for this man. His intentions are good and he’s not out to change the world, just the way he fits into it. Tom is such a fully realized character, multidimensional and honest, and Norman’s prose is witty, insightful, and incredibly consistent. The story here isn’t necessarily original or earth-moving, but that’s why I loved it. Tom is very much the Everyman and he reminds us that we have more control over the events in our lives than we’d like to admit.
I’m not a thirty-five year-old man, but – as an unsatisfied almost-copywriter for a heartless corporation whose purpose I barely understand – it was a message I needed to hear.
You’ve written a fantastic, entertaining book about a great character. The picture of you on the back is very attractive and I’ve had a great track record with men from Omaha. Why don’t you forget your wife and kids and come here to Philadelphia and be mine? I’m single and old enough that I’m not really a twentysomething harlot. Also: I have big boobs.
Love,
Jessica
Ugh, this book is practically perfect. It’s everything I wanted This is Where I Leave You to be: funny without being wacky or vulgar, heartwarming without being sappy, easy without being mindless. It’s just...great.
Tom Violet doesn’t have a bad life, but it’s certainly not what he wanted for himself. He hates his job as a copywriter for a heartless corporation whose practical applications are murky in that heartless corporation kind of way. He’s embattled with a nemesis who embodies everything he hates about corporate America, he’s got a crush on his coworker that he knows is inappropriate, his penis isn’t working, and his wife is drifting away from him. His father andstepfather are knocking at his door with their own romantic troubles. That father, by the way, just won the Pulitzer Prize while Tom’s own ambitions of becoming a legitimate writer have been shoved into a drawer along with his manuscript.
Tom decides he’s going to Take Action, and that’s exactly what he does. He’s not a flawless man and some of his Actions are less than moral, but you have to feel for this man. His intentions are good and he’s not out to change the world, just the way he fits into it. Tom is such a fully realized character, multidimensional and honest, and Norman’s prose is witty, insightful, and incredibly consistent. The story here isn’t necessarily original or earth-moving, but that’s why I loved it. Tom is very much the Everyman and he reminds us that we have more control over the events in our lives than we’d like to admit.
I’m not a thirty-five year-old man, but – as an unsatisfied almost-copywriter for a heartless corporation whose purpose I barely understand – it was a message I needed to hear.
August 17, 2011
The Short of It:
Domesticity gone wild!
The Rest of It:
Tom Violet is your typical office dweller. Unsatisfied with his job, he takes great pleasure in deconstructing the ridiculousness around him. But times are tough and the economy has tanked and with a wife and daughter to support, he’s glad to have a job. His real dream though is to be a writer. In fact he has written a secret novel, but with his own father just winning the Pulitzer, he’s hesitant to share his work. Struggling to get through the day-to-day, he finds himself attracted to a co-worker which further complicates things.
Domestic Violets is a jewel of a book. It’s funny, well written and honest. The characters are wonderfully developed and genuine. What I liked most about this book is that the development of the characters seemed effortless. Sometimes, when a book is humorous, even when discussing serious topics, the characters can be a bit “in your face” and obvious and that was not the case here. In each character, there existed a vulnerability; a sweet dose of self-doubt that made these characters very likable.
Although there was one moment were I questioned the self-deprecating humor, in the end I found myself loving Tom Violet. He may be the guy who throws paper airplanes your way when the board meeting goes stale, but he’s a good guy. The kind of guy you want as a husband or a father. I thoroughly enjoyed following him around for 350+ pages and was a little sad when I finished reading it.
In summary, Domestic Violets is a book that will appeal to many readers, young, old, employed or not!
For more reviews, visit my blog: Book Chatter
Domesticity gone wild!
The Rest of It:
Tom Violet is your typical office dweller. Unsatisfied with his job, he takes great pleasure in deconstructing the ridiculousness around him. But times are tough and the economy has tanked and with a wife and daughter to support, he’s glad to have a job. His real dream though is to be a writer. In fact he has written a secret novel, but with his own father just winning the Pulitzer, he’s hesitant to share his work. Struggling to get through the day-to-day, he finds himself attracted to a co-worker which further complicates things.
Domestic Violets is a jewel of a book. It’s funny, well written and honest. The characters are wonderfully developed and genuine. What I liked most about this book is that the development of the characters seemed effortless. Sometimes, when a book is humorous, even when discussing serious topics, the characters can be a bit “in your face” and obvious and that was not the case here. In each character, there existed a vulnerability; a sweet dose of self-doubt that made these characters very likable.
Although there was one moment were I questioned the self-deprecating humor, in the end I found myself loving Tom Violet. He may be the guy who throws paper airplanes your way when the board meeting goes stale, but he’s a good guy. The kind of guy you want as a husband or a father. I thoroughly enjoyed following him around for 350+ pages and was a little sad when I finished reading it.
In summary, Domestic Violets is a book that will appeal to many readers, young, old, employed or not!
For more reviews, visit my blog: Book Chatter
October 24, 2015
This had its moments. I love it when a book makes me laugh. The parts about the corporate workplace were the best. There are times when I ask my husband to tell me the latest corporate bullshit jargon and it never disappoints (buy-in, core values, drinking the Kool-Aid, move the needle, we'll park that, scalable, burning platform). See? How can people say these things with a straight face? That shit is entertaining. Like this book. This is a perfectly delightful story about an aspiring writer on the brink. He hates his job, his marriage is in trouble, he is feeling insecure about a book he has written, and his (famous author) dad has just moved in. And while he figures it all out there are moments of real sweetness in his story. But it is mostly witty and does not take itself too seriously- I liked that.
Favorite corporate acronym ::
WIIFM stands for "What's in It for Me?"
Favorite line ::
...Everything at lunch was going well until I said that I was going to circle back and try to leverage a strategy that would create synergy between my chicken sandwich and my iced tea...
Favorite corporate acronym ::
WIIFM stands for "What's in It for Me?"
Favorite line ::
...Everything at lunch was going well until I said that I was going to circle back and try to leverage a strategy that would create synergy between my chicken sandwich and my iced tea...
July 14, 2012
Without going into the personal trials of my own marriage, I will tell you that this is such a close description of it that it's almost kind of alarming. And I say alarming because to read it from an outsider perspective it makes living it to be a little harsher.
So let me talk about all of the things I really loved about this book in the hopes to sway you to read it. Because I really believe this book highlights the typical marriage so well but what makes this book different is that it shows that adults can be rational, can forgive, and can work towards something better rather than just say, "Screw you, I want a divorce!" because that's just a trigger reaction for someone who isn't willing to be an adult and work through something.
1. Can I just say I really loved Tom Violet? I did. He reminds me so much of Matt from his previous job that reading it in this perspective made me really understand what he was trying to tell me all along but never really could.
2. I appreciated his wife Anna because I knew exactly what she would have been feeling and although I didn't make the choices she does, I certainly wanted to.
3. I loved how funny this book was. It was such a real humor that it feels like this is your buddy calling you up to vent about something and you totally sympathize.
4. Can I just say I love how he resigns? Epic.
5. I loved the ending. I really did. There are not many books that end in a way that makes me think about it long after I finish the book. Was it just fates way of leading his life down another direction? The father and son dynamic of it makes me think of when one door closes, another opens, but in this case, when one generation bows out, another comes in.
One of my favorite passages of the book hit me because it's true. You know this author is married because nobody who is single will ever totally get this:
" Anna and I maneuver through our small bathroom, going about our nighttime routines of brushing and moisturizing. Tonight, we've managed to do it in complete silence. Married silence is a specific kind of silence, typically one in which the woman goes mute while the man pretends as if it's perfectly normal that she hasn't spoken in hours. In the face of conflict with their wives, most men choose to remain oblivious and passive, and I'm no different. Our shoulders touch as she scrubs her face with these little medicated pads. I say excuse me and drop my used floss in the garbage bin. We could be traveling salespeople, sharing a bathroom for some strange reason."
That right there? Is just a sampling of the realistic humor that married people just get and can identify with. I'm so excited to read another Matthew Norman novel because he's got such a talent that can weave a story that sounds like it's a memoir but bring humor to serious situations and it's all good. Everything about this book was good and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
So let me talk about all of the things I really loved about this book in the hopes to sway you to read it. Because I really believe this book highlights the typical marriage so well but what makes this book different is that it shows that adults can be rational, can forgive, and can work towards something better rather than just say, "Screw you, I want a divorce!" because that's just a trigger reaction for someone who isn't willing to be an adult and work through something.
1. Can I just say I really loved Tom Violet? I did. He reminds me so much of Matt from his previous job that reading it in this perspective made me really understand what he was trying to tell me all along but never really could.
2. I appreciated his wife Anna because I knew exactly what she would have been feeling and although I didn't make the choices she does, I certainly wanted to.
3. I loved how funny this book was. It was such a real humor that it feels like this is your buddy calling you up to vent about something and you totally sympathize.
4. Can I just say I love how he resigns? Epic.
5. I loved the ending. I really did. There are not many books that end in a way that makes me think about it long after I finish the book. Was it just fates way of leading his life down another direction? The father and son dynamic of it makes me think of when one door closes, another opens, but in this case, when one generation bows out, another comes in.
One of my favorite passages of the book hit me because it's true. You know this author is married because nobody who is single will ever totally get this:
" Anna and I maneuver through our small bathroom, going about our nighttime routines of brushing and moisturizing. Tonight, we've managed to do it in complete silence. Married silence is a specific kind of silence, typically one in which the woman goes mute while the man pretends as if it's perfectly normal that she hasn't spoken in hours. In the face of conflict with their wives, most men choose to remain oblivious and passive, and I'm no different. Our shoulders touch as she scrubs her face with these little medicated pads. I say excuse me and drop my used floss in the garbage bin. We could be traveling salespeople, sharing a bathroom for some strange reason."
That right there? Is just a sampling of the realistic humor that married people just get and can identify with. I'm so excited to read another Matthew Norman novel because he's got such a talent that can weave a story that sounds like it's a memoir but bring humor to serious situations and it's all good. Everything about this book was good and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
June 6, 2018
Tom Violet is a 35 year old man going through a midlife crisis. He is unhappy in both his personal and professional lives. He and his wife are having problems. He lives in his father's shadow. He works in corporate hell and has a work nemesis.
Tom is not a likable character. He is selfish and cocky, but I still wanted his life to come together. His work nemesis and corporate job provide nice comedy, while is personal relationships are more emotional and real.
An engrossing read. Dark. Humorous. Heartwarming.
Tom is not a likable character. He is selfish and cocky, but I still wanted his life to come together. His work nemesis and corporate job provide nice comedy, while is personal relationships are more emotional and real.
An engrossing read. Dark. Humorous. Heartwarming.
January 8, 2012
I love Tom Violet. I love his personality, his love of family and his ability to use sarcasm to his advantage, mainly towards people he doesn't care for. Not since Jess Riley's DRIVING SIDEWAYS have I enjoyed such snarkiness. Granted, he uses the snarkiness to make up for his lack of confidence, but he does it in a way that makes you root for him. Well, it was that way for me, anyway. I enjoyed all of the characters in this book, even the less than significant ones because they were easy to believe and they added to the complexity of Tom's character. Katie was a great character and was easy to identify with. Tom's father Curtis, although he seemed so carefree and full of himself, had redeeming qualities and by the end, I really liked him.
This story for me was so well developed and as I read each page, I was drawn in more and more. I especially loved the epilogue. The story itself kept my attention and entertained me, but the epilogue was very moving and insightful and for me, just brought the whole book together. I love books about books, and books about people who love books, so this one was right at the top of the list for me.
This story for me was so well developed and as I read each page, I was drawn in more and more. I especially loved the epilogue. The story itself kept my attention and entertained me, but the epilogue was very moving and insightful and for me, just brought the whole book together. I love books about books, and books about people who love books, so this one was right at the top of the list for me.
January 28, 2015
It seems like every book I've been reading by male authors lately should just be called PENIS PENIS PENIS.
The first 1/4 to 1/3 was just a terrible ode to penises, but I'm glad I kept reading. I really liked the last half of the book.
The first 1/4 to 1/3 was just a terrible ode to penises, but I'm glad I kept reading. I really liked the last half of the book.
September 3, 2011
Somewhere between the hilarious and light-hearted moments – and there are many in this marvelous debut by Matthew Norman – it dawned on me: there’s something downright tender and redemptive about this book.
Domestic Violets brings to mind other enjoyable authors – Jonathan Tropper, Steve Hely (How I Became A Famous Novelist) and Joshua Ferris (And Then We Came to An End). The author might cringe at these comparisons, since one of the key themes is finding one’s own voice. So let me reassure: although there are hints of these other authors, the voice is clearly Matthew Norman’s.
Tom Violet, the first-person narrator of Domestic Violets, is having a heck of a time. His famous and philandering father, Curtis Violet, has just nabbed the Pulitzer in literature, the latest of a string of prestigious awards. His wife, Anna, may be having an affair, possibly due to his battle with erectile dysfunction. And Tom is languishing as a copywriter at a company he calls the “Death Star”, which he also calls a “daycare for adults”, where too many people “dress more formally than necessary and sit in a constant state of alert, waiting or an opportunity to use a word like “leverage” or “facilitate.” He agrees, “Sure, we may be able to buy iPhones, but we’re handling over our souls and our happiness in the process.”
Pushed to the brink by a life that’s becoming rapidly untenable, Tom Violet sets a chain of events into motion that shake up his life and his beliefs of where he belongs in it. At the end of the day, he will need to evaluate his key roles as husband, son, father, friend, and mentor, and will come to some poignant conclusions.
All this could be very formulaic and “pat” in a lesser writer’s hands. But these are two-dimensional characters and the issues explored in Domestic Violets are very real. Among the themes explored are: “How does one live authentically? What happens when the ‘men upstairs’ – perhaps known as the muses – desert you? What price does one pay to fit into a stullifying corporate culture? Does one ever outgrow the heartaches of parents’ early divorce? And how does one find peace with oneself – and others – in an imperfect world?”
I came into this book skeptically (“another Jonathan Tropper copycat?”) and emerged a believer. I fell in love with this book, which takes the reader on an unexpected journey and doesn’t fall back on easy answers or expected solutions. Oh, and the title? The author writes, at one point that “…domestic violets are nice, too. The Greeks believed they symbolized fertility and potency…” And indeed, the potency is all here!
Domestic Violets brings to mind other enjoyable authors – Jonathan Tropper, Steve Hely (How I Became A Famous Novelist) and Joshua Ferris (And Then We Came to An End). The author might cringe at these comparisons, since one of the key themes is finding one’s own voice. So let me reassure: although there are hints of these other authors, the voice is clearly Matthew Norman’s.
Tom Violet, the first-person narrator of Domestic Violets, is having a heck of a time. His famous and philandering father, Curtis Violet, has just nabbed the Pulitzer in literature, the latest of a string of prestigious awards. His wife, Anna, may be having an affair, possibly due to his battle with erectile dysfunction. And Tom is languishing as a copywriter at a company he calls the “Death Star”, which he also calls a “daycare for adults”, where too many people “dress more formally than necessary and sit in a constant state of alert, waiting or an opportunity to use a word like “leverage” or “facilitate.” He agrees, “Sure, we may be able to buy iPhones, but we’re handling over our souls and our happiness in the process.”
Pushed to the brink by a life that’s becoming rapidly untenable, Tom Violet sets a chain of events into motion that shake up his life and his beliefs of where he belongs in it. At the end of the day, he will need to evaluate his key roles as husband, son, father, friend, and mentor, and will come to some poignant conclusions.
All this could be very formulaic and “pat” in a lesser writer’s hands. But these are two-dimensional characters and the issues explored in Domestic Violets are very real. Among the themes explored are: “How does one live authentically? What happens when the ‘men upstairs’ – perhaps known as the muses – desert you? What price does one pay to fit into a stullifying corporate culture? Does one ever outgrow the heartaches of parents’ early divorce? And how does one find peace with oneself – and others – in an imperfect world?”
I came into this book skeptically (“another Jonathan Tropper copycat?”) and emerged a believer. I fell in love with this book, which takes the reader on an unexpected journey and doesn’t fall back on easy answers or expected solutions. Oh, and the title? The author writes, at one point that “…domestic violets are nice, too. The Greeks believed they symbolized fertility and potency…” And indeed, the potency is all here!
January 23, 2019
I was very puzzled when I got to the end of the book why I didn't like it. The storytelling was decent and had some original characters. The first few chapters were funny, unfortunately, the last 2/3 of the book not as much. It was a page-turner. So why when I got to the end of the book did I find it troubling? I was very perplexed.
The day after I finished, I realized that I don't know that if I have ever read a more misogynistic book. In my opinion, Matthew Norman must have a very objectified view of women. Every female character's worth in the book was dictated by her sexual appeal. Every female character in the book was issued a subservient role to the male characters. While the stories of the male characters were involved, the women characters were only props to the men used to explain their motivations.
I gave it two stars only because the book told a story and was proofread correctly. I sincerely hope this book is lost on the heap of forgettable novels of time and that my mother or daughter never have the misfortune of wasting their time on it.
The day after I finished, I realized that I don't know that if I have ever read a more misogynistic book. In my opinion, Matthew Norman must have a very objectified view of women. Every female character's worth in the book was dictated by her sexual appeal. Every female character in the book was issued a subservient role to the male characters. While the stories of the male characters were involved, the women characters were only props to the men used to explain their motivations.
I gave it two stars only because the book told a story and was proofread correctly. I sincerely hope this book is lost on the heap of forgettable novels of time and that my mother or daughter never have the misfortune of wasting their time on it.
February 16, 2016
I must confess- the reason I didn't like this book is not so much due to a failing on the part of the author, but due to a failing on my own part, a failure of compassion. I am no longer able to summon up sympathy for the plight of the wealthy middle-aged healthy white American man who finds himself inconveniently bored, not only by his inherent privilege and lack of struggle, but also by his lovely, faithful wife who has dared to age at the same rate as our protagonist and thus shouldn't be surprised to find herself cast aside in disgust. However, we can all relax, because- SPOILER- everything turns out pretty much ok for our protagonist.
The writing's good- better writing than your average self-conscious, upper-middle-class WASP male's struggle genre story (and it really IS its own genre at this point) which is why I gave it two stars rather than one. Other than that, hard no thanks. Feels dated before its time.
The writing's good- better writing than your average self-conscious, upper-middle-class WASP male's struggle genre story (and it really IS its own genre at this point) which is why I gave it two stars rather than one. Other than that, hard no thanks. Feels dated before its time.
September 7, 2011
One of life's greatest pleasures is reading a debut novel and absolutely loving it. It's thrilling to discover a new talent and be able to proclaim to everyone you know- "You MUST read this book by this new author. It's fantastic!"
A lot of people have been talking about Matthew Norman's debut novel, Domestic Violets, and since they were people whose judgement I trust, I was hopeful. I opened the book and read the novel in two sittings. It lives up to the hype, a delightful surprise for me.
Tom Violet works for a soul-crushing corporation as a copywriter. He hates his job, except for the crush he has on a hot young copywriter that is veering toward the inappropriate.
He loves his wife, but is having problems in the bedroom department. She has been patient, but he fears that sooner or later, she may seek attention elsewhere. (It doesn't help that his young daughter has drawn a picture of Mommy, herself, her friend and her friend's Daddy, who is now Mommy's "friend").
His father, literary icon Curtis Violet, (who has sold millions of books and finally won the Pulitzer Prize) has come to stay with his son for awhile. Curtis is a great character, a Norman Mailer type figure. He drinks too much, and has cheated on every wife he has had.
The setting of the book is at the beginning of the financial crisis, and the company that Tom works for is in a constant state of laying off employees. Although Tom hates his job, he needs it. The funniest parts of the book take place in the office. Tom constantly needles Greg, the Director of Communications, who in response, files complaints about Tom with HR, including the following:
Dear HR: Tom Violet insists on smiling and saying hello to me every time he sees me, even in the men's room. However, I know that these sentiments are not sincere, and only succeed in undermining me in front of my team and fellow employees.
(Greg kind of sounds like Dwight Schrute from The Office.)
Tom has a manuscript for a novel, but he is too afraid to let anyone read it. He fears he cannot live up to his father's success. He hasn't even let his wife read it.
This sign of a good book is that I have so many pages noted for future reference; Domestic Violets has dozens of notes stuck in my book. It is uproariously funny and touching, with unforgettable characters and situations. Tom Violet has quickly become one of my favorite literary creations.
I really enjoyed the PS section at the end of the book. Norman talks about book signings, and he lists books that influenced him, including Justin Cronin's Mary and O'Neil, which I loved.
If you liked Jonathan Tropper's This Is Where I Leave You (and if you didn't, I'm not sure I want to know you), you will scream for Matthew Norman's Domestic Violets. It is one of the best books I have read this year; you MUST read it!
Norman also has a hilarious blog http://thenormannation.blogspot.com
A lot of people have been talking about Matthew Norman's debut novel, Domestic Violets, and since they were people whose judgement I trust, I was hopeful. I opened the book and read the novel in two sittings. It lives up to the hype, a delightful surprise for me.
Tom Violet works for a soul-crushing corporation as a copywriter. He hates his job, except for the crush he has on a hot young copywriter that is veering toward the inappropriate.
He loves his wife, but is having problems in the bedroom department. She has been patient, but he fears that sooner or later, she may seek attention elsewhere. (It doesn't help that his young daughter has drawn a picture of Mommy, herself, her friend and her friend's Daddy, who is now Mommy's "friend").
His father, literary icon Curtis Violet, (who has sold millions of books and finally won the Pulitzer Prize) has come to stay with his son for awhile. Curtis is a great character, a Norman Mailer type figure. He drinks too much, and has cheated on every wife he has had.
The setting of the book is at the beginning of the financial crisis, and the company that Tom works for is in a constant state of laying off employees. Although Tom hates his job, he needs it. The funniest parts of the book take place in the office. Tom constantly needles Greg, the Director of Communications, who in response, files complaints about Tom with HR, including the following:
Dear HR: Tom Violet insists on smiling and saying hello to me every time he sees me, even in the men's room. However, I know that these sentiments are not sincere, and only succeed in undermining me in front of my team and fellow employees.
(Greg kind of sounds like Dwight Schrute from The Office.)
Tom has a manuscript for a novel, but he is too afraid to let anyone read it. He fears he cannot live up to his father's success. He hasn't even let his wife read it.
This sign of a good book is that I have so many pages noted for future reference; Domestic Violets has dozens of notes stuck in my book. It is uproariously funny and touching, with unforgettable characters and situations. Tom Violet has quickly become one of my favorite literary creations.
I really enjoyed the PS section at the end of the book. Norman talks about book signings, and he lists books that influenced him, including Justin Cronin's Mary and O'Neil, which I loved.
If you liked Jonathan Tropper's This Is Where I Leave You (and if you didn't, I'm not sure I want to know you), you will scream for Matthew Norman's Domestic Violets. It is one of the best books I have read this year; you MUST read it!
Norman also has a hilarious blog http://thenormannation.blogspot.com
March 4, 2013
Originally on my blog: http://ilovedthisbook.blogspot.com
There is a scene in Sex And The City when Carrie meets Burger and finds out he is an author who "relates to men the way her writing relates to women." And then Burger makes some comment how men don't want to read books like that. Do you know that scene? Every time I watch it I wish that weren't true, that there were more books by men that were light funny books about what it was like to be a guy. So discovering Domestic Violets, a chance to get in the head of a sarcastic, almost middle-aged guy, was a huge treat.
Norman had me from the first page with this line: "At least I think that's ironic, that word gets misused a lot." This book is seriously honest, so much so that it could make you blush. It is also seriously hilarious, I was laughing throughout the whole thing. Norman wrote the voice of a character that I was kind of in love with while simultaneously being glad I wasn't this man's wife.
Overall, this book is funny, touching, and sad while being real and full of forgiveness. Every character was bright and full of life. They were a bit exaggerated for drama and laughs but still felt like real people. If you are someone like me who wished there were more books that were about what it is like to be a guy then you will probably love this book.
There is a scene in Sex And The City when Carrie meets Burger and finds out he is an author who "relates to men the way her writing relates to women." And then Burger makes some comment how men don't want to read books like that. Do you know that scene? Every time I watch it I wish that weren't true, that there were more books by men that were light funny books about what it was like to be a guy. So discovering Domestic Violets, a chance to get in the head of a sarcastic, almost middle-aged guy, was a huge treat.
Norman had me from the first page with this line: "At least I think that's ironic, that word gets misused a lot." This book is seriously honest, so much so that it could make you blush. It is also seriously hilarious, I was laughing throughout the whole thing. Norman wrote the voice of a character that I was kind of in love with while simultaneously being glad I wasn't this man's wife.
Overall, this book is funny, touching, and sad while being real and full of forgiveness. Every character was bright and full of life. They were a bit exaggerated for drama and laughs but still felt like real people. If you are someone like me who wished there were more books that were about what it is like to be a guy then you will probably love this book.
May 12, 2012
When I finished this book, I realized that I had been waiting for it for over five years without even knowing. Norman is able to create the perfect recipe that includes laughs, tears, heartache, and forgiveness. I rarely say this, but this novel has it all! Therefore, I recommend it to all.
Tom is tired of his work as a copywriter and can see his marriage slipping away from him but he is helpless to do anything. When his father wins the Pulitzer Prize, Tom's problems grow exponentially. Curtis Violet is the ultimate author; his works are taught in universities across the country and his reputation as a writer is only dwarfed by his reputation as a philanderer and heavy drinker. When Curtis decides to move in with Tom, Tom is confronted with his own inadequacies as a writer and husband. Yet the economy is on the brink and the crash might finally push Tom to chase after his dreams...or it could push him off of a rooftop.
This may be Norman's first novel, but he is an expert when it comes to sarcasm and dark humor. Reviewers have compared him to Jonathon Tropper but Norman's skill far surpasses that of Tropper's. I typically enjoy dark stories with tragic characters and harsh endings. In between such heavy reading, I like to grab a book that will make me chuckle but doesn't need me to bring much to the table. "Domestic Violets" is able to be this book while also having great depth, insight into characters and society, and weaving a beautiful family story into a witty office satire. I have no problem recommending this book to both men and women, which is nearly impossible to find! It is timely in subject matter but I believe will still be powerful in years to come. In many ways, it reminds me of the great Christopher Buckley and his classic "Thank You For Smoking". This is a must read not just for 2011 but for this entire generation. Do yourself a favor, read it now before the rest of the country beats you to it.
www.iamliteraryaddicted.blogspot.com
Tom is tired of his work as a copywriter and can see his marriage slipping away from him but he is helpless to do anything. When his father wins the Pulitzer Prize, Tom's problems grow exponentially. Curtis Violet is the ultimate author; his works are taught in universities across the country and his reputation as a writer is only dwarfed by his reputation as a philanderer and heavy drinker. When Curtis decides to move in with Tom, Tom is confronted with his own inadequacies as a writer and husband. Yet the economy is on the brink and the crash might finally push Tom to chase after his dreams...or it could push him off of a rooftop.
This may be Norman's first novel, but he is an expert when it comes to sarcasm and dark humor. Reviewers have compared him to Jonathon Tropper but Norman's skill far surpasses that of Tropper's. I typically enjoy dark stories with tragic characters and harsh endings. In between such heavy reading, I like to grab a book that will make me chuckle but doesn't need me to bring much to the table. "Domestic Violets" is able to be this book while also having great depth, insight into characters and society, and weaving a beautiful family story into a witty office satire. I have no problem recommending this book to both men and women, which is nearly impossible to find! It is timely in subject matter but I believe will still be powerful in years to come. In many ways, it reminds me of the great Christopher Buckley and his classic "Thank You For Smoking". This is a must read not just for 2011 but for this entire generation. Do yourself a favor, read it now before the rest of the country beats you to it.
www.iamliteraryaddicted.blogspot.com
July 17, 2011
I must admit, I was a bit reluctant to read this book. It definitely wasn’t the first on my list to review and the way it was described, I got the notion it was a man’s book. Boy was I wrong! From the first chapter Matthew Norman had me laughing. Laughing loud enough for fellow travelers to give me annoying looks. And yes, at some point I even found myself crying.
Basically the story is a very domestic one. Tom Violet is, well, kind of a normal guy, living the average life. Wife, kid, a job he hates and a father who’s difficult to ignore. And like every man living the average life, he gets tempted to step out of the box.
Tom is the kind of guy you want to take by the hand to lead him past the difficult bumps in the road. He’s that cute. And his agony is real. Even I feel his pain. Now there’s a feat! Who would have guessed the female reader could identify with a man who has difficulty performing with his wife? Shouldn’t it be the other way around? Well, that’s how clever Matthew Norman has written it. But it’s not so much what’s happening, that’s so special about this book. Because we all know a midlife crisis may lead to trouble. This book is extraordinary because of the characters. And the humorous way their struggle with life is told. It’s fast paced and funny, without ever becoming overdramatic or unrealistic.
Matthew Norman’s style reminds me of Olivia Goldsmith, oddly enough. Albeit the male equivalent. Witty and intelligent, but most of all, a delight to read. Anybody who’s ever had a relationship (longer than a couple of weeks!) can relate to the story, man or woman. If this debut is anything to go by and Matthew Norman keeps up with this style Harper Collins may have a bestseller writer in its stables. I for one can’t wait for his next book!
Basically the story is a very domestic one. Tom Violet is, well, kind of a normal guy, living the average life. Wife, kid, a job he hates and a father who’s difficult to ignore. And like every man living the average life, he gets tempted to step out of the box.
Tom is the kind of guy you want to take by the hand to lead him past the difficult bumps in the road. He’s that cute. And his agony is real. Even I feel his pain. Now there’s a feat! Who would have guessed the female reader could identify with a man who has difficulty performing with his wife? Shouldn’t it be the other way around? Well, that’s how clever Matthew Norman has written it. But it’s not so much what’s happening, that’s so special about this book. Because we all know a midlife crisis may lead to trouble. This book is extraordinary because of the characters. And the humorous way their struggle with life is told. It’s fast paced and funny, without ever becoming overdramatic or unrealistic.
Matthew Norman’s style reminds me of Olivia Goldsmith, oddly enough. Albeit the male equivalent. Witty and intelligent, but most of all, a delight to read. Anybody who’s ever had a relationship (longer than a couple of weeks!) can relate to the story, man or woman. If this debut is anything to go by and Matthew Norman keeps up with this style Harper Collins may have a bestseller writer in its stables. I for one can’t wait for his next book!
September 9, 2011
I heart Tom Violet! He is my first bookish crush. He's smart, creative, funny, and flawed - just the type of guy you want to marry and have babies with (yes, I still want to marry him in spite of that night with Katie). Tom is such a realistically drawn out character: he's struggling with his marriage; battling his arch nemesis, Gregory, at work; crushing on his assistant Katie; and dealing with the fact that his father, the famous Curtis Violet, has just won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. You see, Tom wants to be a writer, too. He wants to produce something that will provide him with his own piece of glory, which is why he's bummed that no one (wife, mother, and almost agent) has read his book yet, to let him know just how awesome his writing is.
Domestic Violets is a breath of fresh air - its clever, hilarious, honest and real, which makes it such a great book to read. Matthew Norman has truly hit it out of the park with his debut novel - not only has he demonstrated what a talented author he is with this cast of unforgettable characters, but he's also created this year's must read novel. I would most definitely recommend this novel to everyone! The writing is spot on and the story itself is so engaging that you can't help but find yourself so completely immersed in these character's lives that soon you are not only cheering them on to succeed, but also shedding a few tears when bad news finds them. Reading this book was such a treat, that I wish I hadn't read it in one day and instead taken my time with it so that I could prolong reaching the end. Now I can't wait for Norman's next book, because I'm sure its going to be just as brilliant as Domestic Violets was.
Domestic Violets is a breath of fresh air - its clever, hilarious, honest and real, which makes it such a great book to read. Matthew Norman has truly hit it out of the park with his debut novel - not only has he demonstrated what a talented author he is with this cast of unforgettable characters, but he's also created this year's must read novel. I would most definitely recommend this novel to everyone! The writing is spot on and the story itself is so engaging that you can't help but find yourself so completely immersed in these character's lives that soon you are not only cheering them on to succeed, but also shedding a few tears when bad news finds them. Reading this book was such a treat, that I wish I hadn't read it in one day and instead taken my time with it so that I could prolong reaching the end. Now I can't wait for Norman's next book, because I'm sure its going to be just as brilliant as Domestic Violets was.
January 7, 2017
Oh my god, I hated Tom Violet from the first second. I am so sick of books about some gutless wonder asshole with no actual talent or drive wowing some fresh-from-the-cornfield 23 year old (bless you honey, but AIM HIGHER) and getting off on her seeing him as an interesting person because he is so boring the reader yearns for a slingshot to blast them into the sun.
Meanwhile he ignores his hot, smart wife who is desperately trying to connect with him in sexy underwear and even says he can quit his boring job (!! this woman is a saint) if it will make his Sad!Penis happy again. Instead he spends his time pretending his relationship with this younger woman WHO IS HIS SUBORDINATE AT WORK, JESUS CHRIST, TOM, is something deep and connected when really he just loves the ego boost and she's, well, 23 and confuses 'snarky douche' with 'complicated bad boy'. (Ah, youth.)
In the book, as oftentimes in the real world, Tom doesn't get a comeuppance or even a little bit of self-awareness. I guess on that level you can say there's a certain element of sad realism. Unfortunately I fear Matthew Norman just can't bear to hurt himself, whoops I mean "Tom", with actual consequences for his stupidity. In fact, he forces his wife to bear those consequences, agonized over her quasi-affair while Tommy Boy dances off into the moonlight relatively unchanged except his dad is dying or something.
Look, even if the plot weren't a terrific hash of Matthew Norman's tepid mid-life fantasy, and even if Tom were a likeable character, this would still be a shitty book because frankly, the writing just falls flat. It's trying way too hard to be snarky and biting without achieving even a quarter of what the author imagines.
Meanwhile he ignores his hot, smart wife who is desperately trying to connect with him in sexy underwear and even says he can quit his boring job (!! this woman is a saint) if it will make his Sad!Penis happy again. Instead he spends his time pretending his relationship with this younger woman WHO IS HIS SUBORDINATE AT WORK, JESUS CHRIST, TOM, is something deep and connected when really he just loves the ego boost and she's, well, 23 and confuses 'snarky douche' with 'complicated bad boy'. (Ah, youth.)
In the book, as oftentimes in the real world, Tom doesn't get a comeuppance or even a little bit of self-awareness. I guess on that level you can say there's a certain element of sad realism. Unfortunately I fear Matthew Norman just can't bear to hurt himself, whoops I mean "Tom", with actual consequences for his stupidity. In fact, he forces his wife to bear those consequences, agonized over her quasi-affair while Tommy Boy dances off into the moonlight relatively unchanged except his dad is dying or something.
Look, even if the plot weren't a terrific hash of Matthew Norman's tepid mid-life fantasy, and even if Tom were a likeable character, this would still be a shitty book because frankly, the writing just falls flat. It's trying way too hard to be snarky and biting without achieving even a quarter of what the author imagines.
September 6, 2011
"When Lyle is gone and I've hung up the phone, I'm faced with the grim prospect of having do my job and write some more corporate propaganda."
Tom Violet, 35, married to the beautiful and compassionate Anna and father of the adorable Allie, is a copywriter who is singularly uninspired by his job. To make matters worse, his adulterous, pot-smoking father has just won the Pulitzer Prize. So Tom's debut novel, slaved over in secret for years, looks like a non-starter. Oh, and he's struggling in bed, too.
This is a bizarre mix of Then We Came To The End (to which I gave 10/10) and William Walker's First Year of Marriage: A Horror Story (2/10). Unfortunately, Domestic Violets had one of my least favourite types of protagonist: male, perfect family life, cynical, good at his job but apathetic and considers it beneath him, cringingly self-conscious, adulterous - in his mind or in actuality, makes no difference to me.
The writing is quite good:
"He's one of those aged pot smokers who kept at it while everyone else gave it up and got jobs and started quietly voting Republican."
"Her eyes are big and she's jittery from all the excitement, like she's been sneaking handfuls of coffee beans since dinner, and I wish it was legal to fasten children to their beds."
"It's like someone called a casting agency and requested an actor to play the part someone to annoy me."
"We hold each other's eyes for a moment as he tries to crush my windpipe with his mind."
But I wasted 3 hours on William Walker and wasn't going to make the same mistake with this one.
One for fans of Nick Hornby.
Tom Violet, 35, married to the beautiful and compassionate Anna and father of the adorable Allie, is a copywriter who is singularly uninspired by his job. To make matters worse, his adulterous, pot-smoking father has just won the Pulitzer Prize. So Tom's debut novel, slaved over in secret for years, looks like a non-starter. Oh, and he's struggling in bed, too.
This is a bizarre mix of Then We Came To The End (to which I gave 10/10) and William Walker's First Year of Marriage: A Horror Story (2/10). Unfortunately, Domestic Violets had one of my least favourite types of protagonist: male, perfect family life, cynical, good at his job but apathetic and considers it beneath him, cringingly self-conscious, adulterous - in his mind or in actuality, makes no difference to me.
The writing is quite good:
"He's one of those aged pot smokers who kept at it while everyone else gave it up and got jobs and started quietly voting Republican."
"Her eyes are big and she's jittery from all the excitement, like she's been sneaking handfuls of coffee beans since dinner, and I wish it was legal to fasten children to their beds."
"It's like someone called a casting agency and requested an actor to play the part someone to annoy me."
"We hold each other's eyes for a moment as he tries to crush my windpipe with his mind."
But I wasted 3 hours on William Walker and wasn't going to make the same mistake with this one.
One for fans of Nick Hornby.
May 11, 2021
Tom Violet is having, um, bedroom performance problems. 🥴 His job sucks, his marriage is suffering. He’s a damn mess. What he wants is to become a writer like his narcissistic, literary award-winning father. As expected, everything pretty much goes to hell, but I couldn’t help pulling for Tom, even though he’s not without fault. I like a good male-authored relationship/family fiction now and then. Plus, Norman brings the dark humor.
November 2, 2011
I love it when books surprise me. Quite often while reading Domestic Violets, Matthew Norman's terrific debut novel, I expected the plot to go in a certain direction and I was disappointed that the book would head in that direction, but Norman's storytelling ability surprised me nearly every time. This is one of those books that made me sad when I finished it, because in the few short days it took me to read the book, I became very invested in the characters and their lives.
Thirty-five-year-old Tom Violet is in the midst of a midlife crisis. He and his wife are having relationship issues stemming from their desire to have a second child, he hates his job except for the opportunity to flirt with his younger employee (and antagonize a colleague), and his famous novelist father, Curtis, just won the Pulitzer Prize, and is staying with Tom's family as he abandons yet another wife. Oh, and Tom has written a novel of his own, but no one will read it, mostly because they expect it will be horrible. And this is the high point of Tom's current situation.
I really enjoyed this book because while the dialogue is certainly sharper and funnier than people talk in real life (at least the people I know), I felt as if the characters were very real, experiencing realistic problems and responding in genuine ways. While I found the ending a little too pat given the rest of the book, at least it resolved (somewhat) what happened to all of the characters I had grown attached to. I expected this book to be reasonably good based on the reviews I read, but it far exceeded my expectations. It is funny, compelling, emotionally astute, and really enjoyable. (Yeah, I kinda liked it.) Read it!
Thirty-five-year-old Tom Violet is in the midst of a midlife crisis. He and his wife are having relationship issues stemming from their desire to have a second child, he hates his job except for the opportunity to flirt with his younger employee (and antagonize a colleague), and his famous novelist father, Curtis, just won the Pulitzer Prize, and is staying with Tom's family as he abandons yet another wife. Oh, and Tom has written a novel of his own, but no one will read it, mostly because they expect it will be horrible. And this is the high point of Tom's current situation.
I really enjoyed this book because while the dialogue is certainly sharper and funnier than people talk in real life (at least the people I know), I felt as if the characters were very real, experiencing realistic problems and responding in genuine ways. While I found the ending a little too pat given the rest of the book, at least it resolved (somewhat) what happened to all of the characters I had grown attached to. I expected this book to be reasonably good based on the reviews I read, but it far exceeded my expectations. It is funny, compelling, emotionally astute, and really enjoyable. (Yeah, I kinda liked it.) Read it!
March 13, 2022
Absolutely no comparison to Jonathan Tropper, maybe Jonathan Tropper as interpreted by a Wish ad or as seen through the eyes of someone deep into a bottle of booze. That was the reason why I bought a copy only to have it turn into a river of disappointment because the main character should have been a secondary one in favor of his much more interesting and funny father, Curtis Violet. I was hoping for something along the lines of Jonathan Tropper since who knows if we will ever get another book by him. Office Space fan fiction is another accurate description although I didn't want to punch any of those characters in the face except for Bill Lumbergh. Had this been Curtis Violet's story with a very punchable son as a side character the book would have been incredible. Instead it's Tom Violet, a dick who faces no consequences for his actions but holds the same shitty behavior against his wife, and his woe is me life of having a home in Georgetown, a wife and daughter, and a soul sucking job in corporate America, and his dad is a Pulitzer Prize winning author. The ending was another hot mess where the reader is supposed to fill in the blanks and make up their own minds about exactly what happened. This would have been a one star read had it not been for Curtis Violet and the only character that made me chuckle.
October 22, 2011
Tom Violet is having a bad day, well, actually a bad life. His sex life is down the drain, his famous father just won the Pulitzer Prize for a book he wrote years ago, he has a dead end job and HIS book will never be published. When his father shows up in his home (actually his father owns the house Tom lives in) states he just left his wife and proceeds to get drunk, Tom really thinks it can't get any worse. Then his mother's husband, Gary shows up as well. If all this sounds depressing, it really isn't since I think I laughed my way through much of this book. This story puts the FUN in dysfunctional.
Tom is such and endearing character that you want to take him home, give him a drink and a quiet room and tell him everything is going to be ok. His dark sarcasm and wit are just icing on the cake. This really reminded me a bit of a cross between Carl Hiaasen and Christopher Moore, well, if Moore wrote without paranormal elements. It is funny, because a friend saw this book before I did and sent me an immediate message that this book was perfect for me! It has exactly all of the things I love in a good read: compelling characters, a bit of wackiness and snark. I prize snark over all else.
Tom is such and endearing character that you want to take him home, give him a drink and a quiet room and tell him everything is going to be ok. His dark sarcasm and wit are just icing on the cake. This really reminded me a bit of a cross between Carl Hiaasen and Christopher Moore, well, if Moore wrote without paranormal elements. It is funny, because a friend saw this book before I did and sent me an immediate message that this book was perfect for me! It has exactly all of the things I love in a good read: compelling characters, a bit of wackiness and snark. I prize snark over all else.
January 6, 2026
3.75 stars
August 6, 2015
I have so many thoughts about this book that I hardly know where to start. I thought maybe I should give it a day or two to let my thoughts settle, but then I was like ... no, I don't think I want to keep thinking about this book that hard. And that makes it sound like I didn't like it, and that's not really right. But usually I start these reviews with a star rating, and this one, I just can't. I'll decide at the end.
So, starting at the beginning, I picked this book because I felt like I had been reading a little too much chick lit lately and I wanted to switch it up. The description of this one kind of appealed to me--guy in a soul-crushing, corporate America job, secretly writing a book and his dad just won a Pulitzer. I, too, have a soul-crushing job! I, too, enjoy writing! Okay, let's do this!
But it really made me uncomfortable, in a weird way. For starters, it takes place right at the beginning of the financial crisis. I was working in a shared office space at the time, and I remember it vividly--more vividly, I think, than I would expect. I can't decide if it wasn't that long ago, or if it was longer ago than it feels like. Either way, this book took me back and that was a very weird time to be an adult.
Secondly, I identified with parts of it a little too much. Tom's job was just ... horrifyingly familiar. It felt like it should be a satire, but no, that's really pretty much how it is. I just ... I don't know if I was ready to see office life from someone else's perspective and have it look so much like how I see it. Maybe I want other people to think it's more noble, or important, or legitimate, or something. But I guess maybe we're all in on the secret by now.
You know what this book reminded me of? A Jonathan Tropper novel. I say that as a person who has read exactly one Jonathan Tropper novel, but I think it's apt. And there are people who LOVE Jonathan Tropper. I'm not really one of them. I respect what he's doing and think he's talented, but I just don't think I enjoy him as much as other people do. I think this book was maybe not quite as GOOD as This Is Where I Leave You, but I also think I might've enjoyed it more.
Billy asked at one point what I was reading, and I told him the title. He said it sounded like something Zooey Deschanel would come up with, and I agree. Again, having to clarify what is and isn't a compliment in my life/at my house--Zooey Deschanel is not a compliment. I really enjoy The New Girl, but it's kind of in spite of her. Everything with her is a little too precious for me, and I sort of felt that way about this book too. I mean, Zooey would never say a phrase that sounds like "domestic violence", but still. (Okay, probably she would, but in my mind, in how I characterize her, NEVER.) But there was something to that that stuck with me, like the precious factor ... it would sneak up on you, ya know? Something would pop up out of nowhere that was just a little too SOMETHING, and I'd be like, really? It's hard to explain without getting into it, and I'm not sure I want to devote that kind of time.
I guess what I liked about this book was that it was, in spite of itself, pretty relatable. I obviously saw enough of myself in it to get squirmy. But at the end of the day, I'm not really sure what this book was supposed to be about. I'm not sure the book knew. It ended up being very generally about family, and marriage. More specifically, it got into fathers and sons a little bit. There was the eternal ... okay, modern, struggle of responsibility and stability versus chasing the dream. There was what you want versus what you THINK you want ... but in the end, nothing came through particularly strongly. So did I enjoy these themes, even if they were week? Yeah, I did.
Just realized, this book is a solid three stars for me.
Alright, marked it. And I'm going to wrap this up, finally. I wish the book had ended before the epilogue, but I will say that the epilogue grew on me as I progressed through it. Still, it was largely unnecessary and probably a little too meta. But I saw where the author was coming from with it, so I forgave it.
Would I recommend this book? If you like Jonathan Tropper, yeah, I would. If you enjoy reading for the escapism, no. If you are a corporate drone who likes to write, it would depend entirely on how much of a glutton for punishment you are. I'm not sorry I read it, but I'm pretty happy to be done with it.
Has there ever been a more aggressively middle of the road, on-the-fence review of a book? God, I hope not. That was exhausting.
So, starting at the beginning, I picked this book because I felt like I had been reading a little too much chick lit lately and I wanted to switch it up. The description of this one kind of appealed to me--guy in a soul-crushing, corporate America job, secretly writing a book and his dad just won a Pulitzer. I, too, have a soul-crushing job! I, too, enjoy writing! Okay, let's do this!
But it really made me uncomfortable, in a weird way. For starters, it takes place right at the beginning of the financial crisis. I was working in a shared office space at the time, and I remember it vividly--more vividly, I think, than I would expect. I can't decide if it wasn't that long ago, or if it was longer ago than it feels like. Either way, this book took me back and that was a very weird time to be an adult.
Secondly, I identified with parts of it a little too much. Tom's job was just ... horrifyingly familiar. It felt like it should be a satire, but no, that's really pretty much how it is. I just ... I don't know if I was ready to see office life from someone else's perspective and have it look so much like how I see it. Maybe I want other people to think it's more noble, or important, or legitimate, or something. But I guess maybe we're all in on the secret by now.
You know what this book reminded me of? A Jonathan Tropper novel. I say that as a person who has read exactly one Jonathan Tropper novel, but I think it's apt. And there are people who LOVE Jonathan Tropper. I'm not really one of them. I respect what he's doing and think he's talented, but I just don't think I enjoy him as much as other people do. I think this book was maybe not quite as GOOD as This Is Where I Leave You, but I also think I might've enjoyed it more.
Billy asked at one point what I was reading, and I told him the title. He said it sounded like something Zooey Deschanel would come up with, and I agree. Again, having to clarify what is and isn't a compliment in my life/at my house--Zooey Deschanel is not a compliment. I really enjoy The New Girl, but it's kind of in spite of her. Everything with her is a little too precious for me, and I sort of felt that way about this book too. I mean, Zooey would never say a phrase that sounds like "domestic violence", but still. (Okay, probably she would, but in my mind, in how I characterize her, NEVER.) But there was something to that that stuck with me, like the precious factor ... it would sneak up on you, ya know? Something would pop up out of nowhere that was just a little too SOMETHING, and I'd be like, really? It's hard to explain without getting into it, and I'm not sure I want to devote that kind of time.
I guess what I liked about this book was that it was, in spite of itself, pretty relatable. I obviously saw enough of myself in it to get squirmy. But at the end of the day, I'm not really sure what this book was supposed to be about. I'm not sure the book knew. It ended up being very generally about family, and marriage. More specifically, it got into fathers and sons a little bit. There was the eternal ... okay, modern, struggle of responsibility and stability versus chasing the dream. There was what you want versus what you THINK you want ... but in the end, nothing came through particularly strongly. So did I enjoy these themes, even if they were week? Yeah, I did.
Just realized, this book is a solid three stars for me.
Alright, marked it. And I'm going to wrap this up, finally. I wish the book had ended before the epilogue, but I will say that the epilogue grew on me as I progressed through it. Still, it was largely unnecessary and probably a little too meta. But I saw where the author was coming from with it, so I forgave it.
Would I recommend this book? If you like Jonathan Tropper, yeah, I would. If you enjoy reading for the escapism, no. If you are a corporate drone who likes to write, it would depend entirely on how much of a glutton for punishment you are. I'm not sorry I read it, but I'm pretty happy to be done with it.
Has there ever been a more aggressively middle of the road, on-the-fence review of a book? God, I hope not. That was exhausting.
December 31, 2019
Published in 2011 by Harper Perennial | Paperback: 328 pages
It's something of a paradox, but the thing that first intrigued me about Domestic Violets—its cover—is the one thing I'd change after reading it. I mean, look at that thing: it's bright and airy, has commercial fiction written all over it, and suggests a lighthearted rom-com full of domestic friction. At the time, I was looking for something light, the literary equivalent of a Paul Rudd movie. This is what Harper Collins wanted me to think I was getting, and when taken at face value, I suppose that's what I got.
But like the best romantic comedies, Matthew Norman's debut novel has a lot going on under the surface, so much that its cover actually does it a disservice. This is more than just a fluffy piece of entertainment; Domestic Violets is a smart, insightful, hilarious novel that paints a wonderfully muddy picture of love and passion in the 21st century.
This is one of the best novels I've read all year.
At its core, Domestic Violets wants to make you laugh while opening your eyes to the harsh realities of love and marriage and careers in a world that makes giving up so easy. Life is more complicated than it has ever been, and all of that starts at home. Whether it's a new relationship, a new marriage, an old marriage, or a couple long divorced, the way in which our relationships work is drastically different than it was even thirty years ago. Temptation lies around every corner, and we now live in a time when giving into that temptation isn't exactly frowned upon.
We're all in search of true happiness, and it never seems like we're satisfied with what we have. Is the grass greener? Is there any way to know other than going for broke?
The whole reason I discovered (and read) Domestic Violets is because I'd heard it recommended by fans of both Jonathan Tropper and Jess Walter. I can understand the Tropper comparison, but Domestic Violets is orders of magnitude better than How to Talk to a Widower or One Last Thing Before I Go (This is Where I Leave You comes close). Norman skews much closer to Walter, who I consider the absolute master of the confused thirty-something-male genre. But with a few more Domestic Violets up his sleeve, Norman will have no trouble standing shoulder to shoulder with the Beautiful Ruins author.
Tom Violet is that self-deprecating wise-ass you see all the time in this kind of book, but he's the epitome of the character for me. He's funny and incisive, but his fatal flaws make him feel grounded. He's real. He makes mistakes. But you understand him, pull for him. He's far from perfect, and neither is the world around him, and he will have you laughing out loud as he lampoons both.
This is far from "dude lit." One glance at the Goodreads reviews and you'll realize that 90% of the 5-star reviews for this book come from women. This is an entertaining, funny, and thoughtful look at the psyche of the thirty-something male, with all the successes and failures that come as a result of it.
I can't wait for Norman's follow-up.
It's something of a paradox, but the thing that first intrigued me about Domestic Violets—its cover—is the one thing I'd change after reading it. I mean, look at that thing: it's bright and airy, has commercial fiction written all over it, and suggests a lighthearted rom-com full of domestic friction. At the time, I was looking for something light, the literary equivalent of a Paul Rudd movie. This is what Harper Collins wanted me to think I was getting, and when taken at face value, I suppose that's what I got.
But like the best romantic comedies, Matthew Norman's debut novel has a lot going on under the surface, so much that its cover actually does it a disservice. This is more than just a fluffy piece of entertainment; Domestic Violets is a smart, insightful, hilarious novel that paints a wonderfully muddy picture of love and passion in the 21st century.
This is one of the best novels I've read all year.
At its core, Domestic Violets wants to make you laugh while opening your eyes to the harsh realities of love and marriage and careers in a world that makes giving up so easy. Life is more complicated than it has ever been, and all of that starts at home. Whether it's a new relationship, a new marriage, an old marriage, or a couple long divorced, the way in which our relationships work is drastically different than it was even thirty years ago. Temptation lies around every corner, and we now live in a time when giving into that temptation isn't exactly frowned upon.
We're all in search of true happiness, and it never seems like we're satisfied with what we have. Is the grass greener? Is there any way to know other than going for broke?
The whole reason I discovered (and read) Domestic Violets is because I'd heard it recommended by fans of both Jonathan Tropper and Jess Walter. I can understand the Tropper comparison, but Domestic Violets is orders of magnitude better than How to Talk to a Widower or One Last Thing Before I Go (This is Where I Leave You comes close). Norman skews much closer to Walter, who I consider the absolute master of the confused thirty-something-male genre. But with a few more Domestic Violets up his sleeve, Norman will have no trouble standing shoulder to shoulder with the Beautiful Ruins author.
Tom Violet is that self-deprecating wise-ass you see all the time in this kind of book, but he's the epitome of the character for me. He's funny and incisive, but his fatal flaws make him feel grounded. He's real. He makes mistakes. But you understand him, pull for him. He's far from perfect, and neither is the world around him, and he will have you laughing out loud as he lampoons both.
This is far from "dude lit." One glance at the Goodreads reviews and you'll realize that 90% of the 5-star reviews for this book come from women. This is an entertaining, funny, and thoughtful look at the psyche of the thirty-something male, with all the successes and failures that come as a result of it.
I can't wait for Norman's follow-up.
August 19, 2016
What a great, fun ride. Authors like Chuck Palahniuk and Kashuo Ishiguro have done wonders for the unreliable narrator; Matthew Norman does an awesome--often hilarious--job of bringing the reliable narrator to life in the glorious form of wiseass copywriter Tom Violet. One who has a sarcastic answer for everything, yet couldn't be more honest or relatable when it comes to his own inadequacies. You root for Tom because Tom is every man. ...and by "every man" I mean a thirty-something who is at a crossroads in his marriage, has had it with the banality and ridiculousness of corporate America, finds himself treading the line with his cute direct report, and who whether he will admit it or not, compares himself to his father, award-winning author Curtis Violet.
If any of this sounds cliche, Tom's narration is anything but. One of my favorite scenes involves Tom and his family having dinner out, his wife wearing the corduroy jacket Tom has bought for her. Tom's cute young direct report--whom Tom has never mentioned to his family--just so happens to pop in to the same establishment, wearing her trademark corduroy jacket, not unsimilar to the one Tom's wife is wearing. "I've been married long enough to know that this has the potential to go badly."
While some of the plot was borderline unbelievable, the self-deprecating narration grounded it, and made it part of the fun. What was sadly most unbelievable in the entire novel was the general population's fixation with Tom's dad. Curtis's novels seems to find their way into multiple characters' houses or offices, with randoms frequently asking Tom if he is any relation to his father or quoting passages from his dad's books. I wish America was as obsessed with reading as this book made it seem, but I just can't think of any living writer who would warrant the celebrity status given to Curtis Violet.
That's my only bone to nitpick. Otherwise, this struck the perfect balance between dark humor and moments of true introspection and sweetness. Can't wait to read more Norman.
Solid 4.5 stars. For entertainment value, maybe 5.
If any of this sounds cliche, Tom's narration is anything but. One of my favorite scenes involves Tom and his family having dinner out, his wife wearing the corduroy jacket Tom has bought for her. Tom's cute young direct report--whom Tom has never mentioned to his family--just so happens to pop in to the same establishment, wearing her trademark corduroy jacket, not unsimilar to the one Tom's wife is wearing. "I've been married long enough to know that this has the potential to go badly."
While some of the plot was borderline unbelievable, the self-deprecating narration grounded it, and made it part of the fun. What was sadly most unbelievable in the entire novel was the general population's fixation with Tom's dad. Curtis's novels seems to find their way into multiple characters' houses or offices, with randoms frequently asking Tom if he is any relation to his father or quoting passages from his dad's books. I wish America was as obsessed with reading as this book made it seem, but I just can't think of any living writer who would warrant the celebrity status given to Curtis Violet.
That's my only bone to nitpick. Otherwise, this struck the perfect balance between dark humor and moments of true introspection and sweetness. Can't wait to read more Norman.
Solid 4.5 stars. For entertainment value, maybe 5.
April 6, 2018
From the very beginning I thought, ugh this reads like the author’s fantasy image of himself. The protagonist is handsome, supposedly brilliant and funny, a rebel, a thorn in the side of the corporate stiffs at his work, admired by coworkers who are in awe of his brazen coolness, and entertained by a smoking hot mentee who is half his age and madly in love with him. He speaks in dry one-liners and sarcastic quips that are supposed to sound clever. It’s insufferable. The conflicts in the novel include that the guy is taken care of by his rich dad but he wants to get rich on his own, his very young actress/nude pin-up stepmother is trying to sleep with him, he is surrounded by a Pulitzer Prize winning literary circle but he wants to win his own Pulitzer Prize, his wife won’t read his manuscript fast enough for his liking, and other “problems.” The novel is screaming out to be read through a feminist lens, to treat the story like a Where’s Waldo of masculine egomania, just to wring some entertainment out of it. The plot resolution is like the arrogant cherry on top of it all. But then, after dragging myself through to the end, I read the author’s bio and did a double take. In real life the author is an advertising copyeditor, just like his main character, and he wrote this, his first novel, just like his main character. Oh my god. It’s like I foretold this. Hard pass on Domestic Violets.
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