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The View from Penthouse B
Unexpectedly widowed Gwen-Laura Schmidt is still mourning her husband when her sister Margot invites her to join forces as roommates in Margot's luxurious Village apartment. For Margot, divorced amid scandal, then made Ponzi-poor, it's a chance to shake Gwen out of her grief and help make ends meet. To further this effort she enlists a third boarder, the handsome Anthony. As the three swap money-making schemes and Gwen ventures back out into the dating world, the arrival of Margot's paroled ex in the apartment downstairs creates not just complications but the chance for all sorts of unexpected forgiveness. A sister story about love, loneliness, and new life in middle age, this is a cracklingly witty, deeply sweet novel from one of our finest comic writers.
Audio CD
First published January 1, 2013
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About the author
Elinor Lipman
31 books1,332 followersI love talking with readers - for 1:1s and Book Club visits, find me on Skolay: www.skolay.com/writers/elinor-lipman
Elinor Lipman is the author of 14 humorous novels about contemporary American society; essay and short story collections. Born and raised in Lowell, MA, she divides her time between Manhattan and the Hudson Valley of New York. She received the New England Book award for fiction in 2001. Her first novel, "Then She Found Me," was adapted for the screen, starring Helen Hunt, Bette Midler, Colin Firth and Matthew Broderick. Her fourth novel, "The Inn at Lake Devine" was adapted for the off-off Broadway stage by Tongue in Cheek Theater. In 2011-2012, she held the Elizabeth Drew chair in creative writing at Smith College. Her novel, “Ms. Demeanor," was a finalist for the 2023 Thurber Prize for American Humor. In 2021, her hometown Library, Pollard Memorial Library in Lowell, established The Elinor Lipman Prize, awarded annually to Lowell residents and students at Lowell universities.
Elinor Lipman is the author of 14 humorous novels about contemporary American society; essay and short story collections. Born and raised in Lowell, MA, she divides her time between Manhattan and the Hudson Valley of New York. She received the New England Book award for fiction in 2001. Her first novel, "Then She Found Me," was adapted for the screen, starring Helen Hunt, Bette Midler, Colin Firth and Matthew Broderick. Her fourth novel, "The Inn at Lake Devine" was adapted for the off-off Broadway stage by Tongue in Cheek Theater. In 2011-2012, she held the Elizabeth Drew chair in creative writing at Smith College. Her novel, “Ms. Demeanor," was a finalist for the 2023 Thurber Prize for American Humor. In 2021, her hometown Library, Pollard Memorial Library in Lowell, established The Elinor Lipman Prize, awarded annually to Lowell residents and students at Lowell universities.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 825 reviews
March 5, 2018
I wanted something light - but witty - maybe a little quirky....but not slapstick. A little intelligence would be nice....and entertaining, for sure!
I was looking for other ‘go-to’ authors —similar to Jonathan Troper—( comic/tragic and contemporary). My friend Dov suggested Elinor Lipman. Perfect! Just the type of author I was in the mood for. I am excited - she’s written lots of books. This was my first *Lipman* experience. Rumors spread.... I hear she has other great books, too.
“The View from Penthouse B” did the trick. After reading “The Tattootist of Auschwitz”, “Educated”, and “Only Child” recently- ( and even “Us Against You”, all worthy compelling reads — I needed to step down and lighten my brain.
My goodness....
I had tried “Everything Happens for a reason” .....and after a couple of hours listening to the Audiobook....I was clear the book wasn’t a good fit for me. I was dying for something lighter - but also ENJOYABLE! Hallelujah! Success!
Margot is SUDDENLY DIVORCED....and living in a Penthouse she can no longer afford thanks to an investment she made with Bernie Madoff, when she was going through her divorce with Charles —( an ex fertility doctor who is sitting in jail for his illegal scandalous and adulterous shenanigans). She’s the oldest sister - a bit of a drama queen - and has an anti Bernie Madoff blog.
Margo’s sister Gwen-Laura - middle sister - is also suddenly widowed. Her husband died of a heart attack. Gwen moves into the Penthouse with her sister Margot. Gwen is meekly - not aware of having any sex appeal what-so-ever. Stepping into the dating scene is everything but natural for her.
Another roommate moves in with Margo and Gwen: Anthony is gay - bakes yummy cupcakes - and enjoys his alcohol.
The three roommates are doing fine ( 2 sisters & cheerful cupcake baking guy) — until Charles is released from prison and moves into the same building. Oh boy —- things get a little hairy! All in our reading fun of course.
There is a younger sister - still married. Bossy-Betsy! She means well....but....can be very annoying. We still love her though.
A few other great supporting characters. The dialogue ‘is’ witty - touching - and entertaining.
Online dating -
Quirky fun drama -
Lots of smiles and laughs.
Bottom Line: ENJOYABLE ....I’ll read Elinor Lipman again
I was looking for other ‘go-to’ authors —similar to Jonathan Troper—( comic/tragic and contemporary). My friend Dov suggested Elinor Lipman. Perfect! Just the type of author I was in the mood for. I am excited - she’s written lots of books. This was my first *Lipman* experience. Rumors spread.... I hear she has other great books, too.
“The View from Penthouse B” did the trick. After reading “The Tattootist of Auschwitz”, “Educated”, and “Only Child” recently- ( and even “Us Against You”, all worthy compelling reads — I needed to step down and lighten my brain.
My goodness....
I had tried “Everything Happens for a reason” .....and after a couple of hours listening to the Audiobook....I was clear the book wasn’t a good fit for me. I was dying for something lighter - but also ENJOYABLE! Hallelujah! Success!
Margot is SUDDENLY DIVORCED....and living in a Penthouse she can no longer afford thanks to an investment she made with Bernie Madoff, when she was going through her divorce with Charles —( an ex fertility doctor who is sitting in jail for his illegal scandalous and adulterous shenanigans). She’s the oldest sister - a bit of a drama queen - and has an anti Bernie Madoff blog.
Margo’s sister Gwen-Laura - middle sister - is also suddenly widowed. Her husband died of a heart attack. Gwen moves into the Penthouse with her sister Margot. Gwen is meekly - not aware of having any sex appeal what-so-ever. Stepping into the dating scene is everything but natural for her.
Another roommate moves in with Margo and Gwen: Anthony is gay - bakes yummy cupcakes - and enjoys his alcohol.
The three roommates are doing fine ( 2 sisters & cheerful cupcake baking guy) — until Charles is released from prison and moves into the same building. Oh boy —- things get a little hairy! All in our reading fun of course.
There is a younger sister - still married. Bossy-Betsy! She means well....but....can be very annoying. We still love her though.
A few other great supporting characters. The dialogue ‘is’ witty - touching - and entertaining.
Online dating -
Quirky fun drama -
Lots of smiles and laughs.
Bottom Line: ENJOYABLE ....I’ll read Elinor Lipman again
November 3, 2017
Just a delight.
I thought I'd attempt a Lipman triple crown -- three books in as many months --and all were winners. All were described by me with the word delight (it just fits), and have provided me with relief from the string of dark thrillers I have been reading. OverDrive audio has two more of her books so I will continue on to what I'm sure will be a Hi-Five.
Two sisters, one divorced and one widowed, decide to live together to save money, in a Manhattan penthouse, no less. The penthouse is paid for with divorce money, but the rest of that money went to Bernie Madoff. The divorce was messy too, and now the ex has moved into the building hoping for a reconciliation of sorts. Meanwhile, the widow Gwen is slowly recovering after two years, and a young gay man who makes incredible cupcakes also moves in as a border. He shows them how to get back out into the world as painlessly as possible. Second chances abound. It's all pain-free, and very fun.
I thought I'd attempt a Lipman triple crown -- three books in as many months --and all were winners. All were described by me with the word delight (it just fits), and have provided me with relief from the string of dark thrillers I have been reading. OverDrive audio has two more of her books so I will continue on to what I'm sure will be a Hi-Five.
Two sisters, one divorced and one widowed, decide to live together to save money, in a Manhattan penthouse, no less. The penthouse is paid for with divorce money, but the rest of that money went to Bernie Madoff. The divorce was messy too, and now the ex has moved into the building hoping for a reconciliation of sorts. Meanwhile, the widow Gwen is slowly recovering after two years, and a young gay man who makes incredible cupcakes also moves in as a border. He shows them how to get back out into the world as painlessly as possible. Second chances abound. It's all pain-free, and very fun.
December 11, 2013
Note to self: I am too old and life is too short to waste on books that are only mildly amusing. I like a good laugh as much as anyone, but this is not, as promised by the NYT Book Review , "as satisfying as a red velvet cupcake." It's not terrible; and if I were 21, maybe I would have more patience with the story development and waiting to hear characters say and do something new.
In a nutshell: one sister is grieving a deceased husband and one sister is grieving a scumbag husband who cheated on her in a way that actually got him sent to prison. So they are sharing a penthouse and they invite a cute gay guy to live with them. Sounds like an interesting premise but the writing isn't captivating. Having just finished Donna Tart's " The Goldfinch" I may be spoiled, but I know there are tons of wonderfully written books out there and I can't spend time on a mediocre one.
In a nutshell: one sister is grieving a deceased husband and one sister is grieving a scumbag husband who cheated on her in a way that actually got him sent to prison. So they are sharing a penthouse and they invite a cute gay guy to live with them. Sounds like an interesting premise but the writing isn't captivating. Having just finished Donna Tart's " The Goldfinch" I may be spoiled, but I know there are tons of wonderfully written books out there and I can't spend time on a mediocre one.
December 11, 2019
Rounding up from 3.5 stars.
Two adult sisters have grown apart, but when they each suffer their own personal and economic tragedies, necessity brings them together again, and they're soon cobbling together a new found family in a Greenwich Village penthouse. Fast and fun.
Two adult sisters have grown apart, but when they each suffer their own personal and economic tragedies, necessity brings them together again, and they're soon cobbling together a new found family in a Greenwich Village penthouse. Fast and fun.
March 10, 2013
The one thing about picking up an Elinor Lipman novel is, you can be pretty sure what to expect from the get-go.
You know the writing will be confident, breezy, and compulsively readable. You know her characters will be good-hearted, a little on the socially awkward style, and ready for some self-growth. And you know you’re going to get absorbed in the narrative and the wit, and really get emotionally invested in the eventual turnout.
So if you’re an Elinor Lipman fan, this book is another reason to rejoice. The book centers on Gwen-Laura, a widow of a certain age who has been unable to move on since her husband’s unexpected death two years ago. She ends up moving in with her sister Margot, is a victim twice: her husband, an infertility doctor, was sent to the Big House after the discovery that he was “doing the horizontal dance” with his patients…and she also lost most of her savings to Bernie Madoff and his Ponzi scheme.
Add in a few other characters: their third boarder Anthony, a young, gay unemployed charmer who makes to-die-for cupcakes, his sister Olivia, a nanny who has fallen in love with her employer, and a third sister Betsy who dispenses advice from the wings, and there are some great twists and turns ahead.
Far be it from me to spoil any of them! Suffice to say that the novel is surprisingly touching, with much to say about moving forward through grief and bad times, experiencing forgiveness, getting in touch with one’s authentic self, and discovering that “family” can mean more than just next-of-kin. And, for anyone who has been through the online dating wars, there are hilarious “tales from the front.”
For those who are seeking deeper insights into the characters, you won’t find a whole lot of that here. But for those who want a lighthearted story that’s deliciously put together and will keep you interested and entertained, this is a book you can sink your teeth into. Definitely recommended.
You know the writing will be confident, breezy, and compulsively readable. You know her characters will be good-hearted, a little on the socially awkward style, and ready for some self-growth. And you know you’re going to get absorbed in the narrative and the wit, and really get emotionally invested in the eventual turnout.
So if you’re an Elinor Lipman fan, this book is another reason to rejoice. The book centers on Gwen-Laura, a widow of a certain age who has been unable to move on since her husband’s unexpected death two years ago. She ends up moving in with her sister Margot, is a victim twice: her husband, an infertility doctor, was sent to the Big House after the discovery that he was “doing the horizontal dance” with his patients…and she also lost most of her savings to Bernie Madoff and his Ponzi scheme.
Add in a few other characters: their third boarder Anthony, a young, gay unemployed charmer who makes to-die-for cupcakes, his sister Olivia, a nanny who has fallen in love with her employer, and a third sister Betsy who dispenses advice from the wings, and there are some great twists and turns ahead.
Far be it from me to spoil any of them! Suffice to say that the novel is surprisingly touching, with much to say about moving forward through grief and bad times, experiencing forgiveness, getting in touch with one’s authentic self, and discovering that “family” can mean more than just next-of-kin. And, for anyone who has been through the online dating wars, there are hilarious “tales from the front.”
For those who are seeking deeper insights into the characters, you won’t find a whole lot of that here. But for those who want a lighthearted story that’s deliciously put together and will keep you interested and entertained, this is a book you can sink your teeth into. Definitely recommended.
February 11, 2025
‘Hope is the thing with feathers.’ She said it like punctuation, like a blessing. (Emily Dickinson)
What a satisfying read. Elinor Lipman - more please! Hot tip: Be sure to read the acknowledgments. They are truly part of the book. Heartfelt, funny, endearing. Three sisters in the plot. Two of which become roommates in a "win-win" way in a New York city penthouse. And they gain the best roommate who bakes cupcakes (cravings!). And find love, find friendship, solidify family bonds, deal with loss including finances. The dating scene/apps were a fun twist. 5 stars is absolutely my experience of the book, all of which were earned by the end. Recommended.
What a satisfying read. Elinor Lipman - more please! Hot tip: Be sure to read the acknowledgments. They are truly part of the book. Heartfelt, funny, endearing. Three sisters in the plot. Two of which become roommates in a "win-win" way in a New York city penthouse. And they gain the best roommate who bakes cupcakes (cravings!). And find love, find friendship, solidify family bonds, deal with loss including finances. The dating scene/apps were a fun twist. 5 stars is absolutely my experience of the book, all of which were earned by the end. Recommended.
June 27, 2013
To my mind, there are three general categories of books. First, there are The Books You Feel Like You Should Be Reading, which often overlap substantially with The Books You Never Read In High School Or College And Now It’s Sort Of Embarrassing That You Rented The Movie Version Of “Doctor Zhivago” Instead And Couldn’t Even Watch That All The Way Through. These books seem like a good idea, but the truth is that after a full workday, cooking, child-rearing, etc., I’m approximately four billion times more likely to watch a show where Gordon Ramsey says “wow” thirty times and calls a foodstuff “the...most...amaaaaazing” something seventeen times than I am to read The Way of All Flesh, Middlemarch or an 800 page presidential biography.
Second, there are The Books You Actually Read, But Shamefully So. For some, these books involve covers with flip-flops or soft-focus women sitting on the beach, or athletes, or biographies by 25-year-olds who were briefly on a show on deep cable. For me, these are books by comedians as well as books by Jonathan Tropper and his ilk, where some whiny guy in his thirties makes weak pop culture references and complains about his high-paying or high-profile job writing/in advertising/writing advertising and who is rewarded for his refusal to commit by dating any number of the always-beautiful-and-willing females who are apparently just waiting around for these opportunities. Lame city.
Finally, there are Truly Enjoyable, Well-Written Books, the lovely third bowl of porridge that’s just right but almost impossible to find - as hard to put down as the second category, but with the feeling of joy and accomplishment (sans shame) that comes with the former. Elinor Lipman is decidedly in this third category.
This was a book I kept telling myself I’d put down in five more pages...well, maybe ten more...okay, three more chapters. It managed to take on fairly well-worn topics (Bernie Madoff, the struggling economy, family, the dating world for someone who’s lost a spouse) and give them all a fresh look, as well as making great use of Lipman’s amazing sense of pace, dialog, and character. Thoroughly enjoyable.
Second, there are The Books You Actually Read, But Shamefully So. For some, these books involve covers with flip-flops or soft-focus women sitting on the beach, or athletes, or biographies by 25-year-olds who were briefly on a show on deep cable. For me, these are books by comedians as well as books by Jonathan Tropper and his ilk, where some whiny guy in his thirties makes weak pop culture references and complains about his high-paying or high-profile job writing/in advertising/writing advertising and who is rewarded for his refusal to commit by dating any number of the always-beautiful-and-willing females who are apparently just waiting around for these opportunities. Lame city.
Finally, there are Truly Enjoyable, Well-Written Books, the lovely third bowl of porridge that’s just right but almost impossible to find - as hard to put down as the second category, but with the feeling of joy and accomplishment (sans shame) that comes with the former. Elinor Lipman is decidedly in this third category.
This was a book I kept telling myself I’d put down in five more pages...well, maybe ten more...okay, three more chapters. It managed to take on fairly well-worn topics (Bernie Madoff, the struggling economy, family, the dating world for someone who’s lost a spouse) and give them all a fresh look, as well as making great use of Lipman’s amazing sense of pace, dialog, and character. Thoroughly enjoyable.
April 11, 2022
Digital audiobook performed by Mia Barron
3.5*** (rounded up)
Gwen-Laura Schmidt was unexpectedly widowed when her beloved husband suffered a massive heart attack. Her older sister, Margot, invites her to move into Margot’s luxurious Greenwich Village apartment. Margot was divorced amid scandal and then lost her money to a Ponzi scheme, so this is a chance not only to help her sister in her grief, but to make ends meet. Margot also takes in another boarder – handsome, loves-to-bake, Anthony.
What a charming comedy of manners, reminiscent of Jane Austen, but updated to the 21st century. The scenarios and the characters are believable and relatable. Their dialogue sparkles. I love how they support and encourage one another through thick and thin. And trust me, there’s considerable thin here. And many complications relationship wise. But all these plot twists are handled with grace and humor and compassion and delight. I want to be friends with these people … all of them. I want to have dinner with them on a Wednesday night and hear about their adventures and what they think about the latest political scandal, and whose kid got into a good school, and what they’re reading lately, and whose sister is getting divorced.
Mia Barron does a fine job of narrating the audiobook. There are a lot of characters to handle and she’s up to the task.
3.5*** (rounded up)
Gwen-Laura Schmidt was unexpectedly widowed when her beloved husband suffered a massive heart attack. Her older sister, Margot, invites her to move into Margot’s luxurious Greenwich Village apartment. Margot was divorced amid scandal and then lost her money to a Ponzi scheme, so this is a chance not only to help her sister in her grief, but to make ends meet. Margot also takes in another boarder – handsome, loves-to-bake, Anthony.
What a charming comedy of manners, reminiscent of Jane Austen, but updated to the 21st century. The scenarios and the characters are believable and relatable. Their dialogue sparkles. I love how they support and encourage one another through thick and thin. And trust me, there’s considerable thin here. And many complications relationship wise. But all these plot twists are handled with grace and humor and compassion and delight. I want to be friends with these people … all of them. I want to have dinner with them on a Wednesday night and hear about their adventures and what they think about the latest political scandal, and whose kid got into a good school, and what they’re reading lately, and whose sister is getting divorced.
Mia Barron does a fine job of narrating the audiobook. There are a lot of characters to handle and she’s up to the task.
December 27, 2019
I recently criticized a book because it had no plot; and this one doesn't really have much of a plot either but I liked it much better. The characters were quirky and endearing. The down-but-not-out residents of Penthouse B include owner Margo, who after her divorce from a wealthy gynecologist, had lost all her money to Bernie Madoff; her recently widowed sister Gwen; and Tony, a gay, unemployed Wall Street type.
These three move in together to share expenses and put their lives back together. I didn't catch on that the book was supposed to be a memoir about two years in the life of Gwen, from whose point of view the story was told. Maybe, that was meant to be a surprise at the end. It's not a quick-moving or especially memorable story, but I really enjoyed it.
These three move in together to share expenses and put their lives back together. I didn't catch on that the book was supposed to be a memoir about two years in the life of Gwen, from whose point of view the story was told. Maybe, that was meant to be a surprise at the end. It's not a quick-moving or especially memorable story, but I really enjoyed it.
October 12, 2020
I have a weakness for Elinor Lipman's novels (not only because we share our first name, spelled the same way) and those by other sassy New York dames like Nora Ephron and Candace Bushnell. I love their wisecracking ways. This story involves two single middle-aged sisters -- one divorced, one widowed -- who share a penthouse apartment and are on a quest for true love. The widow starts online dating, and the other sister starts a flirtation with her ex. The young gay guy who shares their apartment observes the performance with witty asides. Much hilarity ensues. Highly entertaining.
December 4, 2018
With a plot inspired by the headlines and a roommate situation worthy of a sitcom, The View From Penthouse B is both witty and fun. Two 40 or 50-something sisters live together in genteel poverty as they try to recover from their life setbacks. Gwen-Laura’s beloved husband died two years ago, a loss she still feels, and Margot’s fertility specialist ex-husband has just been released from prison for spreading his seed among his patients in a most unprofessional manner. Margot lost all the money from her divorce settlement in a Bernie Madoff scam, but at least she still has the penthouse apartment, which is big enough to also house a third roommate--a congenial gay man in his twenties.
Can Gwen-Laura move on with her life? Can Margot forgive her eager to please ex-husband? All the book’s characters are such good company--funny, open, thoughtful and interesting--that as I was reading I was crossing my fingers for them the way I would for a friend. A thoroughly enjoyable novel.
Can Gwen-Laura move on with her life? Can Margot forgive her eager to please ex-husband? All the book’s characters are such good company--funny, open, thoughtful and interesting--that as I was reading I was crossing my fingers for them the way I would for a friend. A thoroughly enjoyable novel.
December 30, 2024
I've been a fan of Elinor Lipman for a long time, ever since I read The Inn at Lake Devine several years ago. Her last novel, My Latest Grievance was just okay, and I was hoping for something better with this book. I'm happy to tell you that it delivered! It joins the aforementioned The Inn at Lake Devine, The Way Men Act and The Pursuit of Alice Thrift as my favorite Elinor Lipman novels. The plot was both touching and funny, the characters well-drawn, and the dialogue was snappy. In short, the book was a delight! Highly recommended.
Update 2024: It had been seven years since I last read this, and it was fun to revisit this charming novel. Still a favorite!
Update 2024: It had been seven years since I last read this, and it was fun to revisit this charming novel. Still a favorite!
August 26, 2019
Elinor Lipman writes such upbeat, lighthearted novels it is easy to overlook the fact that some very bad things happen to the characters in them.
"The View From Penthouse B" is a good example. Among the two main characters we see the death of a spouse, a husband convicted of an embarrassing felony, a divorce, financial ruin at the hands of Bernie Madoff, the failure of two startup businesses; the list goes on. Yet these sisters somehow keep rolling along, and somehow turn out okay.
Of course they do. They are Lipman women. And they remind me of me. No matter what kind of deep water life tosses me into I always bob to the surface.
I will always keep one of Elinor Lipman's books on my bedside table to help me keep my chin up.
"The View From Penthouse B" is a good example. Among the two main characters we see the death of a spouse, a husband convicted of an embarrassing felony, a divorce, financial ruin at the hands of Bernie Madoff, the failure of two startup businesses; the list goes on. Yet these sisters somehow keep rolling along, and somehow turn out okay.
Of course they do. They are Lipman women. And they remind me of me. No matter what kind of deep water life tosses me into I always bob to the surface.
I will always keep one of Elinor Lipman's books on my bedside table to help me keep my chin up.
November 20, 2017
What a fun frolic with two sisters trying to get their lives together following widowhood and a scandalous divorce and financial ruin. Add in a gay young man who bakes incredible cupcakes, the charming yet very flawed ex husband and you have "The View from Penthouse B."
Have not read Lipman, but she was recommended for a humorous and light read, which I was in great need of. I loved how these sisters seemed to not have a clue as to how to reboot their lives, but that did not keep them from trying to fit into a world that was rather foreign to them. How to make a living? How to date? How to let go of the past and move forward, how to write a blog and how to online date.
The characters were fun, at times pathetic, awkward, but very enjoyable, even laugh out loud funny at times. I loved the back and forth, often snarky banter of this trio. This was just the quirky and quick read that the Dr. ordered. Nothing earth shattering but well done. 3.5*
Have not read Lipman, but she was recommended for a humorous and light read, which I was in great need of. I loved how these sisters seemed to not have a clue as to how to reboot their lives, but that did not keep them from trying to fit into a world that was rather foreign to them. How to make a living? How to date? How to let go of the past and move forward, how to write a blog and how to online date.
The characters were fun, at times pathetic, awkward, but very enjoyable, even laugh out loud funny at times. I loved the back and forth, often snarky banter of this trio. This was just the quirky and quick read that the Dr. ordered. Nothing earth shattering but well done. 3.5*
February 10, 2025
Nice romantic comedy about middle aged sisters.
May 7, 2013
I love Elinor Lipman! Once again, she delivers a character driven novel with characters I love. The story is bare - Gwen-Laura is a not so rcent widow who is living with her older sister, Margot, in the New York penthouse Margot purchased shortly before losing all her money to Bernie Madoff's Ponzi scheme. The sisters take in another boarder, Anthony, and an assortment of other characters including Anthony's sister who is a nanny in love with her previous charges's father; Charles, Margot's gynecologist ex-husband who begins the novel in a minimum security prison because he had sex with patients to help them conceive; Charles' so whose mother is one of the patients Charles "helped" conceive; Betsy, Gwen-Laura's and Margot's younger sister; and many more.
There isn't a lot of plot which is my favorite part of this novel. It's a book about love - losing love (divorce, death), opening up to love again, and ultimately finding love. And it's all really low-key. Not only could I see myself drinking wine with Anthony and the girls while discussing Gwen-Laura's personal ad, but I would want to be there with them. I felt like I really knew these characters, especially the three sisters.
Lipman's ability to create realistic and interesting characters has been consistent throughput all her novels. I recommend this book for anyone looking for a light, quick read with people who could be your friends.
There isn't a lot of plot which is my favorite part of this novel. It's a book about love - losing love (divorce, death), opening up to love again, and ultimately finding love. And it's all really low-key. Not only could I see myself drinking wine with Anthony and the girls while discussing Gwen-Laura's personal ad, but I would want to be there with them. I felt like I really knew these characters, especially the three sisters.
Lipman's ability to create realistic and interesting characters has been consistent throughput all her novels. I recommend this book for anyone looking for a light, quick read with people who could be your friends.
May 22, 2013
Is there a better contemporary author than Elinor Lipman in delivering a charming, witty, modern-day novel about adults? If so, I need to be reading their books. Elinor's The View from Penthouse B chronicles the lives of two sisters stuck in a bit of social limbo; one widowed suddenly over a year ago, the other a divorcee and victim of a Ponzi scheme. The two sisters become roommates, and take in a boarder in the form of a young gay man, also unemployed, and in his own state of limbo.
While the story eventually gets around to the two sisters trying to move forward in their lives, Elinor's observations and writing are so delightfully witty and honest that it almost doesn't matter whether or not Gwen and Margot regain their social lives. The journey is so entertaining, so much fun to read that it's almost enough by itself. Then add a beautifully realized plot that sees a lovely ending that actually moved me enough that I got choked up, and you realize that with deceptive simplicity, Elinor has delivered a masterpiece of contemporary fiction.
I adore Elinor's novels, and look forward to each new one with giddy anticipation.
While the story eventually gets around to the two sisters trying to move forward in their lives, Elinor's observations and writing are so delightfully witty and honest that it almost doesn't matter whether or not Gwen and Margot regain their social lives. The journey is so entertaining, so much fun to read that it's almost enough by itself. Then add a beautifully realized plot that sees a lovely ending that actually moved me enough that I got choked up, and you realize that with deceptive simplicity, Elinor has delivered a masterpiece of contemporary fiction.
I adore Elinor's novels, and look forward to each new one with giddy anticipation.
July 5, 2013
I LOVE Elinor Lipman; she is one the few contemporary novelists I distinctly recall discovering (at the Noe Valley branch of the SF Public Library) and just being stunned that I hadn't already heard of her, so much did I fall in love with her writing.
But this one is not her best. It still has Lipman's signature blend of absurdity and humor and poignancy and optimism, but it was just missing something. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I have enjoyed a number of her others far more than this. So while I won't be recommending this to others, I will be first in line when Lipman's next comes out.
But this one is not her best. It still has Lipman's signature blend of absurdity and humor and poignancy and optimism, but it was just missing something. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I have enjoyed a number of her others far more than this. So while I won't be recommending this to others, I will be first in line when Lipman's next comes out.
January 4, 2016
DNF. I hate to write a negative review because I didn't care for a book, but objectively speaking, there were some flaws in this one that undermined it. It lacked dramatic tension, the characters were one-dimensional, and the dialogue was odd; all the characters sounded the same, and they weren't convincing as 50-somethings. I wanted to like it, because I like reading fiction about older people, but sadly, this one didn't do it for me.
May 8, 2020
This book was a pleasant listen but somehow missed the mark in terms of really grabbing me. I don’t know if it was Mia Barron’s bland and sometimes stilted delivery in the narration but it seemed like the story was told from arm’s length. I really enjoyed the sisters and Anthony as well as the ever growing relationship and the way they helped each other to get on with life. The book had some funny moment, some poignant moments and some ‘slap some characters upside the head’ moments. One thing I did like was the insights into human behavior that are casually sprinkled about the story line.
I keep hearing great things about this author but this is my second book by her and they are both firmly three stars from me. I liked them but didn’t love them. I’ll try one more from the library.
I keep hearing great things about this author but this is my second book by her and they are both firmly three stars from me. I liked them but didn’t love them. I’ll try one more from the library.
April 24, 2013
The View From Penthouse B
By
Elinor Lipman
My " in a nutshell" summary...
The adventures of two sisters who room together in a penthouse apartment with a gay young man who bakes amazing cupcakes.
My thoughts after reading this book...
Circumstances...death and a Bernie Madoff ponzi scheme...cause two sisters to share a penthouse apartment. Gwen's beloved husband is really dead...Margot's is just dead to her...due to infidelity and her OBGYN's husband's indiscretions in his office. He is in prison...soon to be released.
Margot brings home Anthony...a gay unemployed man and their lives begin to change. He is everything they want in a roommate...they have the luxury of having a man around without any sexual tension...plus he changes batteries and cooks! Perfection!
Everyone grows and changes and becomes more open to romantic possibilities during the time they are living together.
What I loved about this book...
I really loved that this book was fun. The events of Gwen's and Margot's lives were tragic but they still dealt with life with joy and humor. I loved reading about their relationships both past and present. I loved reading about their relationships with food...roasted chicken, cabbage soup, fluffy eggs, breads, cupcakes...loved this part of the book and its NYC setting.
What I did not love...
There was so much going on in this book. Every time I turned a page there was yet one more character with one more issue.
Final thoughts...
This book was fun...I loved the wit and humor...darn it...I loved these spunky women! They could bounce back and they did. And...who wouldn't love Anthony...he was probably my most favorite character. This was a charming yummy book...perfect for a summer beachy reading experience.
By
Elinor Lipman
My " in a nutshell" summary...
The adventures of two sisters who room together in a penthouse apartment with a gay young man who bakes amazing cupcakes.
My thoughts after reading this book...
Circumstances...death and a Bernie Madoff ponzi scheme...cause two sisters to share a penthouse apartment. Gwen's beloved husband is really dead...Margot's is just dead to her...due to infidelity and her OBGYN's husband's indiscretions in his office. He is in prison...soon to be released.
Margot brings home Anthony...a gay unemployed man and their lives begin to change. He is everything they want in a roommate...they have the luxury of having a man around without any sexual tension...plus he changes batteries and cooks! Perfection!
Everyone grows and changes and becomes more open to romantic possibilities during the time they are living together.
What I loved about this book...
I really loved that this book was fun. The events of Gwen's and Margot's lives were tragic but they still dealt with life with joy and humor. I loved reading about their relationships both past and present. I loved reading about their relationships with food...roasted chicken, cabbage soup, fluffy eggs, breads, cupcakes...loved this part of the book and its NYC setting.
What I did not love...
There was so much going on in this book. Every time I turned a page there was yet one more character with one more issue.
Final thoughts...
This book was fun...I loved the wit and humor...darn it...I loved these spunky women! They could bounce back and they did. And...who wouldn't love Anthony...he was probably my most favorite character. This was a charming yummy book...perfect for a summer beachy reading experience.
March 20, 2014
I've heard Elinor Lipman's name mentioned before. As I was perusing the adult books in our library's children's section, I recognized the name and decided to give it a shot.
In some ways, this book is a reflection of our society and culture and a good mirror of it. In other ways, it is just like reading a people magazine.
In some ways, this book is a reflection of our society and culture and a good mirror of it. In other ways, it is just like reading a people magazine.
January 30, 2015
Elinor Lipman writes perfect books for what they are. Light, yet exquisitely written. I was actually sad when this one ended. I wanted to hang around Penthouse B a while longer.
September 28, 2019
This book was not my cup of tea. I thought as I delved deeper into the story, I would become enthralled but I was left dangling on a cliff. There were some funny scenarios but they were rare in appearance and not too funny. The characters spent more time engrossed in each other's lives and had rarely much time for themselves. I wasn't truly disappointed. Just let down from the synopsis of the story.
May 21, 2020
What is it about the lives of aging women that I always find interesting? Such a great book with unexpected twists and turns--kind of like life itself. I loved how different the sisters were, and yet, how well they learned to love the other characters in their shared life. Great book!
October 3, 2017
A light, humorous read, nothing earthshaking, but definitely a good brain clearer after all the heavy reading I've been doing lately. Very entertaining as an audio.
February 18, 2024
Cute ☺️ not much plot but lovely characters. Made me giggle on my flight
October 6, 2013
Gwen-Laura is a widow. Her sister, Margot, is a divorcee (formerly married to a fertility doctor who had an unorthodox method of helping his patients get pregnant), and her other sister is smugly married and prosperous. Gwen is still mourning her husband, a public school art teacher, and Margot is spitting mad, both at her ex-husband, who is currently in prison, and at Bernard Madoff, who is also currently in prison. Neither sister has much money, certainly not enough to live well in Manhattan, so they move in together and take a border, Anthony.
A more delightful trio is hardly to be found in current fiction. The sisters disagree, but gently, in ladylike fashion, and always with a dash of wit. When times get rough, Anthony, whose cupcakes are the best anyone has ever had, smooths things out for everyone.
Gwen has an idea for a no-sex dating service, Chaste Dates, which she advertises on Craigslist. Dinner and conversation. That's it. But she finds she must explain clearly and concisely to her first client that there are to be no activities in any bedroom at which point he relaxes and loosens his tie:
"Are you really a golf instructor at Chelsea Piers?" I asked.
"Off the record?"
"Of course."
"I am not a golf instructor at Chelsea Piers."
"Are you in a line of work where you wear handcuffs?"
"Wear? I'd say no."
"I meant are they on your person?"
He said, after staring for a good long time, "Yes."
"Are you a policeman?"
... After another longish stare, he said, "Vice."
Back to the drawing board with the business plan.
But it's when Margot's ex is released from prison and rents an efficiency in the same building that things get interesting. And between the appearance of Charles son by one of his patients, Anthony's dating someone from Gwen's Grief Circle, and a little old lady writing to Gwen asking her to go out with Eli, her shy, 50-something son -- well, we end up with a classic Lipman ending. Everyone is satisfied, including the reader.
A more delightful trio is hardly to be found in current fiction. The sisters disagree, but gently, in ladylike fashion, and always with a dash of wit. When times get rough, Anthony, whose cupcakes are the best anyone has ever had, smooths things out for everyone.
Gwen has an idea for a no-sex dating service, Chaste Dates, which she advertises on Craigslist. Dinner and conversation. That's it. But she finds she must explain clearly and concisely to her first client that there are to be no activities in any bedroom at which point he relaxes and loosens his tie:
"Are you really a golf instructor at Chelsea Piers?" I asked.
"Off the record?"
"Of course."
"I am not a golf instructor at Chelsea Piers."
"Are you in a line of work where you wear handcuffs?"
"Wear? I'd say no."
"I meant are they on your person?"
He said, after staring for a good long time, "Yes."
"Are you a policeman?"
... After another longish stare, he said, "Vice."
Back to the drawing board with the business plan.
But it's when Margot's ex is released from prison and rents an efficiency in the same building that things get interesting. And between the appearance of Charles son by one of his patients, Anthony's dating someone from Gwen's Grief Circle, and a little old lady writing to Gwen asking her to go out with Eli, her shy, 50-something son -- well, we end up with a classic Lipman ending. Everyone is satisfied, including the reader.
May 20, 2013
I received The View from Penthouse B through the Amazon Vine Reviewers program. I hadn't read any of Elinor Lipman's earlier books and hadn't realized just how funny her writing can be. I started the book a few days ago, read it while traveling to Boston for a work emergency, and throughout the night once I got to Boston. I mention this just to emphasize that it drew me in and provided a wonderful escape!
I loved the voice of the main character, the middle sister, Gwen-Laura Comadine. She's the newly widowed sister who had married a high school teacher and is unable/unwilling to move on. Her entrepreneurial idea is a platonic dating service.
Her older sister Margot is another lovable character. The divorced wife of the disgraced fertility doctor invested her divorce settlement with Madoff. Margot's project is a website dedicated to Madoff victims that serves as a place to vent about the abuses of white collar thieves. Margot is defined by her strong emotions, sense of humor and charm. She opens up her home and heart - not just to her sister but to Anthony, a helpful and witty young gay man.
The book is memorable because of the characters. The View from Penthouse B is witty, lighthearted, and fun. I highly recommend it!
ISBN-10: 0547576218- Hardcover $26
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (April 16, 2013), 272 pages.
Review copy courtesy of the Amazon Vine Reviewers Program.
I loved the voice of the main character, the middle sister, Gwen-Laura Comadine. She's the newly widowed sister who had married a high school teacher and is unable/unwilling to move on. Her entrepreneurial idea is a platonic dating service.
Her older sister Margot is another lovable character. The divorced wife of the disgraced fertility doctor invested her divorce settlement with Madoff. Margot's project is a website dedicated to Madoff victims that serves as a place to vent about the abuses of white collar thieves. Margot is defined by her strong emotions, sense of humor and charm. She opens up her home and heart - not just to her sister but to Anthony, a helpful and witty young gay man.
The book is memorable because of the characters. The View from Penthouse B is witty, lighthearted, and fun. I highly recommend it!
ISBN-10: 0547576218- Hardcover $26
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (April 16, 2013), 272 pages.
Review copy courtesy of the Amazon Vine Reviewers Program.
July 3, 2013
Another light, fun read from Elinor Lipman. Although I call her books light, this does not mean she is a bad writer. She somehow has the skill to make her stories breezy and fast while still having a good story behind them. The thing I like about her books is that people are pleasant to each other and actually try to get along. In this case, there are three sisters with very different personalities and life stories, but they still manage to meet for dinner on a regular basis and support each other. Two of the sisters move in together - one a widow and one recently divorced from her incarcerated ob/gyn husband - to help each other financially, and they end up helping each other in so many other ways to get on with their lives. Add a third roommate - a 20-something gay man who is a fabulous cook and recently out of work because his last job was with the ill-fated Lehman Brothers - and you get even more chuckles.
I loved the main character, Gwen, maybe because she is a bit like me - quiet, introverted, and not wanting to rush into any changes. Some of the characters make choices that were a bit unbelievable, such as forgiving the ex-husband, but so what? It's not supposed to be the next "hard-hitting drama of people facing their demons." It's supposed to be fun.
I loved the main character, Gwen, maybe because she is a bit like me - quiet, introverted, and not wanting to rush into any changes. Some of the characters make choices that were a bit unbelievable, such as forgiving the ex-husband, but so what? It's not supposed to be the next "hard-hitting drama of people facing their demons." It's supposed to be fun.
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