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Plus One: A Novel
The hilarious tale of a newly full-time dad and awards-show "plus one" whose TV-writer wife has hit the big time.
Christopher Noxon's debut novel Plus One is a comedic take on breadwinning women and caretaking men in contemporary Los Angeles. Alex Sherman-Zicklin is a mid-level marketing executive whose wife's 14th attempt at a television pilot is produced, ordered to series, and awarded an Emmy. Overnight, she's sucked into a mad show-business vortex and he's tasked with managing their new high-profile Hollywood lifestyle. He falls in with a posse of Plus Ones, men who are married to women whose success, income, and public recognition far surpasses their own. What will it take for him to regain the foreground in his own life?
Christopher Noxon's debut novel Plus One is a comedic take on breadwinning women and caretaking men in contemporary Los Angeles. Alex Sherman-Zicklin is a mid-level marketing executive whose wife's 14th attempt at a television pilot is produced, ordered to series, and awarded an Emmy. Overnight, she's sucked into a mad show-business vortex and he's tasked with managing their new high-profile Hollywood lifestyle. He falls in with a posse of Plus Ones, men who are married to women whose success, income, and public recognition far surpasses their own. What will it take for him to regain the foreground in his own life?
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First published December 22, 2014
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About the author
Christopher Noxon
7 books34 followersChristopher Noxon is an author, journalist and illustrator.
He’s the author of the novel Plus One, which “Mad Men” creator Matthew Weiner called “well-observed, honest, and laugh-out-loud funny” and Rejuvenile: Kickball, Cartoons, Cupcakes and the Reinvention of the American Grown Up, which Ira Glass, host of public radio’s This American Life, called “an eye opener.” The book was featured in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The New York Times, CNN’s “In the Money,” NPR’s “Talk of the Nation” and Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report.”
As a journalist, he has written for The New Yorker, Details, The New York Times Magazine, Los Angeles Magazine, and Salon. He began his career in newspapers, working as an editor, enterprise reporter and arts critic for the L.A. Daily News, the Cape Cod Publishing Company and the Los Angeles Independent Newspaper Group, where he won two first-place honors from the LA Press Club for feature and news reporting. As a freelancer, he covered the Democratic National Convention for Reuters; lived as a patient with recovering addicts for a Playboy feature about troubles with drug rehab; wrote about marketing and new media for Kurt Andersen and Michael Hirschorn’s Inside.com; and was the first journalist to report on actor Mel Gibson’s ties to an ultraconservative Catholic splinter group in a feature for The New York Times Magazine.
His illustrations have been featured on the websites The Undo List and Modern Loss and the book Unscrolled: Writers and Artists Wrestle With The Torah.
Along the way, he has worked as a costumed character at Universal Studios, answered letters of complaint at L’Oreal cosmetics, and was director of communications for Michael Milken’s prostate cancer charity.
He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, television writer/producer Jenji Kohan, and their three children.
He’s the author of the novel Plus One, which “Mad Men” creator Matthew Weiner called “well-observed, honest, and laugh-out-loud funny” and Rejuvenile: Kickball, Cartoons, Cupcakes and the Reinvention of the American Grown Up, which Ira Glass, host of public radio’s This American Life, called “an eye opener.” The book was featured in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The New York Times, CNN’s “In the Money,” NPR’s “Talk of the Nation” and Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report.”
As a journalist, he has written for The New Yorker, Details, The New York Times Magazine, Los Angeles Magazine, and Salon. He began his career in newspapers, working as an editor, enterprise reporter and arts critic for the L.A. Daily News, the Cape Cod Publishing Company and the Los Angeles Independent Newspaper Group, where he won two first-place honors from the LA Press Club for feature and news reporting. As a freelancer, he covered the Democratic National Convention for Reuters; lived as a patient with recovering addicts for a Playboy feature about troubles with drug rehab; wrote about marketing and new media for Kurt Andersen and Michael Hirschorn’s Inside.com; and was the first journalist to report on actor Mel Gibson’s ties to an ultraconservative Catholic splinter group in a feature for The New York Times Magazine.
His illustrations have been featured on the websites The Undo List and Modern Loss and the book Unscrolled: Writers and Artists Wrestle With The Torah.
Along the way, he has worked as a costumed character at Universal Studios, answered letters of complaint at L’Oreal cosmetics, and was director of communications for Michael Milken’s prostate cancer charity.
He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, television writer/producer Jenji Kohan, and their three children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
February 9, 2015
Alex Sherman-Zicklin, a mid-level marketing executive, has always been tremendously supportive of his writer wife, Figgy, as she works on script idea after script idea, pilot after pilot. Something's bound to work out eventually, isn't it?
But when Figgy's 14th pilot, Tricks , actually gets picked up by a cable network, they're both unprepared for how their lives will change. Despite challenges with its star, Tricks becomes a critical and commercial success, and wins the Best Comedy Series Emmy in its first year. Figgy is finally able to reap the benefits of her success, putting them in a better financial place, but exponentially increasing the pressure on her to sustain the show's momentum.
Given their newfound financial freedom, Alex agrees to quit his job and focus on managing their lives full-time, including caring for the couple's two young children. Alex sees this as an opportunity to do more cooking (he's quite the foodie), finding their new house and supervising the renovations, and perhaps even working on the memoir he's always been thinking about. It's not long before he finds himself drawn into the world of Plus Ones, the men whose wives are more successful and influential than they are. It's fun at first, but that sort of lifestyle starts to take its toll.
"Women married to successful men have a place. But guys in the same position? No one knows what to do with them. He could hear the interior dialogue: boy scored; must be hard on him; must make up for it in other ways."
Christopher Noxon's Plus One is an amusing twist on the more familiar scenario of the wife who finds herself adrift when her husband becomes a huge success. Alex not only must struggle with the mundane—making sure the kids get their homework done, trying to figure out his relationship with his children, and making sure the contractors don't rip him off—to more extreme feelings of inadequacy, jealousy of Figgy's long hours with her handsome coworkers, and wondering what's next for him professionally.
This was a fun book, one which touched on many of the stereotypical behaviors and activities you'd expect of the rich and famous. It's an interesting look at a man adrift, trying desperately to regain a little of his mojo, but also regain the attention and respect of his wife. I can't identify with many of Alex's struggles but I think many people struggle with some of the same issues he is, regardless of how much money their spouse or partner makes.
While I didn't think this was as laugh-out-loud as some reviewers have said, I enjoyed it. It's a light, quick read, and probably would make a fun movie.
See all of my reviews (and other stuff) at http://itseithersadnessoreuphoriablog....
But when Figgy's 14th pilot, Tricks , actually gets picked up by a cable network, they're both unprepared for how their lives will change. Despite challenges with its star, Tricks becomes a critical and commercial success, and wins the Best Comedy Series Emmy in its first year. Figgy is finally able to reap the benefits of her success, putting them in a better financial place, but exponentially increasing the pressure on her to sustain the show's momentum.
Given their newfound financial freedom, Alex agrees to quit his job and focus on managing their lives full-time, including caring for the couple's two young children. Alex sees this as an opportunity to do more cooking (he's quite the foodie), finding their new house and supervising the renovations, and perhaps even working on the memoir he's always been thinking about. It's not long before he finds himself drawn into the world of Plus Ones, the men whose wives are more successful and influential than they are. It's fun at first, but that sort of lifestyle starts to take its toll.
"Women married to successful men have a place. But guys in the same position? No one knows what to do with them. He could hear the interior dialogue: boy scored; must be hard on him; must make up for it in other ways."
Christopher Noxon's Plus One is an amusing twist on the more familiar scenario of the wife who finds herself adrift when her husband becomes a huge success. Alex not only must struggle with the mundane—making sure the kids get their homework done, trying to figure out his relationship with his children, and making sure the contractors don't rip him off—to more extreme feelings of inadequacy, jealousy of Figgy's long hours with her handsome coworkers, and wondering what's next for him professionally.
This was a fun book, one which touched on many of the stereotypical behaviors and activities you'd expect of the rich and famous. It's an interesting look at a man adrift, trying desperately to regain a little of his mojo, but also regain the attention and respect of his wife. I can't identify with many of Alex's struggles but I think many people struggle with some of the same issues he is, regardless of how much money their spouse or partner makes.
While I didn't think this was as laugh-out-loud as some reviewers have said, I enjoyed it. It's a light, quick read, and probably would make a fun movie.
See all of my reviews (and other stuff) at http://itseithersadnessoreuphoriablog....
March 4, 2015
Disclaimer: I was gifted a copy of this book in audio form through Audiobook Jukebox in exchange for an honest review.
Not hilarious or even "laugh-out-loud" as other reviewers claim (6 on Amazon and 7 on Goodreads). For me, it was more of a lift-the-corners-of-your-smile book. While not without humor, the story did not provide for me a vested interest in the characters. At no point in time did I feel compelled to continue listening. Another reviewer describes this story as falling flat and I agree.
Alex Sherman-Zicklin (nee Sherman) and his wife Figgie Sherman-Zicklin (nee Zicklin)are 30- to 40-something parents in Hollywood. He has an unglorious, thankless job in an ad agency from which he resigns after she, the lead screenwriter of a comedy series which has just won an Emmy and has sold 23 episodes, becomes the breadwinner of the family. He becomes the house-husband... From this story line, the book reads like 30-minute episodes of their lives with this new celebrity status and the changes her new salary allows. Perfect episode-length chapers for a Helen Hunt/Paul Riser duo to recreate in a Mad About You series!
That's it!! That's the humor! (BTW, I loved, loved, loved Mad About You!) This is filled with I'm-laughing-on-the-inside moments. I can easily see this book transferred to episodic, vignette form played by the likes of Helen Hunt and Paul Riser -- actors who know how to use timing to draw out humor from the audience even as their faces show nothing but the seriousness of comedic situations of life -- man-jeggings, catching a rat in the house.
This might serves as a good fit between discussion- or thought-provoking books if you want a breather. Or, if you are stuck in a genre rut, this might be a good fit. Those giving this book a 5-star rating are likely to mislead most -- they need to take off their rose-colored glasses.
Not hilarious or even "laugh-out-loud" as other reviewers claim (6 on Amazon and 7 on Goodreads). For me, it was more of a lift-the-corners-of-your-smile book. While not without humor, the story did not provide for me a vested interest in the characters. At no point in time did I feel compelled to continue listening. Another reviewer describes this story as falling flat and I agree.
Alex Sherman-Zicklin (nee Sherman) and his wife Figgie Sherman-Zicklin (nee Zicklin)are 30- to 40-something parents in Hollywood. He has an unglorious, thankless job in an ad agency from which he resigns after she, the lead screenwriter of a comedy series which has just won an Emmy and has sold 23 episodes, becomes the breadwinner of the family. He becomes the house-husband... From this story line, the book reads like 30-minute episodes of their lives with this new celebrity status and the changes her new salary allows. Perfect episode-length chapers for a Helen Hunt/Paul Riser duo to recreate in a Mad About You series!
That's it!! That's the humor! (BTW, I loved, loved, loved Mad About You!) This is filled with I'm-laughing-on-the-inside moments. I can easily see this book transferred to episodic, vignette form played by the likes of Helen Hunt and Paul Riser -- actors who know how to use timing to draw out humor from the audience even as their faces show nothing but the seriousness of comedic situations of life -- man-jeggings, catching a rat in the house.
This might serves as a good fit between discussion- or thought-provoking books if you want a breather. Or, if you are stuck in a genre rut, this might be a good fit. Those giving this book a 5-star rating are likely to mislead most -- they need to take off their rose-colored glasses.
May 15, 2015
Great first chapter, hooked me right away. But the rest of the book? Disappointing. Noxon's main character, Alex, is a stay-at-home Dad; his wife Figgy is a successful TV writer/creator/producer who brings home the bacon. While Alex's decision to mind the fort is admirable, he is simply too… well… pathetic. I'm guessing here, but the premise may be derived, at least somewhat, from personal experience -- Noxon is married to Jenji Kohan, the fabulously successful creator/writer/producer of "Weeds" and "Orange Is the New Black." The book also seemed overwritten, almost padded, as if Noxon was trying to thicken a thin plot. In spite of the plethora of great reviews, I'm going thumbs down on this one.
January 13, 2016
“Plus One” by Christopher Noxon
There is utopia, dystopia and living-breathing-now. “Plus One,” authored by Christopher Noxon offers a hysterical peek into gender and role reversals nestled in marriage situated in Hollywood and LA.
Enter into the marital life of Figgy, Alex and their two children Sam and Sylvie. Their story begins on the red carpet when Alex discovers he is no longer captain of the family ship. Alex is a “Plus One,” a person representing less significance than a chair filler.
The red carpet transitions readers onto the yellow brick road in the land of domestic responsibility where Alex abandons work deadlines and misplaced kudos and discovers French skinny jeans, female butcher-bloggers, Real Estate upgrades, tanning beds, hollywood households, and his own self worth.
Alex and Figgy go through honest and unique versions of what all married couples go through: Financial equity and dependency, shared decision-making, uniting different socio-cultural backgrounds, parenting, and the stolen moments when one tries to reinvent oneself to earn society’s respect toward stay-at-home persons. While many of us undergo this, most of us lack the ability to laugh at ourselves as we foil and toil away on this course.
What makes Noxon’s work devourable is his ability to create caricatures voices and dialogue in an absolutely hysterical fashion. I have not laughed out loud during reading in YEARS until I spent time with this book. “Plus One” will shove over the marriage takes a beating books on my shelf because rather than beat up marriage he takes some shots and leaves us knowing that in spite of mistakes and misconceptions our relationships are always repairable if we love one another.
There is utopia, dystopia and living-breathing-now. “Plus One,” authored by Christopher Noxon offers a hysterical peek into gender and role reversals nestled in marriage situated in Hollywood and LA.
Enter into the marital life of Figgy, Alex and their two children Sam and Sylvie. Their story begins on the red carpet when Alex discovers he is no longer captain of the family ship. Alex is a “Plus One,” a person representing less significance than a chair filler.
The red carpet transitions readers onto the yellow brick road in the land of domestic responsibility where Alex abandons work deadlines and misplaced kudos and discovers French skinny jeans, female butcher-bloggers, Real Estate upgrades, tanning beds, hollywood households, and his own self worth.
Alex and Figgy go through honest and unique versions of what all married couples go through: Financial equity and dependency, shared decision-making, uniting different socio-cultural backgrounds, parenting, and the stolen moments when one tries to reinvent oneself to earn society’s respect toward stay-at-home persons. While many of us undergo this, most of us lack the ability to laugh at ourselves as we foil and toil away on this course.
What makes Noxon’s work devourable is his ability to create caricatures voices and dialogue in an absolutely hysterical fashion. I have not laughed out loud during reading in YEARS until I spent time with this book. “Plus One” will shove over the marriage takes a beating books on my shelf because rather than beat up marriage he takes some shots and leaves us knowing that in spite of mistakes and misconceptions our relationships are always repairable if we love one another.
February 19, 2015
4.0 out of 5 stars Plus One for Laughs and Tenderness, February 19, 2015
By Charlene Diane Jones
This review is from: Plus One (Hardcover)
Funny is tough and Noxon pulls it off with aplomb. From the first laugh out loud incident concerning a Hollywood Awards Gala, a stranger and duck tape, to the scenes on the beach involving his son, a sea creature and several would-be firemen squirting their hoses in competition, this book rocks. Noxon's take on modern marriage, on his modern marriage concerns every reader because he handles the subject with warmth, a disarming amount of personal internal monologue, and a deep tenderness. We know what he yearns for with his wife, his two children, and his increasingly abundant lifestyle. His yearnings match and echo our own, a sign of a true story teller. I was given a hard copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is an honest review. The book is funny and intelligent. Honestly.
Charlene Diane Jones author of The Stain
March 5, 2016
Although this in not the type book I am generally drawn to, after meeting the delightful author and learning the back story, I downloaded his audio book and was not disappointed. As the husband of a very successful TV writer, his tale of being the +1 provided an amusing story. His candor and humor kept me entertained during my morning walks. He is a talented writer who is giving his readers his very best. Wishing him much success.
January 5, 2016
I devoured this novel. Witty, hilarious, and keen observations, I loved this book from beginning to end. The pacing was excellent, the characters full of complexity, foibles and loveable traits, and the world beguiling, there is not one negative thing I could write about it. Read this book!
September 30, 2019
Not even really worth a review. I wouldn't have finished it except I was on a road trip and had nothing else to listen too. So much whinging, and marital secrets, and jocking for who get the pity party. Seemed like an unhealthy marriage and kind of a toxic relationship. Not a recommend read.
January 10, 2017
Started well, but couldn't hold my interest. I quit a third of the way through.
July 5, 2020
I really wanted to like this more than I did.
I read the summary and thought it would be fun to follow the main character, Alex, on his journey becoming mr. Mom while his wife hustles in writing episodes for a TV show...
But I feel like i read more about this couple going through a midlife crisis. I dont know, maybe I just cant relate to the characters and that's part of it but about half way through the book I was SO ANNOYED with the main character. I guess I just didn't like him.
I feel like Figgy (Alex's wife) deserved better. She didn't ask him to stay home with the kids or anything and she definitely didn't deserve all the sneaky shit going on the background. And I feel like here is where I get personal because I know how it feels so grind long nights and start over again early the next morning. She seems to have the patience of a saint.
I dont know this one just didn't do it for me. Maybe I'll re read this one day if I'm able to have kids and see if I appreciate it then...but again maybe not because I don't know what working in TV land is like.
Figgy definitely deserved better
I read the summary and thought it would be fun to follow the main character, Alex, on his journey becoming mr. Mom while his wife hustles in writing episodes for a TV show...
But I feel like i read more about this couple going through a midlife crisis. I dont know, maybe I just cant relate to the characters and that's part of it but about half way through the book I was SO ANNOYED with the main character. I guess I just didn't like him.
I feel like Figgy (Alex's wife) deserved better. She didn't ask him to stay home with the kids or anything and she definitely didn't deserve all the sneaky shit going on the background. And I feel like here is where I get personal because I know how it feels so grind long nights and start over again early the next morning. She seems to have the patience of a saint.
I dont know this one just didn't do it for me. Maybe I'll re read this one day if I'm able to have kids and see if I appreciate it then...but again maybe not because I don't know what working in TV land is like.
Figgy definitely deserved better
February 17, 2015
From The Next Best Thing to Landline to Funny Girl to this, I think I might have reached my limit about fictional TV writers. Sadly, this was the wrong one to go out on.
You could, I think, make the case that most of this book reads like the prequel to Landline from the husband's perspective -- and in many ways you'd be right, but still, you shouldn't do that.* This is the story of Alex Sherman-Zicklin, the husband (and plus one) of Figgie. Figgie had been wife, mother and struggling TV writer, who is now an Emmy-award show runner of a multi-Emmy-winning cable comedy. Which means all of the sudden, she's the bread winner (winning far more bread than he ever did), so he quits the job he's not happy about to be a "domestic first responder."
He quickly becomes bored, gets a creepy-friend, falls in lust with a butcher/food blogger, ignores his kids, and does several other deceptive, marriage-damaging things covering the range from pathetic to devious to potentially criminal. Which coincided with Figgy taking up with trust-destroying antics of her own. If this selfish loser had just talked to his wife about what was going on, almost everything that happened could've been avoided. Not that self-involved Figgy was much better, really -- I don't see what either of them saw in the other.
Alex, his Plus One pal (whose name I've already forgotten), and (to an extent) the butcher are characters -- everyone else is pretty much a plot device or place holder. Even Figgy is more of a presence, maybe an obstacle, than a character.
Somewhere in there I was supposed to laugh, I'm sure, but I didn't manage more than an almost-grin.
The last chapter, maybe two, saved this one for me and turned it from a book I really didn't like to a book I don't mind too much. It's still not a book I'd recommend, just one I have no antipathy for.
You could, I think, make the case that most of this book reads like the prequel to Landline from the husband's perspective -- and in many ways you'd be right, but still, you shouldn't do that.* This is the story of Alex Sherman-Zicklin, the husband (and plus one) of Figgie. Figgie had been wife, mother and struggling TV writer, who is now an Emmy-award show runner of a multi-Emmy-winning cable comedy. Which means all of the sudden, she's the bread winner (winning far more bread than he ever did), so he quits the job he's not happy about to be a "domestic first responder."
He quickly becomes bored, gets a creepy-friend, falls in lust with a butcher/food blogger, ignores his kids, and does several other deceptive, marriage-damaging things covering the range from pathetic to devious to potentially criminal. Which coincided with Figgy taking up with trust-destroying antics of her own. If this selfish loser had just talked to his wife about what was going on, almost everything that happened could've been avoided. Not that self-involved Figgy was much better, really -- I don't see what either of them saw in the other.
Alex, his Plus One pal (whose name I've already forgotten), and (to an extent) the butcher are characters -- everyone else is pretty much a plot device or place holder. Even Figgy is more of a presence, maybe an obstacle, than a character.
Somewhere in there I was supposed to laugh, I'm sure, but I didn't manage more than an almost-grin.
The last chapter, maybe two, saved this one for me and turned it from a book I really didn't like to a book I don't mind too much. It's still not a book I'd recommend, just one I have no antipathy for.
-----
* That's two books in as many months that I've compared to Landline -- just when did this become the standard by which I judge all fiction?
February 21, 2016
Alex Sherman-Zicklin and his wife Figgy married in Los Angeles and have been living a comfortable life with their two children. Alex works in advertising for a nonprofit and Figgy has written treatments for several proposed series. Then everything changes. Figgy's latest idea is scooped up, made into a TV series, then against all odds, actually wins the Emmy. The family is catapulted into a new lifestyle of riches and everything changes.
Suddenly, Figgy is working all the time, coming home only to collapse and rest up enough to go back. Alex is left with all the tasks necessary to run a family and household and soon it just doesn't make sense for him to also work. He joins the fellowship of the Plus Ones; those men whose successful wives make the money and who they rotate around like a moon around the earth.
The novel is written with a light hand, and there are many laugh out loud moments. The Hollywood lifestyle is skewered with its depiction of an ultimate consumer culture and the liberal sensibilities that only the rich can afford. Yet, Noxon is not just going for a cheap laugh. His book details the ebb and flow of a long-term marriage and the constant rebalancing that any successful relationship takes to maintain.
This is a debut novel. Christopher Noxon is not a debut author though. He has written for publications such as Salon, GQ and the New Yorker. He is also married to a top Hollywood writer/producer so he knows the territory he writes so entertainingly about. The reader will be charmed by Alex and spend the novel rooting for him to win out and have a happy life. This book is recommended for readers of literary fiction and humorous takes on life.
Suddenly, Figgy is working all the time, coming home only to collapse and rest up enough to go back. Alex is left with all the tasks necessary to run a family and household and soon it just doesn't make sense for him to also work. He joins the fellowship of the Plus Ones; those men whose successful wives make the money and who they rotate around like a moon around the earth.
The novel is written with a light hand, and there are many laugh out loud moments. The Hollywood lifestyle is skewered with its depiction of an ultimate consumer culture and the liberal sensibilities that only the rich can afford. Yet, Noxon is not just going for a cheap laugh. His book details the ebb and flow of a long-term marriage and the constant rebalancing that any successful relationship takes to maintain.
This is a debut novel. Christopher Noxon is not a debut author though. He has written for publications such as Salon, GQ and the New Yorker. He is also married to a top Hollywood writer/producer so he knows the territory he writes so entertainingly about. The reader will be charmed by Alex and spend the novel rooting for him to win out and have a happy life. This book is recommended for readers of literary fiction and humorous takes on life.
July 21, 2015
Enjoyable light read, but missing something I couldn't quite put my finger on. Too contrived or something.....
Alex is married to a power woman, a TV writer whose star takes off after she wins an Emmy for her sitcom called Tricks and he's got angst dealing with being an insignificant other, aka, Plus One. He is dissatisfied with work, quits his job, vows to work on the book he wants to write about his youth, but ends up being distracted as someone's gotta take care of the kids as Alex is determined not to be one of those parents with nannies and his wife is consumed with work. Parenting is no fun, Alex gets distracted by his new pal Huck, a man in a similar situation who basically gives him bad advice about how to man up when you're a plus one, to often comical results. It takes a while for Alex to figure things out and there's a lot of soul searching here about relationships, trust and what's most important in life.... just like in an old Hollywood movie! Sigh. Noxon pokes fun at Hollywood's vapid culture all the while. As another as written, it would make a good movie (though how can anyone top Michael Keaton in "Mr. Mom"?) I did like how Alex and his wife Figgy were sort of a non-typical Hollywood couple.
I found the most interesting parts of the book and the best writing when Noxon's character Alex was penning chapters of his book about following punk rock bands around the country. The crazy lesbian mom who leaves her son alone, the dad who's never recovered from being chosen for a woman, how Alex loses his virginity, the punk culture.... THAT's a book I wanted to read. The prequel!
Alex is married to a power woman, a TV writer whose star takes off after she wins an Emmy for her sitcom called Tricks and he's got angst dealing with being an insignificant other, aka, Plus One. He is dissatisfied with work, quits his job, vows to work on the book he wants to write about his youth, but ends up being distracted as someone's gotta take care of the kids as Alex is determined not to be one of those parents with nannies and his wife is consumed with work. Parenting is no fun, Alex gets distracted by his new pal Huck, a man in a similar situation who basically gives him bad advice about how to man up when you're a plus one, to often comical results. It takes a while for Alex to figure things out and there's a lot of soul searching here about relationships, trust and what's most important in life.... just like in an old Hollywood movie! Sigh. Noxon pokes fun at Hollywood's vapid culture all the while. As another as written, it would make a good movie (though how can anyone top Michael Keaton in "Mr. Mom"?) I did like how Alex and his wife Figgy were sort of a non-typical Hollywood couple.
I found the most interesting parts of the book and the best writing when Noxon's character Alex was penning chapters of his book about following punk rock bands around the country. The crazy lesbian mom who leaves her son alone, the dad who's never recovered from being chosen for a woman, how Alex loses his virginity, the punk culture.... THAT's a book I wanted to read. The prequel!
September 21, 2019
“Plus One” was an enjoyable book – but I didn’t really pick up much that was novel about it. It was a “fish out of water” story at its core – an average, every-day couple who are thrown not only into the Hollywood craziness – but who also start living the not-very-common lifestyle of a working mother and stay-at-home dad.
Both feel pulled in every direction, neither feels very comfortable in their new roles, and the “keeping up with the ultra-rich Joneses” element certainly doesn’t help.
Alex and Figgy love each other very much and reassure one another that they will be the ones to make it, they will be the couple to beat the odds, but at times that seems in doubt. When choices, possibilities not very often available to most people become possible, temptation leads them in different directions.
"Here they were again, she collapsing just as he came together - their same old dance. Their insanities moved in tandem, magnetic poles held together by some invisible force."
I expected a bit more wackiness – something unique or funny about this suddenly rich(er) and famous couple as they try and deal with their new lives – but didn’t find it in “Plus One”.
Both feel pulled in every direction, neither feels very comfortable in their new roles, and the “keeping up with the ultra-rich Joneses” element certainly doesn’t help.
Alex and Figgy love each other very much and reassure one another that they will be the ones to make it, they will be the couple to beat the odds, but at times that seems in doubt. When choices, possibilities not very often available to most people become possible, temptation leads them in different directions.
"Here they were again, she collapsing just as he came together - their same old dance. Their insanities moved in tandem, magnetic poles held together by some invisible force."
I expected a bit more wackiness – something unique or funny about this suddenly rich(er) and famous couple as they try and deal with their new lives – but didn’t find it in “Plus One”.
December 28, 2014
I was happy to receive an advanced copy from LibraryThing of Plus One by Christopher Noxon. I had never read anything by this author before. The plot was intriguing and there were some funny passages, but mostly it was an average read that fell flat. I expected a more witty read similar to Christopher Buckley. Some of the characters could of been fleshed out a bit more. The humor was definitely west coast LA humor, so maybe I would of enjoyed it more if I lived in the LA area? While I found the length to be perfect (not too long, not too short), I still think the ending was pretty abrupt.
May 10, 2017
I randomly saw this on the library shelf and decided to give it a shot. It is OK. It's a bit different than I thought the book jacket described it.
The reviews on the book described it as "hilarious" and "laugh out loud funny." While I found some parts funny, I would not describe the book as "funny" overall.
I feel like I would be able to relate to the main character, Alex, if I either a) lived in Hollywood or b) worked in the television industry. It all kind of feels like a big inside joke for those who have experience in these areas.
I liked the opening of the book and most of the middle, but the last third left me confused.
Probably closer to 2.5 stars.
The reviews on the book described it as "hilarious" and "laugh out loud funny." While I found some parts funny, I would not describe the book as "funny" overall.
I feel like I would be able to relate to the main character, Alex, if I either a) lived in Hollywood or b) worked in the television industry. It all kind of feels like a big inside joke for those who have experience in these areas.
I liked the opening of the book and most of the middle, but the last third left me confused.
Probably closer to 2.5 stars.
February 19, 2019
Took me forever to read this book about a man "struggling" to be a stay-at-home dad. Seriously he basically went back to thinking he was single and the whole book is about his angst at being second fiddle. So cliche and really wish a different perspective could have been given so we can finally see a man actually doing what has traditionally been a female role. The three stars are because the book was readable, but really didn't have anything to keep bringing the reader back. Ending was super predictable, couldn't handle having what he considered no purpose (I guess raising children is still undesirable and beneath men a according to this book).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2015
Amusing, but not nearly as funny as the blurbs on the book would have you believe. But, if you're a fan of Weeds and/or Orange is the New Black TV series, this novel may give you some insight into the lives of Noxon and his wife, Jenji Kohan. She is the writer and show runner of both series, which ARE hysterically funny.
The novel feels quite autobiographical, though I'm sure literary license has been taken with the depiction of their children and friends. If any of this appeals to you, by all means read it. If not, you may want to give it a pass.
The novel feels quite autobiographical, though I'm sure literary license has been taken with the depiction of their children and friends. If any of this appeals to you, by all means read it. If not, you may want to give it a pass.
May 5, 2015
A light, fun read. It gives insights to the TV world, and life in LA for up-and-comers, and I believe the writer was fictionalizing his real-life experiences.
There was a bit of relationship conflict that resulted from simple-to-remedy lack of communication, which brought it down a star for me, as it seemed contrived.
The chapters were short and read like they could be made into a TV series. If you want something light, I think you;d enjoy it, but it's not compelling enough to scratch an itch for deeper reading.
There was a bit of relationship conflict that resulted from simple-to-remedy lack of communication, which brought it down a star for me, as it seemed contrived.
The chapters were short and read like they could be made into a TV series. If you want something light, I think you;d enjoy it, but it's not compelling enough to scratch an itch for deeper reading.
April 26, 2015
I liked it. Not a literary masterpiece, I found the main character very lame and wanted him to pull himself together. I loved the house more than the people, says a lot about me! Learned a lot about the inside track on how Hollywood works. Good depiction on the slow unravelling of a marriage though...
May 20, 2015
Was suppose to be funny. From an Amazon review "This, faithful readers, is a hilarious book. There were times when I laughed so hard, I thought I pulled a stomach muscle." After reading 25% not only had I not laughed I had only cracked a smile once.
January 7, 2020
I wanted to like this book. I did find some of the dialogue funny, but it wasn't enough. It seemed to be heading down a predictable path, changed direction quickly, then ended just as quickly. I think Figgy's story would have been more interesting than Alex's.
February 25, 2015
Hilarious!
July 26, 2015
Well, I got through the first few chapters. Not my thing. I'm done. It was recommended as deliriously funny, but... eh.
Read
August 5, 2015DNF
January 9, 2016
A couple of half smiles and a low level chortle do not add up to a "laugh out loud funny" reading experience.
July 11, 2018
2.5 stars. It was ok, there were some funny parts. I probably won't remember it in a year.
February 25, 2015
Beach read perfect for freezing winter nights. Fun.
January 4, 2019
I know it's not really fair to judge a book's quality by its price or availability, but in this case I think it needs to be factored in. This was one of those that sounded good to me when I read reviews of it back in 2015, but my library didn't have it available as an ebook on Overdrive, so I recommended it. (These past few years my eyesight has gotten along with ebooks so much better than hard copies that I have to really be hellbent on reading a book to make a trip to the library or buy it.) It never did become available as a library ebook, but available of course from amazon for around 9.99 (as it is now 1/4/19). I read a free sample and while I didn't think it sucked, I was not chomping at the bit to read more, especially not for 10 bucks.
So my verdict is: if it ever becomes available for free or dirt cheap (like around 1.99?) I might give it another shot, but for now it will have to remain DNFed.
So my verdict is: if it ever becomes available for free or dirt cheap (like around 1.99?) I might give it another shot, but for now it will have to remain DNFed.
March 21, 2021
The concept of this book was something that sounded entertaining and amusing. It seemed like a nice light-hearted way to pass the time and the idea of the man being the Plus One to a famous woman seemed like it could be an interesting perspective to hear. There were a few funny moments, but overall these characters were just not likable in my opinion. They all just felt insecure and selfish, dishonest and manipulative. I can't think of a single character that wasn't unpleasant; I didn't even like the kids. The story certainly had its good moments, so I didn't hate it, but I wouldn't recommend it either. I just feel like it had so much potential that it did not live up to at all.
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