Mayor of the Universe: A Novel

by Lorna Landvik

A mild-mannered actuary, Fletcher Weschel lives at the crossroads of Bland and Humdrum—or so he thinks until a cosmic contest catapults him into the fantasy world he made up as a boy. Suddenly his childhood bedroom is aswarm with aliens, all bent on discovering the human who best personifies their mission—in this case, the deeply serious pursuit of fun. Ejected from the boring comfort of his office chair, Fletcher finds himself astride the bare back of a horse, in front of a safe (that he happens to be cracking), and then . . . in the cabin of a weight-loss camp for kids? Apparently adventures come in all shapes and sizes, and it’s up to Fletcher to make the most of these, conducted by his alien guide, Tandala, who takes on the corporeal form of a big-boned Jamaican and tends to get distracted by Earth’s many surprising pleasures (garlic! libraries! love!). But even fantasies can have consequences, and as Fletcher struggles through them, he is cheered and assisted by Wanda Plum, a plucky second-grade teacher who helps him realize what his ultimate role really is on this highly mysterious, infinitely marvelous pale-blue dot in a vast universe. Though its cast includes aliens, this charmed and charming book is quintessential Lorna Landvik—less about outer space than about the crowded, complex inner space of the human heart.

Genres: Science Fiction, Humor, Fiction, Book Club, Fantasy, Comedy

314 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 15, 2012

About the author

Lorna Landvik is a mother of two and wife of one. She is the author of eight novels, including the best-selling ANGRY HOUSEWIVES EATING BON BONS, PATTY JANE'S HOUSE OF CURL and OH MY STARS. Also an
actor and playwright, Lorna has appeared in many stage productions. She is a new and passionate neophyte to the practice of yoga, which is a fine antidote to her long established practice of lounging.

Reviews

[Linda]

As Tandala would say, "Hoola, baby!"
This book is interesting in many ways, not the least of which is the story of its life as a book. Fans of Lorna's previous titles may not warm to it. And that is what her publisher thought. So she self-published this title, but then was stymied by the sheer force of the marketplace and all the gyrations it required. Finally, Univ of MN Press picked it up with her new book, Best to Laugh. And it's a good thing.
Again, those fans of Lorna's more Loranesque fare may not care for this. It is, actually, science fiction. But behind the aliens and intergalactic meetings, there is a warm, soft core of human interaction of the sort that lies at the core of all her books. There is romance, there is angst, there is a lot of questioning. So really, it's not so different after all.
Fletcher is a normal, rather passive boy who grows up to be an actuary. His father leaves when he is 11 and his mother is a little wacky. He doesn't really have a direction, but he just plods along. What he does have, however, is a rich and active fantasy life, wherein he takes on at least three completely different identities, from Hip the cowboy to Deke Drake, the jewel thief. He finds himself one night in the company of aliens, and through them he is transported into these fantasy lives. As with most things, it's not always what he expected.
But each experience teaches him something. The fantasies perhaps go on a little bit - the book drags a tiny bit in the middle - but the second third of the book zips by and suddenly there is old Fletcher, with his granddaughter, dancing in a wheat field outside of Aberdeen, South Dakota.
Along the way, he learns a lot about having fun, getting along, and friendship. He experiences things that many of us experience, and some things that most of us never will.
It's part rollicking joyride with a quiet undercurrent of 'This is life." I liked Fletcher very much, and Tandy and Wanda too. And I'm very glad that UMP took it up and gave this book another life.

[Rebecca Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought I'd read this. I'm a huge Lorna Landvik fan, and have enjoyed everything I've read that she's written, and have loved every time I've heard her speak, so I didn't realize I'd missed reading this one. About halfway through, I was wondering how the story was hanging together...it felt a tiny bit disjointed, but by the end, I was smitten. I love the point the story makes. It's not exactly subtle, but it works beautifully.

[Kathy Hauck · Rating 1 out of 5]

Once the aliens landed, it seemed like Landvik was taken up in a spaceship where the aliens performed research on her brain. Or perhaps the aliens took over the writing from there.

Juvenile, at best. I'm glad that I didn't buy the book but borrowed it from one of Landvik's beloved Minnesota libraries instead. Libraries with her wonderfully written books before she jumped the shark!

[Pudds Downing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lorna Landvik never disappoints, but in this book I believe she's outdone herself. In a remarkable departure from her "usual" plot lines, she unfolds a tale of hope and joy that can't help but lift your spirits and make you glad to be alive on planet Earth.

[Colleen Sichko · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've read everything by Lorna Landvik and loved them all. Until this book. I was so excited to see she had a new book, but this book doesn't resemble her other books in any way. It was almost painful to stick with it to the end and I really wish I hadn't.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aliens?

This book wasn’t what I was expecting, and yet it still was! Human nature and relationships, doing the best you can to do good in the world, and the importance of laughter and love (of every kind, not just the romantic kind). Lovely!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really different from any of this authors other books. I really enjoyed it. It was funny, and a quick read.

[Vicki Leerhoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bizarre. I normally love her books. This one didn't have a plot.

[Elizabeth Vanderesch · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a sweet, sweet book! Winsome and funny and filled with joy.

[Alicia Wikstrom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is definitely not a regular Lorna Landvik book. There are aliens. But it is delightful if you can get past that.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Completely wacky and beautiful. Mayor of the Universe is a wonderful story about the power of imagination and the importance of having fun. Fletcher's adventures are a reminder to take yourself a little less seriously and do the things you enjoy. The aliens in this story are both childlike and incredibly wise without being too over the top. Completely unlike anything I've read before and I look forward to reading more by Lorna Landvik.

[Alli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This charming, humorous, and relatable book is everything I’ve been looking for. It is a beautiful love letter to the relationships and experiences that make life worth living. Landvik’s writing balances on the knife edge between playful and serious, which is not easy to do. If I could give it six stars, I probably would—it is well worth a read.

[Marla Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book's message: "Everyone...should act as if they themselves were Mayors of the Universe and do what they could to make sure the place where they were was the best place ever."
I have greatly enjoyed many of Ms. Landvik's book, but this will now be at the top of the list. It has a different type of humor than her other books, but it is still funny--and heart breaking. Well worth the read.

[Das · Rating 5 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this book. Stumbled upon it by chance and am very glad I did. It is science fiction of the best sort: seeing who we are and showing us who we can become.

I wish Fletcher Weschel could come speak at my school!

[Sandy Montero · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not finish this book. I am really disappointed since I have been a fan of Lorna Landvik and I expect her books to be quirky but after getting halfway through it I just decided that it wasn’t for me.

[Ann Tuma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not read a preview of this book and was not happy when it was clearly veering towards sci-fi. However, I stuck with it and actually enjoyed the stories within the story. Some very interesting alien perspectives of life on earth. Worth a read if you can get through the first bit.

[Carole · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not like her usual homey midwestern stories. This has aliens but isn’t sci-fi. It was almost a DNF but came back to it. Not my favorite of hers (Patty Jane’s House of Curl is) but an interesting tale of coping with your life and being the best you can be.

[Pam Herrmann · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book started out normal and quickly changed to science fiction with visits from aliens. Still enjoyed Lornas writing but just couldn’t get into the story.

[Joanne Kneller Spence · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very unusual story.

[Jennifer Stevensen-Waldo · Rating 2 out of 5]

it was an overall feel good story, but just told in a very weird way, it is hard to get past the aliens and the boyhood fantasy stories that are not real

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s fantasy, but aren’t most stories? Some aliens. But it’s not what I’d call sci-fi - just a story. And a good one.

[Teri Hull · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read!

[Stacy Welle · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have loved every single one of Lorna Landvick's books until this one. I tried so hard to continue to read it and I couldn't finish it.

[Robin Drummond · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a FUN book! Actually, FUN is a key component of this book. FUN is important, for all of us. Get it, savor it, enjoy it, learn from it.

[Donna Swanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lorna never disappoints!
Love her way of thinking and her writing.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is delightful.

[Emmareader · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun ride. The first part was a little rough to get through, but the rest makes you believe in people.

[Lesley Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved it. Get thru the beginning till you hit the point it all changes. So fun. First 5 star book in a long time for me.

[Janeen Romie]

Lovely book. sad

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bit slow to start, but once it gets going, I couldn't put it down.