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We're All Damaged
Andy Carter was happy. He had a solid job. He ran 5Ks for charity. He was living a nice, safe Midwestern existence. And then his wife left him for a handsome paramedic down the street. We’re All Damaged begins after Andy has lost his job, ruined his best friend’s wedding, and moved to New York City, where he lives in a tiny apartment with an angry cat named Jeter that isn’t technically his. But before long he needs to go back to Omaha to say good-bye to his dying grandfather. Back home, Andy is confronted with his past, which includes his ex, his ex’s new boyfriend, his right-wing talk-radio-host mother, his parents’ crumbling marriage, and his still-angry best friend. As if these old problems weren’t enough, Andy encounters an entirely new Daisy. She has fifteen tattoos, no job, and her own difficult past. But she claims she is the only person who can help Andy be happy again, if only she weren’t hiding a huge secret that will mess things up even more. Andy Carter needs a second chance at life, and Daisy—and the person Daisy pushes Andy to become—may be his last chance to set things right.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2016
1895 people are currently reading
9555 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Norman
25 books1,061 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Matthew Norman is an advertising copywriter. He lives with his wife and two daughters in Baltimore. His first novel, Domestic Violets, was nominated in the Best Humor Category at the 2011 Goodreads Choice Awards.
Matthew Norman is an advertising copywriter. He lives with his wife and two daughters in Baltimore. His first novel, Domestic Violets, was nominated in the Best Humor Category at the 2011 Goodreads Choice Awards.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,627 reviews
September 24, 2024
I've read a hundred coming-of-age novels like this over the years, but few have proved as enjoyable, funny, clever and poignant as this one. An excellent book, which is right up there with the best works of Jonathan Tropper (This is Where I Leave You), David Nicholls (Starter for Ten, One Day) and Nick Hornby (High Fidelity).
July 9, 2017
Andy has to go back home from NY after his grandfather dies which he really does not want to do because it means facing the life he left behind after his divorce. The plot was a little lack luster but I think the voice makes up for that. The writing was funny and witty and so many hilarious things happen in the book that kept me reading. Especially everything that happens between his mother and the gay people angry at her. A little ridiculous but if youre in the mood for funny then this is a good choice.
May 10, 2016
Poor Andy!
He was dumped by his wife, in Applebee's, of all places, with Wham playing in the background! Tragic, eh? His mother is now a right-wing radio pundit - Nancy Knows - Always Right, Always Right! - and his befuddled dad is shooting squirrels with a paintball gun. Just when he thinks life can't get any worse . . . well, you know IT DOES!
Poor Matthew Norman!
His book will be compared ad infinitum to This is Where I Leave You . There are similarities: two male main characters recovering from nasty breakups head home due to a relative's illness and/or death, where they spar with family members, meet hot women, grow up a bit, learn something new about themselves, then leave home again, refreshed, renewed, slightly better men than they were before all this stuff happened. I like this book more than the other. I wanted to punch Jonathan Tropper's hero - Judd. Oh, I really, REALLY wanted to punch that guy! Here, our Andy gets punched and battered so much by other characters, I wanted to hand him some ibuprofen and frozen peas for the swelling.
The only reason this very funny book got four instead of five stars from me was the incredibly annoying Daisy, the manic-pixie-dream-girl woman. Though she served as part of Andy's healing process, she got on my nerves. Thankfully, the book did NOT end the way I thought it would, so kudos to Norman for that.
I'm sure this is going to make a great movie. Note to casting agents - Jason Schwartzman is about the right age and height. Note to the scriptwriter - don't forget to include that amazing Greek chorus of multicolored, paintballed squirrels.
* This is a Kindle First freebie for all Amazon Prime Members for the month of May.
He was dumped by his wife, in Applebee's, of all places, with Wham playing in the background! Tragic, eh? His mother is now a right-wing radio pundit - Nancy Knows - Always Right, Always Right! - and his befuddled dad is shooting squirrels with a paintball gun. Just when he thinks life can't get any worse . . . well, you know IT DOES!
Poor Matthew Norman!
His book will be compared ad infinitum to This is Where I Leave You . There are similarities: two male main characters recovering from nasty breakups head home due to a relative's illness and/or death, where they spar with family members, meet hot women, grow up a bit, learn something new about themselves, then leave home again, refreshed, renewed, slightly better men than they were before all this stuff happened. I like this book more than the other. I wanted to punch Jonathan Tropper's hero - Judd. Oh, I really, REALLY wanted to punch that guy! Here, our Andy gets punched and battered so much by other characters, I wanted to hand him some ibuprofen and frozen peas for the swelling.
The only reason this very funny book got four instead of five stars from me was the incredibly annoying Daisy, the manic-pixie-dream-
I'm sure this is going to make a great movie. Note to casting agents - Jason Schwartzman is about the right age and height. Note to the scriptwriter - don't forget to include that amazing Greek chorus of multicolored, paintballed squirrels.
* This is a Kindle First freebie for all Amazon Prime Members for the month of May.
November 19, 2020
Matthew Norman aims for full-on Jonathan Tropper territory with his newest book,
We're All Damaged
. He doesn't quite hit that target, but the effort is still both funny and bittersweet.
"I don't have a problem with Applebee's per se. But I think we can all agree, as a civilized society, that lives shouldn't change there. Significant things should begin or end at Applebee's. You shouldn't walk into Applebee's as one thing and then leave as something else entirely."
When Andy Carter's wife ends their five-year marriage (at Applebee's), he is completely shocked, although he probably should have noticed the signs along the way. Their breakup throws Andy into a tailspin which results in him losing his job, ruining his best friend's wedding reception, and utterly crashing and burning. (At least the crashing part.) He flees his Omaha home for New York City, where he's the third-best bartender at a bar, removes himself from the social media grid, and he shares an apartment (at least sometimes) with Jeter, a cat with a nasty disposition.
But when Andy learns that his grandfather is dying, he must head back to Omaha, no matter how painful it all will be. And a lot has changed—his ex has moved in with her new boyfriend (a muscular paramedic named Tyler), his retired father spends his leisure time shooting squirrels with paintballs and defying the neighborhood rent-a-cop, and his conservative radio host mother is being courted by Fox News. Then there's also Daisy, the quirky stranger who is determined to make rebuilding Andy her latest project.
How do you pick yourself up again when your life as you know it has come crashing down? How do you save face in the wake of near-total public humiliation? And how do you keep from dwelling on all that has gone wrong, so you can focus on what is going right?
I really enjoyed We're All Damaged , even when I felt it tried a little too hard to be funny and edgy. I like the way Norman writes and he really created a motley crew of characters with both positive and negative attributes that (for the most part) were fun to read about. I thought a subplot involving the "Glitter Mafia" and marriage equality was unnecessary, and threw the book off track for me every time it came up, although I understand why Norman included it.
This book read a little bit like a movie and it definitely made me laugh from time to time. I think many of us have had some of the same feelings Andy has, although hopefully we've not had to experience the kind of outrageous incidents he did! A fun one to pick up...
Kindle First and Little A provided me an advance copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making this available!
See all of my reviews at http://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blo....
"I don't have a problem with Applebee's per se. But I think we can all agree, as a civilized society, that lives shouldn't change there. Significant things should begin or end at Applebee's. You shouldn't walk into Applebee's as one thing and then leave as something else entirely."
When Andy Carter's wife ends their five-year marriage (at Applebee's), he is completely shocked, although he probably should have noticed the signs along the way. Their breakup throws Andy into a tailspin which results in him losing his job, ruining his best friend's wedding reception, and utterly crashing and burning. (At least the crashing part.) He flees his Omaha home for New York City, where he's the third-best bartender at a bar, removes himself from the social media grid, and he shares an apartment (at least sometimes) with Jeter, a cat with a nasty disposition.
But when Andy learns that his grandfather is dying, he must head back to Omaha, no matter how painful it all will be. And a lot has changed—his ex has moved in with her new boyfriend (a muscular paramedic named Tyler), his retired father spends his leisure time shooting squirrels with paintballs and defying the neighborhood rent-a-cop, and his conservative radio host mother is being courted by Fox News. Then there's also Daisy, the quirky stranger who is determined to make rebuilding Andy her latest project.
How do you pick yourself up again when your life as you know it has come crashing down? How do you save face in the wake of near-total public humiliation? And how do you keep from dwelling on all that has gone wrong, so you can focus on what is going right?
I really enjoyed We're All Damaged , even when I felt it tried a little too hard to be funny and edgy. I like the way Norman writes and he really created a motley crew of characters with both positive and negative attributes that (for the most part) were fun to read about. I thought a subplot involving the "Glitter Mafia" and marriage equality was unnecessary, and threw the book off track for me every time it came up, although I understand why Norman included it.
This book read a little bit like a movie and it definitely made me laugh from time to time. I think many of us have had some of the same feelings Andy has, although hopefully we've not had to experience the kind of outrageous incidents he did! A fun one to pick up...
Kindle First and Little A provided me an advance copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making this available!
See all of my reviews at http://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blo....
July 14, 2016
There wasn't much sparkle here for me. It's a perfectly nice story about a man who continues to pine for his ex-wife a year after their divorce. She blindsided him at Applebee's over dinner by announcing she was tired of it all, finished with him. She moves on with her life, while Andy flounders miserably.
This was a Kindle First for the month of May, and I chose unwisely. It was just a little lighthearted and saccharin for my taste, although the garden gnome fiasco was amusing. The cover reminds me of a box of Wheaties.
This was a Kindle First for the month of May, and I chose unwisely. It was just a little lighthearted and saccharin for my taste, although the garden gnome fiasco was amusing. The cover reminds me of a box of Wheaties.
August 1, 2016
Yet another Kindle First book, from a while back. This was the most appalling book I've read in a while. I have read about the Manic Pixie Dream Girl but this was my first encounter in the wild, as it were, and I now understand how obnoxious the trope can be. The plot is about a man whose wife cheats on him and then divorces him so he moves to New York City to be Hapless and Pathetic although he is a Nice Guy, don't you know, who doesn't really deserve to have his heart broken by those Cold and Heartless Enchanters which according to this book is basically all women. I know the guy, whose name I've already forgotten because he made such an impression on me, is a Nice Guy because the book informed me in so many words, even though if you actually pay attention he acts more like a self-absorbed jerk. So when he finds out his beloved grandfather is dying, Mr. I'm-a-Nice-Guy has to leave NYC and go back to his hometown in Nebraska where he will encounter his equally Hapless father, his Cold and Heartless Ann Coulter-clone conservative radio host mother, his overachieving jerk of a brother, and the aforementioned Manic Pixie Dream Girl who adopts him as her Project like Cher adopts Tai in Clueless, only with 97% more Icky Male Wish Fulfillment. She lives life to the fullest! She has quotations from hipster male authors and indy rock bands tattooed all over her body! She makes Mr. I'm-a-Nice-Guy-no-really-I-creepily-stalk-my-ex-but-that's-because-my-love-is-so-true-and-hopeless eat pistachio ice cream instead of vanilla! She makes him wear hipster t-shirts! She is cooler than anyone! She has a mysterious and possibly tragic background! She just wants to save all the Hapless and Misunderstood Nice Guys in this book! She is slightly morally ambiguous but only in the way that's secretly cool because she's untrammeled by boring socially acceptable expectations! Oh my gooses I hated this book so much! The fact that it's well-written just makes it worse! I only finished it in order to justify writing a full rant of a review. I want to rant some more but I'm running out of time. SO BAD.
May 4, 2016
I know that everyone’s family’s got issues. But sometimes it feels like it’s just you, like your family’s complicated baggage outweighs whatever anyone else has going on. I have definitely felt that way. I have had three different therapists throw up their hands in defeat when discussing my relationship with my father and say, “I don’t know what to tell you. I’m at a loss.” And yet, it was only relatively recently – over way too many margaritas with the half-sister who entered my life as an adult – that I realized that he’s actually kind of “damaged” in the colloquial sense, that he probably could’ve used some therapy in his own right somewhere along the way, and that many of my own issues are directly descended from those issues that he left largely unaddressed. It kind of validated my neuroses a bit.
But! I am not the only one who feels that way. The idea that everyone’s kind of damaged is, not surprisingly, the central theme of this book. The title kind of hits that one right squarely on the head.
I was incredibly excited to grab a copy of this book off of Netgalley because I was so terribly fond of Norman’s first book, Domestic Violets . It was funny without being too wacky or too vulgar, it was heartwarming without being overly sentimental, and it was populated with realistic, complex, and empathetic characters with good intentions that sometimes go awry.
We’re All Damaged stays very much in the same vein as Violets. Andy’s a thirtysomething man who melted down when his wife left him for another man. He lost his insurance sales job, made an ass out of himself at his best friend’s wedding, and moved from Omaha to New York to work as the third-best bartender at a bar. He’s kind of a mess. Then he gets word that his grandfather doesn’t have much time left, and he reluctantly makes his way back to Omaha to say goodbye.
Home is a complicated place for Andy, where his mom’s a conservative talk radio host/aspiring Fox News star, his brother is kind of an unforgiving Alpha, Bluetooth-earpiece kind of dude, and his retired father is disengaged to the point where he spends his days shooting squirrels with paintballs. His ex-wife’s moved in with her new man and his former best friend hasn’t quite forgiven him just yet. While visiting his grandfather at the nursing home, Andy crosses paths with a young woman named Daisy who’s cryptically, overly invested in rebuilding this total stranger.
This book was funny and ultimately heartwarming without being too serious. If it were written by a female author, it would instantly be labelled “chick lit” (a label I revile). And it’s got a nice little nod to readers who loved Violets.
In some ways, this felt like it could have been a five-star read if it had gone through one or two more rounds of revisions. There’s some amazing insights to be had here, once you wade through all the wacky, and I loved the way Norman wrapped up everything at the end. But I was troubled by Daisy’s presence in this book. She barely rises above the cliché of Manic Pixie Dream Girl and her presence goes so thoroughly unexplained for so long that my Why the fuck is this character here?? frustration was at times hard to overcome. The gay marriage/Fox News stuff with Andy’s mom seemed a little too over the top for me, and we didn’t really get to plumb his father’s issues enough. It's a pleasant-enough read, but stops juuuuust short of Violets greatness. 3.5 stars, rounded up for an excellent ending.
But! I am not the only one who feels that way. The idea that everyone’s kind of damaged is, not surprisingly, the central theme of this book. The title kind of hits that one right squarely on the head.
I was incredibly excited to grab a copy of this book off of Netgalley because I was so terribly fond of Norman’s first book, Domestic Violets . It was funny without being too wacky or too vulgar, it was heartwarming without being overly sentimental, and it was populated with realistic, complex, and empathetic characters with good intentions that sometimes go awry.
We’re All Damaged stays very much in the same vein as Violets. Andy’s a thirtysomething man who melted down when his wife left him for another man. He lost his insurance sales job, made an ass out of himself at his best friend’s wedding, and moved from Omaha to New York to work as the third-best bartender at a bar. He’s kind of a mess. Then he gets word that his grandfather doesn’t have much time left, and he reluctantly makes his way back to Omaha to say goodbye.
Home is a complicated place for Andy, where his mom’s a conservative talk radio host/aspiring Fox News star, his brother is kind of an unforgiving Alpha, Bluetooth-earpiece kind of dude, and his retired father is disengaged to the point where he spends his days shooting squirrels with paintballs. His ex-wife’s moved in with her new man and his former best friend hasn’t quite forgiven him just yet. While visiting his grandfather at the nursing home, Andy crosses paths with a young woman named Daisy who’s cryptically, overly invested in rebuilding this total stranger.
This book was funny and ultimately heartwarming without being too serious. If it were written by a female author, it would instantly be labelled “chick lit” (a label I revile). And it’s got a nice little nod to readers who loved Violets.
In some ways, this felt like it could have been a five-star read if it had gone through one or two more rounds of revisions. There’s some amazing insights to be had here, once you wade through all the wacky, and I loved the way Norman wrapped up everything at the end. But I was troubled by Daisy’s presence in this book. She barely rises above the cliché of Manic Pixie Dream Girl and her presence goes so thoroughly unexplained for so long that my Why the fuck is this character here?? frustration was at times hard to overcome. The gay marriage/Fox News stuff with Andy’s mom seemed a little too over the top for me, and we didn’t really get to plumb his father’s issues enough. It's a pleasant-enough read, but stops juuuuust short of Violets greatness. 3.5 stars, rounded up for an excellent ending.
May 15, 2016
I appreciate what the author attempts to show, but I expected better. The idea that everyone is (at least a little) fucked up resonates with me. I liked the writing style and the humor...but there's something about this book that irritated me. Perhaps it was the ballsy, tattooed heroine who comes to the narrator's rescue. She's the nerdy guy's femme fatale. I've seen her before, and I'm a little tired of it. Like a knight in shining armor, she devotes herself to the lonely, lame dude through no effort of his own.
The battle between the Nancy Palin wannabe & the Glitter Mafia...Geeez. It's annoying in real life and annoying in this book. The Glitter...Mafia...really? Norman tries to round out these characters, make them more than they are at face value, but they still seem so flat.
I didn't care much for the plot. Andy's dumb decisions had me sighing throughout the whole novel. I enjoyed the ending, so maybe 2 stars is a little harsh. 2.5?
The battle between the Nancy Palin wannabe & the Glitter Mafia...Geeez. It's annoying in real life and annoying in this book. The Glitter...Mafia...really? Norman tries to round out these characters, make them more than they are at face value, but they still seem so flat.
I didn't care much for the plot. Andy's dumb decisions had me sighing throughout the whole novel. I enjoyed the ending, so maybe 2 stars is a little harsh. 2.5?
May 2, 2016
I was getting kind of worried these last few months with the Kindle First picks. I seemed to have picked the duds of the bunch month after month. Now, BOOM! This book! I was about a third of the way in and started to get annoyed because I realized that I now have another author I will be putting on me "Keep Tabs on this Author" list.
The characters were interesting. I was sort of annoyed with Andy's friends and family at first. They all acted like they had their business on the up & up, and almost all of them had negative kinks in their lives in one form or another (the title of the book ain't wrong).
Most of all, I enjoyed the open yet hopeful ending. I was worried that it would have a cliche ending. You know...where everything is wrapped in an annoyingly perfect bow. But it didn't...and i enjoyed it all the more because of it.
The characters were interesting. I was sort of annoyed with Andy's friends and family at first. They all acted like they had their business on the up & up, and almost all of them had negative kinks in their lives in one form or another (the title of the book ain't wrong).
Most of all, I enjoyed the open yet hopeful ending. I was worried that it would have a cliche ending. You know...where everything is wrapped in an annoyingly perfect bow. But it didn't...and i enjoyed it all the more because of it.
May 9, 2016
Matthew Norman is a new-to-me writer and one whose work I will seek out in the future. He truly knows how to tell a heart-wrenching, heart-rending, heartbreaking and, at the same time, hilarious story peopled with very flawed, human characters you'll come to love.
May 2, 2016
Matt Norman does it again! Funny, thoughtful, fast-paced. Loved it.
September 28, 2016
I love Matthew Norman's voice and this book was the perfect break from suspense for me. I actually read this book while I was listening to Where'd You Go Bernadette. The novels have some parallels: great voice, witty main character, campy/fun/cringe-worthy plot twists, and stellar writing. It was fun without being cutesy, and I wanted to hug and strangle Andy in equal measure (and this was clearly the intention). A really fantastic light-but-not-fluffy read!
August 10, 2016
3.5 stars
I've requested this novel because of its title, as I like obvious truths. ;-) I imagined/expected it to be edgy and angsty. It so wasn't - serves me right for not reading the blurb.
'We're All Damaged' reads like a women's fiction novel, but this time, it's written by a man and the main character is Andy Carter, a recently divorced thirty-one-year-old, who's kind of lost. Andy is from Omaha and is a kind man. Albeit he's kind of boring, without much charm or an interesting personality.
As his maternal grandfather is close to dying, Andy returns to Omaha, where he has to deal with his newly reinvented, right-wing, radio personality mother, his recently retired accountant father and his brother and his family. Still in Omaha is Andy's ex, Karen, who now lives with the man she left him for.
Luckily for Andy, he meets his total opposite, Daisy, beautiful, dark, tattooed Daisy, who's working on reinventing Andy.
There are a few dramas and epiphanies. Will Andy manage to forget, forgive and just move on?
I thought this novel was pleasant, although not mind-blowing. I do like nice guys as main heros. While I didn't hate Andy, I didn't care that much about him either. He was very beige. I do not like beige.
There were a few amusing situations and comments that made me giggle, but not laugh out loud(ly).
This was an easy, quick read - a perfect novel for reading while on a holiday.
I've received this novel via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to the publishers, Little A, for the opportunity to read and review this advance copy.
I've requested this novel because of its title, as I like obvious truths. ;-) I imagined/expected it to be edgy and angsty. It so wasn't - serves me right for not reading the blurb.
'We're All Damaged' reads like a women's fiction novel, but this time, it's written by a man and the main character is Andy Carter, a recently divorced thirty-one-year-old, who's kind of lost. Andy is from Omaha and is a kind man. Albeit he's kind of boring, without much charm or an interesting personality.
As his maternal grandfather is close to dying, Andy returns to Omaha, where he has to deal with his newly reinvented, right-wing, radio personality mother, his recently retired accountant father and his brother and his family. Still in Omaha is Andy's ex, Karen, who now lives with the man she left him for.
Luckily for Andy, he meets his total opposite, Daisy, beautiful, dark, tattooed Daisy, who's working on reinventing Andy.
There are a few dramas and epiphanies. Will Andy manage to forget, forgive and just move on?
I thought this novel was pleasant, although not mind-blowing. I do like nice guys as main heros. While I didn't hate Andy, I didn't care that much about him either. He was very beige. I do not like beige.
There were a few amusing situations and comments that made me giggle, but not laugh out loud(ly).
This was an easy, quick read - a perfect novel for reading while on a holiday.
I've received this novel via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to the publishers, Little A, for the opportunity to read and review this advance copy.
July 19, 2017
סיפור די עצוב של אנדי שאישתו קארן, אהבת חייו, יום אחד נוטשת אותו עבור גבר אחר- טיילר השכן הפרמדיק שלהם.
לאחר שהוא מקבל התמוטטות עצבים מהעזיבה, אנדי מאבד את עבודתו ועוזב את חיו הישנים לטובת חיים פשוטים בניו יורק עם חתול רחוב עצבני בשם ג'יטרס.
ואז אחרי שנה, אנדי נקרא לחזור לעיר הולדתו. סבו האהוב על סף מוות.
אנדי חוזר למציאות לא פשוטה שבה חיי הנישואים של הוריו עוברים משבר קשה, סבו עומד למות ובכל מקום נמצאים הזכרונות מנשואיו ההרוסים, כולל חברו הטוב שהוא התאום של קארן שכועס על אנדי, די בצדק כי אנדי הרס את מסיבת נישואיו.
בתוך כל הבלגן הזה אנדי פוגש את דייזי, בחורה חייכנית שמנסה להרים את רוחו ולהחזיר לו את החיוך לפנים. דייזי אינה תמימה כפי שהיא נראית ובשיא הספר היא מתגלה במלוא מערומיה.
אנדי בחור ממוצע וחביב שהחיים מאפילים עליו, הוא די ביש מזל והצרות רודפות אותו בצרורות. אולי אפילו יותר מידי צרות בשביל ספר אחד ובשביל תקופה כל כך קצרה.
ספר שיש בו עצב וגם אופטימיות אבל איכשהו הדמות של דייזי נותרת די שטוחה ולא עמוקה וזה הפריע לי. בנוסף, נותרות די הרבה שאלות פתוחות בסיומו שזו עוד מקודה שהפריעה לי. אין קלוז'ר אמיתי לסיפור הזה רק הד קלוש של סגירת מעגל והתחלה חדשה.
לאחר שהוא מקבל התמוטטות עצבים מהעזיבה, אנדי מאבד את עבודתו ועוזב את חיו הישנים לטובת חיים פשוטים בניו יורק עם חתול רחוב עצבני בשם ג'יטרס.
ואז אחרי שנה, אנדי נקרא לחזור לעיר הולדתו. סבו האהוב על סף מוות.
אנדי חוזר למציאות לא פשוטה שבה חיי הנישואים של הוריו עוברים משבר קשה, סבו עומד למות ובכל מקום נמצאים הזכרונות מנשואיו ההרוסים, כולל חברו הטוב שהוא התאום של קארן שכועס על אנדי, די בצדק כי אנדי הרס את מסיבת נישואיו.
בתוך כל הבלגן הזה אנדי פוגש את דייזי, בחורה חייכנית שמנסה להרים את רוחו ולהחזיר לו את החיוך לפנים. דייזי אינה תמימה כפי שהיא נראית ובשיא הספר היא מתגלה במלוא מערומיה.
אנדי בחור ממוצע וחביב שהחיים מאפילים עליו, הוא די ביש מזל והצרות רודפות אותו בצרורות. אולי אפילו יותר מידי צרות בשביל ספר אחד ובשביל תקופה כל כך קצרה.
ספר שיש בו עצב וגם אופטימיות אבל איכשהו הדמות של דייזי נותרת די שטוחה ולא עמוקה וזה הפריע לי. בנוסף, נותרות די הרבה שאלות פתוחות בסיומו שזו עוד מקודה שהפריעה לי. אין קלוז'ר אמיתי לסיפור הזה רק הד קלוש של סגירת מעגל והתחלה חדשה.
July 17, 2016
Judging by the mostly glowing reviews and 5-Star ratings 'We're All Damaged' received on both Amazon and Goodreads, I started to feel like maybe I was missing something when the book and its main characters left me rolling my eyes in annoyance. I waited about a week before writing this review (and a few months before posting it because I forgot about it) in order to truly process my thoughts. Am I being unnecessarily harsh with my 2-Star rating? Why is everyone raving over a book that I honestly only finished because of my obsessive need to finish a story, no matter how much I dislike it?
I'll dispense with a plot recap since one is easily found on the back of the book and instead explain where this book left me less than satisfied and more than a little annoyed.
We've seen all of these characters a million times before, usually better developed: the 30-something divorcée who can't get over his ex-wife, who views himself as the black sheep of the family, who ran away when things got tough and only returns home because his grandfather is dying; and the manic pixie lit-nerd femme fatale, equipped with the prerequisite sleeve tattoos, love of Kurt Vonnegut quotes (and the obvious quotes at that) and obscure Wilco albums, who dispenses witty and quirky aphorisms that we, the reader, are supposed to see as unique insights, and who appears out of nowhere determined to fix the lovelorn narrator for reasons that are never really apparent, even after she reveals why.
Sure, there are some funny moments, like the narrator's father's ongoing feud with the neighborhood squirrels (he tries to scare them off his property with a paintball gun. It doesn't work to deter the squirrels. Instead it provides them badass Braveheart-esque war paint and a vendetta). But those moments were too infrequent to save the story.
Aside from the squirrels I couldn't find one character I liked. If I hadn't been reading it on my Kindle (this was my Kindle First pick for May), I would've thrown the book across the room at parts.
The book did not challenge the stereotypes it's created. Instead it lazily relied on these stereotypes to make the book readable and, perhaps, relatable. And don't get me wrong, the story is readable, but as readers I feel we deserve more than trite stereotypes and quick wrap-ups.
I won't say "Don't read this book." Read it if you want to, it will probably only take you a day to read, just don't expect too much from it.
I'll dispense with a plot recap since one is easily found on the back of the book and instead explain where this book left me less than satisfied and more than a little annoyed.
We've seen all of these characters a million times before, usually better developed: the 30-something divorcée who can't get over his ex-wife, who views himself as the black sheep of the family, who ran away when things got tough and only returns home because his grandfather is dying; and the manic pixie lit-nerd femme fatale, equipped with the prerequisite sleeve tattoos, love of Kurt Vonnegut quotes (and the obvious quotes at that) and obscure Wilco albums, who dispenses witty and quirky aphorisms that we, the reader, are supposed to see as unique insights, and who appears out of nowhere determined to fix the lovelorn narrator for reasons that are never really apparent, even after she reveals why.
Sure, there are some funny moments, like the narrator's father's ongoing feud with the neighborhood squirrels (he tries to scare them off his property with a paintball gun. It doesn't work to deter the squirrels. Instead it provides them badass Braveheart-esque war paint and a vendetta). But those moments were too infrequent to save the story.
Aside from the squirrels I couldn't find one character I liked. If I hadn't been reading it on my Kindle (this was my Kindle First pick for May), I would've thrown the book across the room at parts.
The book did not challenge the stereotypes it's created. Instead it lazily relied on these stereotypes to make the book readable and, perhaps, relatable. And don't get me wrong, the story is readable, but as readers I feel we deserve more than trite stereotypes and quick wrap-ups.
I won't say "Don't read this book." Read it if you want to, it will probably only take you a day to read, just don't expect too much from it.
June 29, 2016
I am clearly not the target audience for this book. Self-absorbed, immature, 30ish boy-man starts putting his life back together a year after his divorce in the midst of his self-absorbed, immature mother; his self-absorbed, immature brother; a father whose character is seriously underdeveloped; and, of course, a quirky, equally self-absorbed and in the end, equally immature, not-quite-hooker with a heart of gold. Maybe I'm too old to have any patience with these characters. Maybe they are so utterly unlike real human beings I encounter on a daily basis (yes, all of whom are damaged in some way, but just not quite that ... inane) that I cannot figure out how to sympathize with them. The book offers neither wicked skewering nor sympathetic portraits. We are all damaged, yes. But unlike these characters, we are also more than our damage. In the end, I couldn't figure out what the book wanted to be - funny? heartwarming? sarcastic? illuminating? should I laugh? should I cry? - and so I was left with very little to hold onto.
August 11, 2017
Less good than the excellent Domestic Violets, but the honest writing and wonderful one-liners are still here, and all in all this is a very enjoyable novel to read, even with some implausible plot events in it. Some of the same themes from Norman's first novel can also be found here, and the characters are original and well-developed. I will read anything this guy writes.
May 30, 2016
This is by far the best book I have read this year. It made me laugh out loud and it made me tear up. This book truly hit home. I felt like I was reading a story about my own life. Sure, there are some cliches, and we have seen some of this before in other books and movies but it works so well, even the ending. You really feel for these characters.
"Imagine watching the saddest scene of the saddest movie you can think of. A real tearjerker. . . . Now imagine watching that scene over and over again - day and night. How do you think that would make you feel? . . . . We all have a movie screen in our head, and we run depressing memories, flashbacks, and anecdotes on that screen repeatedly.... And, until you make an ACTIVE decision to turn those flicks off, they're going to keep playing and playing on a loop. And you're going to keep...feeling..sad."
It takes time to heal and all of us heal at different speeds, but things do get better. Sometimes people aren't meant to be together forever and that is okay. You can't make someone else happy, they have to want to be happy. I just wish I found my Daisy/Katie/Anna sooner.
It is a great read, that I highly, highly recommend. "Don't think. All you do is think. Just do it." Amazon has the kindle version available for $5 and for a cup of coffee you can read this wonderful book.
"Imagine watching the saddest scene of the saddest movie you can think of. A real tearjerker. . . . Now imagine watching that scene over and over again - day and night. How do you think that would make you feel? . . . . We all have a movie screen in our head, and we run depressing memories, flashbacks, and anecdotes on that screen repeatedly.... And, until you make an ACTIVE decision to turn those flicks off, they're going to keep playing and playing on a loop. And you're going to keep...feeling..sad."
It takes time to heal and all of us heal at different speeds, but things do get better. Sometimes people aren't meant to be together forever and that is okay. You can't make someone else happy, they have to want to be happy. I just wish I found my Daisy/Katie/Anna sooner.
It is a great read, that I highly, highly recommend. "Don't think. All you do is think. Just do it." Amazon has the kindle version available for $5 and for a cup of coffee you can read this wonderful book.
November 5, 2017
A tad disappointed with this short little read, especially being a huge fan of Norman’s Domestic Violets. I zipped through this one (his follow-up), lol’d occasionally, but also rolled my eyes quite a bit.
There’s a lot of cliche situations in here: too many to truly endorse this book. A man down on his luck, a “no one’s family is crazier than mine!” family, and a quirky girl who isn’t the love interest but then sort of is. While some of it is done tongue-in-cheek and some of it actually works, it’s still cringeworthy. What keeps it in 3-star territory is Norman’s gift for witty—oftentimes hilarious—dialogue, abundant in Domestic Violets, and still nicely sprinkled throughout We’re All Damaged.
Stick with Domestic Violets.
There’s a lot of cliche situations in here: too many to truly endorse this book. A man down on his luck, a “no one’s family is crazier than mine!” family, and a quirky girl who isn’t the love interest but then sort of is. While some of it is done tongue-in-cheek and some of it actually works, it’s still cringeworthy. What keeps it in 3-star territory is Norman’s gift for witty—oftentimes hilarious—dialogue, abundant in Domestic Violets, and still nicely sprinkled throughout We’re All Damaged.
Stick with Domestic Violets.
Read
June 1, 2016I am so excited for this book, because I am a HUGE fan of Domestic Violets, and I think Matthew Norman is one of the funniest writers out there. His new novel is the story of a man named Andy, who is flailing around in his life after his wife leaves him, he loses his job, and he relocates to NYC, where he leads a sad, drunken existence. A trip back home to visit his dying grandfather in Omaha puts a new path in front of him – but can Andy pull himself together enough to follow it? A funny and touching story about family and hopes and dreams.
Backlist bump: Domestic Violets by Matthew Norman
Tune in to our weekly podcast dedicated to all things new books, All The Books: http://bookriot.com/category/all-the-...
Backlist bump: Domestic Violets by Matthew Norman
Tune in to our weekly podcast dedicated to all things new books, All The Books: http://bookriot.com/category/all-the-...
July 31, 2016
Absolutely hated it. I have no idea how it has good ratings, it's the most generic sad boy meets manic pixie dream girl story ever. Took me so long to read because I didn't want to pick it back up and the only reason I decided to finish it was so I could write a review saying what crap it was. Main character is a dick, whose wife leaves him for another man (I would too). So he throws a big hissy fit destroying other people's property and goes to NYC. He has to come back to Omaha when he finds out his grandpa is dying where he continues to be a dick to everyone he should apologize to. Out of nowhere manic pixie dream girl shows up to make him all better and helps him get over his ex wife. Dude continues to be a dick though.
May 8, 2016
We're All Damaged by Matthew Norman is a sublimely funny book. The story is told from the perspective of Andy Carter, an (un)intentionally unreliable narrator whose perception of reality provides the source of the majority of the book's humor. Andy is one of those friends you drink with at the bar who tells stories that just when they reach the top of a crescendo, channel Billy Mays - "But Wait, there's more!" This makes for a fantastic read, since just when you think events can't get any more zany and absurd, something like the glitter mafia (who says crime can't be fabulous?) comes around and takes it to the next level. A truly enjoyable book that is difficult to put down.
July 16, 2016
This a short, amusing novel that has it's moments of poignancy. There is political commentary, marriage turmoil, failed and rekindled friendships , suburban satire and a blind date. For a quick read, the dialogue flows and the timing between lines and scenes is nearly perfect. Norman's writing is so tight I can see this as a screenplay. There are even cute little squirrels with obscene paw gestures. If you want to read something that will put a smile on your face but is also heartwarming, this is a good pick.
Copy provided by TLC Book Tours and Publisher
Copy provided by TLC Book Tours and Publisher
June 2, 2016
A few years back I read Matthew Norman's hilarious novel, Domestic Violets, which made my list of the Most Compelling Books of 2011. It tells the story of a man stuck in a soulless copywriting job, the son of a Norman Mailer-like father, married to a woman he fears will leave him, father to a young daughter.
He is writing a novel, but he will always be compared to his successful father, an alcoholic with a wandering eye who comes to stay with his son. It is a family story, a workplace comedy (ala The Office), and so much more.
Norman's newest novel is We're All Damaged about Andy, a young man who has fled to NYC from Omaha after his wife tells him she wants a divorce. He is living in a hovel, working as a bartender, with a cat his only friend.
When Andy's mom calls him to tell him he must come home to Omaha because his beloved grandfather is dying, Andy reluctantly goes. He hasn't been home since his divorce and doesn't want to face his ex-wife, whom he still loves.
Once again the cast of characters is terrific. Andy's mom is a right-wing radio host whose latest rants against legalizing gay marriage have caught the attention of Fox News and may result in a gig on the network. Dad is a retired accountant who spends his day working on his motorcycle and shooting pesky squirrels with a paintgun.
Andy's brother Jim is a stereotypical finance guy who thinks he's Master of the Universe and every interaction with Andy is fraught with macho sibling brutality. Neal was Andy's best friend and is the twin brother of his ex-wife. Andy's ex-wife already has moved in her hunky paramedic boyfriend and wants nothing to do with Andy.
All this depresses Andy, and when he goes to see his grandpa, he meets a mysterious woman named Daisy who is passing herself off as his sibling so she can visit his grandpa. What is her story?
Daisy makes it her mission to bring Andy out of his funk, and she succeeds to some extent. She refuses to let Andy hide in his old bedroom, and forces him to face reality.
We're All Damaged has its humorous moments, like the three gay men who "prank" Andy's mom by throwing hundreds of Ken dolls on her lawn and glitterbombing her car. The leader of the group has a hilarious scene with Andy, who describes his meeting with them by saying he wonders "if this is what Tupac felt like right before the bullets started whizzing."
Andy constantly watches a YouTube video of an epic best-man fail that when explained later in the story is sad and funny at the same time. It becomes a crucial element of the story.
Norman is a somewhat more poignant this time around, as when he says maybe "all marriages end in a box in the basement" as he goes through all of the detritus of his former married life. His characters (Daisy, his mom, Neal) are multi-dimensional, not easy to put in a box and I appreciate that in a novel.
I love novels that give me insight into the male psyche and We're All Damaged certainly fills that bill. Andy has quickly become one of my favorite fictional characters, one I root for to get it together. I was also happy to see the shout-out to Curtis Violet from Domestic Violets. It made me smile so!
I highly recommend We're All Damaged, for the terrific characters and engrossing storyline. I also liked the setting of Omaha, we get a real sense of place there in this novel. If you are a fan of Jonathan Tropper, you'll love Matthew Norman.
He is writing a novel, but he will always be compared to his successful father, an alcoholic with a wandering eye who comes to stay with his son. It is a family story, a workplace comedy (ala The Office), and so much more.
Norman's newest novel is We're All Damaged about Andy, a young man who has fled to NYC from Omaha after his wife tells him she wants a divorce. He is living in a hovel, working as a bartender, with a cat his only friend.
When Andy's mom calls him to tell him he must come home to Omaha because his beloved grandfather is dying, Andy reluctantly goes. He hasn't been home since his divorce and doesn't want to face his ex-wife, whom he still loves.
Once again the cast of characters is terrific. Andy's mom is a right-wing radio host whose latest rants against legalizing gay marriage have caught the attention of Fox News and may result in a gig on the network. Dad is a retired accountant who spends his day working on his motorcycle and shooting pesky squirrels with a paintgun.
Andy's brother Jim is a stereotypical finance guy who thinks he's Master of the Universe and every interaction with Andy is fraught with macho sibling brutality. Neal was Andy's best friend and is the twin brother of his ex-wife. Andy's ex-wife already has moved in her hunky paramedic boyfriend and wants nothing to do with Andy.
All this depresses Andy, and when he goes to see his grandpa, he meets a mysterious woman named Daisy who is passing herself off as his sibling so she can visit his grandpa. What is her story?
Daisy makes it her mission to bring Andy out of his funk, and she succeeds to some extent. She refuses to let Andy hide in his old bedroom, and forces him to face reality.
We're All Damaged has its humorous moments, like the three gay men who "prank" Andy's mom by throwing hundreds of Ken dolls on her lawn and glitterbombing her car. The leader of the group has a hilarious scene with Andy, who describes his meeting with them by saying he wonders "if this is what Tupac felt like right before the bullets started whizzing."
Andy constantly watches a YouTube video of an epic best-man fail that when explained later in the story is sad and funny at the same time. It becomes a crucial element of the story.
Norman is a somewhat more poignant this time around, as when he says maybe "all marriages end in a box in the basement" as he goes through all of the detritus of his former married life. His characters (Daisy, his mom, Neal) are multi-dimensional, not easy to put in a box and I appreciate that in a novel.
I love novels that give me insight into the male psyche and We're All Damaged certainly fills that bill. Andy has quickly become one of my favorite fictional characters, one I root for to get it together. I was also happy to see the shout-out to Curtis Violet from Domestic Violets. It made me smile so!
I highly recommend We're All Damaged, for the terrific characters and engrossing storyline. I also liked the setting of Omaha, we get a real sense of place there in this novel. If you are a fan of Jonathan Tropper, you'll love Matthew Norman.
June 13, 2016
I read Matthew Norman's debut book, "Domestic Violets" and really enjoyed it so I was looking forward to reading this book. "We're All Damaged" is another story about family ties. Andy changes his entire life after his wife cheats on him. He leaves everything behind in Omaha to make a new life for himself in NYC. He may be done with the past but the past is not done with him.
Poor Andy can't catch a break! The book follows him as he goes back home to Omaha to see his dying grandfather and contend with his mother, who dreams of being one of the pundits on lovely Fox News. I really like how the author explores the relationship between the members of the Carter family. Andy's family feels like he abandoned them and all they want is for him to come home. Andy isn't ready. The relationship between Andy and Daisy and Daisy and Andy's family was also very interesting. This is very much a character driven book.
As the title suggests, everyone in this story is a damaged in some way. What damaged means for each character differs from character to character. Some of the damage is very apparent. Some of it is very hidden at first. These differences made for a great story!
The writing in the book is good. Like I saw in "Domestic Violets," Norman has a great knack for writing vivid characters. This book was a treat!
Poor Andy can't catch a break! The book follows him as he goes back home to Omaha to see his dying grandfather and contend with his mother, who dreams of being one of the pundits on lovely Fox News. I really like how the author explores the relationship between the members of the Carter family. Andy's family feels like he abandoned them and all they want is for him to come home. Andy isn't ready. The relationship between Andy and Daisy and Daisy and Andy's family was also very interesting. This is very much a character driven book.
As the title suggests, everyone in this story is a damaged in some way. What damaged means for each character differs from character to character. Some of the damage is very apparent. Some of it is very hidden at first. These differences made for a great story!
The writing in the book is good. Like I saw in "Domestic Violets," Norman has a great knack for writing vivid characters. This book was a treat!
April 28, 2016
Matthew Norman reminds me of Jonathan Tropper. That same wounded, yet sarcastic, main character. Similar premise of the “am I really part of this family?” This is a bittersweet kind of novel. Andy is definitely damaged. Unable to get over his ex-wife leaving him for a paramedic, he is forced to return home when his grandfather is dying. I got equal parts mad at him for not being able to grow up or move on and then sympathetic to his plight. Daisy was a little too cliched for me. Why do these kind of characters, the girls who help to redeem the main character, always have to be so over the top?
The writing and plot are good. Maybe not as good as Tropper. But there are definitely some laugh out loud moments. And a few tears. You're probably not going to care for this if you're a Fox News fan. But for those of us who hate Fox and all it represents, you gotta love this:
“In my experience, Fox News isn't something you can tune out, like a game show or a cable movie you've seen a dozen times...It’s like the television equivalent of one of those cymbal clanging monkeys being duct taped to your forehead.” I definitely enjoyed the book. My thanks to netgalley for the ARC.
March 4, 2018
Meh.
A Johnathon Tropper-esque tale of nice guy gets dumped and mopes about until put back on his feet by alt-punk girl with a heart of gold--undermined by an unnecessary and for the reader unwanted political backstory pitting the guy's far right, attention seeking mother against a gay rights Glitter Mafia. Excise the latter elements and the story was pretty good. With them in, irritating at times.
2.5 stars. On Buy, borrow, skip scale: Nothing to miss here--skip.
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P.S. Lots of review comments below criticizing Daisy as anti-feminist Manic Pixie Dream Girl. Interesting given she is the strongest, most secure, least damaged character in the book. I see this type of female character often criticized on GR but never the Hot Bad Boy with Floppy Hair and Six Pack Abs, Seeking to Reform. Why is that?
A Johnathon Tropper-esque tale of nice guy gets dumped and mopes about until put back on his feet by alt-punk girl with a heart of gold--undermined by an unnecessary and for the reader unwanted political backstory pitting the guy's far right, attention seeking mother against a gay rights Glitter Mafia. Excise the latter elements and the story was pretty good. With them in, irritating at times.
2.5 stars. On Buy, borrow, skip scale: Nothing to miss here--skip.
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P.S. Lots of review comments below criticizing Daisy as anti-feminist Manic Pixie Dream Girl. Interesting given she is the strongest, most secure, least damaged character in the book. I see this type of female character often criticized on GR but never the Hot Bad Boy with Floppy Hair and Six Pack Abs, Seeking to Reform. Why is that?
July 7, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. Norman's style of writing and type of story reminded me very much of Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl.
May 21, 2020
Reminiscent of Tropper’s This is Where I Leave You, but different enough to keep my attention. Woeful Andy returns home to Omaha to say goodbye to his ailing grandpa. Familial issues ensue. There’s an intriguing girl (naturally) and Fox News (unnaturally). Like 2020, Andy’s life is a total dumpster fire. I love dark, snarky humor and this delivered. Plus there’s a nice dose of social commentary. Solid read.
December 30, 2025
3.75 stars
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