White Elephant

by Julie Langsdorf

A turf war between neighbors leads to a small-town crisis in this sharply observant debut novel perfect for fans of Tom Perrotta, Meg Wolitzer, and Celeste Ng.

The white elephant looms large over the town of Willard Park: a newly-constructed behemoth of a home, it towers over the quaint houses, including Allison and Ted Millers’ tiny hundred year old home. When owner Nick Cox cuts down the Millers’ precious red maple—in an effort to make his unsightly property more appealing to buyers—their once serene town becomes a battleground.

While tensions between Ted and Nick escalate, other dysfunctions abound: Allison finds herself compulsively drawn to the man who threatens to upend her quietly organized life. A lawyer with a pot habit and a serious mid-life crisis skirts his responsibilities. And in a quest for popularity, a teenage girl gets caught up in a not-so-harmless prank. Newcomers and longtime residents alike clash in conflicting pursuits of the American Dream, with trees mysteriously uprooted, fingers pointed, and lines drawn.

White Elephant is a tangled-web tale of a community on the verge and its all-too-human inhabitants, who long to connect but can’t seem to find the words. It's a story about opposing sides struggling to find a middle ground—a parable for our times.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Literary Fiction, Adult Fiction, Audiobook, Adult, Marriage

320 pages, Hardcover

First published March 26, 2019

About the author

Julie Langsdorf's essays and stories have appeared in Lit Hub and Electric Literature, among other publications. White Elephant, her debut novel, was named a new book to watch for and an editors' choice by The New York Times, a book not to miss by USA Today, a highly anticipated debut novel by The LA Times, a best new book by Southern Living Magazine and Real Simple, and a Library Journal best debut.

Reviews

[Jennifer Blankfein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoy the Crazy, Behind the Scenes Look at Suburbia in this humorous, satirical debut novel, White Elephant by Julie Langsdorf.
Having grown up and currently living in a small town in suburbia, where over time, modest houses are knocked down and replaced by mansions, trees are removed so yards can have more sunlight, and neighbors have disputes over fences, branches, mailboxes and plowing, I have witnessed communities caught up in grievances surrounding property lines, barking dogs and early morning leaf blowing. Author Julie Langsdorf creates Willard Park, a small town outside of Washington DC where amidst the community craziness we meet well meaning, imperfect characters living their lives to the best of their abilities. Those of us living in suburban areas outside of cities will relate to this slice of life, entertaining debut, White Elephant where neighborly tensions run high and add to the stress of everyday life, tired marriages and over exposed mortgages. In this satirical debut...(read more and Q & A with author) https://booknationbyjen.com/2019/04/2...
booknationbyjen.com

[Faith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beware of books where all the 5 star reviews come from other authors and/or obvious friends of the author of the book. There is nothing amusing, interesting or meaningful about this book. Abandoned.

[Julia Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sharp, sly, and laugh-out-loud funny, this novel follows three families in a DC suburb as their parents, children, and notions of home come into conflict. Julie Langsdorf's descriptions of the anxieties of the wealthy – what their neighbors are up to, how their marriages appear from the outside, whether their houses are appreciating in value – are so good, claustrophobically good, making you prickle with their tension as you read. You can feel Langsdorf's love for every character even as you relish her honesty about them. Wonderful.

[Brittany McCann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, what to say about the white elephant? It was a pretty okay book. I didn't hate it, but I also didn't love it. It felt like someone took a typical contemporary formula, filled all required areas, and put it together. So in that respect, it works.

From the beginning, there seem to be too many characters jumping around in the narration. This eventually works out, but I wasn't even sure that some of the characters were children until later in the story, so that could have been better explained in the beginning.

The storyline is an obsession with first-world problems, a weird obsession with trees, and the hatred of a large eye-sore of a house. In and of itself, it's not a horrible premise, but the emotion was lackluster at best. The only real emotion I felt was anger at the appalling teenager towards the end of the book. Otherwise, there wasn't much to make this book stand out, other than more of an exploration into the male characters when many readers of this type place almost all emphasis on the female characters.

This was an okay book, nothing glaring was wrong with it, but there wasn't any "wow" factor for me. Solid at 3 stars.

[Angie Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What an amazing lens into a supposedly “idyllic” suburban DC community. It’s so rich, weaving together so many threads, each unique and fresh in its own way. On the one hand, it’s a witty and satirical commentary on American suburbia, and at the same time, there’s a lot of insight about what it means to be a mother/wife and what the ramifications are for women’s own individual needs and desires. The mix is fascinating, and the novel as a whole is sharp, warm, and downright hilarious.

Probably my favorite aspect of WHITE ELEPHANT is the incredible voice. Clever, funny, witty—every sentence from beginning to end was a pure pleasure to read. I almost didn’t even care what was happening from a plot perspective because the narrative asides were so entertaining. The story is told from multiple points of view with an intimacy that allows the readers to get to know the all-too-human motivations and emotions of the characters. The result: complex, vividly-drawn characters who earn our sympathy and understanding.

I’m also in awe over the brilliant social commentary this novel provides. There is so much lurking just beneath the (very funny) surface. Gentrification is at the core of this story, with a few families bickering over trees and size/style of their neighboring houses, with each side gaining allies and enemies until the whole (previously-)charming town devolves into war mode. But just as important are the issues about classism, about marriage and fidelity, about parenting, and about the social politics of close-knit communities of mothers. And that ending! I won’t say much, for fear of spoiling it, but I found it very emotionally satisfying.

In short, I loved this novel, and I can’t believe that this is Julie Langsdorf’s debut novel. I would happily read anything this author writes. If you like Liane Moriarty, you will love this novel. Most strongly recommended!

[britt_brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, I do enjoy a good suburban satire. Langsdorf focuses on three main families living in an established neighborhood in a fictional DC suburb. All have different expectations. As McMansions threaten to take over the smaller, but charming original homes, a classic fight over trees ignites political unease. All hell breaks loose in this darkly humorous take on suburban life. Satire soothes my soul. I love when we can tastefully poke fun at real issues, however big or small.

[Kathryn in FL · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel explores family dynamics and pressures of marriage in it's perplexities. The novel is a century old, small, bedroom community of a large city somewhere in the Northeast. This community of Willard Park is representational of society as a whole. One is the juxtaposition of the other.

Willard Park is a microcosm of the challenges of defining what is good and desirous as well as what is no longer valued and unnecessary. As the community is in flux as considers its preservation and future. What and how are the rules decided and by whom.

Likewise, the three marriages examined show the toxicity of remaining and relying on set patterns rather than exploring new possibilities and growth. As each marriage faces crisis, the couples must decide whether to meet change or run away. Much like Willard Park, they can face change with a positive attitude or allow decay to lead to a devastating conclusion.

The framework though a bit obvious and over simplified is a light look at serious matters.

[Megan Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

To put it as succinctly as possible, I LOVED this book.

With WHITE ELEPHANT, Julie Langsdorf perfectly captures life in the suburbs--the tension and competition between neighbors, the comfort of cozy familiar spots, the dreams that get put on hold to keep things afloat, and the sense of community that can be both stifling and lifesaving.

The characters in this novel were all incredibly rich, written with so much depth and empathy that I often found myself not only sympathizing, but actually falling in love, with characters that I had previously written off as vapid or villainous.

The story is deeply compelling, full of brutal truths and immense warmth. Funny and clever, moving and heartfelt, this novel is perfect for book clubs, college syllabi, or just any time you're in need of a terrific story.

[Jerrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting suburban drama and not that far-fetched. Unfortunately, many of the characters were a bit thin and the story somewhat unfocused. This is one case where I think the book could have been a little longer to better develop the characters and situations in the story. 2.5⭐️

[Whitney Scharer · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a terrific book! I loved this portrait of a seemingly perfect small town that descends into chaos when a hideously large house (Dubbed the "White Elephant" by other residents) is erected by a new builder. The plot is absorbing and moves along briskly, but what makes this book so wonderful is the rich portrait of all the characters. Whether we like them or not, we sympathize with all of them--and even find ourselves rooting for them even if we don't agree with their choices. A funny and wise portrait of a modern American suburb and the desires that draw people together--and tear them apart.

[Colleen McDonough · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredibly well-written, thought out novel. I really loved reading it, and will be recommending it to anyone who asks for a new book to read!

[Natalie Sheffo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! The writing is clever and the characters are dynamic and entertaining. This is a wonderful debut novel, and I can't wait to read more by the author in the future!

[Kate Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the tradition of great stories about distinctive houses (Mansfield Park, Bleak House, I Capture the Castle) is the delicious debut White Elephant. The book invites us into the small suburban community of Willard Park and the complex emotional allegiances of its inhabitants. This place and these people are so familiar, and yet they are completely engaging. The author’s voice is sharp—its depiction of everyday domestic life reminds me at times of Austen—but also tender. We see these characters’ insecurities and petty choices and misdirected bravado, and we love them anyway. In that sense the book reminds me most of Tom Perrotta. Readers that love his sweet/sharp depiction of suburban life will love White Elephant. I was sad to let these characters go. An entirely satisfying book. Highly recommend. Out March 26, 2019!

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher for an advance reader's copy.

I have a soft spot for books that shine a light on suburban malaise if they're satirical in tone and especially if they don't expect me to sympathize with men having mid-life crises. All the terrible men in this book are portrayed as weenies and it was great! Most characters and their motivations are at least slightly (if not completely) ridiculous, with the town's environmentalism and community spirit outed as less altruistic than previously supposed and pilloried along with the commercialism and greed that threaten them. Plus there was a random Beaufort, SC mention! A thoroughly enjoyable novel for anyone interested in the tensions beneath an idyllic surface and entertained by someone else's petty squabbles.

[Cari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julie Langsdorf's debut novel, WHITE ELEPHANT, is a visual, rich description of a small town divided. While a calming, beautifully-written, relaxed read, the book doesn't shy from important subjects. The characters are fully developed, leaving the reader "rooting" for every character as she or he struggles within the main theme of the book as well as those outside of the theme -- that is, dealing with their own, internal demons. Langsdorf is a sharp observer of human nature. This is the kind of read, about a small, quirky town, that allows a break from larger, often explosive issues, that loom in our every day realities.

[Michael Durbin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vivid and authentic setting, rich characters of every stripe, delightful language, and tight storylines that keep you intrigued until the very end. What more could you want in a novel? White Elephant is a great read.

[Jean · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed with this one. With blurbs from power authors Meg Wolitzer and Cynthia Sweeney, I expected a whole lot more than I got.

[Jeannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining, compelling and surprising tale told with great humor and compassion. So relevant for these divided times. I loved White Elephant and I highly recommend it!

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It's so Norman Rockwell," Suzanne said. (...)Grant said, "Yeah. A little eerie. Remember the Twilight Zone episode..." from White Elephant by Julie Langsdorf

Willard Park is a close community filled with early 20th c Sears kit houses and family-friendly ambiance. In the center of town, there is a band shell decked out in bunting. Halloween is an all-day affair (with an implicit ban on sugar) ending with singing 1960s era folk songs around a bonfire. You know, seasonal songs like If I Had A Hammer. Oh--and everyone has their own mug at the coffee shop.

It reminds me of places I have lived in, like the small city that banned fast food chains. Or the even smaller town that turned a grass-roots Halloween prank of rolling pumpkins down the hill into town into a family event, lining the street with bales of hay to prevent the pumpkins from crashing into storefronts. I remember being laughed at for my Big City paranoia, locking my house when I left and my car when shopping in town. Small towns always have a secret agreement of values to be ferreted out or learned through mistakes.

In Julie Langsdorf's novel White Elephant, Willard Park is filled with residents with roots, like Ted and his twin brother Terrance. Newcomers are expected to fit in and hold the same values.

"She and the other neighbors might have forgiven them the sin of bad taste with time, but as the months wore on, the Coxes continued to disobey the unspoken rules of the neighborhood. They didn't compost. They had pesticides sprayed on their grass. They didn't join the Friends of the Willard Park Children's Library. They didn't even recycle.
The Coxes were like foreign visitors who had not read up on the local customs." from White Elephant


Since I had an ARC of White Elephant by Julie Langsdorf I made pencil notations in the book instead of on a slip of paper or on post-it notes. I soon realized I was underlining and circling and notating to the point of absurdity. There were so many wickedly funny lines summarizing up scenes! So many characters' inner thoughts leading up to hilarious insights! The way some people randomly open the Bible while looking for guidance, I can randomly open White Elephants looking for a laugh.

Suzanne was at the top: serious and smart. Brilliant maybe. No sense of humor. Did she have a humor disability? Why wasn't that a thing?

Other lines struck home--too close for my comfort. Was Langsdorf thinking about how I felt thirty years ago--or her character Allison--when she wrote,

"It was stressful being a mother these days, increasingly so. Mothers who chose to stay at home were so well educated--and so ashamed about not earning a paycheck--that they put every ounce of their abundant energy into mothering, determined to get results." from White Elephant

Ted and Allison Miller and Nick and Kaye Cox were on a collision course with destiny, impelled by their personal fatal flaws.

It all started when Nick and Kaye Cox and daughter Lindy moved next door to Ted and Allison and daughter Jillian. Ted grew up in Willard Park. Allison is photographing the town with hopes of making a book. They love the vintage time-loop 'Twilight Zone' vibe.

Nick has a vision of turning the Sears houses into upscale palaces. As a Washington D.C. suburb, it would make the community a magnet--and make his fortune. He turned his charming house into a towering abode filled with the biggest and best money can afford. He started a new showcase home to sell before running out of money, the house nicknamed the White Elephant.

My little city is proud of our Sears kit homes and a page is included on the city web page. But as house prices have risen, young people can no longer afford our neighboring cities and our houses are in high demand. Many have been torn down and replaced with huge 'farmhouse' style buildings that take up most of the lot, towering over the neighboring houses.

Not only is Nick changing the town Ted loves, but he is also cutting down trees, including one Ted planted when Jillian was born! Ted becomes obsessed, patrolling the neighborhood, seeking out fallen trees and other evidence of Nick's crusade to destroy Willard Park. He can't relax and it's affecting his ability to give his wife the physical attention she desperately craves. Leaving Allison with an obsession of her own: their neighbor, Nick Cox.

Meanwhile, Kaye Cox is lonely for her old friends; she always made friends so easily, but she feels shut out and shunned in this closed town. Lindy Cox takes up with the studious Jillian Miller, intent on making her 'cool.' Lindy gets everything she wants and lacks self-discipline and self-control. Jillian allows herself to be taken up into Lindy's world of unlimited consumerism and pleasure and rules-breaking.

And then there is Ted's loveable twin brother, Terrance, who lives in a group home.

A new couple comes into town, Grant and Suzanne with son Adam. Grant is carefree and fun (especially when high) and unreliable, while his wife is a perfectionist intent on keeping his nose to the grindstone. They were forced to move into a small bungalow after Grant lost his job at the law firm.

Needless to say, their marriage has been under stress. Now, Suzanne has an unplanned pregnancy. They become caught in the middle of the battle between nostalgia and progress.

The novel works up to an exciting climax and unexpected reveal and finally, a happy resolution.

I loved Langsdorf's comedy and I loved her insights into human nature and the values battles in a small town that reflect the larger national tensions. Do we look to the past or the future for the betterment of our society? How can rampant consumerism and environmental protectionism exist side by side? Can we find or build community in a mobile world were the average person moves a dozen times in their life? How do women balance the need for personal achievement and motherhood?

I received an ARC from the publisher through a Goodreads giveaway. My review is fair and unbiased.

[Ericka Seidemann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect for fans of Tom Perrotta and Jonathan Tropper, White Elephant is an impressive debut that I binge-read in a couple of days. These neighbors are so dysfunctional, and yet, so relatable. I wanted to simultaneously hug and yell at every character in this book.

Charming 100-year-old Sears homes, a children’s library, the local coffee shop where everyone has their own mug . . . an idyllic bedroom community for upper-middle class families. All is perfect in Willard Park, until newcomer architect Nick Cox moves in and begins building massive mansions that loom over the cozy smaller houses. His neighbor Ted is at first moved to peaceful protest, but Willard Park is a crucible, boiling everyone’s fears and insecurities into an explosion.

White Elephant is packed with flawed characters that are entertaining and sympathetic (well, most of them anyway). There’s Ted, the do-gooder who just wants his small town back; his wife, Allison, stifled in her sexless marriage and tempted by other options; their daughter Jillian, who just wants to be noticed; their neighbors, the volatile Nick and his trophy wife, Kaye, who is not as vapid as she appears; and new to the neighborhood, the pothead lawyer Grant and his wife Suzanne, who is coming to realize her marriage is going up in smoke.

Animosity simmers until Nick Cox cuts down the maple tree that Ted planted when his daughter was born. The vitriol escalates exponentially, and the residents of Willard Park start behaving in ways they never deemed possible.

This book is quite a page-turner, and each chapter introduces more conflict. It’s hilarious and heartbreaking. Highly recommended.

Many thanks to HarperCollins and Ecco Press for the advance copy in exchange for my review.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a thing for all things dysfunctional so through in a community of neighbours who are just that and you have me hooked on a book.

This is an engrossing debut that I practically devoured. Willard Park is an idyllic community on the outskirts of DC. From quaint little cottages, good schools to Lucy’s coffee shops - you get the feel that it is the perfect suburb to want to live. But when Nick Cox moves in and takes down Ted’s much loved maple tree, it starts a rivalry and discord within the community.

The book is multilayered as we learn about all of the different characters within the book. I loved how Langsdorf executed this. I enjoyed reading about each characters life and although, not all were likeable, they were still amusing. It reminded me a little of The Nest meets Little Fires Everywhere which is a pretty good combo if you ask me.

Overall, I clicked with this book early on and flew through it. The writing flowed easily and each character provided something different. The setting of Willard Park was beautiful. It was slick, witty and you couldn’t help but be able to compare certain characters to those you’ve come across in your own neighbourhood.

Thanks to Ecco for sending this my way! Blog post to follow

[Anamaria Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

White Elephant is a great story, with lots of cozily familiar situations and interesting characters you cannot help but to love and hate. The big new house in town, also known as 'the white elephant’, raises havoc in a quaint town already simmering with fraught situations. The characters are well-developed and you'll find yourself relating to them in different ways. Slowly but surely, the author manages to beautifully weave all the stories together into a poignant finale. White Elephant is a book that you won’t want to put down. I highly recommend it.

[Andrea Bartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A warm, witty, and at times laugh-out-loud funny read about suburban ennui and what it means to accept your loves ones (and yourself!) for who they are, not who you want them to be. Langsdorf has a knack for capturing the calisthenics we do in our heads every day as we struggle to seem like we have it all together. She's also a beautiful writer; WHITE ELEPHANT is packed with rich descriptions, snappy dialogue, and impressively complex characters—not easy to pull off with a large ensemble cast. I received an ARC from the publisher and I'll be recommending this like crazy when it's out.

[Elisabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had difficulty determining who the audience for this book is. Teen? Adult? I am confused by all of the 5 star ratings because I didn't find this book particularly compelling or unique. Few characters were believable and several were ridiculous. Not one I'll recommend.

[Lisa Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started out ok but then it took a weird twist. The characters became really unlikable.

[Laine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was...fine. Not sure I understand all the fuss. Lots of unlikeable characters.

[Indre · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I won an arc of this book in Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review*
I really enjoyed the writing in this book. It had enough humor, and it was relatable, it flowed really well. But the story was basically about nothing. Just glimpses of different worlds of different people. I thought the dispute over the big house would be the central point here but it was the secrets or things we don't want to talk about (the big elephant in the room). It's about how hard it is to say what you feel, or think, or what you want from life, relationship, etc. I liked the characters, they were all so different, but some were just slow. Slow to act, or change. Don't expect much action, just some family drama you'd expect to see in real world.
The ending was satisfying to me. So I'm rounding up, and giving this 4 stars.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perceptive, clever look at suburban life and the complexities of marriage, parenthood, and community. White Elephant follows three families in Willard Park, a suburb in DC. The construction of a massive home in the quaint neighborhood leads to turmoil among the neighbors, and brings to the surface some of the characters' marital tension and personal struggles. Some were particularly poignant to see on the page: Ted's relationship with Terrance, his intellectually disabled brother; Kaye's insecurity over her parenting and art; and Jillian's budding, but cautious, friendship with Lindy. Funny and sharp - totally recommend it!

[Elissa Sanci · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one, which followed the intersecting stories of three families living in a close-knit small town hell-bent against change. Told from alternating perspectives, this well-written, sharp & witty novel shows a slice of suburban American life, where not everything is as it seems. What makes this novel so delightful, in my opinion, is that each character has depth: you’ll understand where they’re coming from, even if you don’t agree with them.

[Jennie Litvack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging. Insightful. Thought-provoking. Great for book clubs. Highly recommended!