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Somewhere Else: A Novel
As 2017 is drawing to a close, life has brought Ed Wilson to a point he never would have anticipated, and he’s not particularly pleased with the present state of affairs. A middle-aged municipal lawyer, many things peeve the bureaucratic fog of city government; his ex-wife who moved out after twenty years of marriage; a bizarre controversy that engulfs his daughter in college; and, most troubling of all, the irremediable plight of his mother, resident of a nearby memory care facility.
His disquiet is compounded by the toxic vapors emanating from Washington, D.C., because in his heart Ed believes in government, despite its obvious imperfections. While many Americans seem eager to turn back the clock, Ed must learn to let go of the past and refocus his attention on the present. Filled with humor, insight, and heart, Somewhere Else is a moving exploration of loss, acceptance, and second chances.
His disquiet is compounded by the toxic vapors emanating from Washington, D.C., because in his heart Ed believes in government, despite its obvious imperfections. While many Americans seem eager to turn back the clock, Ed must learn to let go of the past and refocus his attention on the present. Filled with humor, insight, and heart, Somewhere Else is a moving exploration of loss, acceptance, and second chances.
456 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 16, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 15, 2023
A funny, warm read about the many ways middle age can affect us all. In parts it reminded me of Updike's Rabbit series. Not many books make me laugh aloud, but this one did. Numerous times.
August 17, 2026
Rupert “Ed” Edgar Wilson is a middle-aged attorney having a midlife crisis: his wife of twenty years leaves him, his ailing mother with Alzheimer’s Disease struggles with dementia and other health concerns, his daughter is dealing with an extreme accusation at her college that could cost her the seat she has at the Student Council, his boss, who is also a best friend, is accused of sexual harassment, and he is dealing with a case at work that has some questionable issues. Meanwhile, this newly divorced man begins navigating the dating world, where he is unsure and confused about how to present himself around women who seem a bit too hard for him to understand. All of this is what awaits the reader in the novel Somewhere Else by Joe Robinson, a novel that will have readers laughing, smiling, and feeling moved as Ed struggles with this new chapter in life.
This reviewer was hooked on the story from its very interesting beginning. It’s an enjoyable novel to read, with many humorous moments as well as snippets from an advice column.
Ed and his brother, Gene, often visit with their mother, who lives in an elderly care facility and has late-stage dementia. It is touching how gentle they are with her but heartbreaking as they experience some moments where their mother can’t recognize people or remember certain things. These parts of the story really shed light on the realities of that disease as well as how hard it is for family members to see it affecting the people they love.
I really enjoyed reading all of the “past stories” that Ed shares throughout the book. It adds life to all of the characters, and sometimes I forgot that I was reading fiction! I also enjoyed reading the Legal Briefs excerpts.
There were many times as I was reading this book that I wondered if it was really fiction. The way it is written, it feels more like a memoir, especially with the part where Ed and his golfing buddies trash talk the current president as well as MAGA. This happens quite a bit, so readers should take note of this if it is a sensitive topic to read about in a book.
Joe Robinson’s Somewhere Else is a story about navigating serious changes in life, be it divorce, graduation, or the possibility of losing a loved one. With a narrative that pulls readers in and keeps the story interesting, it’s a story that encourages readers to appreciate the good things in life before they aren’t around to appreciate anymore.
This reviewer was hooked on the story from its very interesting beginning. It’s an enjoyable novel to read, with many humorous moments as well as snippets from an advice column.
Ed and his brother, Gene, often visit with their mother, who lives in an elderly care facility and has late-stage dementia. It is touching how gentle they are with her but heartbreaking as they experience some moments where their mother can’t recognize people or remember certain things. These parts of the story really shed light on the realities of that disease as well as how hard it is for family members to see it affecting the people they love.
I really enjoyed reading all of the “past stories” that Ed shares throughout the book. It adds life to all of the characters, and sometimes I forgot that I was reading fiction! I also enjoyed reading the Legal Briefs excerpts.
There were many times as I was reading this book that I wondered if it was really fiction. The way it is written, it feels more like a memoir, especially with the part where Ed and his golfing buddies trash talk the current president as well as MAGA. This happens quite a bit, so readers should take note of this if it is a sensitive topic to read about in a book.
Joe Robinson’s Somewhere Else is a story about navigating serious changes in life, be it divorce, graduation, or the possibility of losing a loved one. With a narrative that pulls readers in and keeps the story interesting, it’s a story that encourages readers to appreciate the good things in life before they aren’t around to appreciate anymore.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews