The Fixer-Upper

by Lorne Elliott

Funnyman Lorne Elliott's take on Island life. When Bruno MacIntyre decides to rent his ramshackle cottage to summer tourists, the wacky merriment begins. Lorne Elliott, comic master of mirth and mayhem, takes us to Savage Bay on the south shore of Prince Edward Island, where the hapless Bruno turns to his clever and caustic Aunt Tillie for help in securing tenants. First, the cottage, inherited with a bad reputation from Bruno's ne'r-do-well father, must be renovated. Then, Bruno must duel with his aunt's wry insults and sly plans, a sardonic would-be author, and two torrid tenants. Elliott's celebrated gifts for sharp-witted repartee and vivid characterizations are in full force. So, too, are Elliott's keen eye and ear for our fumbling aspirations, bittersweet banterings, self-deceptions, hard-won wisdom, surprising tenderness, and zany outcomes. The Fixer-Upper--the novella adaptation of his play, Tourist Trap--is classic Lorne Elliott, with a brash and cheeky Maritime flavour.

64 pages, Paperback

First published August 15, 2009

About the author

Lorne Elliott is perhaps best known as the host for ten years of CBC Radio's "Madly Off In All Directions" and is a musician, comedian, playwright and novelist. He has written and performed in numerous plays and shows in various media. His latest musical play, "Jamie Rowsell Lives" won the 2012 Playwrights Guild of Canada Award for Best Musical. He has had a novella, "The Fixer-Upper" and a novel "Beach Reading" published.

Reviews

[Keisha Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little play turned novela about a guy trying to fix up a cottage to rent in PEI. Meddling family, divorced relationship drama, bad DIY come together in a funny quick read. Most of the book is phone call banter between character and meddling aunt.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funnier in person; doesn't translate as well into the written word.