The Ladies' Man

by Elinor Lipman

Nashville

Imagine Jane Austen reincarnated to contemporary Massachusetts and you begin to understand why the Northampton, Massachusetts-based writer Elinor Lipman -- author of, most famously, Isabel's Bed and The Inn at Lake Devine -- is so beloved. Astute and the kind of funny that used to be known as "droll," Lipman is a modern-day chronicler of manners, a visionary with an eagle eye and a sharp but ultimately generous tongue.

Lipman's latest, The Ladies' Man, starts from a very ripe premise. Nash Harvey (né Harvey Nash in the middle-class Boston suburbs) is a smooth, handsome commercial jingle writer now based in Los Angeles. When the book opens, Nash is on his way back to Boston, ostensibly to make amends to Adele Dobbins, the woman he skipped out on (at their engagement party, no less!) 30 years earlier. Adele is what your grandmother -- and more importantly, Adele herself -- would call a "spinster." She lives with her two equally unmarried sisters in a suburban apartment, and while the Dobbins sisters participate in the real business world -- Kathleen has her own lingerie shop, Lois (the only divorcée) works for the state, and Adele raises money for public TV -- the sexual revolution seems to have passed them by. Like the slightly off characters that are novelist Anne Tyler's trademark, the three sisters live together, mostly without boyfriends or lovers or friends, save for the intermittent visits of their lone brother, a process server who is himself no prize in the marriage sweepstakes.

Enter Nash, who -- it is soon revealed -- says he's come to right old wrongs but who is, in fact, still the same old womanizing commitment-phobe he was back in high school. Having fled his live-in L.A. girlfriend, Dina -- a reflexologist, the perfect L.A. bimbo job -- Nash picks up a woman on the plane east. In one of the novel's finest series of scenes, we watch Nash alternately sweet-talk and self-deprecate himself into bed with her. "I'm not a kid," he explains in faux-self-aware mode. "I should be less impetuous, not more. But I'm also less patient. Also, I've been around. I know when something clicks." This guy should have his picture in the dictionary under "wolf in sheep's clothing."

Meanwhile, back in L.A., Dina is meeting her own ladies' man, a visiting playwright from New York who appears so unsmooth as to be the anti-Nash. But this being a Lipman novel, no one and nothing turns out to be quite what they seem. Add in some revelations and subplots about Kathleen Dobbins's budding romance with a security guard in her office building (which happens to be where Cynthia, Nash's latest conquest, lives), Adele's very nervous suitor/boss, and Lois Dobbins's delusions about her own desires, and you end up with a gentle comedy of manners about everybody's favorite subject: Why do we love whom we love, and just who is that person anyway?

In Lipman's previous works, even the frothiest tales had a weighty back story -- the anti-Semitism at the root of The Inn at Lake Devine may have accounted for that novel's appearance on many "Best of '98" lists -- and some readers may notice a lack of one here. But Lipman's strength has always been as a social observer, and some of the set pieces in this book rival the best work she has done. In addition to the cringingly accurate seduction of the 50-year-old Cynthia on the plane, there's a dinner party scene that for all its convoluted, interconnected relationships is downright brilliant and hilarious. Cynthia invites neighbors and friends to meet her new boyfriend, whom she bills as a famous musical arranger. Nash -- ever on the prowl for attractive women guests -- tries to imply he's playing roommate more than lover without, of course, letting his lover know what he's doing. Meanwhile, the guests want him to play his more famous compositions -- of which he has virtually none. When Kathleen Dobbins arrives on the arm of her doorman/boyfriend, Nash's cover threatens to be blown. This is the stuff -- coincidentally crossed paths, jockeying for social position, posing -- of which the best Lipman novels are made.

Besides, who says social posturing and the search for love are not "important" themes? They certainly served Jane Austen and Edith Wharton and countless other "serious" novelists well. The way Elinor Lipman writes, the way she finds something familiar and even endearing in a cad like Nash, the way she makes us feel simultaneously protective of and frustrated with the Dobbins sisters: Those are the qualities her fans have come to expect. Some writers promise to take you to places you've never been; Lipman takes us into the nooks and crannies of our own mixed-up lives, makes us laugh at our foibles, and then forgives us for laughing.

—Sara Nelson

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit, Humor, Contemporary, Book Club, Adult Fiction, Novels

260 pages, Hardcover

First published June 15, 1998

About the author

I love talking with readers - for 1:1s and Book Club visits, find me on Skolay: www.skolay.com/writers/elinor-lipman

Elinor Lipman is the author of 14 humorous novels about contemporary American society; essay and short story collections. Born and raised in Lowell, MA, she divides her time between Manhattan and the Hudson Valley of New York. She received the New England Book award for fiction in 2001. Her first novel, "Then She Found Me," was adapted for the screen, starring Helen Hunt, Bette Midler, Colin Firth and Matthew Broderick. Her fourth novel, "The Inn at Lake Devine" was adapted for the off-off Broadway stage by Tongue in Cheek Theater. In 2011-2012, she held the Elizabeth Drew chair in creative writing at Smith College. Her novel, “Ms. Demeanor," was a finalist for the 2023 Thurber Prize for American Humor. In 2021, her hometown Library, Pollard Memorial Library in Lowell, established The Elinor Lipman Prize, awarded annually to Lowell residents and students at Lowell universities.

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Written in 1999, which with today’s eyes, feels longer than 24 years ago.

[Elizabeth B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the heck out of this fun romantic comedy. In the hands of another writer it could turn sour or saccharine but Lippmann writes with the perfect amount of insight, humor, and good-heartedness.

[Nicholas George · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing, light story about three sisters in their forties and fifties finally coming to terms with their single state and finding men. The central character is Harvey Nash, a pathetic boy-child who coasts through life on his good looks, never really maturing, endlessly repeating mistakes of the past. There are some weighty themes here but they're encased in a sitcom-like jokiness that at times works and at other times doesn't. Still, this was an entertaining and well-crafted read.

[Lauren · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh! I did not really like anything about this book. Not the characters, not the way it ended. Thank goodness it was short because even when I don't like a book, I have a need to finish it and see how it ends. This one almost felt like she just stopped writing when she hit 200 pages. Couldn't wait to move on to a new book.

[Corene · Rating 4 out of 5]

A half star goodwill bump up for a book that I first read many years ago. Surprisingly, this one by a favorite author didn’t hold up like I’d hoped. It felt dated, (even older than the 1999 publishing date,) and the title character was wearyingly obnoxious.

The three Dobbin sisters of Boston are single and middle-aged. When the ne’er-do-well former fiancé of the oldest sister shows up on their doorstep after several decades, it sets in motion a series of events that brings much needed change to the three women’s lives.

Light hearted in tone, there’s a screwball comedy element to the novel, but unfortunately it is a deflated version of one.

[John · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked this up used after having seen the film adaptation of another book by Lipman called "Then She Found Me" which I'd really enjoyed. Faithful to the cover of this novel it really tries for a classic old fashioned Hollywood romantic screwball comedy with witty banter & characters, but everything just falls flat. There is a jolt of modern sexuality that plays in once in a while but the effect just comes off as crassness that doesn't jibe with the general tone. The threadbare plot involves the effect three spinster sisters & their brother experience when on old fiance who ditched one of the sisters many years past shows up again. It doesn't really go anywhere even with everyone sort of taking stock of how their lives are & where they want them to go. I didn't care for most of the characters or situations nor was it very funny or engaging. It was a major disapointment.

[Sandra Hutchison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those Lipman books, like THE PURSUIT OF ALICE THRIFT, that have fun with an awful guy, the ladies' man of the title, who manages to spark a number of stories. (There seems to be an overarching philosophy in her world that awful people have a way of driving good people into each other's arms.) It has so many characters that I was slightly less emotionally involved than I have been with others of hers I've recommended, but it's just so damned funny. It also has a flashback scene of one of the main characters intentionally going out to lose her virginity that might be the funniest sex scene in all of American literature. I swear I've worked in an English department with that guy.

[Linda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not my type of book. Silly, waste of time. Not entertaining and I didn't learn anything from it. It was on my bookshelf and I read it. I'll personally avoid this author, not because she's a bad author but I just don't like silly books.

[Martha · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the "I just want to be entertained" category. And, really, what is wrong with that. Sometimes. Put this in a stack that includes Diane Johnson and Cathleen Shine. Summer is just around the corner.

[Bmankiewicz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amusing.

[Dark-Draco · Rating 4 out of 5]

This really isn't my usual type of book, but I rescued it from my sister's bookshelf. I was quite glad that I did.

The story is about the three Dobbin sisters, their brother and the return into their lives of Nash Harvey, the man who jilted Adele Dobbin many years ago. Nash is the 'ladies man' of the title, stringing on a number of women as he uses the excuse of catching up with Adele to escape a failing career and relationship.

This was funny, very different, and although not the out and out 'happy' ending a lot if these chick-lit books usually have, it was optimistic and suited the characters. And no matter how horrible Nash is, you do kind of feel for him as all his women start to turn on him - ok, not really, its great that he gets what he deserves!!!

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not her best book. I didn't like all the characters, and it wasn't as humorous as her best works. I still think "The Family Man" was by far her best book. I'm rather sad that it's the first one I read, and the rest haven't quite measured up.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lipman's sardonic humor and quirky cast of characters more than make up for a predictable plot. Like her other novels this amounted to a whole lot of fun.

[Candice · Rating 4 out of 5]

He’s a cad and a bounder. A rapscallion and a heel. But what an absolutely CHARMING book. I’ll be right back... I have to go get some more of Elinor Lipman’s genius literature.

[Luanne Oleas · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my quest to read all thing Lipman, I just finished The Ladies' Man. Let's just say that the main character is one of those guys you love to hate.

The premise is that 30 years previous, Harvey Nash walked out on Adele Dobbins just before their engagement party. Then, he went to Hollywood, inverted his name (to Nash Harvey) and began writing jingles for commercials with questionable success.

In fact, questionable pretty much described everything Nash does. He can pretty much lie his way into and out of everything. Even when the going gets tough, Nash has a story for that.

But Adele's not buying, even when he returns to Boston to apologize for standing her up. I'm glad she's suspicious. More characters should be.

The crazy jams the characters (added by wacky family members) encounter only moves the story forward at an hysterical pace. Again, Lipman has brought out what we all live through, then takes it to the next level.

Can't wait to read her next one.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boy did Ms. Lipman nail the Ladies' Man. I personally have had my experience with what I also believed was a player, bad boy to have been fooled and used, learning I was dealing with narcissism.

Some of the guy's story were spot on and it was interesting to hear the way they knew what they were doing. I will say these strong sister, and even Dina and Cynthia did not get as bamboozled as most. Which I was thankful for.

I loved the characters except for Lois, she was needed in the story, but I feel she lacked description as I knew who she should of have been.

There was another angle that I feel was just "thrown" in and made no sense.

This was a good read.

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

I accidentally reread this; I had read it quite a long time ago. Like a number of other goodreads readers, my wife (who read it first) hated it, and simply found Nash Harvey too offensive a character. I actually liked this book slightly better on a second read. I did find Harvey so awful that it was sometimes humorous. I found that I sort of enjoyed this as a satire on a certain protocol of male behavior. I don't see this as a book to be taken seriously, not would I recommend than anyone rush out to read it. I was surprised, by the way, that it is more sexually explicit than Lipman's work usually is.

[NotMyRealName · Rating 1 out of 5]

Skip this one and read the others

I’ve enjoyed other books by this author, but not this one. It’s populated with characters so flat you’d swear you were reading about them in the newspaper. The whole plot revolves around one of them doing something completely uncharacteristic, and his real motivation is never explained. The book seems to have been written bloodlessly and then given to some third party to paste in a few nods to sex. I finished only because I hate to quit. Something went really wrong here.

[Alice · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ridiculous book, ridiculous characters, ridiculous writing. It reads like a 15-year-old boy's wet dream of being an adult male. Clichéd characters and dialogue (eye-rolling at times), strained similes, and silly descriptions and developments. And it's pretty clear the author has no knowledge of how black eyes develop and heal. The book so annoyed me, I joined Goodreads to warn people away from it.

I've thrown away only one book in my life for being an awful book; had I purchased this book, it would be added to that short list.

[Tricia Culp · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t normally even finish a 2-star book, but this one was clever enough I wanted to know what happened. But I just felt empty at the end. Like it had no soul. Ive heard Lipman called a modern Jane Austen - comedy of manners type thing - and this was a modern comedy of manners, but it had none of Austen’s character development or universal-human-spirit appeal. Maybe this isn’t her best work, but I don’t plan on picking her up again.

[Julie Cunningham · Rating 4 out of 5]

You might call this story a lighthearted romp about adults who have issues with romantic relationships. The Ladies Man in this story is a charming womanizer who no one should trust. He connects all the other characters. The sisters, the brother, the friends are all single for different reasons that are interesting to read about. It reminds me of plays they used to produce that were just fun romantic entertainment.

[Eleanor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Parts of this book dragged for me, and I found over half the characters annoying to some degree. That said, I did want to see how it ended. Given the state of the world right now, I consider that a win. She draws her characters well, although some of this plot is implausible. I do want to read more by her.

[Lori Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books that make you belly laugh. Lipman does just that with this story of a born womanizer. When he travels back to the east coast to “apologize” to the woman he jilted 30 years ago, he doesn’t anticipate the reaction he’ll receive from her or her sisters. Nash has a silver tongue and he uses it at every opportunity. A quick, funny read.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was my second book by Elinor Lipman. If it had been the first, it probably would have been the last. The titular character was just too unpleasant, and not funny enough to be worth it. I liked The Inn at Lake Devine much more.

[Sharon Falduto]

A womanizer comes back to Boston to meet with the woman he abandoned 30 years before--and woos other women along the way, showing that leopards don't really change their spots. The book is actually about the stranded woman and her two sisters, and their love lives at their more-mature-than-most-heroines' ages.

[Amy Winters · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just have so many questions after I finished this book. I really enjoy her writing style but this story had too many loose ends and underdeveloped stories. What happened to all the sisters? The brother? Dina? I feel like it just ended....ugh...so disappointed.

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stars. Did not enjoy this. The main character was very unlikeable and the story dragged. I liked The Inn at Lake Devine more.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nash Harvey/Harvey Nash is despicable and never gets what's coming to him, but everyone around him gets better when they get him out of their lives.

[Maggie Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful! The characters were wonderful and surprising. This is how a romantic comedy should be written!

[Barbara A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very droll humor and a funny twist that reminds me of Emma or Pride and Prejudice.