Customer Reviews

The Heights

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Peter Hedges' The Heights centers around a young couple living in a upscale neighborhood on a shoestring budget with two small children. With his dissertation hanging over his head, Peter teaches history at the local private school, and Kate stays home with their boys. The characters are extremely likeable and the novel is easy to read, drawing readers in with charm and grace. I even found the secondary voice of Bea (one of Peter's students) fun to read, even if generally less believable than her adult counterparts.

We follow along as Kate and Peter wrestle with changes in their lives, their ever-mounting bills, and the challenges of marriage. Like many young modern couples, they are physically and emotionally distant from their families and are trying to make their way more alone in the world than previous generations. Their stories and their voices, though silly and exaggerated at times (I can see the makings of the screenplay already) are easy to relate to.

Like many contemporary novels, it alternates between several voices. Though it wasn't poorly written, I didn't find it overly distinct. The aim seems to be more towards a movie deal than a literary prize. Overall, it's a light and enjoyable read, very appropriate for the beach. (3.5/5)

I would put this novel under the "Good Escapist Reading" category: a simple, frequently funny, almost always sweet and tender story told with heart.

Tim and Kate married when he was 23, and she 25. Despite having so many attractive and bound-to-be-financially-successful suitors, Kate - in Tim's mind -- chose to "marry down" when she chose to marry him. Kate, for her part, found Tim's kindness, soul-baring vulnerability, and honesty touching.

Nine years into their marriage and raising two small boys with Tim's modest private-school history teacher's salary in a tony Brooklyn Heights neighborhood, Tim and Kate find themselves constantly under financial pressure, and for Kate at least, longing for an alternate future, one where they could afford the finer things in life.

In come three people into the picture: Anna Brody, wife of the newest richest guy in town; Bruno Schwine, Kate's former gay boss who has a new gig running a charitable foundation for a highly successful former classmate, and Jeff Slade, one of Kate's former suitors who is now a rich and famous actor.

Through their encounters with these people, Tim and Kate got a taste of the potential good that fame and fortune can bring to bear on people's lives. But alas, not all of their experiences would turn out to be positive. How would their lives change as a result? Would their marriage survive?

The story is told mostly from Tim's and Kate's first person accounts of events and their reactions to them as those events unfold, with the narration occasionally switching also to first person accounts of other characters, most notably Bea Myerly, whose intense student crush on Tim rivals that of Rachel's on Mr. Schuster in Glee's Endless Love episode (smile). Mr. Hedges used this narration technique to good effects, especially when dramatizing a character's inner conflicts, when the words spoken by a character belie the real thoughts or emotions rushing through the character's mind or heart.

The story contains many funny or amusing moments, such as: Kate's shrieking with pride over the phone to inform Tim of little Sam's singular achievement of the day walking over to a potty and pooping unassisted, Tim's method of determining whether sex would follow depending on how a person hugs you, and Tim's imaginary conversation with Neil Armstrong to help him decide whether to have sex with Anna or not. And as for what Bea Myerly's role is, well, all I can tell you is this: Almost always, whenever she appears on a scene, something dramatic or a plot twist is about to happen. (smile)

The novel was a quick read, and I did smile or chuckle many times while reading it. The ending was satisfying to me, but overall, I didn't really find the novel especially stirring, moving, or enlightening; thus, the four- rather than five-star rating.

THE HEIGHTS

This book is told in one of my favorite ways -- each character tells a portion of the story. Sometimes that section goes on for pages, other times it will consist of one or two words. Very good story telling. Each character has their own personal voice and makes this book gratifying.

We meet Kate and Tim, living in the Heights section of Brooklyn. It's a great neighborhood to raise a family in and Kate and Tim are doing just that; bringing up their two young sons. Tim is a much loved history teacher and Kate stays at home with their boys. The neighborhood hosts a diverse bunch of people -- mostly upper middle class, some upper class. These young couples work, set up play dates with their children, party together, and gossip about everyone and everything in the Heights.

Enter a new family who moves into one of the most fantastic brownstones in the neighborhood. This family is THE FAMILY now in the Heights. Everyone wants to be included in their circle of friends. However, the Mrs. of the couple, one Anna Brody, is elusive and pretty stand-offish to everyone in the Heights. She seems to want to befriend one couple only and that couple is Kate and Tim.

Little do Kate and Tim realize how Anna Brody will effect the lives of their neighbors and their own lives. Anna will befriend pretty much only Kate, plying her with gifts and her company.

Enter into Kate and Tim's lives Kate's former boss who offers her an awesome job. She accepts and starts to be the major bread winner in the family. Tim becomes a stay at home dad and enters into the world of play dates, kids, and the social conditions of 'the mommys'. Kate and Tim's roles have been reversed and this causes many unsettling effects that cause some problems in their marriage.

Not helping this situation is the arrival of Kate's old lover, now a TV star, who wants Kate back, never mind the fact she is a happily married woman. Or she is?

Does the union of Tim and Kate and their very happy marriage falter under the barrage of attention from Anna Brody and Jeff the TV star? Can love withstand anything and can it still conquer all even though temptations are being pitched at both Tim and Kate?

Peter Hedges writes a comical, fun, exciting, and very interesting book about life and relationships. This book reads quickly and I was sorry to see it end.

Being a fan of Peter Hedges from long ago, I was happy to see he has graced us with another novel. Aside from being an author, he is also a film-maker and playwright. If you haven't seen some of the movies he has been involved in -- WHAT'S EATING GILBERT GRAPE, PIECES OF APRIL, and DAN IN REAL LIFE, you should treat yourself and rent them. Better yet, READ his best book ever, WHAT'S EATING GILBERT GRAPE. I absolutely loved that book. He is also the author of AN OCEAN IN IOWA. Check them out.

Thank you.

Pam

I picked this book off Vine because a dear friend suggested it and I loved the movies this author has written......"What's Eating Gilbert Grape,' "Pieces of April," About a Boy" and my favorite, "Dan In Real Life." I hoped I would enjoy his novel as much as his movies. I did. Completely. Left all the housework, planned shopping, and ordered take in for hubby so I could devote most of my moments of the day to reading this enticing book. So glad I did except it is over now and I can only pray that a movie follows.(Written and directed by Mr. Hedges)

Tim, a private school history teacher is married to Kate, a stay at home mom with two small boys. They have enjoyed marital bliss for 9 years, residing in ritzy Brooklyn Heights, NYC which starves their tiny budget. When Kate is offered a six figure job Tim hops at the opportunity to take a year's sabbatical and be a house dad who can finish his ridiculously over due dissertation. All seems sublime until Tim is enchanted by rich mom who seduces he and his sons into play dates with her daughter. Kate develops a taste for wealth, enjoying forays with their wealthier counterparts in Brooklyn Heights. "The grass is always greener" applies and soon both are living lives of disenchanted selfishness. Mr. Hedges reveals the refuse that accumulates from wanting more than we can hande. We humans are all capable of dalliances in our minds and beyond! Wealth and prestige can be powerful aphrodisiacs easily leading to corruption on all levels. The prose is lovely, witty, well-conceived and narrated by two major characters and a few minor.

I became a willing indentured servant to "The Heights" as the story resonated with the foibles of all human frailty and the humility we exorcise if willing to forgive and be forgiven. Perhaps a simple story, but not simplistic answers at this author's deft fingertips. Well done.

Peter Hedges' new novel THE HEIGHTS would (and perhaps will?) make a good movie in the romantic drama/comedy genre. This is not surprising when one realizes Mr. Hedges has found success as a screenwriter as well as a novelist. THE HEIGHTS is set in present day, upper middle class, Brooklyn Heights and the sense of time and place are well developed. Mr. Hedges does a great job in portraying the lives and concerns of upscale parents with young children in a realistic and sometimes satiric manner. He has two appealing and believable protagonists in married couple Kate and Tim. Unfortunately he places these two in situations that strain credulity.

This book, like so many currently published novels, is told alternately by Kate and Tim with a few comments put in by an awkward teenager named Bea who has a unique view of the situations. Some brief notes and telephone messages are also occasionally used to tell the story. When we first meet Kate and Tim they are living in a small apartment while he works as a popular history teacher at a prestigious local private school and she is a stay at home mom. Both these two ordinary seeming people seem to attract the famous and powerful at an unbelievable pace. Jeff, an old lover of Kate's is now a popular television star. This handsome, successful, ex lover has never gotten over the now married Kate and is obsessed with winning this thirty something mother of two back. Kate and Tim soon also meet Anna, the wife of a very wealthy (and famous) businessman. Preposterously Anna, who seems to have no other friends and very limited interests, soon becomes fascinated with our commonplace couple as well. Meanwhile an old friend of Kate's reconnects with a very wealthy eccentric former classmate who needs help giving away his fortune. Kate is suddenly given a six figure salary to help distribute the money to worthy causes. Other subplots include Tim's dad, a legendary but now disgraced college basketball coach, Tim's race to finish his dissertation and a teenager with a crush. All this (and more) in a rather short book is sometimes overwhelming to the reader.

THE HEIGHTS is an amusing and fast read. The book is well written but is too unbelievable to be taken seriously but doesn't seem to qualify as a full satire either. I know there are people who will love this new novel but I can't fully recommend it.

This book is distinguished by the fact that each and every character in it is an uninteresting bore. I read quite a bit and I can't remember the last time I read something so dreadful - oh, wait, Swamplandia also lands on that list.

My only regret is that I paid to read this on my Kindle. Please, dear reader, don't make the same mistake. In fact, if someone should give you this book gratis, do yourself a favor and toss it in the nearest trash can.

Normally when I REALLY don't enjoy a novel, I don't review it or I give it a bland review because usually it has SOME redeeming qualities.

All i can say about THE HEIGHTS is that its leads you believe that something is going to happen, but nothing ever does. It amazes how some stories even get by and editor, and in my opinion this is one of them. The characters, Tim, Kate and Anne, could have been spectacular had they not been so droll.
Kate started off mysterious, but soon fell into the dull narrative of a story that went nowhere. Even her daughter, who has severe developmental problems could have been of some use in this book, but even she fell into nothingness.
Tim's problematic father with is over extended dalliances with this female basketball team could have been explored a little more.
I felt the author was trying to redeem everyone but without giving us a full view of any serious problem. Did this novel have potential? It sure did, but it left me in the lurch..
I know Brooklyn Heights and the dullest person there must have a better story than this.
My apologies to the author but I am afraid I did not enjoy this book.

I recently spent part of a weekend on the cusp of what Peter Hedges, in his new novel THE HEIGHTS, calls "Other Brooklyn. Real Brooklyn," the kind of neighborhood where bail bond agencies and check cashing bureaus are squeezed between parking lots and donut shops. But even there, the New Brooklyn was starting to creep in, as high-end whiskey bars, tapas restaurants and boutique hotels sneak into spots formerly occupied by ethnic grocers and discount shoe shops. The creep of gentrification has taken over almost all of Brooklyn, where high-end strollers crowd gourmet coffee shops and progressive private schools occupy old mansions, catering to the affluent parents who now call Brooklyn home.

Nowhere is this gentrification, this sort of quasi-urban sophistication mixed with family life, more entrenched than in the neighborhood of Brooklyn Heights, where Hedges sets his new novel. Tim Welch and his wife Kate are typical Heights parents. They have two small boys whom they adore; Kate stays home with them while Tim supports the family (although perhaps not to the level they both would prefer) by teaching history at a private high school. They're happy --- or think they are --- until an alluring new neighbor enters the picture.

Anna Brody is beautiful, sophisticated, charming and fabulously wealthy; she and her husband have purchased the most expensive house in town. She also seems to take a fast, intense interest in Kate and Tim, whose lives begin to change dramatically through a series of surprising developments. Kate reconnects with an old flame, now a famous Hollywood actor. She also gets her dream job working for a charitable foundation, making so much money that Tim can take a year-long sabbatical and finally finish his dissertation. Of course, Tim's time as a househusband also enables him to set up playdates with their two boys and Anna's daughter, all the while drawing Tim and Anna closer together. Is Anna herself engineering the destruction of Tim and Kate's marriage? Or is she hiding her own secrets behind a veneer of success and confidence?

Hedges, who wrote the novel and screenplay for What's Eating Gilbert Grape and the screenplays for Dan in Real Life and Pieces of April, clearly has a perceptive ear for dialogue and a near-devastating grasp on the hidden complexities of modern marriage and family life. In THE HEIGHTS, he also demonstrates keen satirical tendencies, as he depicts stay-at-home moms debating the appropriateness of a certain sexual act, realtors jockeying for the next big sale, and neighbors competing for spots at the Yuletide Ball and in the annual house tour. Although Hedges cleverly skewers some aspects of life in the New Brooklyn, he is also obviously fond of this world; it's where he lives, after all. And readers will be rooting for Tim and Kate to make their marriage work, even when things seem bleakest.

Narrated at times from Tim and Kate's perspectives as well as those of some of their neighbors, THE HEIGHTS will appeal to fans of Tom Perrotta's heartfelt, painfully funny, sad, and most of all true accounts of modern marriage and family life. Readers will certainly see themselves --- or at least their most talked-about neighbors --- in its perceptive pages.

"Nine years and two boys later, I still had the ring. And what did Kate and I have? A great, ordinary love we both fought for and guarded. Somehow in these bumpy, broken early years of the twenty-first century, we had navigated our way to something good and simple." -- From The Heights

When I realized that the author of The Heights was Peter Hedges of What's Eating Gilbert Grape? and Pieces of April fame, I just had to snag this book. Pieces of April (starring Katie Holmes) is one of my favorite movies--a simple, moving peek through the window at a family navigating dashed expectations and exasperating attempts at familial connection.

In The Heights, history teacher Tim Welch (who slid into his position thanks to a last-minute death) is admired by his students. And he gets a rush out of bringing history to life. His wife, Kate, is brilliant and well-educated in her own right, and has decided to raise their two small boys at home.

That is, until a former associate, Bruno Schwine, invites her to work with him for an obscene amount money while they give away a gazillionire's money to various charities. What a great solution to their money troubles! (Tim's quip to Verizon over a past-due bill didn't go over as well as he'd like; in short, the Welch's are over-their-heads in debt).

Of course, when beautiful, mysterious, super-wealthy Anna Brody buys up several apartments, reverting it back to a huge house in Brooklyn's Heights--not to mention takes a special interest in Kate and then Tim--the Welch's already tenuous "good thing" begins a rapid fray...

Well, I've finished The Heights and let me tell you, it's a SUPERB book. As a writer, I'm super-conscious of when a writer is "writing" (and I tend to dissect it for my own benefit) but with The Heights, I honestly wasn't aware I was reading a "book". It went down so smooth, like a milkshake--which is a testament to Peter Hedges amazing writing prowess.

But make no mistake: smooth and breezy doesn't mean "lightweight"; it takes a genius, in my opinion, to write so well that the reader isn't aware of the author.

In The Heights, Hedges addresses universal themes (e.g. idealizing others, especially "successful" or "rich" ones, by thinking the grass is greener on their side), but what he gets oh-so-delectably right is the details. I love how each chapter is from a different point of view; for example, one minor character calls Kate Welch and one short chapter is her side of the "conversation". So believable! So palatable a technique! (In fact, it's making me re-think the style of my own novel that I'm working on.)

Keeping the reader slightly off-kilter, hinting at one thing when something altogether different is going on (and just as bad)--The Heights has the finely-strung tension of a literary mystery. But we end up discovering throughout the book and at its end is that the greatest mystery of all is truly ourselves.

-- Janet Boyer, author of Back in Time Tarot

The description on the back cover of the book is not that compelling and I thought I'd have another so-so book on my hands. I states it as "a story of middle-class parents, rich parents, private school, real estate, and a good marriage turned upside down when a new neighbor moves into town." I would say it focuses primarily on the "good marriage" of the Olivers and how they are coping with some changes in their lives as well as how they react to a former lover of the wife, Kate, and a new neighbor, Anna, who solicits Tim to meet her for a one-time, no-holds barred illicit weekend together. Tim quits his job at the private school when Kate receives a swanky job offer to research charities for a major corporation, and after that point the only part the school plays into it is when his former student Bea interacts with him as she is the babysitter for Anna's daughter.

I like the way the story is written with viewpoints from the main characters, and I really liked the development of the plot. While some of the situations may be surreal, the feelings and the reactions of the characters are certainly what any human might experience in real life. Case in point: it's probably not often that a beyond weealthy woman is going to offer herself to a middle class former history teacher who has taken way too much time to finish his doctoral thesis. But the emotions Tim goes through as he thinks of Anna's offer, as he waits for her, and the aftermath are all very real for many people.

The reasons this did not receive 5 stars from me was the ending was wrapped up rather quickly and tidily. The Olivers are in the messy results and then all of a sudden Bea of all people is closing the story out. Still, it is definitely worth the read, and I will go see the film if the book is turned into one.