Customer Reviews

Maynard and Jennica

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I picked this book up mainly because of the terrific jacket and the buzz I'd read about it and the author in USA Today. Well, it was 100% customer satisfaction as I read it cover to cover in no time! Delson has a terrific voice- this is laugh-out-loud funny, moving, touching, all at the same time. The characters stick with you, especially the title two- and anyone who's ever communted via public transportation will be envious of Maynard's filming of NY subway fashion faux pas. Theres a bit about 9/11 that was indeed memorable- I need to buy at least 4 more copies to get to friends. This one is absolutely worth it!

This book does not follow a typical novel's path - it much more interesting! The author chooses to tell the story through a variety of characters (and inanimate objects) offering their own point of view & interpretation of events. At first I thought this might lead to lots of 'plot repeats" -- but actually, it's so well written that basically the characters are simply all adding pieces to a larger puzzle, ultimately giving the reader the "whole story." This is an example of an author elevating to mundane into something much more interesting.

M&J has a cinematic quality to it -- I could see it as a movie. A lot of fun.

In these difficult times, we can all find solace in a good book. What better way to while away the time than having a few good chuckles and belly-laughs.

Maynard and Jennica is the literary debut of the author Rudolph Delson.

The book takes place in Manhattan (a.k.a. New York City), starting in the Summer of 2000. Its characters then find themselves in the aftermath of September 11, 2001.

Rudolf Delson writes very well. Perhaps the true strength of this novel is the character development of the main people in this book.

Reminiscent of a funny sitcom like Mad About You or Seinfeld, this story focuses on the relationship of a young filmmaker-pianist (Maynard Gogarty) and a brilliant graduate of Princeton (Jennica Green). Initially they meet in typical New York fashion, riding uptown on the Number 6.

Although that first meeting is a short & delightful encounter, as fate would have it, they meet again. But, after the next meeting, they are head over heels.

Opposites attract, they say and of course, all around them, people wonder why they are together. But their relationship just works..............

Don't miss this book. It is extremely well written, a quick read, and a highly enjoyable and exhilarating experience!

The beginning is definitely packed with characters' accounts, and it took me some time to process it. But, as a whole, I found the book is very well-written, the story is captivating, and the author's style fascinating and effective. I must comment Rudolph Delson on the skill with which he developed the characters in this book. His attention to detail and the different points of view gave them credible life.

Set mostly in Manhattan during the months before and the weeks just after September 11, 2001, this offbeat romantic comedy manages to be effervescent, insightful, witty and truthful. The story is told by a rotating cast of characters, who digress and dissimulate and generally relate a story just about as directly and reliably as any witness might--which is to say with a strong dose of personal bias and unintended self-revelation. Each character, no matter how minor, is somehow clearly drawn through their narrative, and each character is plausible while being wonderfully colorful.

Maynard is a very odd film-maker pianist ne'er-do-well from a wealthy New York family and Jennica is a Princeton graduate from a progressive, nominally Jewish California clan. They meet "cute," of course, but the story is told in an engrossingly mysterious, circuitous, digressive style. By the time the couple gets together, we know them well enough that the ensuing situations are richly rewarding, much as those on a much-loved, high-quality TV sit-com like Seinfeld might be.

Despite the potentially confusing, changing cast of narrators, this is a very easy, enjoyable read that nonetheless is satisfying. Five stars!

Beginning writers are often told to "find your voice." First time author Delson takes this advice and turns it on its head, resulting in a very unique storytelling device that captivated me from beginning to end.

Maynard and Jennica are but two of the voices as a whole Greek chorus joins them in telling their love story. We hear from friends and family, but also the super, the lawyer, and insects! Each voice adds a texture to the weave of the story. All points of view are delivered with the author's dry wit. I was amused by everyone in this book, and there are over 30 unique voices that Delson brings to life on the page.

Two "characters" in the book figure prominently but never "speak:" New York City and California. I can't wait to find out where the author sets his next novel. It is sure to be a fun outing wherever he goes.

Maynard and Jennica is a fun book. While I realize that "fun" isn't exactly a literary description, it's the adjective that I keeping coming back to when considering this uniquely crafted novel. The love story between Maynard and Jennica isn't all that unusual...a typical "boy meets girl and finds her through a twist of fate"...but the narrative style is what gives this novel some real bite. Through a collection of narrators- some human and some not- their story is told. This is not a typical "New York City 9/11" novel, even though there is a memorable scene recounting these events. Though Maynard and Jennica feels like a movie script at times, it is still an enjoyable read. This novel is unique without feeling over-gimmicky and sentimental without being sappy. Good read.

When I started reading this book, I loved it. I thought it was really delightful. Smart. Funny. A little intellectual (I read a lot and have never come across some of the words like prestidigitation).

Unlike some of the reviewers, I did come to enjoy the characters, although I will not dispute that they are quirky and neurotic.

The story is told through varying accounts -- sort of mockumentary style, but I didn't find it hard to follow at all. There were some characters like Ana and Puppy Jones who held no interest for me, so I skimmed their parts (but they only had minor accounts).

So, as I said -- the first 2/3 of the book was really fresh, original and laugh-out-loud funny. But the tone changed in the last third, becoming more cynical and losing focus.

In all, I'm glad I read it, and I'd still recommend it to people who like smart original novels.

Some reviewers do not care for the ingenius structure of this novel with its multiple viewpoints (including the insects and frogs) but I loved the book. The characters and dialogue are quirky and realistic, and the novel blends moments of deep hilarity, remorse and rumination to paint a realistic picture of two young New Yorkers trying to find themselves, each other, and ultimtely emotionally survivng 9/11.

This book isn't going to be everyone's cuppa. I sampled the beginning and liked the writing, so I bought the book. I think the writing was fantastic in lines like getting mugged by the wind; the heart bubbling like a water dispenser, with a bubble jellyfishing to the surface; Maynard doing the panting stallion yoga pose; and an event that causes your memory to put a post-it sticky on it as a reminder to tell your sig. other. Plus, you don't get to read an argument between crickets and frogs every day. I thought it dragged in parts, especially the sections on Ana's parents. For the most part I thought the book was interesting, well written, funny at times, and different than the usual book out there. At times the multiple perspectives felt like a bit much, but in general it kept the book moving and I could read it in short bursts. I'd read another book by this author.