Customer Reviews

Murdering Mr. Monti

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

 

 

Brenda Kovner prides herself on being a "Can-Do" person who is in control of every aspect of her (and everyone else's) life. Her cheerful optimism as she blunders along making everything worse is absolutely hilarious. The chapter dealing with her assignation with a William F. Buckley-type who's into Japanese erotica is possibly the funniest sex scene ever written

"Murdering Mr.Monti was at once a morally bankrupt but intriguing glimpse of middle age crisis for a woman. Brenda Kovner puts into action most women's curiosities about sex and most women's desire to make things right.

Because of these, the character also becomes unbelievable. Lacking credibility, is Brenda's meeting of Mr. Monti in her home and realizing he was one of her one night stands. Neither skips a beat. Surely, realizing that Mr. Monti would be her son's father-in-law and vice versa needed some delineation of guilt, consternation, or something to punctuate the moment.

Likewise, her intent to engage in extra-marital affairs, manage her adult childrens' lives, and to dispose of Mr. Monti, although charmingly written and accurate in their insights, make Brenda seem too obsessive even for her age and cultural stereotype.

Morally, she is bankrupt. Even the excuse that she is doing this for her family doesn't help--no one in her family asks for her interference. Quite the opposite exists, her family knows she is a busybody and prefers for her to stay out of their lives.

I give this novel a four rating because of the unbelievability of the Brenda Kovner character and because of the weak joke it makes out of fidelity and honesty

It's been a while since I've laughed out loud while reading a book. It just gets better and better. What insights! My only question is..when will Brenda Kovner be back???

Funny. Loved it. Brenda, a thrice-weekly advice columnist, plots to off Mr. Monti because of his threat to her favorite son. The way Brenda rationalizes her behavior throughout the book is hilarious. The timing of her self-justified indiscretions adds precious touch(es). One of the best good times, just for an escape, books I've read in the last couple of years

I loved the main character's personality. She is a middle-aged upper middle class Jewish woman living in Washington DC who just has to help out her family whether they know it or not! Very clever and entertaining.