The Punch: A Novel [Hardcover]

Noah Hawley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 21, 2008

David believes that at heart, people are inherently rotten. Scott, his brother, believes that his life is going to fall apart, and that everyone he loves will leave him. Doris, their mother, believes that she has nothing to lose by revealing a 60-year-old family secret. This hysterically biting and ultimately redeeming novel by Noah Hawley proves them all rightand wrongwhile answering some of life's biggest questions. Like, how did Scott end up with two wonderful wives simultaneously? And why can't David manage to keep even one dysfunctional relationship going? It all comes down to love and families and what you believe inand, maybe, forgiveness.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In his third novel, Hawley (Other People's Weddings) traces the path of Scott and David Henry as they prepare for their father's memorial service. Younger brother Scott—stuck in a dead-end job, failing in love and a frequenter of San Francisco strip clubs—is saddled with his alcoholic, self-destructing mother, Doris, on their trip to New York. Scott's successful sales executive and closeted bigamist brother, David, shares Doris duty while navigating memorial service preparations and secretly juggling marriages on both coasts. Along the way, a family secret is revealed, two hotels are nearly blown up and the trio explores what it means to be a family. Unfortunately, Hawley's asides on physics, religion and the nature of time distract from the plot without adding to it, and the occasional dud sentence pops up (Now they circle their wagons and eye each other warily from the high towers of their castles). However, the characters—especially Doris—and humorously handled uncomfortable situations (as when David's two wives meet) somewhat mitigate these shortcomings, and the memorial service at the legendary White Horse Tavern provides a rollicking climax. (June)
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Review

"The Punch will knock you out with its brilliant style, comic dilemmas, and savage wit. Everyone with a less-than-perfect family will relate." Po Bronson, author of Bombardiers: A Novel and What Should I Do With My Life?

"Noah Hawley writes irresistible fiction. I devoured The Punch in three hours flat, stopping only to marvel over the freshness of a phrase or the effortless wit of a line of dialogue." Mary Roach, author of Stiff and Bonk

"Like an American Martin Amis, Noah Hawley expertly rides the line between hilarity and horror and deftly mines his characters' secret longings their shame, hope, and desire. At times the story is so exquisitely uncomfortable you'll put your hands over your eyes, but you'll end up peeking between your fingers because it's so wickedly good." Tom Barbash, author of The Last Good Chance and On Top of the World

"Brotherly love never hurt so good" Kirkus Reviews

"Hawley sucks you in with his vivid, direct writing. His portrait of a dysfunctional family is at once insane, tender and hilarious." People Magazine: StyleWatch

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 312 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books; First Printing edition (May 21, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811864294
• ISBN-13: 978-0811864299
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,835,263 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars best 2 dollars I ever spent, February 18, 2009

By 

frank c. "Frank in beantown" (boston, ma.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Punch: A Novel (Hardcover)

I found this book in a remainder rack outside of Border's on sale for 2 dollars. It looked interesting so I thought I would give it a chance.
I was overwhelmed. The writing is terrific, and is loaded with insightful
comments. While you can see where the story is headed, it does not dampen the enjoyment one bit. A great look into a dsyfunctional family.
I have already ordered his first book, and will gladly pay much more than 2 dollars this time.

5.0 out of 5 stars Haunting story brings back family memories, May 28, 2009

By 

Rebecca H. Tallman "quilt lady" (Southwest USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Punch: A Novel (Hardcover)

Almost a Shakespeare plot. The surprises never end. Even though some of the plot twists are easy to anticipate, others take you unaware. Wonderfully easy to read. Fresh. New observations on some very old family situations. I found The Punch to be engaging and inspiring. Would love to read the sequel! I sent The Punch off to my own sister as soon as I completed the last page! I know she will enjoy it as much as I did.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Punch a novel, November 25, 2008

By 

Bob Papaioanou - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Punch: A Novel (Hardcover)

This is a wonderful,compact read. This young writer captures the essence of family dysfunction. It is a psychodynamic piece which allows the reader to identify with the turmoil between siblings and their significant others. If this is an indication of future books by Noah Hawley, I look forward to becoming a fan. Bob Papaioanou