Super in the City (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Uvillers debut is as gleefully unpretentious as the rhinestones on narrator Zephyr Zuckermans thrift-shop dress. This is not a Jesus-saving kind of story, Zephyr warns, and, indeed, sex, bodily functions, white lies and general irreverence keep this tale of love, friendship and New York City popping along. Zephyr and her best friends are flawed and lovable: divorcée party-crasher Tag is a globe-trotting scientist; Lucy, a social worker, writes notes on $10 bills and hopes that the right man will answer her call; Mercedes, a violinist, snags a celebrity boyfriend; and Abigail, a professor, falls into Internet-dating catastrophe. Zephyr, meanwhile, has dropped out of school, and her major concern, other than getting over an ex, is figuring out what she wants to be. So when her super is arrested, Zephyr inherits his post and discovers that there is far more happening under her roof than she can handle. The novel gallops at full speed from the very first line, and though there are times when it would serve Uviller well to rein it in a bit, this is undoubtedly smarter and funnier than most other girls-in-the-city novels. (Jan.)
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From Booklist

Indecisive, overeducated, 27-year-old Zephyr Zuckerman is contemplating career options and living in an apartment in her parents’ Greenwich Village brownstone when their building superintendent is arrested without warning. At her parents’ behest, Zephyr fills in as super and starts digging into the building’s secrets amid scheduling service calls. With the help of handsome, mysterious exterminator Gregory Samson, she discovers a hidden staircase from the super’s apartment and the unsavory business her neighbor Roxana is running from her home. As she puts the pieces together, Zephyr develops a thing for both sleuthing and Gregory. Debut novelist Uviller borrows from her own life—with some admittedly bizarre twists—for this lively, smart chick-lit mystery. The characters are likable—especially Zephyr’s overachieving, yet unassuming coterie of prep-school friends. Readers will also appreciate the many literary references and Uviller’s insider’s view of New York City. --Aleksandra Walker

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (January 27, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385342691
• ISBN-13: 978-0385342698
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #251,832 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a great read!, January 27, 2009

By	A. McLean (Cambridge, MA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Daphne Uviller's book, Super in the City, is fantastic! It's a very fun read that I could not put down. The characters seem very real (especially the main character and her four very believable best friends) and the dialogue rings true. It's funny and wise and has an exciting mystery at its core to boot! I very highly recommend this book!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun read, February 5, 2009

By	B. Agin - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've read my fair share of chick lit but nothing like this before. The writing is sharp and lively. This is a fun read that will keep you entertained from the first page to the last.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Laugh out loud, January 30, 2009

By	Jaclyn R. Savolainen (Rhinebeck, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"Super in the City" is an utterly delightful romp of a book. Smart and hilarious, fast-paced and impossible to put down once you pick it up. Ms. Uviller seems to effortlessly maximize the humorous potential of every sentence, every situation, every fantasy. The characters are vivid and loveable, the mystery is compelling, the thoughts are original.

I loved it! Unfortunately, I also stayed up until 3 AM to finish it...