Customer Reviews

This One Is Mine: A Novel

5 star:		(46)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Maria Semple, a former TV writer for shows such as Saturday Night Live, Mad About You, Ellen, and Arrested Development, is the author of the novel This One is Mine, published in 2008, a sharp, tragicomical depiction of the lifestyle and culture of Los Angeles, complete with cameos by Adam Sandler and other celebrities. This One is Mine is the story of Violet, her husband, David, her sister-in-law, Sally--and Teddy. David, a successful music executive, is having a hard time understanding and living with his wife, who has become distraught and distant. Sally, David's sister, is a former ballerina determined to find a rich man to marry. She sets her sights on Jeremy White, who may be socially awkward but otherwise fits the bill. Violet, on the other hand, seeks escape from her marriage, and although she loves her very young daughter, Dot, she's uncertain in her new role as a stay-at-home mother. She feels out of shape physically and emotionally. In this state she finds herself attracted to an unlikely candidate, ex-junkie Teddy Reyes, a bass player who is barely able to make ends meet. Although Violet is rich and pampered, money doesn't buy happiness, and she is miserable in her marriage. Teddy is somehow thrilling to her, and after sixteen years of marriage, she feels a spark and is drawn to the bassist.

Gradually and skillfully, the author reveals more about the main characters, who seem shallow and self-absorbed initially, and I could understand them better. Full of humor, the novel pokes fun at many things, including New Age parenting techniques and "sweat lodges". I raced through this book and it held my attention from the first page until the last, although I found the vulgar language and graphic sex disturbing (at times I even wondered if I were reading a pornographic novel). I understand that the foul language was supposed to be shocking, was intended to show what a "dirty" mouth Teddy has, how unsuitable he really is for Violet, but after a certain point it seemed superfluous, and detracted from the book for me. Although the language fit the character, I thought it was taken to an extreme and that it should have been lessened--a little bit would have been enough.

"This One Is Mine" completely took me by surprise and I mean that in a good way. Violet Parry has the successful husband, the adorable baby girl, a luxurious mansion in Los Angeles and staff who can cater to her every whim. Beyond the facade of a privileged lifestyle, Violet feels completely alone. Her husband David is a music producer who works all of time and doesn't understand her needs. She longs for a connection and is almost desperate for attention and love, when along comes Teddy Reyes, a scruffy bass player, who is wrong for her in every way. It is clear there is chemistry between them and so they begin a really unconventional affair. Then there is complicated and neurotic Sally, David's younger sister, who has her heart set on socially awkward Jeremy. These characters are all eccentric and lost in their own little way. It takes a number of difficult and often hilarious (but only for the reader) events to teach them the important lessons in life and where their priorities should lie. This book is so much more than a desperate housewife seeking an affair and a single woman seeking companionship. This is one of those dark comedies that forces you to read in between the lines and extract deeper meaning. The plot takes some strange turns but the ending seemed perfect and almost poetic to me.

This book is incredibly compelling in a quiet way. I enjoyed Semple's zany humor and vulgar language aside, it was an enjoyable read. Semple has such a vivid imagination enabling me to easily envision the characters' peculiarities and find something relatable about each one of them. This is one of those off-beat books that is unexpected and can elicit laughter from even the most subtle humor. I loved how unique this book was and though some may find it too unconventional, it worked for me.

[...]

I couldn't resist reading this book, partly because first-time novelist Maria Semple also wrote for several of my favorite sitcoms (Mad About You, Arrested Development) and partly because the novel was described to me as a "modern-day Anna Karenina." Unlike Tolstoy's tragedy, however, This One is Mine is more of a bitter, black comedy.

Although the story is mostly told from the perspective of Violet Parry, a rich, unhappy wife who hasn't seemed to be able to bounce back and find purpose to her life since the birth of her first child over a year ago, the book actual opens from a different point of view, that of Violet's husband, David, a successful music executive. Neither are portrayed as sympathetic figures, and then we are introduced to David's sister, Sally, a conniving woman whose sole purpose in life seems to be to marry a rich husband. Thus, none of the three main characters is particularly likeable, which made it difficult for me to get through the earlier parts of the novel in particular.

Surprisingly, however, Semple managed to hold my interest in the story; although I repeatedly found myself frustrated with her characters, I was also eager to discover what happened to them next. So, I found that the plot of the book did give it some momentum, and in the end, I did find it fairly entertaining; I would give it a final rating of about 3 1/2 stars. Although dark comedies are not my preferred genre, Semple certainly writes well, and I would be interested to see what else she produces in the future.

This One is Mine is a page-turning novel with intricately connected characters whose stories all come together in the end. The characters are real yet unpredictable and keep you wondering what might come next. The many hilarious moments are balanced by the book's heart--it's fun but also deals with real issues, like the challenges of marriage and parenthood. I highly recommend it.

Violet has it all! Handsome, rich, successful husband David. Adorable daughter Dot. Perfect house that she redid to her taste. Nanny, Mercedes, the perfect clothes - everything! But Violet isn't happy. She feels her husband doesn't listen to her and now that she has the child she wanted so dearly she doesn't know what to do with her.

We also meet Sally, David's sister. Sally doesn't have it all but thinks she is just about to. She has decided on the perfect husband for herself - not that HE knows that yet. She sets out to snare Jeremy with an intensity that would frighten most men but Jeremy is different in more ways than one.

The tales of these two women intertwine as Violet almost destroys her marriage searching for something she already has and Sally leeches onto Jeremy out of a desperation born from past issues.
How the stories play out with David at the axis is the premise of the book.

I found the book to be an easy yet thought provoking read. I personally couldn't understand how Violet could toss a good marriage down the toilet especially for a character as slimey as Teddy. David wasn't abusive; distracted maybe but she just felt trapped I guess so off she went slumming with a drug addict. That decision creates problems that reverberate throughout the family impacting Sally most of all.

In spite of not understanding the motives I did enjoy reading the book. I found the characters to be interesting and well developed. I questioned a lot of their actions but we read to be entertained and that I was.

This One Is Mine reads like many other chick lit novels, but on a higher level. The book is not just fun and fluff. Maria Semple puts her characters into some very shocking situations, and sees them through to the end.

As a reader, I saw Violet Parry as an everywoman. She represents those women who feel like they're missing something in life. When that "something" presents itself, Violet holds on tight. At first, I found Violet's actions to be ridiculous. But, by the end, I could see some of the reality involved.

Sally Parry, Violet's sister-in-law, is another main character in the novel. I found myself disliking Sally more and more with each chapter. She is devious and selfish in everything she does, and she'll do anything to get her way. Surprisingly, her chaotic life really tied the novel together.

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WOW! This book grabbed me within the first three pages.For a first time novelist, Maria Semple is incredibly talented. She has this incredible way of "writing pictures", I suppose that comes from being a screenwriter. It was like watching a TV show unfold. Normally I have an issue with bouncing back and forth between two story lines (Violet's and Sally's) in one book, but it is all very fluid. I also love that Maria made the world of the wealthy so accessible. It really made me think about the fact that they are really just real people. They wear sweats to the grocery story ($500 Juicy Couture, albeit, but sweats nonetheless). I do feel that David ends up being the unsung hero in this book because he saves them all. But the best part of it is that it was a conscious thing, it is just who he is, and that makes it all the more meaningful.
I do want to point out that if this book was a TV show it would be for Mature Audiences Only and probably be on HBO or Showtime. There is language, drug use and sexual situtations.
I had arranged to do an informal interview with Maria, but upon finishing the book, I realized there was an interview in the back of the book. And on top of that it was a really good interview that covered all my questions but two. Maria was still gracious enough to answer my two little questions: (Please be advised there is a sort of spoiler in the second question - nothing specific but still, you know i like to alert you guys)


1. It is never mentioned in the book, but is Violet suffering from Postpartum Depression?
Pam, I'm glad you mentioned this. Because in many ways, I feel this is a book about postpartum depression. About a woman who has longed for a baby for her whole life, then when she has one, she snaps, and goes on a self-destructive tear to try to get out of being a mother. So, yes. I do think she is suffering from PPD.
2. Will there be a sequel? (I see a huge story when Sally figures out just who Teddy is!)
When I was writing it, I thought there would be a sequel. But now that I'm onto my next book, I am content to have Violet, David, Teddy & Sally stay home in THIS ONE IS MINE. But I will tell you that in the book I'm working on, a couple come into a store where one of my character works. The man pays with a black American Express card, his last name is Parry. With him are his wife, ten year old daughter and two smaller adopted children... both African American.

"This One is Mine," by Maria Semple is a book that picks up with the main character, Violet Parry as she manages the daily life after having her first baby, Dot. Violet is a woman who seems to have it all, a home, a husband David who is a famous music mogul, and a life most women would envy. David has a sister Sally, and her story is set opposite that of Violet's. Sally is interested in meeting wealthy men, and is conniving even to her own friends in that respect - she usually gets what she wants.

Violet's world turns around when she meets Teddy Reyes, a bass player with a band. Teddy is one man that she wants but won't be able to have, which makes Violet want him more. The reader hopes that Violet will realize what she has at home is better than what she could find in the streets, but I will leave the ending up to the reader to savor for herself.

The writing is good in this novel, but the coarse dialogue is a bit much to digest. The reader will trip over the minefield of the n-word and similar plentiful f-bombs, as well as some hard-core porn sections of the book. These sections detract, rather than add to the flavor of the novel, and could have just as well have been left out. The story is a bit predictable, but otherwise has an interesting flair if the reader can get past the sections of jarring text that are possibly meant to get a rise out of the reader for that very purpose.

I read the book wanting more out of the characters. I did like hearing about the hip scene in LA, and found I might have started to understand some of the characters by the end of the book. Truthfully, I would say that the story has its good points, but would not recommend it to readers who are not of a very mature audience.

Maria Semple springs from the head of the writer's table a fully formed novelist. The characters are accessible amidst their denial, their actions plausible amidst the chaos. And the work has a delicious sense of humor about itself. All rare in comic fiction. But nothing rarer than this. It made me want to stay in LA, if only in its pages.
Go buy it, and call me after you do.

I was pulled into this story immediately and began to care so much about the two main characters that I was constantly thinking about them and worried for days about them. I would have ordinarily read this wonderful book in one or two sittings, but really couldn't get the free time, so I just kept trying to figure out what was going to happen, and I was never right! Maria has a way of looking at things and telling things that is completely original. What a treat.