The Way Men Act: A Novel [Paperback]

Elinor Lipman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1993

A tale of love and romance is set in a quiet Massachussetts town where poetry readings and cappuccino are all the rage. By the author of Then She Found Me and Into Love. Reprint.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

After trying out her adult wings in California, Melinda LeBlanc has come home to work for her cousin arranging flowers. Out of place and outdated, she befriends Libby, who designs strange dresses in the shop next door, and Dennis Vaughan, a native son and very attractive black man who owns the hip Brookhoppers, a fly fisherman's paradise. Libby aims to marry Dennis. Melinda tries to keep her dignity as an un-degreed lonely woman in a college town. And Dennis wants--what? Lipman is a modern-day Jane Austen and her characters crackle with wit and intelligence.

From Publishers Weekly

In an enchanting second novel--a BOMC selection in cloth--Lipman traces the untriumphant return of 30-year-old Melinda LeBlanc to her recently gentrified Massachusetts hometown after a decade of unfocused living in California.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 305 pages
• Publisher: Washington Square Press (February 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671748416
• ISBN-13: 978-0671748418
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #879,997 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Elinor Lipman started writing fiction by night while working at a teachers' magazine by day. Her first book, INTO LOVE AND OUT AGAIN, was published in 1987; its centerpiece was seven connected stories, novella-length, which gave her the courage to try a novel. THEN SHE FOUND ME came out in 1990 (18 years later it was adapted into a feature film), followed by THE WAY MEN ACT, ISABEL'S BED, THE INN AT LAKE DEVINE, THE LADIES' MAN, THE DEARLY DEPARTED, THE PURSUIT OF ALICE THRIFT, MY LATEST GRIEVANCE and most recently, THE FAMILY MAN. Her honors include the New England Book Award and The Poetry Center's Fiction Prize. She divides her time between leafy western Massachusetts and New York City, and tries to write 500 words per day no matter the location. She and her husband have one son, who lives in Los Angeles and explains the movie business to his mother as needed. She knits, follows politics, cooks, and walks, but not enthusiastically.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Never Judge a Book by Its Cover, October 14, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Way Men Act: A Novel (Paperback)

Because I am a male, I tend to shy away from what I call the 'girlfriend' genre of novels, books by women about a group of fictional women, written for a female audience. Truth be known, I would have never bought this book were it not for the fact that good literature is hard, very hard to come by in Japan. Ms. Lipman gave me a pleasant surprise. Her book was a fast, easy read, and presented me with a dashing, clever female character that I not only fell in love with, I probably would have married her if I got the chance. Ms. Lipman has created a work of art, a truly wry and insightful look at being young, single and a bit carefree and sassy in a small town. This book had excellent characterizations, good plot development, fast, enjoyable dialogue, and an unstoppable momentum. I must confess- I LOVED IT! OK, I have learned my lesson. I will never judge a book by its cover ever again.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Way Men Act, March 12, 2000

By 

"zulamae" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Way Men Act: A Novel (Paperback)

My book club read "The Inn at Lake Divine" but the bookstore clerk recommended this book as Lipman's best. What a great read! I did enjoy this book much more. Her descriptions of the fly fishing shop and the customers and staff were wonderful. The interactions between the characters seemed very plausible. I've now read a third of her books. Each is written in a different style and I've enjoyed them all. I'm looking forward to many more works from Lipman.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars You'll have fun..., November 25, 2000

By 

Marianne "[e-mail]" - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Way Men Act: A Novel (Paperback)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Melinda was a great character, and so were all the others. I could see so much of myself and others in her. A very believable read. Living in the area the author was writing about, I can tell you she has captured Main Street perfectly. This book had me smilling and thinking and smiling again. It is worth the read. Check it out, you won't be sorry. You'll have fun, see yourself, see your friends, understand a little more about human nature.