Elinor Lipman's The View from Penthouse B is very much like her Ms. Demeanor. Or, rather, Ms. Demeanor is very much like The View from Penthouse B because View came out first. At any rate, both feature a luxe New York City apartment, second-chance romance, and the juxtaposition of the proper and the salacious, making for a tale that feels appealingly tongue-in-cheek Victorian.
Fiftyish, widowed Gwen-Laura "Gwen" Schmidt moves in with her divorced big sis Margot at the suggestion of their banker baby sis Betsy. Betsy thinks that her two near-destitute siblings should lean on each other financially -- and emotionally. Gwen is subsisting on her late husband's teacher's pension, and Margot lost all her money to none other than Bernie Madoff, her only collateral the penthouse she purchased with her divorce settlement from her indicted doctor ex. His crime? Personally inseminating his infertile patients. But it wasn't the sex that was the problem, as it was, oddly, consensual. It was the fact that he was shooting (mostly) blanks.
So the two sisters give it a go, Gwen's near-mousy reserve and Margot's fiery charm (mostly) complementing each other. They even take in a boarder, the hip yet kind cupcake-baking Anthony, who happens to be unemployed too. Yet although the three penthouse paupers (cue the Aerosmith) kibitz about nonstarter business ideas and the unexpected reappearance of Margot's ex, the crux of the story is Gwen's reluctance to get back out there. Although it's been two years since her beloved Edwin died in his sleep due to an undetected heart defect, she can't imagine sharing even an entrée with anyone else. Nevertheless, she sets up an online dating profile and, to the horror of her roommates, places an ad in The New York Review of Books. I found her ad to be quaint and endearing. As for the online bit, the responses she receives leave much to be desired. But Gwen's journey is a worthwhile one, and I wanted her to get her happy ending. (Margot not so much, at least not the ending she chooses.)
Sophisticated, heartfelt, and witty, The View from Penthouse B is a (sometimes dark) matchmaking lark for anyone who never grows up -- or gives up.
3 comments:
It does look like a delightful premise. Awesome setting and some very quirky characters too. Looks like a fun one to cozy up to. The nights are getting colder. I like when grownups can get together to make a future. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🍃🍃🍃🍃🍃🍃🍃🍃🌵🌵🌵🌵🌵🌵🍵 Thanks for reading and your comments! I wasn't sure if you want to read about Roxann and her waywardness. Perhaps, this will make Pan grow a little too. And I'm glad Liv has found Woo. Still, I fell certain I've lost touch with a few characters I need to find again. Hope your November is off to a great start. It seems I will be hosting Thanksgiving. Really, I fell certain it will take a bulldozer to get the place in shape..but I hope it can be a good one. Even with Caitlin & Megan.
This one does look so memorable..and with a view! I like how this brings the sisters together. So love your last line to the review too. Its great to have a page turner that makes you smile. Love the review. I'm just not sure when I will get back to a good book this month. I do have the Glucose Goddess and really she does have a good Apple Cider Vinegar tea recipe that I have liked. All the best to a wonderful November. Now, I have to let something HAPPEN at Ellie!🍁🍃❄️
Oh, I love the title of this POST! How fun. And I'm so glad they haven't grown up yet, too! Very interesting. And to have that true sisterhood is a treat too. In spite of all those little snags. Thanks for the fun review. A delight to read.
Hope you are having lots of fun adventures this November with the hubby! Of course, I have not had as much success with you..we both got lost a time or two on our road trip. Naturally, we complained..why didn't we got there or here on our trip. Yet, we remembered the purpose of the trip, too. Still, happy to be back and of course, that need of making up hours during this busy month. Always something.
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