Nine Wives

by Dan Elish

Henry Mann is a 32-year-old bachelor who has spent the last few years watching everyone he knows get married. After the most recent wedding, where an intoxicated Henry proposes to no less than three women (including the rabbi), it dawns on him that being single isn't that much fun after all.

"Nine Wives is an inventive, original, funny, and big-hearted novel, a book I will recommend to anyone interested in good fiction."--Tim O'Brien,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312339437
• ISBN13: 9780312339432
• Release Date: August 2005
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

fantastic read!!!

Nine Wives is an unabashedly honest insight into the mind of Henry Mann, a thirty-something unmarried legal assistant/musician in Manhattan. Now that all his friends are getting married, Henry can no longer hear a woman's name without measuring her long-term potential, so the novel chronicles a series of (mis)adventures between himself and nine female prospects (some real, some imaginary). Even though this book was written by a man about a man (hence the protagonist's last name "Mann"), women readers can totally identify with Henry's hang-ups, hopes and self-doubts. If anything, Henry's behaviors show how similar the genders are (I was surprised and relieved to read that men too have elaborate fantasies about their wedding day even before the first date). And as for the quality of the writing, it's absolutely on target--smart without being pretentious, thorough without feeling tedious, and funny without jeopardizing the story's gravity. It's also lovingly peppered with dozens of apt literary and musical references. Often bittersweet and always true, Nine Wives is a perfect ten!

Charming and Endearing

This is a charming and endearing novel which is wonderfully evocative about the world of 30-something singles, New York City struggling artists and the humorously devastating (and devastatingly humorous) pitfalls on the road to love. The characters are beautifully etched and the book is often laugh-out loud funny. A most enjoyable read.

What a fun read!

What an entertaining dive into what are revealed to be the tragically shallow workings of the male mind! Henry is a modern Walter Mitty, a man who takes you though the wild roller coaster ride of his over active imagination, revealing all of his flaws, insecurities and just plain neurotic tendencies. All the while making the reader root for his success. I loved that Henry seemed so real and I did so want for him to find true love. Henry is the Bridget Jones of the Manhattan Set, and I want the sequel!

Hard To Put Down!

This book is incredibly humorous, entertaining and insightful. You're taken on an honest mental trip, never knowing what could possibly happen next. "Nine Wives" is a creative and original read!

A hilarious peek into the male mind

Nine Wives had me laughing so hard, I was certain my fellow Greyhound passengers would think I was having a seizure. It is a terrific blend of humor, pathos, male psychology and creative plot twists. The protagonist, Harry Mann, is both likeable and hopelessly idealistic, constantly brushing himself off from the latest bump with reality (having emerged from daydreams of himself, say, being chosen one of People Magazine's sexiest men, after having cloned a goat). I found myself rooting for him, and, of course, finding familiar pieces of those hopeless dates to identify with. A wonderful summer read, this book will go far.