The Dearly Departed

By Elinor Lipman

Book Overview

Everyone in King George, New Hampshire, loved Margaret Batten, part-time amateur actress, full-time wallflower, and single mother to a now-distant daughter, Sunny. But accidents happen. The death of Margaret, side by side with her putative fiance, brings Sunny back to the scene of her unhappy adolescence, to the community that remembers her solely, nervously, as "the girl who golfed." Reentry is to be dreaded; there's no hiding in a town with one diner, one doctor, one stop sign, one motel. Yet allies surface: The country club opens its doors to its former Orphan Annie caddie. High school classmates, even the tormenters, have grown up nicely, matured in unforeseen and gratifying ways. Maybe, Sunny begins to think, she wasn't as beleaguered as she felt she was; maybe her mother's life was richer than anyone suspected; and maybe the man at the funeral-the one with her face, her flyaway hair, her golf swing-is the halfbrother she doesn't know she needs. Elinor Lipman writes with the wry authority of a latter-day Jane Austen. The Dearly Departed is another perfect blend of social comedy, pointed wit, and precise pacing from our last urbane romantic.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0679463127
• ISBN13: 9780679463122
• Release Date: June 2001
• Publisher: Random House
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.5" x 1.1" x 6.3"

Customer Reviews

A great little read

This was my first Elinor Lipman book and I am currently reading a second one. I enjoyed this book very much. Nothing too deep or dark, just a cast of interesting and nice people dealing with the quirks of life. I am always excited to find a good woman author, and some of the previous reviewers said this book is not her best, so I must be in for even better reads in the future. I plan on reading all of her books.

another winner from Elinor

I really liked this book. I know other reviewers have mentioned that it is not as good as her other books and maybe it's not. However, the worst Elinor Lipman book is better than most other author's best book. When I'm looking for light, smart, fast moving, funny books she's the author I turn to. Her books are not literary masterpieces just good fun reads filled with quirky characters.

Light but delectable, like Key Lime Pie

Seems like a lot of light fiction I've read of late contains better plot and character development than the "serious literature" out there. This is a great example: it won't make you ponder the meaning of life, but it sure is fun to read. Plus, if you're an aspiring writer you could do worse than study the economy and grace with which Lipman sketches characters and scenes. If (as I expect) someone turns it into a "chick flick" I for one won't hesitate to cross gender barriers to see it. Pick this one up for your next airline flight; I guarantee you'll enjoy it, even if you finish it before you get up to the ticket counter.

My Favorite Author Strikes Again

Elinor Lipman has written another perfect book for summertime reading--a witty, wry commentary on social conventions combined with characters with whom most readers would want to invite to the next party. I started this Friday evening and finished it before I left the beach on Saturday afternoon. Much to my dismay, I read them far more quickly than Lipman can write them. I anxiously await the next group of characters she'll introduce to me.

Her best yet - - and that's saying a lot.

I've been a fan since "Into Love and Out Again" was first published. Elinor Lipman's books are always sheer delight. Once again she combines brilliant character insights with hilarious plot turns and a light touch...I read this book in one sitting. Nobody does a better job of combining serious fiction with entertainment. Highly recommended.