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& Sons
& Sons | David Gilbert
34 posts | 32 read | 51 to read
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY"The Washington Post The New Yorker Esquire The Austin Chronicle Kansas City Star The Guardian" (UK) " BookPage Flavorwire Bookish" [A] big, brilliant novel. "The New York Times Book Review" Who is A. N. Dyer? "& Sons" is a literary masterwork for readers of "The Art of Fielding, The Emperor s Children, "and "Wonder Boys" the panoramic, deeply affecting story of an iconic novelist, two interconnected families, and the heartbreaking truths that fiction can hide. Look for special features inside. Join the Random House Reader s Circle for author chats and more. The funeral of Charles Henry Topping on Manhattan s Upper East Side would have been a minor affair (his two-hundred-word obit in "The New York Times "notwithstanding) but for the presence of one particular mourner: the notoriously reclusive author A. N. Dyer, whose novel "Ampersand" stands as a classic of American teenage angst. But as Andrew Newbold Dyer delivers the eulogy for his oldest friend, " "he suffers a breakdown over the life he s led and the people he s hurt and the novel that will forever endure as his legacy. He must gather his three sons for the first time in many years before it s too late. So begins a wild, transformative, heartbreaking week, as witnessed by Philip Topping, who, like his late father, finds himself caught up in the swirl of the Dyer family. First there s son Richard, a struggling screenwriter and father, returning from self-imposed exile in California. In the middle lingers Jamie, settled in Brooklyn after his twenty-year mission of making documentaries about human suffering. And last is Andy, the half brother whose mysterious birth tore the Dyers apart seventeen years ago, now in New York on spring break, determined to lose his virginity before returning to the prestigious New England boarding school that inspired "Ampersand." But only when the real purpose of this reunion comes to light do these sons realize just how much is at stake, not only for their father but for themselves and three generations of their family. In this daring feat of fiction, David Gilbert establishes himself as one of our most original, entertaining, and insightful authors. "& Sons" is that rarest of treasures: a startlingly imaginative novel about families and how they define us, and the choices we make when faced with our own mortality. NATIONAL BESTSELLER A "NEW YORK TIMES "EDITORS CHOICE Big, brilliant, and terrifically funny. Jess Walter, author of"Beautiful Ruins" Extraordinary. "Time" Smart and savage . . . Seductive and ripe with both comedy and heartbreak, ["& Sons"] made me reconsider my stance on . . . the term instant classic. NPR A big, ambitious book about fathers and sons, Oedipal envy and sibling rivalry, and the dynamics between art and life . . . ["& Sons"] does a wonderful job of conjuring up its characters memories . . . in layered, almost Proustian detail. Michiko Kakutani, "The New York Times" "" [A] smart, engrossing saga . . . Perfect for fans of Jonathan Franzen or Claire Messud. " Entertainment Weekly" Audacious . . . [one of the year s] most dazzlingly smart, fully realized works of fiction. "The Washington Post""
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TheEllieMo
And Sons | David Gilbert
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I am posting one book per day from my extensive to-be-read collection. No description and providing no reason for wanting to read it, I just do. Some will be old, some will be new. Don‘t judge me - I have a lot of books. Join in if you want!

#ABookADay2023

review
squirrelbrain
& Sons | David Gilbert
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Pickpick

This reminded me a bit of Fleishman (unlikeable people in NYC) and, whilst it‘s a pick I do have some reservations. A.N. Dyer, an author, breaks down giving the eulogy at his best friend‘s funeral and we see how his life starts to fall apart.

It‘s told in a strange 3rd person style, at times omniscient, other times by a specific character which is confusing, and it all gets a bit meta with Dyer having written books based on the other characters.

Cathythoughts I liked Fleishman! Stacking 3y
squirrelbrain It‘s not as good as Fleishman @cathythoughts - I thought it had a bit of Tartt‘s Goldfinch in there too, perhaps the more wordy parts. 🤣 3y
Cathythoughts Sounds good to me ! Tartt 👍🏻❤️ 3y
Ruthiella This has been on my TBR for ages! Like @Cathythoughts , I think I will like it too, despite the weaknesses. 3y
Reggie You kinda sold it to me. Stacked. 3y
56 likes3 stack adds5 comments
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Aswenson
& Sons | David Gilbert
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Our at-home standing desk is coming along. We needed to make it a little higher, and my lovely husband asked, “I don‘t know, do you think you have enough books?” 🤣 #TBRpiletotherescue

charl08 Brilliant idea. I will give it a go tomorrow. 5y
41 likes1 comment
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AnneEssDee
& Sons | David Gilbert
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Trying to read fewer old white dudes who write like Salinger, but this is actually really good. I wish my book club had agreed to read it!

#backlist #toolongforbookclub #booksaboutbooks #readtribe

RaimeyGallant Welcome to Litsy! #LitsyWelcomeWagon Some of us put together Litsy tips to help new Littens navigate the site. It's the link in my bio on my page in case you need it. Or if you prefer how-to videos, @chelleo put some together at the link in her bio. @LitsyWelcomeWagon 6y
LitsyWelcomeWagon Welcome to Litsy! Here are direct links to #Litsytips: http://bit.ly/litsytips and #LitsyHowTo videos: goo.gl/UrCpoU. There‘s lots of fun things to do: book exchanges, buddy reads, photo challenges and more! Check out @LitsyHappenings for details. 6y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Welcome to Litsy 👍📚 6y
12 likes1 stack add3 comments
review
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled
& Sons | David Gilbert
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Mehso-so

This is like reading a Wes Anderson film: all the characters are self-absorbed, there are numerous tangential scenes that go on and on, and nothing seems relevant. Still, the writing was often clever, so there‘s that.

readordierachel Wes Anderson without the meticulous visuals and music seems like a chore. 7y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled @ReadOrDieRachel Exxxxactly. A chore indeed. 😬 I need to go watch Rushmore to clean my brain. 7y
52 likes2 comments
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nofutureparttwo
& Sons | David Gilbert
Mehso-so

I wrote a longer review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2269886793. A drôle, clever story about the possibility for redemption, the impossibility of family, the mimetic relation of life and art, and the best pretzels in Manhattan. Offers dazzling descriptions (“The mirror revealed a decent young man, perhaps a tad in costume, like he was starring in a high school production of Adult: The Musical”), yet felt lacking in emotional depth.

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Yossarian
& Sons | David Gilbert
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Usually, when I hit the halfway point of a book, I‘ll definitely finish it. This one, however .... #LitsyAfterDark

Gezemice Clearly a reasonable proposition when you like someone. Consider when checking out in the grocery store with a likeabke cashier. 7y
mrozzz 😆😅 7y
Leftcoastzen Really! I‘m not a prude , it‘s really terrible writing! 7y
60 likes3 comments
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BennettBookworm
& Sons | David Gilbert
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As a fifth grade teacher myself, I can't help but smile at this!

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Chelseylovestoread
& Sons | David Gilbert
Pickpick

Took me way too long to finish this book, it's more deserving of being devoured. Complex characters that are so well detailed you feel like you know them. And that ending that I didn't see coming by a long shot. Really well written, I would definitely recommend.

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Chelseylovestoread
& Sons | David Gilbert
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My current read. Really well written, I feel like the characters are real people. Happy birthday @Liberty !! #birthdayspace

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Littlerobz
And Sons | David Gilbert
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When one SENTENCE takes up more than a page 🙄 these run-ons are killing me

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Yossarian
& Sons | David Gilbert
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I prefer to buy new books -- so the author can get royalties -- over buying used or checking out of the library. Sometimes it's out of print, though, and there's no choice.

Nothing really goes "Out of Print" on the Nook, though. I bought this one on sale on the Nook for $1.99 today. Don't know if any of it went to the author, or if there was another option, so not sure how guilty to feel.

ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Very curious about this one! 8y
BookishFeminist This went out of print? It's not that old! 😱 Also this was recently a book of the month choice so the author is still getting at least some royalties I think. I've been curious about this one too so I'm interested to hear what you think. 8y
Magslhalliday In the UK, authors can register for Public Lending Rights and get paid for each borrow from the public library system. They also produce lists of the most borrowed each year: https://www.plr.uk.com/mediaCentre/chartToppers/chartToppers.htm 8y
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Yossarian @BookishFeminist I don't even know. It could be out of print, or in the gap between hardback and paperback. Or just between printings. Or there could be hundreds of copies in Barnes & Noble. I'm just sitting at home and it pops up in "$1.99 Deals" which I imagine they don't do for books that they plan to keep selling. I don't even know how to find out what is "In Print." 8y
BookishFeminist @Yossarian Ah that makes more sense. They have $1.99 deals all the time for books they plan to keep selling! Lots of new releases and best sellers go on special like this every year, often to push it up the bestseller list to get more visibility & make more sales. Was just confused. I have no idea whether it counts towards the author's royalties or not though, I suppose it matters what kind of advance deal they got with the publisher. 8y
LibrarianJen Most publishers make libraries pay a subscription fee. So X book can be checked out digitally 5 times and then it has to be repurchased if they want to offer it again. The logic is, if it was a physical book it would have to be repurchased after so many circulations due to wear and tear. So anyways, authors still get royalties off library ebooks :) 8y
Yossarian @LibrarianJen That's good to know. I'm still not sure how much of my $1.99 goes to the author. 8y
83 likes6 stack adds7 comments
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jessberk13
& Sons | David Gilbert
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Look what I just snagged for only $1.99! Kindle and Nook offering this price today! Previous BOTM pick by guest judge Josh Radnor! #ebookdeal

49 likes5 stack adds
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KrisConstantReader
And Sons | David Gilbert
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This book has been on my tbr list and my to-buy list for a while now. Ebook sale $1.99.

BookBabe 👍🏻 8y
k_andrws I've had my eye on this for a while. Let us know how you get on with it! 8y
KrisConstantReader @k_andrws I will. It might be a while, my tbr list is unreal right now. 8y
BrianSpears This was a Rumpus Book Club selection when it first came out. You're in for a treat. 8y
KrisConstantReader @BrianSpears that's good to know. I'm looking forward to it. 8y
51 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Well-ReadNeck
And Sons | David Gilbert
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Today on Amazon. This was a #BOTM pick a few months ago. If you missed it, and want to read only $1.99 right now!

BTW: not a daily deal, so may be available for a bit!

susanw Yes, everyone, read it, it's excellent 8y
62 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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Well-ReadNeck
And Sons | David Gilbert

Today on Amazon. This was a #BOTM pick a few months ago. If you missed it, and want to read only $1.99 right now!

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BooksFootballBeer
And Sons | David Gilbert
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Pretzels might just make their way into my book club theme. Still not doing hot dogs, also references to grilled cheese and hard boiled eggs are not enough to design a theme.

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BooksFootballBeer
And Sons | David Gilbert
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And the search for a book club theme continues... Unless hots dogs, waffles, and chicken parmigiana can be tied together.

5 likes1 stack add
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BooksFootballBeer
And Sons | David Gilbert
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Book club theme status update: Drink references - sparkling wine has two occurrences now. Still only the hot dog reference for food.

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BooksFootballBeer
And Sons | David Gilbert
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Trying to find a theme with good and drink for book club. So far Spumanti (maybe) and a hot dog cart (no).

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jessberk13
And Sons | David Gilbert
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Today's library haul!

BekahB I've been meaning to read Attachments. It sounds like a fun book. 8y
Tav Have never read Rainbow Rowell but have heard great stuff! 8y
Laru79 Ooh I love Rainbow Rowell, she's great! Enjoy x 8y
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Cinfhen Lovely picks!!! 8y
Chocamanda I LOVED The Book of Speculation! I haven't read Rainbow Rowell yet but Landline is on my TBR 8y
Megabooks Attachments is my favorite Rainbow Rowell! 8y
jmkeene & Sons is really good, if male-heavy. 8y
jessberk13 @jmkeene that sounds like a nice change of pace for me! 8y
jessberk13 @Chocamanda Landline was great, so was Eleanor & Park! 8y
MrBook Nice haul! 8y
PatriciaU Book of Speculation was just wonderful. I was so sad not to win one of Erika Swyler's handmade copies when it was first published. 8y
candc320 Attachments was great!! 8y
MarieA Book of Speculation and Attachments are both great reads! Enjoy! 8y
93 likes4 stack adds13 comments
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LLindsey
And Sons | David Gilbert
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This pretty accurately sums up being a teenager...

4 likes1 stack add
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LLindsey
And Sons | David Gilbert
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Time to read!

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LLindsey
And Sons | David Gilbert
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I just kind of fell into this one, but I am really enjoying it!

Reviewsbylola I considered this one for BOTM but there are always so many good selections! 8y
5 likes1 comment
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Jessnoice
And Sons | David Gilbert
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Pickpick

A book with very little actual action but full of beautiful prose and engaging characters. The use of a minor character as narrator could be confusing at times but made the book that much more interesting. I feel that this one will stay with me for quite some time. Great choice for my first BOTM

ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled I was just looking up this title! Thanks for the rec! 👍 8y
Jessnoice ErickaS I hope you enjoy it! 8y
3 likes2 comments
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ReadingMusing
And Sons | David Gilbert
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Pickpick

I received this book from BOTM and enjoyed it -- the writing was eloquent and thought-provoking. Then unreliable narrator also added his own interesting twists to the story!

10 likes3 stack adds
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Vicie
And Sons | David Gilbert
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Panpan

For some reason, this book just didn't grab me. The characters were miserable and unlikable, and I couldn't wait for the book to end. Not bad enough to stop reading, just not for me.

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Jessnoice
And Sons | David Gilbert
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I wish all the books within this book were real! I'd read every one of them.

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autumnprivett
And Sons | David Gilbert
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Panpan

I really, really wanted to like this book as it has all my favorite themes (family, NYC, writers, etc.), but I just could not get into it. It was just too much. 😔

susanw Sorry this didn't work for you, it's one of my favourites. 9y
Yossarian Why do the white letters on the cover spell NAD"? 9y
autumnprivett @susanw No worries! I'm glad you enjoyed it. 9y
See All 6 Comments
autumnprivett @Yossarian It's probably supposed to be read "AND." Also, the main character is A. N. Dyer. 9y
Sue @Yossarian lol!! Looks like some ill thought out cover art. 9y
Yossarian @autumnprivett I see! I was reading too linearly. I must learn to respect the ampersand. 9y
38 likes7 stack adds6 comments
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ReadingMusing
And Sons | David Gilbert
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Starting this beauty tonight! Can't wait. Thanks Book of the Month Club!

BookishFeminist Can't wait to see what you think of it! This has been on my reading list for what feels like forever but couldn't resist getting Heat & Light for my BOTM. :) 9y
ReadingMusing @BookishFeminist i know - it was such a hard decision! I will let you know as soon as I finish though! :-) 9y
Bookdodger Read this when it came out and thoroughly enjoyed it. In retrospect it is vaguely reminiscent of The Goldfinch. 9y
ReadingMusing @Bookdodger I'm about at page 100 and am truly enjoying it so far! 9y
6 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Zenbella
And Sons | David Gilbert
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To book of the month or not to book of the month....that is the question

Zenbella I book of the month clubbed?but ended up choosing "association of small bombs". I hope it's a good chose. 9y
1 like1 comment
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susanw
And Sons | David Gilbert
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Pickpick

One of the best books I read in 2013 and I just found one in perfect condition at a thrift store! Gorgeous writing, unreliable narrator, fathers and sons, and NYC. And the awesome line of the narrators, while revisiting his boarding school - 'awkward past, meet disappointing future'

jenniferdoyle I've almost checked this book out from the library several times, so now I will definitely pick it up the next time I see it! 9y
15 likes3 stack adds1 comment