User Reviews
Rating: really liked it
Having loved Standard Deviation, I was looking forward with great anticipation to Katherine Heiny's latest novel, which brims with her trademark humour, warmth, and wit. Like another of my favourite writers, Elizabeth Strout, she captures the extraordinary in the ordinariness in her inspired characters, whilst revealing the heart of a small town American community, in this case, Boyne City in Michigan. 26 year old elementary teacher, Jane, meets, Duncan, in his early forties, within the first month of relocating for her new job when he arrives at her home after she has locked herself out. He is handsome, kind, and she falls for him hook, line and sinker, unaware initially that he has, it seems, slept with every woman in town. Everywhere she goes, she comes face to face with these women, with whom he manages mostly to remain on friendly terms. He even helps with mowing the lawn of his beautiful ex-wife, Aggie, and her second husband, Gary.
We follow Jane's life through almost two decades of her life, the class of children she teaches, and the ins and outs of her relationships with best friend, Frieda, a music teacher who is never to be seen without her mandolin, Duncan's work colleague, Jimmy, with his learning difficulties, the organising Aggie, who is a wonderful cook, and Gary. There are times Jane wishes that she and Duncan had more alone time with each other, and Aggie ignites resentment, fear, and all her inner insecurities. However, a tragedy and guilt is to shape her more expansive perception of what family is, whilst becoming a parent and raising two daughters, Glenn and the more challenging Patrice, and fostering a closer relationship with Aggie with its changing dynamics through the years.
Heiny's beautifully written prose is assured and confident, her vibrant and perceptive storytelling shines with its intelligence, tenderness, observations and humour that draws the reader skilfully into the small town world she creates, with her wide range of characters that feel authentic, idiosyncratic and imbued with their all too human flaws. My favourite character is Jimmy, a pivotal person who illustrates the emotional depth of Duncan's character, gelling the small circle of supportive friends more closely together, and provides Jane with the opportunity to come to terms with a more broader definition and understanding of what and who is family. This is a wonderfully joyful book and a sheer bliss of a reading experience, of life, love, loss, family, friendship and community that will appeal to so many readers. Highly recommended. Many thanks to HarperCollins 4th Estate for an ARC.
Rating: really liked it
Loved, loved, loved it!
Early Morning Riser is a slim, 336-page book that took me longer than usual to read because I savored every word. Picking it up each night was like sliding into a bed made of clouds and floating on air. Comfortable… and comforting.
The novel is broken into seven parts, each a lengthy glimpse into the life of small-town elementary school teacher Jane in a given year starting in 2002 and ending in 2019. This style allows the author to go into great detail about Jane’s world, thoughts, and relationships over the span of two decades without turning the book into a doorstop.
While there is some tragedy, Early Morning Riser has a fairly low-stakes plot that falls somewhere between drama and uplit. I suppose “dramedy” is the descriptor that fits best. Remember that TV show “Northern Exposure?” It’s a little like that. Quirky characters, real-life situations portrayed in an honest way, and just good old-fashioned exceptional writing.
If you’re a reader that needs a compelling mystery to pull you through the pages of a book, this is probably not a great choice for you. But if you want to spend time in a gentle world at the end of a long day, this is the place.
My thanks goes to Katherine Heiny and 4th Estate / William Collins Books for the gifted advance copy via NetGalley to review. It’s been a pleasure.
Blog: www.confettibookshelf.com
IG: @confettibookshelf
Rating: really liked it
If you are looking for the perfect feel-good summer (or any season!) read, this is it!
I loved the author’s book Standard Deviation, and while this one doesn't have the same snarky humor, the overriding theme and excellent writing remains.
People are complicated, and life doesn’t always turns out in ways you anticipate. Families are messy, infuriating, quirky, lovely, they will drive you crazy one moment and give you moments of unexpected joy and contentment the next. Often we don’t value what is right in front of us.
None of this is new of course. Plenty of books have those themes and you may be tempted to pass this one by as yet another book with a tired trope. Don’t make this mistake!
What makes all the difference are the characters and the WAY the story is told. We follow Jane & Duncan, and all the people in their orbit, from 2002 to 2019. The emotions and the dialogue is realistic, and the characters are wise and funny. All are REAL, complicated, broken, chaotic….and I loved all of them. But their friend Jimmy who has developmental delays – oh my, he has my heart! ❤️
Can a marriage work with more than two people in it? It’s not what you think, and the answer is a resounding yes. Families aren't always conventional. Katherine Heiny writes with sensitivity and tenderness about that which makes us human and binds us together. The humor prevents it from becoming trite and maudlin. To paraphrase the popular show, Seinfeld, it’s a book about nothing, yet about so much.
I suggest spending some time with this one at a stretch in order to get into the rhythm of the story and get to know the characters. It is not one to read in short snippets. This is not a thrilling compulsive page-turner, it’s a quiet book that will take hold of your heart in unexpected ways and make you wish you were part of Jane & Duncan’s lives. I turned the last page with a smile on my face, and a lump in my throat.
I adore this author and will read anything she writes. Katherine Heiny is now firmly on my short list of authors who can write about the day-to-day ordinary life in an extraordinary way.
* I received a digital copy of this book via Edelweiss. All opinions are my own.
Rating: really liked it
⭐ 4.5 Simple Yet Wonderful Stars! ⭐
𝙀𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙮 𝙈𝙤𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙍𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙧 is the story of Jane, through two decades, after she falls in love with a man with a big history in a small town.
Really that's almost the entire plot. It's not twisty or flashy.
It's heart is it's quirky characters in their day to day life and it's low-key, gentle humor.
There's a bit of drama and conflict but mostly it highlights how every day, even the bad ones! have moments to be treasured.
Yesterday afternoon I had a rare quiet hour while no one else was home so I made coffee, cut myself a piece of the strawberry cake that I had baked that morning and read a few chapters of this and it was all such BLISS! It was the peaceful time that I needed and this was the perfect book for it.
Rating: really liked it
"Early Morning Riser" by Katherine Heiny captures 'ordinary life' at its best!
Jane is an elementary school teacher in Boyne City, Michigan who's in love with attractive, easy going Duncan. But, why does Jane have to share Duncan with so many people?
There's pretty and controlling ex-wife Aggie & her kooky husband Gary, who Duncan helps out with various household repairs and weekly lawn maintenance. Next, there's Duncan's co-worker Jimmy, who's a bit slow, needy and tends to pop-in at the worst times. Then, there are all the women in Boyne City and beyond from Duncan's romantic past who keep surfacing in too many places.
How is Jane's and Duncan's relationship ever going to work?
A bit dry to begin with but these unusual characters quickly grow on you. The wit and humor is subtle and as you read, you find yourself going from a smile to a chuckle to a laugh-out-loud moment. Told over a period of 17 years, much happens in the story that mostly circles around Jane and Duncan. Good things. Simple things. Ordinary things!
The author is an amazing storyteller as she often directs her characters to veer off course, mid-chapter, as they remember a related story from the past. Eventually she directs them back to the present and the current story line resumes. Such a creative way to give the reader layered backstories via the memories of these quirky and lovable characters!
Idiosyncrasies of small town life and lifelong friendships make an amazing combination. I would love to read more about these characters and their quiet, simple lives because I didn't want this book to end! Highly recommended!
Rating: really liked it
I bought into the review hype and so I only have myself to blame. This was the most dull book about small life living people. If the characters were developed and felt like they had any depth, maybe it could be something worth reading. If the story included the big, messy bits instead of skipping ahead so the character could say “well that happened”, then it would begin to feel interesting. If the story was not set up in such simple, obvious ways, perhaps I would not think it was so lazy. The drama was entirely removed from any of the “plot” points. This is milquetoast. I know we are all fried and exhausted and experiencing stress in these pandemic times, but seriously.
Rating: really liked it
4.5 rounded up.
What a lovely book! This is the story of Jane, an infant school teacher and her family and friends from 2002 to the present day. The little vignettes of their lives at specific times works really well as we follow the changes.
This is a clever, well written book as it’s basically about normal life, about being human, focusing on family life and the meaning and depth of friendship and love. It’s heartwarming without being mushy, it’s life affirming, very astutely observed with dialogue that is wry, witty and authentic. It’s amusing in places as several characters come out with classic one liners. The characters are fantastic and well depicted so that you can visualise them. Jane thinks quite harshly of herself at times but she’s wonderful and incredibly kind especially to Jimmy who hangs the whole book together with his sweet, innocent and utterly guileless personality. Jimmy has learning difficulties and becomes an integral part of the family and friendship group and is much loved. He’s an absolute delight from start to finish. I hadn’t realised how utterly invested in his story I’d become until I felt tears in my eyes! All the characters are interesting from husband Duncan who has a reputation (deserved) as a ladies man, Jane’s mother Phyllis who is a tour de force, she makes you laugh with her forthrightness - a polite term for rude, her capable friend Aggie and her useless husband Gary. What were you thinking Aggie???? Jane’s children Glenn and Patrice provide some humour too, Patrice is a hilarious challenge and I’m so glad she’s not mine! The scenes in Jane’s classroom make me smile in recognition- every class has a Tad. Unfortunately!
Overall, a sweet, acutely observed, entertaining novel with wonderful characters which I recommend to fans of authors such as Anne Tyler.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to 4th Estate for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Rating: really liked it
Audiobook...read by Kate Rudd . . . 10 hours and 11 minutes
Have you ever in your life wanted an interim relationship, If yes please do tell. This is a story I’d enjoy hearing about.
I thought it was so incredibly presumptuous that Duncan assumed Jane wanted an
interim relationship, because after all she was young, only 26 years of age, and Duncan was 40, clear he was never going to get married again, figured that Jane would look for somebody more serious when the time came—Duncan assumed he was an interim-boyfriend....
You know, just what Jane wanted...an older-aged-man-toy?/!
Ha.... not exactly!!!
With my silly confused mind
... I said to Paul (yeah, the husband I often talk about), last night....
“I don’t know one woman who wanted an ‘interim’ relationship”.....
THINGS TURNED FUNNY, with us....
Paul said, “sure, lots of people - men & women - just want fuck buddies”.....
I LAUGHED & LAUGHED....
Of course.....
then why didn’t our ‘Mr. Ladies-Hot Stuff’, Duncan
just say what he meant...the dipstick!
“of course Jane was just a fuck buddy”.....( her monogamous boyfriend)....
...Duncan was the dipstick
...Jane was the pretty, thrifty, new grammar school teacher in town.
So I thought....
From the beginning…we know it’s Jane who has the raw deal in their relationship with Hunky-Duncan, who has screwed every female in town and is in an active ongoing communicative/handyman relationship with his ex-wife.
The ex-wife, Aggie, has been married for 10 years, but it’s only been five years since she enjoyed her fuck buddy-hunky-Duncan herself.
but ex-wife Aggie and Duncan have finally stopped their ex-relationship hanky-panky....
so now when Hunky-Duncan comes over, he really does just mow the lawn and use his tools to repair anything —‘but Aggie’.
Enter Luke Armstrong...not Lance Armstrong
Take that buster-Duncan dipstick!
Luke Armstrong was the perfect marrying man.
Jane’s relationships happen quickly.
Wedding coming soon....
but not before a string of wedding arrangements to face...dinner with Luke’s parents....and her own exhausting mother ....
But as easy as this all sounds....
...regular people popping in and out of each other‘s houses and beds in the small community town in Boyne City, Michigan not far from Traverse City —(one of the most beautiful spots in United States in my opinion).....
comes a FUN- FUNNY - BITTERSWEET- CRAZY ENJOYABLE NOVEL ....
A group of nutty characters- you’ll miss when the novel ends.
Nothing is conventional!!
So, I ask you?
What’s the opposite of comfort food? Well that’s pretty easy…
Discomfort food!
Oh.... so many great laughs!!
And Duncan...?
Yep.... lol . . . He still a dipstick!
Have fun ....
Great timing for a little snazzy entertainment....
wouldn’t you say?
Rating: really liked it
The ❤️ Wants what the ❤️ Wants!
That is the ONLY way to explain why Jane wants Duncan.
He is charming and handsome but also unapologetic about having slept with nearly every woman in Boyne City, Michigan and several in neighboring towns.
Oh, and if that weren’t enough to endure, Jane will also have to socialize frequently with his ex-wife Aggie too- and he sees nothing wrong with that either!
Well, for me, the first would’ve been intolerable, and red flags would have been waving 🚩
AND, 👩🏼👨🏻👱🏻♀️ THREE is DEFINITELY a crowd!
I would have been MISERABLE living the life she chose, which is probably why I didn’t find it entertaining!
But, if you find her unconventional family weirdly wonderful, then you will feel differently!
I am so very HAPPY that so many of my Goodreads friends found so much joy from this book! 🥰
I wish I could’ve joined them, but sadly, it just didn’t resonate with me! 🤷🏻♀️
A buddy read with DeAnn so be sure to watch for her wonderful review! She may have felt much differently!
Rating: really liked it
I really enjoyed this entertaining story about the nuances of relationships and complexities of life. While the tone is more subdued than that of Standard Deviation's, it makes up for it with the large cast of quirky and endearing characters. I'm going to miss these residents of Boyne City, Michigan!
In this character-driven story, the focus is on the value of friends and family. Through snippets of everyday life, we truly get to know and understand the characters and the intricacies of their relationships. Overall, this is an uplifting story full of hope, love, and happiness.
Rating: really liked it
This was one of those lucky "right book at the right time" deals. Not my usual fare, but I sorely needed to shake off the dark, bleak, and grit of my last several books. This proved to be a refreshing palate cleanser. It put me in the mind of Anne Tyler, but a bit lighter. It was funny, endearing, and gave me a whole palette of characters to enjoy. Colorful and quirky, but not saccharin in any way. It just might have you doing cartwheels before it is over.
Rating: really liked it
I was a big fan of Standard Deviation. So, I was anxious to listen to Early Morning Riser. Once again, we get a book full of laugh out loud moments (especially if Gary or the second graders are involved) mixed with some incredibly sad scenes. This is a book that will make you love and hate. You’ll want to throw your arms around some characters and strangle others.
Jane moves to Boyle City, Michigan and starts teaching second grade. She begins to see Duncan. It’s a small town, but she’s surprised how many of the women in the town he’s had a relationship with. Three years later, she’s moved on to Luke and is getting married. And then life intervenes.
I adored Jane. She’s got a mother who has no filter. She uses the tricks she’s learned to corral second graders on adults, too. She takes on responsibility without whining. As her life gets more and more complex, I wanted to reach out and hug her. She just seemed that real. I also found Duncan an incredibly complex man. Kind hearted, a man that goes out of his way to help others, but clear about not wanting marriage.
This is one of those stories about families not necessarily being bound by blood. It’s about being decent and loving, even when you don’t really want to be. It will warm you.
Kate Rudd did a lovely job as the narrator.
Rating: really liked it
3.5⭐
June is here! I can't think of a better way to welcome summer than to read some romance. I think this book will please many romcom readers, cozy fans, or those who enjoy family drama. This isn't
too sweet, I enjoyed it.
Early Morning Riser has some unusual, but charming characters. Jane moves to a small town and meets a "Brawny paper towel" handsome woodworker, Duncan. Duncan's not only a hunk, but also easy going and charming. The downside? He's been been with just about every girl in town. Once again, small town. This was a fun and an "easy-listen" story. I did find the story dragged a notch after the second half. But overall fun, with laughs at the right places. Love and family.
Rating: really liked it
Honestly I got to this sentence on page eleven and wow, that’s a big no for me.
“This was not the night Jane got drunk enough to ask Frieda if it was true she hadn’t ever had sex with anyone, even a drunk migrant worker, but Jane felt strongly that such a night was in her future.”
Uh, even a drunk migrant worker what now?! Very much no thank you.
And then we get the part with the mentally retarded character? Confusing candy and EATING glass? What on actual earth NOPE.
And then this! OH WOW:
“Jane looked more closely at the woman and saw that it wasn’t accurate to say she was large. She had a wide face, which automatically made you assume she had a wide body, too, but in fact her figure was exceptional,”
WELL THANK GOD SHES NOT WIDE EVERYONE KNOWS A WIDE BODY ISNT EXCEPTIONAL BUT SHE ISNT WIDE BODIED FRIENDS HER TRICKY WIDE FACE JUST TRICKED US.
Not a large body! Not a wide body! Therefore! An exceptional body. Got it.
Just to be clear: in the Venn Diagram of Body Judging, wide/large and exceptional DO NOT INTERSECT.
EVEN A DRUNK MIGRANT WORKER.
What. On. Earth.
I would light a kindle on fire if I could.
Rating: really liked it
I loved Heiny's "Standard Deviations" and had high hopes for this one - but unfortunately it didn't gel for me. I liked the way Jane's life was marked by a collection of small moments and especially appreciated the understanding and warmth shown by all the characters to Jimmy. But I found the lighthearted tone more flippant than amusing and felt that Heiny just skimmed the surface of the characters. In fact, Jane and Duncan felt vacuous to me - like caricatures of real people.
