In her ruefully funny and wickedly perceptive debut novel, Alison Espach deftly dissects matters of the heart and captures the lives of children and adults as they come to terms with life, death, and love. At the center of this affluent suburban universe is Emily Vidal, a smart and snarky teenager, who gets involved in a suspect relationship with one of the adults after witnessing a suicide in her neighborhood. Among the cast of unforgettable characters is Emily's father, whose fiftieth birthday party has the adults descending upon the Vidal's patio; her mother, who has orchestrated the elaborate party even though she and her husband are getting a divorce; and an assortment of eccentric neighbors, high school teachers, and teenagers who teem with anxiety and sexuality and an unbridled desire to be noticed, and ultimately loved.
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"Based on the jacket description and reviews of this novel, I expected a standard, funny, and ho-hum coming-of-age story that has been told countless times, but by a promising new writer. What I've finished is a powerful book with poetic language and imagery that goes straight to the gut, and a much riskier plot that your usual teen-becoming-young woman-saga (though that stuff is there too). You have a presice image of upper-middle class suburban affluence, love and learning how to love, suicide, affairs, questionable teacher-student relationships (statutory anyone?), and a host of other believeable issues one imagines the rich or priveledged facing. The writing is what carries this book, however. Beautiful sentences creating not only clear image, but the feeling of the character. Yes, there ARE funny parts to this book, but I was struck more by the overall seriousness of the story, and the power of the writing. Read it."
— Nathan (4 out of 5 stars)
" A great read. It was the perfect combination of teenage rebellion against an inauthentic world in the tradition of "Catcher in the Rye," Vonnegut-like absurdity and distance, familial dysfunction and sexual and moral coming of age. I didn't like "Catcher in the Rye," but somehow in this context, that sort of attitude shone, possibly through authorial restraint. "
— Emily, 2/19/2014" To me, this was reminiscent of "Prep" by Curtis Sittenfeld, but not in a bad way. Emily Vidal, the main character did seem a little far-fetched, but the overall themes of the book were realistic. I believe the point of the book was to keep you guessing as to who was really an adult and who was a child, based on behaviors exhibited by characters in the novel. I liked the book, but I can see how some of the themes can be off-putting to readers. "
— Plainjane26, 2/15/2014" Espach writes my "summer smut" novel of the year. I wasn't sure what to expect a few chapters into the book, but Espach delivers more than I anticipated with a gripping soap opera-esque story of Emily and the adults in her life - who tend to act anything but adult-like. Riveting dialogue, smart writing, and a beautifully crafted framed narrative prove to be entertaining and reminded me of the artful practice of a writer. If you are looking for a quick read and unexpected poignant moments, I would give Espach a try. You will not be disappointed. "
— Lizzy, 2/13/2014" So fabulous! what Anthropology of an American Girl was trying to be. I wish I had written this. "
— Hannah, 2/7/2014" Recommend for those who like their coming-of-age novels with some bite. A fresh voice on American adolescence. "
— Lisa, 1/23/2014" A darkly funny coming of age novel. I empathized with the protagonist and enjoyed her humor and witty observations, even if I didn't always agree with her choices. A darker, smarter Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing, but the "darker" part actually made me enjoy it less than that one. "
— Anna, 1/20/2014" I loved the detail and the teenage language used in The Adult. The writing was dreamy and the story was the captivating. "
— This, 1/20/2014" This book had everything: humour, appealing characters and a great story. You follow the main character as she grows from a child to an adult, with all of life's surprises. It kept me interested all along. "
— Priscilla, 1/18/2014" Great narrator! So smart. "
— Les, 1/12/2014" I liked this book. It's dark and a bit twisted but I liked the dialogue and it felt honest and raw. The ending was sad and depressing but the author did a good job of making the characters come to life and feel real. "
— Fran, 1/2/2014" As interesting as the narrative voice is, this novel is just depressing. What a bunch of disjointed and dysfunctional relationships! "
— Jennie, 12/29/2013" This book had some really funny one liners, which I always appreciate but it was a little too irreverant for me. Like being irreverant just for the sake of being irreverant. "
— Christy, 11/30/2013" This book had me laughing in a few pages. Alison Espach did a fantastic job of capturing the essence of a teenager. A teenager in love, nonetheless. "
— Erica, 11/29/2013" This author knows my life. I was in tears at the end...Amazing, insightful, rapid fire style of writing I am admittedly jealous of...can't wait to read another book by Alison. Bravo. "
— Amanda, 11/28/2013" I couldn't even get 100 pages into it. The main character was not appealing in any way and the adults were even worse! Not worth your time. "
— Lynda, 6/24/2013" I really liked this book. It's so perceptive and smart about the different ways adults and teens see the world. Loved the writing in the first few chapters especially. Interesting story...sort of fell a little for me 3/4s of the way through, but then picked up again. "
— Linda, 6/20/2013" Ugh. This was my pick for book club and I labored to finish it only because of that fact. A dismal portrayal of teenagers and their parents in an affluent CT neighborhood. Dreadful stuff. "
— Chris, 8/4/2012" Reminds me of Ice Storm only starting in the 90's instead of the 70's. hopefully no movie in the works. "
— Meg, 6/22/2012" Not sure why everything about this annoyed me, but it did. "
— Julia, 3/28/2012" I don't understand the purpose of this book :( Told from the voice of the mail character, Emily, I just never really got to know her and what she was feeling. A bit of a disappointment :( "
— Andrea, 2/21/2012" I couldn't relate to any character, despite their interesting and crumbling lives, and decided not to finish the book. "
— Rowan, 11/13/2011" Excellent- intense and a bit haunting. And I'm depressed that it's over- always the measure of a good book. "
— Natalie, 6/25/2011" I enjoyed this book but wasn't blown away. While interesting and often amusing, the characters didn't come to life as real people. There were important and meaningful things going on in their lives, but I just didn't feel emotionally connected to them. "
— Lisa, 6/19/2011" My feelings about this book and this character went through as many phases as the character herself. And that's probably why I loved it. When she's a child, you feel it. When she's in Prague, she's IN Prague. It was a really good read. "
— Holly, 6/17/2011" I liked this book. It's dark and a bit twisted but I liked the dialogue and it felt honest and raw. The ending was sad and depressing but the author did a good job of making the characters come to life and feel real. "
— Fran, 6/11/2011" Okay book. Not one that will stay with me but wasn't horrible either.... "
— Leslie, 6/7/2011" 3 1/2 <br/>Very well written novel about a 14 year old girl, her family life, her affair with a teacher- and staying with him when grown up. It lost a little as she got older, but then pulled together in the end. <br/>The author portrayed her voice well. "
— Julie, 5/26/2011" This was an entertaining read, however, it was a book without a real exciting story. It was a "coming of age" sort of book... the characters were interesting, but I just personally like books that have a little more of a plot and suspense to them. "
— Kim, 5/19/2011" Espach's writing is fun to read. Quick, witty, smart. She captures the spirit of an angsty rich kid well. Too bad the book isn't as good as the writing. It's predictable, very slow at times, and disjointed. "
— Christi, 5/16/2011" I've read much better. It was just okay. "
— Connie, 5/16/2011Alison Espach is the author of the novel The Adults, a New York Times Editors' Choice and a Barnes & Noble Discover pick. Her short stories and essays have appeared in Vogue, Glamour, Salon, and McSweeney’s, among other places. She is a professor of creative writing at Providence College in Rhode Island.
Tavia Gilbert is an acclaimed narrator of more than four hundred full-cast and multivoice audiobooks for virtually every publisher in the industry. Named the 2018 Voice of Choice by Booklist magazine, she is also winner of the prestigious Audie Award for best narration. She has earned numerous Earphones Awards, a Voice Arts Award, and a Listen-Up Award. Audible.com has named her a Genre-Defining Narrator: Master of Memoir. In addition to voice acting, she is an accomplished producer, singer, and theater actor. She is also a producer, singer, photographer, and a writer, as well as the cofounder of a feminist publishing company, Animal Mineral.