Tim Welch is a popular history teacher at the Montague Academy, an exclusive private school in Brooklyn Heights. As he says, "I was an odd-looking, gawky kid but I like to think my rocky start forced me to develop empathy, kindness, and a tendency to be enthusiastic. All of this, I'm now convinced, helped in my quest to be worthy of Kate Oliver." Now, Kate is not inherently ordinary. But she aspires to be. She stays home with their two young sons in a modest apartment trying desperately to become the parent she never had. They are seemingly the last middle-class family in the Heights, whose world is turned upside down by Anna Brody, the new neighbor who moves into the most expensive brownstone in Brooklyn, sending the local society into a tailspin. Anna is not only beautiful and wealthy; she's also mysterious. And for reasons Kate doesn't quite understand, even as all the Range Rover- driving moms jockey for invitations into Anna's circle, Anna sets her sights on Kate and Tim and brings them into her world. Like Tom Perrotta, Peter Hedges has a keen eye for the surprising truths of daily life. The Heights is at once light of touch and packed with emotion and depth of character. Watch a Video
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"It had me in the first 10 minutes. I never laughed so hard over a conversation about anal sex. I listened to Peter read it and it was perfect mix of vulnerability, adorable enthusiasm, and dry sarcasm that made me root for him and be so utterly disappointed in him at the same time. Loved this book."
— Tara (4 out of 5 stars)
" really funny, honest look at a modern family. Loved the beginning. Super insightful. Loved the way the neighborhood became a character in the story of the people in the book. "
— Cathy, 2/16/2014" It was interesting and a good way to kill some time while working. The author used "clearly" way too much. The audio book faded out a lot and it seemed like they were trying to set a tone but it was just annoying. It made me think something was wrong with my player. I liked the multiple character point of view narration. "
— Lorie, 1/25/2014" Quick read with entertaining characters and an interesting plot. Love that Give Kids the World got a mention in it, too! "
— Erin, 12/31/2013" This book had such promise in the beginning but really just fizzled out after the first third. "
— Valerie, 12/24/2013" Wow. I didn't expect this. Loved the way it was written. The end was truly refreshing. Read this. "
— Pam, 12/19/2013" excellent read about ny c "
— Mary, 12/17/2013" This is a well written book. It is really easy to read. I even liked the characters - for the most part - in the story. The topic is the demise of a happy marriage. It was a little to disheartening for me to really enjoy the book. "
— Kerry, 11/26/2013" This takes place in an upscale neighborhood near New York City. The central characters are a young married couple. What happens when a new neighbor moves in drives this story of their relationship. I particularly liked the somewhat Hollywood ending. "
— Sally, 11/14/2013" Funny, frustrating, clever. "
— Carolyn, 10/21/2013" This wasn't as entertaining as I had hoped. I didn't care about any of these people. They all seemed out of touch. "
— Verena, 9/15/2013" I enjoyed the first half of this books describing the characters lives in the Heights of New York. The storyline became predictable in the second half and I lost interest. "
— Kevin, 9/13/2013" Enjoyed this well written novel about a married couple living in Brooklyn Heights. "
— Cindy, 9/3/2013" Very sad....characters are confused....or it just me. "
— Anne, 8/24/2013" Well performed by three readers which added a lot to the sharp yet subtle dialogue. A bit disappointed by the ending, but at the very end there was some promise. Authentic characters. I'd give it 3 1/2 stars if I could. "
— Lynn, 7/30/2013" fun, breezy read. Hedges is also a screenwriter (About a Boy adaptation, Dan in Real Life, etc) and that totally came through in this book. enjoyable, but nothing life-changing or thought-provoking. "
— xq, 9/25/2012" excellent, loved the writting style and a pleasure to read and contemplate! "
— Sherwestonstec, 7/8/2012" I couldn't finish this book. The language was atrocious and the subject matter is inappropriate. If the world lives like these people no wonder there is so much sadness. "
— Theresa, 6/5/2012" i will read/watch whatever this man has to offer. good stuff! "
— Cara, 4/29/2012" I thought it was a pretty good book, easy read. It tells a story from different characters and the transition is smooth. I did not enjoy the last page, it left me wondering what happened? "
— Alexis, 8/27/2011" Listened to the audiobook. Audio format worked well for the multiple points of view, although was occasionally confusing. "
— Ann, 7/11/2011" I listened to this as an audio book and enjoyed it. The book was broken up into parts told from the different characters point of view and these were read by different people. The main dilemma throughout the book was about marriage and fidelity and I enjoyed the way the book dealt with the issue. "
— Hallie, 5/9/2011" excellent read about ny c <br/> "
— Mary, 5/6/2011" A perfect romp through the lives of people I want to be nothing like. "
— Kelly, 5/2/2011" This was pretty entertaining. Very much like books by Jon Tropper or Tom Perotta. Its like decent chicklit written by a guy. "
— Amy, 4/28/2011" Fun, colorful characters. Laugh out loud moments. Bordered on a little raunchy that was a tad unnecessary, but still a good read and worth the time. <br/> "
— Barbara, 4/20/2011" A-ma-zing! Best book read in 2011 so far. "
— Bess, 4/2/2011" Adorable. Couple lives in Brooklyn Heights but really doesn't fit in.You love both of them . Please read this "
— Debbie, 3/24/2011" None of these characters felt like real people to me. Not one. "
— Jessica, 3/13/2011" Don't even bother. I was excited to read this book because the author wrote the movie About a Boy, but "boy" was I disappointed! (Sorry, I couldn't help with the pun) :) "
— Erika, 3/12/2011" Interesting that this author wrote What's eating Gilbert Grape and then nothing till this book. "
— Gina, 3/5/2011" I enjoyed this because it takes place in my neighborhood. Quick read! "
— Ginna, 3/2/2011" This was a good book that was very realistic. It was an easy but slighly slow read. The characters were well formed and I could relate to both the husband and wife. "
— Andrea, 2/18/2011" Ooooh! Me likey! In the same school as Little Children and A Gate at the Stairs. Why do I enjoy reading about smug marrieds in touble? <br/> "
— Linda, 2/5/2011Amy Ryan attended Manhattan’s High School of Performing Arts and Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Training Center. Ryan played Officer Russell in the HBO series The Wire, and in 2007 she was cast in Ben Affleck’s directorial debut, Gone Baby Gone. Her performance earned her Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations.