Elinor Lipman is the author of eight novels about contemporary American society and a collection of short stories. Born and raised in Lowell, Massachusetts, Lipman graduated from Simmons College where she studied journalism. She lives in Western Massachusetts and Manhattan, and received the New England Book award for fiction in 2001.
The Phoebe Variations (2025) Jane Hamilton "Gorgeous writing-wry and deep all at once. And full of the soft, relatable turns of phrase that make me swoon over a Hamiltonian sentence . . . A-pluses for poetic prose, for wit, for originality, for piano fervor. I loved visiting the crazy-wonderful house, over-populated with irresistible sons who shape Phoebe's life forever."
The River is Waiting (2025) Wally Lamb "I was awestruck by this brilliant novel! I know that 'authenticity' isn't the sexiest takeaway, but on my honor, page after riveting page, I asked myself, 'How did he know this? How is this so moving, so real, so close to the bone?' Bravo, Wally Lamb. Not that you needed another masterpiece to demonstrate your unerring eye, ear, and signature heart, but may I say The River is Waiting might crown them all."
The Correspondent (2025) Virginia Evans "I was wowed by this deliciously brilliant book! Thank you, Virginia Evans, for a life beautifully told in letters, for creating a character whose mind struggles with her heart in a most intriguing, sympathetic, witty, and binge-worthy way. Author friends - please forgive me for proclaiming The Correspondent my new favorite book."
You Are Here (2024) David Nicholls "Oh this book! What's better than rooting for two shy, once-burnt characters to recognise that love is within reach? I stopped often to reread and savour its sparkling, wry sentences. You Are Here is both up-to-the-minute and old-fashioned in the best way: sharp, yet so very kind, funny, and bittersweet."
You Only Call When You're in Trouble (2024) Stephen McCauley "Picture F. Scott Fitzgerald with tongue in cheek and you get the gift of Stephen McCauley's You Only Call When You're in Trouble. I loved these deliciously flawed characters and every thought that runs through their heads. As with all things Stephen McCauley, it has the highest of wit and the sharpest of social commentary plus tenderness and much love."
Save What's Left (2023) Elizabeth Castellano "I loved every page of Save What's Left - this voice, this eye, this story, its originality and wit, its offbeat social satire, its loopy cynicism, and a whole town's good intentions gone awry. Fighting city hall has never been so delicious. Brava, Elizabeth Castellano. I can't wait for your next book."
The Road Towards Home (2023) Corinne Demas "How welcome and true: late love, beautifully and wryly rendered. Both light hearted and insightful, with age-defying charm and wit, The Road Towards Home is a totally satisfying (and identifiable!) read."
Shadows of Pecan Hollow (2022) Caroline Frost "What immense talent flows through this spellbinding story! Everything is here: magnetic characters, fierce momentum, and great authenticity of voice, place and thought. I was stunned in the best possible way throughout. How does Caroline Frost do it, I marveled; how does she know this? What an amazing, rewarding feat of craftsmanship and love!"
The Blackmailer's Guide to Love (2021) Marian Thurm "This is the book I needed and adored. With writing so beautiful; but wait--don't mistake 'beautiful' for 'at the expense of storytelling'--because A Blackmailer's Guide to Love gave me characters so real, so sympathetic, so human, that their good and bad deeds made for compulsive, rewarding, delicious reading. When you can't wait to tell your novel-loving friends about the treat they have in store, that is the test of true book love."
Minus Me (2021) Mameve Medwed "Such a sharp eye, wry voice, and warm heart at work here! Annie’s plight kept me reading hungrily: Will her many fears be realized? Will ‘in sickness and in health’ be tested? Has there ever been a more entertaining drama queen of a mother? So much to love! Minus Me is vintage Medwed: smart, funny-quirky, and so very satisfying."
The Wright Sister (2020) Patty Dann "The Wright Sister is a marvel—a perfect, very dear and brilliant novel whose characters are now stored in my heart like favorite, absent friends. Long live the remarkable Katharine Wright, her famous brothers, and author Patty Dann, who brought them back to life for this gobsmacked, grateful reader."
Atomic Love (2020) Jennie Fields "Atomic Love had me in its thrall from page one. How rewarding to follow these sympathetic, brilliantly drawn characters through their affairs of state and heart. Thank you, Jennie Fields, for this terrific, atmospheric, suspenseful and wholly gratifying read."
The Stationery Shop (2019) Marjan Kamali "What a pleasure—a novel that is all at once masterfully plotted, beautifully written, and filled with characters who are arresting, lovable, and so real. Brava, Marjan Kamali; now that I’ve finished, I miss this world of yours."
Another Side of Paradise (2018) Sally Koslow "Isn’t a beautifully written page-turner the ideal read? Well, here it is. I am full of admiration and gratitude for this wonderful novel. Brava, Sally Koslow. I didn’t want your fascinating and tender book to end."
Pug Hill (2006) (Pug Hill, book 1) Alison Pace "There's a terrific comedic eye at work here, and a tender heart."
Hedwig and Berti (2005) Frieda Arkin "My new favorite novel. Characters and storytelling like this belong in the Fiction Hall of Fame, in the wing reserved for wry and sly masterpieces."
(b.1950)
