The reader will know the protagonist, Tess, very well. She is the familiar inner personality (or at least the articulate, witty, brave person we can imagine ourselves to be). The relatives and friends are very real. This is one of those books that one can't put down until its done. The story within the story fits perfectly. There are lots of surprises, interesting bits of cultural commentary, speculative fiction and romance rolled into a very funny, compelling package.
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What would you do if you thought the world was going to end on December 21, 2012? Would it be safe to go out in public if you were one of the lucky people that survived?That is the issue that writer, Tess Eliot is tasked with when she is asked to write a guide regarding the preparation for the end of the world by a company called W.H.O.O.S.H: The World Organization for Omniscient Solstice Harbingers. Now that is a mouthful right?
When Tess meets these people, she finds out that they actually believe the world will end and are quite serious about this project. She however thinks they sound more like a cult and does not take the whole world ending thing very seriously at all. Since Tess recently lost her "Tess Knows Best" newspaper column, she is in desperate need of a job, so she agrees to write the book. With her personality and quick-wit, this writing assignment is perfect for Tess. And even though the end of the world is a heavy and serious topic to write about, she gives it a light and upbeat tone that readers will find engaging.
While she is working for W.O.O.S.H, she meets Peter Barrett, who is head of Donor Relations for the company. Peter becomes enamored with Tess and they start spending some time together outside of work. Peter is handsome, charming, and seemingly perfect. A little too perfect possibly...
The premise might sound a bit out there, but don't let that fool you. Etiquette for the End of the World is a witty and light hearted weekend read that will take you on a crazy journey filled with memorable and funny characters, and a woman who will question W.O.O.S.H's real motives and begin to wonder if there is some truth behind their belief after all.
The author, Jeanne Martinet adds just the right amount of humor to this story. I laughed numerous times while reading. It wasn't one of those books that I couldn't put down, but it was entertaining and fun nonetheless.
I would give this book a 3/12 out of 5 rating.
**Thank you to NetGalley and the Author, who I received this ARC from in exchange for my honest review.**
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For some women, finding themselves on the cusp of forty, unmarried, childless, and recently dumped by both boyfriend and employer is akin to the apocalypse. And for Tess Eliot, it sure does seem that way. When she is hired by WOOSH, World Organization for Omniscient Solstice Harbingers, to write a book, Tess thinks her luck is starting to turn. Except for one teensy little problem. The WOOSH'ers believe the supposed Mayan prediction that the world will end on December 21, 2012, and the book Tess is to write is about how we should behave toward one another when the world ends.This silly sounding premise might make you leery to read this book, but you should not worry. Etiquette for the End of the World is charming, entertaining, and humorous. WOOSH may want a book about the end of the world, but they want a funny book about the end of the world, and Tess is just the person to write it. Naturally snarky, she uses her talents to offer up a humorous take on etiquette as the world ends.
She also meets Peter, a George Clooney lookalike who charms her in spite of a nagging sense that he is too good to be true. Peter is a fundraiser for WOOSH, and clearly attracted to Tess. When she meets him at the bar she frequents, Richie, the bartender, approaches Peter with no small amount of suspicion. Maybe he really is too good to be true. Richie, on the other hand, is solid. He counsels Tess on her romantic and professional failings, and when she starts to suspect that there is something afoot at WOOSH, he supports her concerns. Too bad he's gay, because Richie could be the perfect guy.
This is a romantic comedy of sorts. Parts of it are quite funny, and Tess engages in a couple of romances. She also has to make peace with her brother, Stuart, to whom the family beach house and money were left when their father died. Tess doesn't understand why he won't split the inheritance with her, but Stuart has his reasons.
The mystery angle of the book will spark your interest. What exactly is going on with WOOSH? Is there something nefarious happening, or is it merely a group of quirky fatalists? As Tess begins to dig into WOOSH, she uncovers information that leads her to believe the former, and we become curious right along with her.
While this is a pleasant little book, it is not something that will stick with you after you've read it. There are problems: some of the things that bother Tess about Peter are never explained, and the ending is far too neat and tidy. Still, though, it's a sweet story that you will enjoy reading. Who knew the end of the world would be so funny?
Published on cupcake's book cupboard. @VivaAmaRisata
Thanks to NetGalley for the preview.
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What a pleasure to read this hilarious and imaginative book. It's full of suspense, cinematic set pieces and fantastic characters, but what killed me was the voice. Jeanne Martinet is a pleasure to spend time with -wry, witty, and wise, like a fabulous old friend you've just met. I got hooked on the story and tore through it, then got a sinking feeling when I realized I was nearing the end.It's strangely touching, too -under the apocalyptic mayhem, there's a sincere search for love and fulfillment going on.
I guess at this point in 2012 a sequel is out of the question, but I definitely want to read more Jeanne Martinet.
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