I didn't like the overall plot or voice of this book, but I will stay that the idea of death by turtle has stuck with me. Death by turtle! Who wouda thunk it?! ( )

Agoraphobic Jack Madigan is facing eviction from the Boston townhouse he inherited from his (in)famous rock star father. If that's not bad enough, there's an unsolved mystery surrounding the rock star's death by salmonella, a peculiar teenage son to raise up, a fearless but neglected neighbor girl who needs a hero, and a quirky realtor who'll do anything to sell her first house. This is a really lovely book that's funny and well-written.

I just finished it over the weekend. It was a fun read. In some ways it reminded me of Paul Quarrington's Whale Music.

Jack is a very rich character. He tries hard as a father and as a father figure for Lucinda which is what makes him lovable. Lucinda is another great character who is both insightful and self absorbed...the perfect combination for a nine year old. Harlan and Dorrie are also strong, multi facetted characters.

I was suprised how funny the book was. I have already recommended it to friends.

As an aside, does anyone here suffer from anxiety problems? Or live with someone who does? If so, how did you find the portrayal of the problem and how it affected the people around Jack?

Well...I have a mixed response to her treatment of Jack's problem. In my experience with people with anxiety disorders it's usually a progression from uncomfortable, to panic-ey, to incapacitated. Of course, my experience is limited...it may affect different people differently. I did find it rather odd that Jack left the house a few times then his anxiety fell down on him like a ton of bricks rather than building over time.

Additionally I found Harlan to be more understanding of his father's condition than most teenagers are with their parents "oddities". He was VERY accomdating. Most teenagers find it hard to put up with even far more conventional behaviour from their parents. I'm not talking about in front of witnesses...Harlan was embarrassed as the next teen with witnesses. At home Harlan didn't seem bothered by Jack's inability to function. Maybe Harlan was just more empathetic than any teen I know. Maybe he was empathetic because of his own growing problems with anxiety. (although I suspect that a growing anxiety problem himself would only make him LESS able/willing to do the business of day to day life for his father) ( )

Tremendously involving and very funy writing from first time author Cohen. Jack Madigan is the son of the now deceased Baz Madigan, an outrageous rock star of the late 70's, who fathering skills left much to be desired, leaving Jack an agorophobe. He is unable to leave the 4-story town house left to him by his father without being heavily sedated (on "Nervy-Durvies"), and turning Jack into poor candidate for Father of the Year to his own teenage son, Harlan.
Filled with wonderful, quirky characters that are very believable, this book was a small wonder to read. I look forward to more from Cohen, and the film which is apparantly in development of "Town House." ( )