Ms. Demeanor: A Novel by Elinor Lipman

Title: Ms. Demeanor

Author: Elinor Lipman

Genre: Fiction

Synopsis: "Jane Morgan is a valued member of her law firm—or was, until a prudish neighbor, binoculars poised, observes her having sex on the roof of her NYC apartment building.  Police are summoned, and a punishing judge sentences her to six months of home confinement. With Jane now jobless and rootless, trapped at home, life looks bleak. Yes, her twin sister provides support and advice, but mostly of the unwelcome kind. When a doorman lets slip that Jane isn't the only resident wearing an ankle monitor, she strikes up a friendship with fellow white-collar felon Perry Salisbury. As she tries to adapt to life within her apartment walls, she discovers she hasn’t heard the end of that tattletale neighbor—whose past isn’t as decorous as her 9-1-1 snitching would suggest. Why are police knocking on Jane’s door again? Can her house arrest have a silver lining? Can two wrongs make a right? In the hands of "an inspired alchemist who converts serious subject into humor” (New York Times Book Review)—yes, delightfully."  - Back Cover

My Thoughts

Many of the books you'll find in past posts fall in the genre of historical fiction, a genre I clearly love. I am deliberately taking a break from my favored genre to explore the world of contemporary fiction and I'm glad I started with this novel! Ms. Demeanor (despite being about a woman who loses her job and is on house arrest) is light, funny, and relatable. The family dynamics are familiar, with a modern twist. Jane is relatable and remains delightfully unapologetic about the 'scandalous' act that was the catalyst for her home detention, which I find endearing. Probably because I fall into the category of educated, high achieving, rule-following, thirty-something woman just like Jane, so her not backing down feels like a justified rebellion.   

Were there some plotlines that were borderline far-fetched and convenient? Sure. Could I forgive them because the storyline was so enjoyable? Absolutely. 

Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!

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