Helpful Score: 3
Hilarious book about adult children trying to marry off their annoying mother.
Helpful Score: 3
A genuinely funny book, there are parts that had me rolling on the floor. I also liked how well the author portrayed a cast of characters who are all 40+.
Helpful Score: 2
This is a funny, sweet story that makes for a great weekend read. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. Although in the beginning I wasn't sure I liked any of the main characcters, as the story progressed I began to appreciate each of them. And, as they grew, I grew to like them very much. I recommend this highly to anyone who enjoys spending some time with a smart, funny, well-written story.
Helpful Score: 1
Good writing and interesting twists. Happy ending. :-)
Helpful Score: 1
Not as good as the First Wives Club but still a fun read.
Helpful Score: 1
Involved but funny story about desperate kids trying to marry off their widowed mother so she won't come live with them
Helpful Score: 1
From Publishers Weekly
Goldsmith has hit a triple: in addition to the movie based on The First Wives Club and her recent novel, Bestseller, bruiting her name, she will have this funny, schmaltzy fairytale-cum-sitcom in the stores in time for the holidays. "Mom" is Phyllis Geronomus, a wisecracking 69-year-old widow who decides to leave Florida and return to Manhattan to help her grown children make something of their lives. The trouble is that her kids greet her arrival as they would a plague of locusts. Stockbroker Sigourney, nee Susan, unmarried at 40, has a sagging client list and is about to lose her elegant apartment overlooking Central Park. Entrepreneur Bruce, now out of the closet, fears his line of gay greeting cards is about to expire. Obese Sharon is married to a chronically unemployed loser. Domineering Mom will surely drive each of them over the edge. Their solution: to give Phyllis a makeover and a shopping session at Bergdorfs, put her up at the Pierre and take her to a charity ball where she can meet a rich old geezer who will both marry her and save her kids from financial ruin. The premise is pure TV farce, fueled by Goldsmith's clever dialogue and acerbic one-liners. Her takes on the relationships between parents (especially Jewish parents) and their children, and between the bickering siblings themselves, are on-target. Through events that escalate from the ridiculous to the preposterous, Goldsmith steers the principals to an ultra-happy ending and an inescapable conclusion: all families are dysfunctional, but every dysfunctional family is wacky in its own way. Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Goldsmith has hit a triple: in addition to the movie based on The First Wives Club and her recent novel, Bestseller, bruiting her name, she will have this funny, schmaltzy fairytale-cum-sitcom in the stores in time for the holidays. "Mom" is Phyllis Geronomus, a wisecracking 69-year-old widow who decides to leave Florida and return to Manhattan to help her grown children make something of their lives. The trouble is that her kids greet her arrival as they would a plague of locusts. Stockbroker Sigourney, nee Susan, unmarried at 40, has a sagging client list and is about to lose her elegant apartment overlooking Central Park. Entrepreneur Bruce, now out of the closet, fears his line of gay greeting cards is about to expire. Obese Sharon is married to a chronically unemployed loser. Domineering Mom will surely drive each of them over the edge. Their solution: to give Phyllis a makeover and a shopping session at Bergdorfs, put her up at the Pierre and take her to a charity ball where she can meet a rich old geezer who will both marry her and save her kids from financial ruin. The premise is pure TV farce, fueled by Goldsmith's clever dialogue and acerbic one-liners. Her takes on the relationships between parents (especially Jewish parents) and their children, and between the bickering siblings themselves, are on-target. Through events that escalate from the ridiculous to the preposterous, Goldsmith steers the principals to an ultra-happy ending and an inescapable conclusion: all families are dysfunctional, but every dysfunctional family is wacky in its own way. Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this book; and when I came across it again, I had to reread it, and even got my daughter to read it. It's FUNNY !
In Marrying Mom, Olivia Goldsmith, bestselling author of the First Wives Club, turns tender romance into a wickedly funny family affair. the cover is different then the one shown.
In Marrying Mom, Olivia Goldsmith, bestselling author of the First Wives Club, turns tender romance into a wickedly funny family affair. the cover is different then the one shown.
Helpful Score: 1
This book will make you laugh out loud, so I would advise you to not read it in a hospital waiting room or on a plane. This is the kind of book you'll want to read while by yourself. Olivia Goldsmith's portrayal of the characters as so funny and the story line could really relate to a lot of us out there. This definitely would make a great movie with Doris Roberts playing the mother. Great book. I want to read more of Olivia Goldsmith's books.
Phyllis Geronomous is witty, blunt, razor sharp and the despair of her family. She's a senior citizen and an original, still trying to run the lives of her three grown children. As far as their concerned, Phyllis'best attribute is that she's a Florida resident while they live in New York. Then Phyllis decides that she's going to move back to the Big Apple. Sigourney, Sharon, and Bruce just can't let crazy Phyllis ruin their lives all over again. Christmas is unbearable enough with a visit from Mom--and now she wants to stay?
Only Sigourney has a solution, they'll join forces and marry Mom off. They call the plan "Operation Geezer Quest."But where are they going to find an old, deaf, dumb, blind, and above all, rich groom?
This is a family farce and a funny romance--wickedly funny. I wish they'd make a movie out of this one.
Olivia Goldsmith is the author of The First Wives Club, Flower of the Month, Fashionably Late, and others. You won't be disappointed.
Only Sigourney has a solution, they'll join forces and marry Mom off. They call the plan "Operation Geezer Quest."But where are they going to find an old, deaf, dumb, blind, and above all, rich groom?
This is a family farce and a funny romance--wickedly funny. I wish they'd make a movie out of this one.
Olivia Goldsmith is the author of The First Wives Club, Flower of the Month, Fashionably Late, and others. You won't be disappointed.
Great little read! Hits a little too close to home for me, LOL. Eldest daughter shared this with me, sounded real familiar, but I maaged to laugh a few times anyway!
Funny short read. Goldsmith is a terrific author!
From the author who gave us First Wives Club.
\"Mom\" is a widowed Senior Citizen. She never wanted to retire to Florida and now she wants to be back in the New York area near/with the children. Let the games begin.
If you are a part of the \"sandwich\" generation or if you know someone who is, THIS is a book for you.
\"Mom\" is a widowed Senior Citizen. She never wanted to retire to Florida and now she wants to be back in the New York area near/with the children. Let the games begin.
If you are a part of the \"sandwich\" generation or if you know someone who is, THIS is a book for you.
Imagine trying to find a senior mom a husband so yo you do not have to spend Christmas with her.Phyllis Geronomous is witty, blunt, razor sharp -- and the despair of her family.She's a senior citizen and an original, still trying to run the lives of her three grown children. As far as they're concerned, Phyllis' best attribute is that she's a Florida resident while they live in New York. Then Phyllis decides that she's going to move back to the Big Apple. Sigourney, Sharon, and Bruce just can't let crazy Phillis ruin their lives all over again. Christmas is unbearable enough with a visit from Mom -- and now she wants to stay?
Only Sig has the ideal solution: they'll join forces and marry Mom off. They call the plan "Operation Geezer Quest." But where are they going to find an old, deaf, du,b, blind, and, above all, rich groom?
Only Sig has the ideal solution: they'll join forces and marry Mom off. They call the plan "Operation Geezer Quest." But where are they going to find an old, deaf, du,b, blind, and, above all, rich groom?
Quick read. Good beach read.
Hilarious romp--easy, fun beach read. Olivia Goldsmith knows how to make her readers laugh.
Fantastic. Hilarious and non-stop adventures.
i didn't much care for this book, i thought the kids were spoiled and bratty. phyllis is the best character, i liked the parts about her!
Great book!
Funny,quick read.
I really liked this book!
Frothy comedy about second chances, second weddings, and second childhoods.
Phyllis Geronomous, facing 70 and more years of widowhood than she thinks she can tolerate, decides to uproot herself from the Florida retirement community her late husband insisted on, and to move back to New York, where she can keep a better eye on her adult children, none of whom has lived up to her expectations.
Meanwhile, the children, on learning of her plans, fly into various panic modes. None of them wants Mom meddling in their lives at this point, and none can take on the expense of supporting her without dire consequences to their own careers.
The obvious solution, then, is to marry Mom off to some rich old geezer who will keep her happy and occupied. And, with the plot firmly set up, it is expertly manipulated and milked by Goldsmith, who keeps the one-liners coming and stirs hit-and-miss matchmaking together with a cast of delightfully-drawn characters. Most readers will see how all the resolutions tie up into neat bows long before the package is really wrapped, but nobody cares.
Phyllis Geronomous, facing 70 and more years of widowhood than she thinks she can tolerate, decides to uproot herself from the Florida retirement community her late husband insisted on, and to move back to New York, where she can keep a better eye on her adult children, none of whom has lived up to her expectations.
Meanwhile, the children, on learning of her plans, fly into various panic modes. None of them wants Mom meddling in their lives at this point, and none can take on the expense of supporting her without dire consequences to their own careers.
The obvious solution, then, is to marry Mom off to some rich old geezer who will keep her happy and occupied. And, with the plot firmly set up, it is expertly manipulated and milked by Goldsmith, who keeps the one-liners coming and stirs hit-and-miss matchmaking together with a cast of delightfully-drawn characters. Most readers will see how all the resolutions tie up into neat bows long before the package is really wrapped, but nobody cares.
A treat to read!
So very funny!
My daughter and I listened to this on tape while on a trip together--she thought it extremely amusing!!!
WANTED: A gentleman of means, neither young nor decrepit. Looks irrelevant. Generous to a fault. Criminal record not a problem. Witty, mature, decisive widow has recently relocated to New York City in order to be very, very close to her grown children (who prefer managing their own lives, thank you very much). Their lifelong gratitude and relief (plus their lovely mother---as long as you move out of state) will be your REWARD. no offer of any kind will be refused.
