The Widow's Guide to Sex and Dating - Softcover

Radziwill, Carole

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1250075637 ISBN 13: 9781250075635

Publisher: Griffin, 2015

Synopsis

"Radziwill's delicious debut novel... is a poignant tale of love and loss." --Publishers Weekly

"One of the richest, most deeply satisfying stories I've read in a long time." --BookPage

"Carole Radziwill writes like a cross between Sophie Kinsella and Christopher Buckley. Cautiously romantic, unexpectedly moving, and funny!" --Susan Sarandon

The Widow's Guide to Sex and Dating is Carole Radziwill's deliciously smart comedy about a famously widowed young New Yorker hell-bent on recapturing a kind of passionate love she never really had

Claire Byrne is a quirky and glamorous 34-year-old Manhattanite and the wife of a famous, slightly older man. Her husband, Charlie, is a renowned sexologist and writer. Equal parts Alfred Kinsey and Warren Beatty, Charlie is pompous yet charming, supportive yet unfaithful; he's a firm believer that sex and love can't coexist for long, and he does little to hide his affairs. Claire's life with Charlie is an always interesting if not deeply devoted one, until Charlie is struck dead one day on the sidewalk by a falling sculpture ... a Giacometti, no less!

Once a promising young writer, Claire had buried her ambitions to make room for Charlie's. After his death, she must reinvent herself. Over the course of a year, she sees a shrink (or two), visits an oracle, hires a "botanomanist," enjoys an erotic interlude (or ten), eats too little, drinks too much, dates a hockey player, dates a billionaire, dates an actor (not any actor either, but the handsome movie star every woman in the world fantasizes about dating). As she grieves for Charlie and searches for herself, she comes to realize that she has an opportunity to find something bigger than she had before--maybe even, possibly, love.

About this title

Review:

"If you are looking for the perfect fast-paced, light hearted, humorous novel, consider your search to be over. Carole Radziwill's debut novel, "The Widow's Guide to Sex and Dating "earns five out of five stars. Radziwill's novel is the perfect book for your solo reading or your next book club. The title is tongue-in-cheek, so you won't find yourself delving into deep grief issues. Instead, you will be carving out time to lose yourself in this splendid novel. Humor permeates Radziwill's writing, and the dialogue is flawless . . . The complete triple package--joy, humor, and romance." --"The Huffington Post"

"One of the richest, most deeply satisfying stories I've read in a long time . . . [Radziwill's] spare writing and wry voice make "TheWidow's Guide" an exhilarating, insightful and moving story about loss and identity." --"BookPage"

"Claire's story is comedic from the first page, skipping over the stages of grief straight to 'acceptance.' And, through multiple bad dates, a firework romance with Hollywood's leading man, and a lot of over analyzing, the humor stays throughout her entire journey of re-discovering herself." --Justin Jones, "The Daily Beast"

"A serious attempt to do something comic, a novel about grief and starting again that feels like the product of lived experience." --"Salon.com
"
"From the author of the best-selling memoir "What Remains" comes a cheeky, affecting debut novel about a woman grieving for her husband and gradually learning to get back in the game" --"O, The Oprah Magazine

""Witty and charming, Carole Radziwill's first novel is a delight. I fell in love with the character of Claire--a modern-day Holly Golightly." --Candace Bushnell, author of "Sex and the City" and "The Carrie Diaries
"
"Carole Radziwill writes like a cross between Sophie Kinsella and Christopher Buckley. "Widow's Guide" is a sharp, flamboyant New York novel that revels in the tragicomic absurdities of the city. It's a smart take on Hollywood, too, with gorgeous movie stars and a quirky cast. Cautiously romantic, unexpectedly moving, and "funny"!" --Susan Sarandon
"Glib, comic. . . [a] novel about a young Manhattan widow looking for love in all the wrong places . . . This may be a grief and recovery story for the privileged, but sharp-fanged Radziwill can be pretty funny . . . .Think "Sex and the City "in black." --"Kirkus "

"Claire never thought about the odds of losing her husband. But after a freak accident abruptly ends her husband's life, she is forced to wrestle with the question, "What next?" For the next year, Claire's life takes a wild turn . . . and somewhere in the middle of the madness, she begins to realize that her old life wasn't so perfect and perhaps this is all a blessing in disguise--a second chance at life and love. Verdict: Fans of authors such as Jane Green and Madeleine Wickham will enjoy this" --"Library Journal"

"""I couldn't put the book down . . . . It's fun and fast and filled with lines that make the whole book enjoyable. Like: 'A husband dies and the world gets just another widow. A wife dies, and a star is born.' The book is undoubtedly entertaining . . . . Radziwill recasts the traditional widow for us." --"The Rumpus"

"Radziwill's delicious debut novel . . . is a poignant tale of love and loss." --"Publishers Weekly
""The book's witty humor and Didion-esque raw language provide for a gripping read that triumphantly announces a profound new voice in literary fiction." --Popbytes.com
"A hilarious account of a young widow's journey to find herself and re-establish her identity." --"PW Show Daily"

Witty and charming, Carole Radziwill's first novel is a delight. I fell in love with the character of Claire--a modern-day Holly Golightly.--Candace Bushnell, author of Sex and the City and The Carrie Diaries

If you are looking for the perfect fast-paced, light hearted, humorous novel, consider your search to be over. Carole Radziwill's debut novel, "The Widow's Guide to Sex and Dating "earns five out of five stars. Radziwill's novel is the perfect book for your solo reading or your next book club. The title is tongue-in-cheek, so you won't find yourself delving into deep grief issues. Instead, you will be carving out time to lose yourself in this splendid novel. Humor permeates Radziwill's writing, and the dialogue is flawless . . . The complete triple package--joy, humor, and romance. "The Huffington Post"

One of the richest, most deeply satisfying stories I've read in a long time . . . [Radziwill's] spare writing and wry voice make "The Widow's Guide" an exhilarating, insightful and moving story about loss and identity. "BookPage"

Claire's story is comedic from the first page, skipping over the stages of grief straight to 'acceptance.' And, through multiple bad dates, a firework romance with Hollywood's leading man, and a lot of over analyzing, the humor stays throughout her entire journey of re-discovering herself. "Justin Jones, The Daily Beast"

A serious attempt to do something comic, a novel about grief and starting again that feels like the product of lived experience. "Salon.com"

From the author of the best-selling memoir "What Remains" comes a cheeky, affecting debut novel about a woman grieving for her husband and gradually learning to get back in the game "O, The Oprah Magazine"

Witty and charming, Carole Radziwill's first novel is a delight. I fell in love with the character of Claire--a modern-day Holly Golightly. Candace Bushnell, author of Sex and the City and The Carrie Diaries

Carole Radziwill writes like a cross between Sophie Kinsella and Christopher Buckley. "Widow's Guide" is a sharp, flamboyant New York novel that revels in the tragicomic absurdities of the city. It's a smart take on Hollywood, too, with gorgeous movie stars and a quirky cast. Cautiously romantic, unexpectedly moving, and "funny"! "Susan Sarandon"

Glib, comic. . . [a] novel about a young Manhattan widow looking for love in all the wrong places . . . This may be a grief and recovery story for the privileged, but sharp-fanged Radziwill can be pretty funny . . . .Think "Sex and the City "in black. "Kirkus"

Claire never thought about the odds of losing her husband. But after a freak accident abruptly ends her husband's life, she is forced to wrestle with the question, "What next?" For the next year, Claire's life takes a wild turn . . . and somewhere in the middle of the madness, she begins to realize that her old life wasn't so perfect and perhaps this is all a blessing in disguise--a second chance at life and love. Verdict: Fans of authors such as Jane Green and Madeleine Wickham will enjoy this. "Library Journal"

I couldn't put the book down . . . . It's fun and fast and filled with lines that make the whole book enjoyable. Like: 'A husband dies and the world gets just another widow. A wife dies, and a star is born.' The book is undoubtedly entertaining . . . . Radziwill recasts the traditional widow for us. "The Rumpus"

Radziwill's delicious debut novel . . . is a poignant tale of love and loss. "Publishers Weekly"

The book's witty humor and Didion-esque raw language provide for a gripping read that triumphantly announces a profound new voice in literary fiction. "Popbytes.com"

A hilarious account of a young widow's journey to find herself and re-establish her identity. "PW Show Daily""

If you are looking for the perfect fast-paced, light hearted, humorous novel, consider your search to be over. Carole Radziwill's debut novel, The Widow's Guide to Sex and Dating earns five out of five stars. Radziwill's novel is the perfect book for your solo reading or your next book club. The title is tongue-in-cheek, so you won't find yourself delving into deep grief issues. Instead, you will be carving out time to lose yourself in this splendid novel. Humor permeates Radziwill's writing, and the dialogue is flawless . . . The complete triple package--joy, humor, and romance. The Huffington Post

One of the richest, most deeply satisfying stories I've read in a long time . . . [Radziwill's] spare writing and wry voice make The Widow's Guide an exhilarating, insightful and moving story about loss and identity. BookPage

Claire's story is comedic from the first page, skipping over the stages of grief straight to 'acceptance.' And, through multiple bad dates, a firework romance with Hollywood's leading man, and a lot of over analyzing, the humor stays throughout her entire journey of re-discovering herself. Justin Jones, The Daily Beast

A serious attempt to do something comic, a novel about grief and starting again that feels like the product of lived experience. Salon.com

From the author of the best-selling memoir What Remains comes a cheeky, affecting debut novel about a woman grieving for her husband and gradually learning to get back in the game O, The Oprah Magazine

Witty and charming, Carole Radziwill's first novel is a delight. I fell in love with the character of Claire--a modern-day Holly Golightly. Candace Bushnell, author of Sex and the City and The Carrie Diaries

Carole Radziwill writes like a cross between Sophie Kinsella and Christopher Buckley. Widow's Guide is a sharp, flamboyant New York novel that revels in the tragicomic absurdities of the city. It's a smart take on Hollywood, too, with gorgeous movie stars and a quirky cast. Cautiously romantic, unexpectedly moving, and funny! Susan Sarandon

Glib, comic. . . [a] novel about a young Manhattan widow looking for love in all the wrong places . . . This may be a grief and recovery story for the privileged, but sharp-fanged Radziwill can be pretty funny . . . .Think Sex and the City in black. Kirkus

Claire never thought about the odds of losing her husband. But after a freak accident abruptly ends her husband's life, she is forced to wrestle with the question, "What next?" For the next year, Claire's life takes a wild turn . . . and somewhere in the middle of the madness, she begins to realize that her old life wasn't so perfect and perhaps this is all a blessing in disguise--a second chance at life and love. Verdict: Fans of authors such as Jane Green and Madeleine Wickham will enjoy this. Library Journal

I couldn't put the book down . . . . It's fun and fast and filled with lines that make the whole book enjoyable. Like: 'A husband dies and the world gets just another widow. A wife dies, and a star is born.' The book is undoubtedly entertaining . . . . Radziwill recasts the traditional widow for us. The Rumpus

Radziwill's delicious debut novel . . . is a poignant tale of love and loss. Publishers Weekly

The book's witty humor and Didion-esque raw language provide for a gripping read that triumphantly announces a profound new voice in literary fiction. Popbytes.com

A hilarious account of a young widow's journey to find herself and re-establish her identity. PW Show Daily

"

"If you are looking for the perfect fast-paced, light hearted, humorous novel, consider your search to be over. Carole Radziwill's debut novel, The Widow's Guide to Sex and Dating earns five out of five stars. Radziwill's novel is the perfect book for your solo reading or your next book club. The title is tongue-in-cheek, so you won't find yourself delving into deep grief issues. Instead, you will be carving out time to lose yourself in this splendid novel. Humor permeates Radziwill's writing, and the dialogue is flawless . . . The complete triple package--joy, humor, and romance." --The Huffington Post

"One of the richest, most deeply satisfying stories I've read in a long time . . . [Radziwill's] spare writing and wry voice make The Widow's Guide an exhilarating, insightful and moving story about loss and identity." --BookPage

"Claire's story is comedic from the first page, skipping over the stages of grief straight to 'acceptance.' And, through multiple bad dates, a firework romance with Hollywood's leading man, and a lot of over analyzing, the humor stays throughout her entire journey of re-discovering herself." --Justin Jones, The Daily Beast

"A serious attempt to do something comic, a novel about grief and starting again that feels like the product of lived experience." --Salon.com

"From the author of the best-selling memoir What Remains comes a cheeky, affecting debut novel about a woman grieving for her husband and gradually learning to get back in the game" --O, The Oprah Magazine

"Witty and charming, Carole Radziwill's first novel is a delight. I fell in love with the character of Claire--a modern-day Holly Golightly." --Candace Bushnell, author of Sex and the City and The Carrie Diaries

"Carole Radziwill writes like a cross between Sophie Kinsella and Christopher Buckley. Widow's Guide is a sharp, flamboyant New York novel that revels in the tragicomic absurdities of the city. It's a smart take on Hollywood, too, with gorgeous movie stars and a quirky cast. Cautiously romantic, unexpectedly moving, and funny!" --Susan Sarandon

"Glib, comic. . . [a] novel about a young Manhattan widow looking for love in all the wrong places . . . This may be a grief and recovery story for the privileged, but sharp-fanged Radziwill can be pretty funny . . . .Think Sex and the City in black." --Kirkus

"Claire never thought about the odds of losing her husband. But after a freak accident abruptly ends her husband's life, she is forced to wrestle with the question, "What next?" For the next year, Claire's life takes a wild turn . . . and somewhere in the middle of the madness, she begins to realize that her old life wasn't so perfect and perhaps this is all a blessing in disguise--a second chance at life and love. Verdict: Fans of authors such as Jane Green and Madeleine Wickham will enjoy this." --Library Journal

"I couldn't put the book down . . . . It's fun and fast and filled with lines that make the whole book enjoyable. Like: 'A husband dies and the world gets just another widow. A wife dies, and a star is born.' The book is undoubtedly entertaining . . . . Radziwill recasts the traditional widow for us." --The Rumpus

"Radziwill's delicious debut novel . . . is a poignant tale of love and loss." --Publishers Weekly

"The book's witty humor and Didion-esque raw language provide for a gripping read that triumphantly announces a profound new voice in literary fiction." --Popbytes.com

"A hilarious account of a young widow's journey to find herself and re-establish her identity." --PW Show Daily

From the Back Cover:

Rule #7: Hide your dead husband's robe from the one-night stand.
Rule #12: Don't spend Christmas with your mother-in-law.
Rule #23: When in doubt, make your own rule.
When Claire's husband is killed in a freak accident, it feels like her life is over. But the world keeps on spinning. So as a young widow, must she return to the battlefield of bad dates and rewrite the rule book? For anyone with a broken heart, and anyone who's had to begin again, this is a unique, extraordinarily perceptive and darkly comic novel about widows, sex and love - in that order.

About this edition

• Publisher: Griffin
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 1250075637
• ISBN 13: 9781250075635
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 302