Tom Perrotta is not known for writing happy books with simple situations and likable characters. He digs deep into the human experience and brings back stories of the complexity of relationships, the ugliness of human nature, and the realistic entanglement of pleasure and pain that we all know as daily life. This is the man who brought us Election, Little Children, The Abstinence Teacher, and Joe College. His latest novel, Mrs. Fletcher, is no exception to the Perrotta Rules.
Eve Fletcher is a 46-year-old divorcee who is faced with an empty nest. Her only son, Brendan, leaves for college, and she is left home alone to figure out the second half of her life. When a text comes to her from an unknown phone number, calling her a MILF and wanting to start something. An internet search of the word "MILF" causes her to discover a world she never knew about, and her adventures begin.
Meanwhile at college, Brendan is struggling. All the things that made him a popular kid in high school are now working against him. His indifference towards his classes, his immaturity in his relationships, and the unusual and frequent absences of his roommate all help contribute to his misery.
Although living separate lives, both mother and son are faced with the consequences of their respective actions and have to take stock of how their choices have created the present and what to do to create a better future for themselves.
By looking at complex topics like sex, intimacy, pornography, and relationships, Perrotta once again takes us to that place we're not at all sure we want to go, but can't turn away from. Mrs. Fletcher is an honest look at the best and the worst of us all, with the humor and pathos that helps us laugh at ourselves, even when the truth cuts a little too close to the bone.
Galleys for Mrs. Fletcher were provided by Scribner through NetGalley.com, with many thanks.