Family Affair

by Caprice Crane

Book Overview

When Layla Brennan married her high school sweetheart, Brett Foster, she finally got the big, loving family she'd always wanted: his. Now she's closer to Brett's parents than he is, partners with his... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553386239
• ISBN13: 9780553386233
• Release Date: September 2009
• Publisher: Bantam
• Length: 347 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

wit and humor make this a perfect Family Affair

Caprice Crane's third novel is neither stupid nor something to forget about ... Family Affair is a poignant and witty tale of personal journeys and discovery of what makes a family a family. The central protagonists - Layla (yes, named for the classic song) and Brett - are a couple who've been together since high school and are nearing 30. Layla has been a part of Brett's life for so long that she's become a member of the family. When someone stops being a wife or husband and starts being a sibling? Brett soon realizes that he's seeing her less as his wife and more as his sister. What happens when you want a divorce, but, both of you want the family? Joint custody? Crane deftly plays the divorcing parent stereotypes as the two try to top each other all to earn the affection of the family. All the while creating comical drama. With her deft ability to flesh out multiple roles and points of view, Crane weaves a three-dimensional story and characters that you can love and hate at the same time (*see Brett). Caprice Crane again delivers a universal story with her own trademark style, imaginative and unique characters and panache. A definite must-read.

Pretty Damn Sweet

I read Stupid and Contagious several times before a friend "borrowed" my copy and never returned it. I can say two things: 1.) That person is no longer a friend, and 2.) This book might even be better than the brilliant stylings of Stupid and Contagious. Yep, it's that good. Caprice Crane does a great job speaking from the mind of a guy and makes the most awkward situation hilarious. Her writing is sharp and her characters are perfectly defined. The only request I have of Caprice is to hurry up and get the next book out so I can enjoy that one too.

A Family Affair

Caprice Crane is one of the funniest people writing today. In her previous books, Forget About It and Stupid And Contagious, she made me laugh until I cried, cheer on her main characters and even quote their quippy, smart lines from time to time. A Family Affair was, happily, just as awesome. She takes subjects that sound like chick-lit waiting to happen, but goes beyond the genre into edgy, riotous humor that anyone can adore. Crane is funny to just about any audience and any format - she writes for television (90210 and Melrose Place - S & C had a cool little cameo on 90210, even) and is the person to follow on Twitter (@CapriceCrane), so you can get your fix of her sometimes snarky, sometimes bitter, sometimes obscene and ALWAYS hilarious humor while you wait for her next book like a junkie waiting for a fix. I know I do.

An Affair to Remember (and Recommend)

I have to say ahead of time that I know Caprice and did a blurb on her second brilliant book, after getting to know her through her first brilliant book. And now that she has written a third brilliant book, i think she deserves a week or two off before she starts #4 and makes that one brilliant too. I am also a professional working writer with a bunch of tools and tricks of my own, and yet I still can't figure out how Caprice can be so soulful, and so funny, and so perceptive, and so funny, and so cutting, and so tender, and so funny and so heartfelt, and so funny and so vulnerable (and also funny) - and somehow do that all in the same sentence. I don't know how she does it. She comes up with high concept ideas and then fleshes them out with real people who have real feelings, and gives them problems and dreams we can all recognize and identify with. There is almost nothing harder to write than romantic comedy and Caprice makes it look effortless. Every other writer (including me) who does this should be jealous. I know I am. For the reader though - just sit back and enjoy. You're in the hands of a true maestro.

Another winner for Caprice Crane!

Anyone who has read Caprice Crane's earlier books or followed her on Twitter (@capricecrane) for any amount of time will already be well aware of her exquisite mastery of edgy dialogue, her uber-hipness, and her cuttingly sarcastic sense of humor. Now, in "Family Affair: A Novel", Ms. Crane moves beyond out-and-out, non-stop hilarity to take a look at one of life's more serious subjects, a marriage in distress. Yes, "Family Affair: A Novel" is still very funny, but it is also thoughtfully written. It is the story of Brett Foster, a "poor me, I'm so neglected, my wife takes me for granted" spoiled rotten husband who can't seem to face the fact marriages and relationships mature, and his wife, Layla, who is a chronic "pleaser" who just wants everyone to love her. During the course of their relationship, Layla has so fully and completely assimilated into Brett's family that, when the marriage comes upon tough times, it is a fight to the finish between Layla and Brett to see which one of them gets to keep "his" family! With many fun and compelling characters to enjoy, "Family Affair: A Novel" is a delightful and satisfying story, written with Caprice Crane's typical flair for comedy and mastery of the absurd. Enjoy!