Maynard and Jennica

by Rudolph Delson

Book Overview

A wildly original debut,Maynard and Jennica is both a hilarious urban comedy and a captivating love story. In the summer of 2000, while riding the uptown number 6 train, the musician/filmmaker Maynard... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0618834486
• ISBN13: 9780618834488
• Release Date: September 2007
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.8" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

A witty, delightful offbeat romantic comedy

Set mostly in Manhattan during the months before and the weeks just after September 11, 2001, this offbeat romantic comedy manages to be effervescent, insightful, witty and truthful. The story is told by a rotating cast of characters, who digress and dissimulate and generally relate a story just about as directly and reliably as any witness might--which is to say with a strong dose of personal bias and unintended self-revelation. Each character, no matter how minor, is somehow clearly drawn through their narrative, and each character is plausible while being wonderfully colorful. Maynard is a very odd film-maker pianist ne'er-do-well from a wealthy New York family and Jennica is a Princeton graduate from a progressive, nominally Jewish California clan. They meet "cute," of course, but the story is told in an engrossingly mysterious, circuitous, digressive style. By the time the couple gets together, we know them well enough that the ensuing situations are richly rewarding, much as those on a much-loved, high-quality TV sit-com like Seinfeld might be. Despite the potentially confusing, changing cast of narrators, this is a very easy, enjoyable read that nonetheless is satisfying. Five stars!

Maynard and Jennica

This book is written in an unusual way in that you meet most of the characters through what they are thinking! Some are major, some minor, but all interesting, and some kind of weird. Maynard Grogarty, 36,and Jennica,(her parents couldn't decide on Jennifer or Jessica),Green, 28, first see each other on the subway when a short stops the train. He's attracted, she's not, but they do meet at a showing of one of his films, and she remembers him. He makes films by surreptitiously filming happenings in the city, editing them, and composing music to accompany them, as they are silent. She's from California, but loves New York. There are several complicated relationships with other people, but their relationship develops. The attack on the World Trade Centers occur and he pokes fun at her sadness because she didn't lose anyone, and that she is scared. She slams out and goes to CA to a long time friend's wedding. He realizes that he hurt her terribly, and shouldn't have teased her. You get a lot of insight into how families and friends and acquaintances interact and fight and make up and keep secrets. It's a book you'll remember.

Two Steps Forward and Two Steps Back...

Rudolph Delson's debut novel proves that yes, even in a city as jaded as New York City opposites still do attract. This is a unique, witty and fun endeavor that was an overall good read. What was so unique, witty and fun: - I was initially drawn to the novel by the title- Maynard and Jennica. You rarely hear the name Maynard, and I personally have never known a Jennica. Who are these people? Are they as unique as their names? What's their story? They end up being two, different but very likable characters who must "find themselves" while falling in love with each other. - The interview-style "mokcumentary" format allows a diverse, amusing cast of characters to recount the circumstances that surround Maynard and Jennica's blossoming relationship. The different perspectives are entertaining and interesting. I look forward to the movie. - Delson offers an interesting take on 9/11, as seen through the contrasting views of Maynard and Jennica (who really are foils for one another). Maynard isn't afraid to say the controversial things that many people thought at the time, while Jennica doesn't hesitate to wear her heart on her sleeve. Minus One Star - It took me awhile to become invested in the novel. I read the first hundred pages over a week and the last two hundred over three days. The beginning portion is a little slow. - I occasionally thought that Delson went overboard with his cast of characters. While some of the minor ones were amusing, I did have to roll my eyes at quoting dead relatives and wildlife. I look forward to Delson's next novel!

Interesting

This book does not follow a typical novel's path - it much more interesting! The author chooses to tell the story through a variety of characters (and inanimate objects) offering their own point of view & interpretation of events. At first I thought this might lead to lots of 'plot repeats" -- but actually, it's so well written that basically the characters are simply all adding pieces to a larger puzzle, ultimately giving the reader the "whole story." This is an example of an author elevating to mundane into something much more interesting. M & J has a cinematic quality to it -- I could see it as a movie. A lot of fun.

Ingenious!

I picked this book up mainly because of the terrific jacket and the buzz I'd read about it and the author in USA Today. Well, it was 100% customer satisfaction as I read it cover to cover in no time! Delson has a terrific voice- this is laugh-out-loud funny, moving, touching, all at the same time. The characters stick with you, especially the title two- and anyone who's ever communted via public transportation will be envious of Maynard's filming of NY subway fashion faux pas. Theres a bit about 9/11 that was indeed memorable- I need to buy at least 4 more copies to get to friends. This one is absolutely worth it!