P.S.

by Helen Schulman and Helen Schulman

Book Overview

What would you do for a second chance at your first love? At thirty-eight, Louise Harrington still hasn't forgotten Scott Feinstadt, the boy who broke her eighteen-year-old heart and then died tragically in a car crash. Two decades later when his twenty-four-year-old doppelganger, the gorgeously boyish F. Scott Feinstadt, walks into her life, Louise might not know what to think, but this time around, at least she knows what she's doing. Scott still...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1582342083
• ISBN13: 9781582342085
• Release Date: May 2002
• Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.2" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Magical, Sophisticated, Graceful, Witty, Wonderful

I'm a bit surprised at some of the reviews below that seem to have expected a crime novel's resolution. The "mystery" never quite being resolved isn't disappointing because that's not truly the focus of the book. It's a reverie, a dream, a story about Louise's journey out of herself, getting unstuck in every possible way. I also think a little knowledge is clearly a dangerous thing when someone complains about the 3rd person POV only showing us the main character. That's because it's 3rd person limited, folks, not omniscient--and a wise choice it is, or there wouldn't be enough tension. I thought the POV, the language, the wit, the sexuality, everything about this book was magical, surprising, compelling. I reviewed it professionally for the Jerusalem Report Magazine and on NPR's (former) The Todd Mundt Show and felt glad to have those opportunities to bring it to readers' attention. Here's the conclusion of my capsule NPR review: "This a magical, romantic book. The prose is lustrous, the tone comic, the characters deeply imagined and sympathetic. An unusual, unforgettable novel." And here's the last graf of my Jerusalem Report review: "Schulman (author of 'The Revisionist') has a keen eye for New York's colorful street life, which she can invest with the romance of 'The Great Gatsby'when she wants to. She beautifully juggles the comedy and rage flaring up unexpectedly in any intimate relationship and she writes sex scenes as original, elegant and complex as Mary Gordon's in 'Spending' or Lisa Zeidner's in 'Layover.' Poignant and luminous, this is a book to read aloud, to re-read, to urge on friends."

A Romantic Comedy, with a Twist

P.S. is a terrific romantic comedy with a twist. The twist is that there is a plausible story with strong characters. The emphasis in P.S. is much more on romance (or more like lust, love and sex) than on comedy, although it is very funny at times, and always told with humor. Louise has never truly gotten over her first love, Scott Feinstadt, who died in a car accident at 19 a few weeks after breaking up with her (for her best friend). Louise carried on, eventually marrying one of her professors ten years her senior. The marriage ultimately fell apart, but they remained very good friends, very close. Louise drifted along, never realizing the depths of her unhappiness until one day, she comes across F. Scott Feinstadt, a 24 year old man with a more than uncanny resemblance to that first love. Her best friend swings back into the picture, the exhusband gets involved, and Louise discovers some uncomfortable things about the life she has led so far.While this has all the elements of a standard romantic comedy--unmarried woman, old relationship, new relationship, stumbling blocks in the way--it is much, much better than most. The story is very clever, with nothing outlandish or fairy tale like. It's also a little thought provoking. Schulman ruminates on the nature of relationships and loneliness, of how one can be married, yet still be totally alone. I really enjoyed this one and highly recommend it.

More Praise for Schulman

Funny and smart characters. Wonderful plot. I enjoyed this book immensely and read it in a day! Highly recommended.

More praise for P.S.

I thought this book was fabulous. I read it in two days. P.S. is both funny and touching-the writing is often so beautiful that I turned down the pages to read them again. Schulman really understands relationships and the complexities of loss and fulfillment. In her main character, Louise, she has created a woman who is filled with her mother's nagging and her own doubts. But Louise is also a strong character, smart and looking for the right kind of love. Not only is the writing wonderful, but the plot is beautifully orchestrated. I cannot say enough about this book.

Startling, Sensuous . . . Superb

Helen Schulman, in her short stories and wondrous book "The Revisionist", has delt with romance ending, romance that never happened, romance that caused everlasting pain. This is the first of her works to deal with a romance that ends in death, and yet doesn't quite. There are small and troubling and lovely moments in this book. But much more. Someone innocently asked me this morning, What is the sexiest book you've ever read? This was the easiest question I've ever been asked, perhaps even easier that my own name. "P.S." is the sexiest book I have ever read. It ranks a notch above "Lolita" and "Lady Chatterly's Lover" in the sensuous sex department because a) there is no guilt nor wheelchaired husbands around and b) an intelligent, ready-for-passion woman is in control. This book is devilish fun! Who wouldn't want to go back to their sexy first lover and woo them all over, this time with wisdom, intellect and wit. "P.S." is a perfect novel for any season but it is especially wonderful for hot, sticky days on the beach. If this book doesn't get you in the mood for summer lovin', you need to have your battery checked.