Easy Way Out

by Stephen McCauley

Book Overview

Patrick O'Neil is a travel agent who never goes anywhere. His closest confidante, Sharon, is chain-smoking her way to singles hell, passing up man after man. His parents, proprietors of a suburban... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 067170818X
• ISBN13: 9780671708184
• Release Date: June 1992
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 298 Pages
• Weight: 1.24 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.4" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

McCauley's Best

While this book may not have the romantic appeal of the accessible "Object Of My Affection," it does show a more astute psychological intuition and more sophisticated humor. McCauley continues with his theme of examining the ways in which our lives are shaped and contorted by our ambivalent desires. He develops his unique use of dialogue to telegraph traits the characters themselves are unaware of and create recognizable personalities. His humor is character- and situation- based, undergirded by the bittersweet, even melancholy mood felt in all his books. It is an unusually nuanced and insightful exploration of family dynamics and the complexities of adult romantic relationships. I believe it is one of the strongest examples of contemporary fiction and perhaps the best example of the growing "gay literature."

A good follow up to "Object of my Affection"

I thoroughly enjoyed "No Easy Way Out"; having lived in the areas described, the book had an additional resonance. I did not find it meandering or a let down; if not quite as great as "Object..." it still does not dissapoint.

hilarious, personable, and a fairly easy read.

Stephen McCauley is absolutely hysterical. He has effectively captured and written what people think but don't articulate. The characters are life-like. I missed them by the time I was finished. I've read all of Stephen's books and 'The Easy Way Out' is my favorite- at least until his fourth book is released.

Hysterical, I couldn't put it down!!!

One of the funniest books, I have ever stumbled upon. I keep picking it up again and again to re-read my favorite parts. McCauley's descriptions of situations are delivered with a wry and sardonic wit, that leaves you laughing and sad at the same time. A true gem, I cannot even lend it out, because I am unable to part with it.

Add Another Name To The List of Long-Haired Geniuses

Why is it that every book I love lately seems to be written by a wildly locked, mischevous looking late 20s/early 30s individual? David Foster Wallace, Michael Chabon, Jonathan Franzen.... and now Stephen McCauley. For me, The Easy Way Out was one of those books that brought with it a certain amount of sorrow when I had finished it. I could never have the experience of reading it for the first time again! By delving into the lives of Patrick's bitterly married parents, his recently separated brother Ryan, his player brother Tony, his live-in lover Arthur, his non-live-in lover Jeffrey, and his best friend and travel agent extraordinaire, Sharon, McCauley manages to show not only the irony and hipocrisy of our actions but also highlight the love that runs through the bunch regardlessly. This is an author who capital R respects his characters, allowing them to only move by their agendas, never the author's. What also struck me about this book is that in dealing with a tale focused around the best way to deal with the truth, McCauley doesn't take the easy way out (pun intended) and write a coming-out story. One of those books that you'll insist everyone you know must read