MRS. FLETCHER

I laughed, cringed and blushed my way through Mrs. Fletcher, a thoroughly entertaining novel that focuses on Eve, a newly empty-nested mom, and her son Brendan, an unabashedly self-centered lout starting his first year of college. This novel is an exploration of “Gender and Society” (also the name of a course Eve is taking at the local community college) and while it’s often funny, it also tackles the isolating loneliness that can come with life transitions, as well as the challenges of parenting a grown child. Eve’s, ahem, "adventures," and rationalizations for her choices, are at once sad and hilarious.

This novel may be a study in gender roles and identity, but as these characters evolve (or in this case, devolve), it also begs the question of what defines our truest self. Is it the one we present to the world - to friends, family and social media? Or the one that is reflected in our choices, and in our thoughts when we are alone? Can people be both caring and selfish, responsible and naughty, vulnerable and egotistical? This novel is a super fun way to find out. Spoiler: it’s all of the above.

Because it’s apple season, I made something allegorical: mini apple pie roses. Something traditional but prettied up and with a little extra spice, just like Eve. Inspo credit to the Eve with forbidden fruit illustration for the New York Times’ review of this book. Move over Mrs. Robinson - there’s a new tart in town.