The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P.
A Novel
-
-
3.9 • 212 Ratings
-
-
- $11.99
-
- $11.99
Publisher Description
Dive into the Intricate World of Love and Self-Discovery
Writer Nate Piven's star is rising. After several lean and striving years, he has his pick of both magazine assignments and women: Juliet, the hotshot business reporter; Elisa, his gorgeous ex-girlfriend, now friend; and Hannah, "almost universally regarded as nice and smart, or smart and nice," who holds her own in conversation with his friends. When one relationship grows more serious, Nate is forced to consider what it is he really wants.
Nathaniel is a man who believes himself immune to superficial judgment. Yet, his tumultuous relationships and constant struggle with status anxiety tell another story. As his romantic entanglements intensify, we witness his often infuriating failings: an enduring attraction to women, paired with a knack of letting them down. This coming of age tale takes a hard look at Nathaniel as he grapples with what he truly wants.
Brought to life by the masterful storytelling of Adelle Waldman, this stunning debut novel promises an immersive experience into the heart of one man's relentless search for happiness. Presented with a combination of profound wit and heart-tugging emotion, The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P. is an absorbing tale of one young man's search for happiness—and an inside look at how he really thinks about women, sex and love.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Brooklynite Nathaniel Piven, "a product of a postfeminist, 1980s childhood," is the modern male inheritor of a dating world where the enduring gender imbalance gives him the upper hand. But when it comes to relationships, he's achingly aware of the hidden traps and unsought responsibility of this power. Nate hates feeling guilty over the many women he hurts (female tears in this novel flow with a tenacious persistence, to Nate's irritation). His well-intentioned missteps with reporter Juliet and editorial assistant Elisa earn him tireless tsk-tsk reprimands and a rep for being "the kind of guy women call an asshole." When he begins dating a seemingly perfect-for-him writer named Hannah, we wonder whether Nate will adapt or strike out yet again. Hannah is nice, smart, and makes him feel "at home," but will Nate, who seems to feed off misconnecting with women, make the right relationship move or is it yet another "dick move"? An acute study of present-day struggles with intimacy, Waldman seems to suggest that love is too constricting a tie for the 21st century, and that, perhaps, a different kind of connection might better define the contemporary couple. She navigates the male psyche and a highly entertaining hipster mindset, and sneaks in an unexpected, understated ending that brings this pulpy read a satisfying poignancy.
Customer Reviews
This book was so... Something
Nate is extremely nuanced in the way it discusses women and how men relate to women. Nate seems thoughtful, but is imbued in narcissism that is evident as he compares every woman he's dating to one another. I found myself wondering "is this how men think?" And hoping that it isn't. The word choices (naïf and stentorian) were good descriptive words. And this book made me wonder how many men I know like this. All of it was thought provoking and a reminder that women have to do so much to catch & keep a man's attention. In reading this book, I found myself wishing it weren't so hard for Hannah.
Interesting perspective!
I saw the review on GQ and thought it would be interesting to read about a man's relationships as authored by a female. The authors POV about a man's love affairs and his thought process was certainly enlightening!
Worst book Apple ever recommended to me
Book better used as waste paper, author makes such disgusting assumptions, absolute fiction in the worst sort of weird left wing way, hated that I had to read this book to completion