Playing House - Patricia Pearson

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Even in a tiny apartment, there were enough rooms for Frannie to get into trouble... First, there was the bedroom...where it all began in such a casually romantic way. Next, the bathroom...where things took a suspicious turn. Finally, the living room...where she picked up the phone and prepared to break the news to the boyfriend she barely knew... When Frannie Mackenzie got sick all over the sweater section of a major urban retailer, she couldn't quite believe that this was a reaction to gray being this year's black. So she went back to her postage-stamp-sized apartment and took inventory. Jeans tighter? Yes. Boobs bigger? Yes. And the absolute proof-positive...the stick had turned blue. Frannie decides to give up cocktails, late nights, and anything else fun that the big city has to offer. But one thing -- or rather person -- she's not sure she's going to get to keep is the surprised father in the situation -- an experimental jazz musician with the improbable name of Calvin, who'd taken off to Europe before Frannie figured out parenthood had awkwardly united them. Falling in love was the last thing that Frannie expected, and the happiest surprise of all. Amazon Reviews I laughed so hard I nearly peed in my pants By Steven Jones on December 28, 2003 Patricia Pearson has possibly the best sense of humor of any writer I know of. A former writer of op/ed columns for the National Post, she is well known for her straight-forward and humorous approach to any subject imaginable. Her latest book, Playing House, is no different and certainly no disappointment. It is hillarious and fascinating. In all the trials that main character Frannie must get through, she approaches them in a matter-of-fact, 'aw crap' style that never takes itself too seriously, or too ridiculously. The story flows along easily and makes for a book that is hard to put down. My wife was shocked to see me reading a book with a pink cover and 'Avon books' written on it. I usually read books about politics and law, but I thought 'Playing House' was great. It is the most entertaining book that I have read in a long time. I hope someone makes this into a movie. One of the funniest reads all year!! By JMA on November 8, 2005 I am so suprised to read the above negative reviews! I thought this book was so clever- it literally had me laughing out loud (much to the annoyance of the people sitting beside me on the airplane, but I simply couldn't put it down.) It reminds me of the kind of great discussions you have with a close girlfriend that have you both cracking up about all the little indignities of life. If you're looking for really fluffy chick-lit, a la Shopoholic series, then this is not for you. What makes it so funny is how real these characters are- the exhaustion, the ambiguity (what is true love?), the completely dysfunctional family. The fact that the ending isn't a perfect little wrap up of "happily ever after" was so refreshing, because that's not real life, yet you get the sense that these characters are going to live "happily sometimes after". Highly recommended for those in search of chick-lit with a little more substance. 4.0 out of 5 starsA new voice in Urban Lit to keep an eye out for! By PadreRat on December 29, 2003 Patricia Pearson's "Playing House" was such a treat. I was getting bored with the same old formula that seems to possess chick lit writers. This book reinvigorated by love of the genre. Nothing in this book takes itself too seriously. Our friend, Frannie, is living the single life in NYC. She has recently hooked up with an experimental jazz musician. They are keeping things casual. Her work at a magazine is paying the bills (barely). Calvin takes off for a tour in Europe when Frannie puts two and two together and figures out she is pregnant. Her first reaction is to head back home, to Canada, to see a doctor and her family. Once there, she pulls herself up by her bootstraps and heads back to the big apple to prepare for the new addition. While on her trip home, she finds that her work visa has expired and she is stuck in Canada. Luckily, her yuppie brother and sister-in-law are leaving the country and she can housesit in their posh pad. How to tell Calvin is another issue. Frannie breaks the news and he shows up. Calvin is sort of an Ethan Hawke kind of guy. (A little different, into obscure things, grungy and oh so cute.) Calvin is a typical artsy, poor, and unique guy. Sure he's frustrating at times but he basically wants to do the right thing. There were many points where I just laughed and felt like Frannie could be one of my friends. Ms. Pearson's cleverly written story weaves a magical reality around this couple. It's more realistic than fantasy and funnier than fiction in its accuracy. I'm keeping an eye out for more stories from Ms. Pearson. http://www.amazon.com/Playing-House-Patricia-Pearson/dp/0060534370