The Middlesteins

"Expansive heart and sly wit... Throughout this poignant novel, the characters wrestle with two defining questions: What do we owe each other after a life together? What do we owe ourselves?"--Abbe Wright, O Magazine

"A smart novel that tackles big issues."-- "Chicago Tribune "(Editor's Choice)

Praise for THE MIDDLESTEINS:

"THE MIDDLESTEINS had me from its very first pages, but it wasn't until its final pages that I fully appreciated the range of Attenberg's sympathy and the artistry of her storytelling." "Jonathan Franzen, author of "Freedom"""

"The Middlesteins is a tender, sad and funny look at a family and their mother. In fact, it's so readable, it's practically edible." "Meg Wolitzer, "NPR All Things Considered"""

"A sharp-tongued, sweet-natured masterpiece of Jewish family life." "Kirkus (Starred Review)""

"Expansive heart and sly wit... Throughout this poignant novel, the characters wrestle with two defining questions: What do we owe each other after a life together? What do we owe ourselves?" "Abbe Wright, O Magazine""

"With a wit that never mocks and a tenderness that never gushes, [Attenberg] renders this family's ordinary tragedies as something surprisingly affecting... Attenberg is superb at mocking the cliches of middle-class life by giving them the slightest turn to make people suddenly real and wholly sympathetic." "Ron Charles, "Washington Post"""

"[An] irresistible family portrait with piquant social commentary. Kinetic with hilarity and anguish, romance and fury, Attenberg's rapidly consumed yet nourishing novel anatomizes our insatiable hunger for love, meaning, and hope." "Donna Seaman, "Booklist" (Starred Review)""

"The most authentic, endearing fictional portrait of a family in recent memory. . . There is no page of this novel without compassion, empathy, humor and restraint." "Carmela Ciuraru, "Dallas Morning News"""

"Attenberg finds ample comic moments in this wry tale about an unraveling marriage. She has a great ear for dialog, and the novel is perfectly paced. . . . [She] seamlessly weaves comedy and tragedy in this warm and engaging family saga of love and loss." "Library Journal""

A moving, hilarious, and deeply perceptive novel of universal themes: family, love and greed.