Standard Deviation: A novel Hardcover – Deckle Edge, May 23, 2017

Standard Deviation is one of those novels where not a ton happens, but the “yes, that’s exactly how it is” writing and spot-on commentary about marriage, introverts and extraverts, and parenting carry the story. It’s an honest rumination on a not perfect, but not completely dysfunctional marriage. Though Graham and Audra certainly have their issues, there is a clear love for each other that was a nice change of pace from my usual fare of stratospherically dysfunctional marriages/families. I loved Graham’s (who narrated the book) salty, dry sense of humor and the way he honestly addressed the aspects of marriage and parenting that it’s socially expected of people to always portray as unicorns and rainbows."Graham didn’t admit this to anyone, even Audra, but part of him was secretly pleased that Matthew had been caught looking at porn on a school computer. Wasn’t that—wasn’t that something normal kids did?"Audra is a massive chatterbox and someone who I don’t think I could be friends with in real life, but her total lack of filter made her amusing to read about. The collision between Audra’s extraversion (she constantly invites random people over for dinner and to stay as houseguests in their NY apartment) and Graham’s introversion, as well as Matthew’s Asberger’s, added a bit more intrigue to the story. My only complaint was an overly abrupt ending that will probably irritate some people. If you like straight talk about marriage, this book is for you!Check out my blog, Sarah's Book Shelves, for more reviews.

Graham and Audra live in Manhattan with their young teenage son Matthew. Matthew’s character is well-drawn with his Asperger’s, Origami fascination, and quiet demeanor. Graham’s extremely reserved first wife is also part of the mix. But it is Audra whose non-stop commentary, conversation, force of nature, unfiltered personality that fills the pages. It is exhausting, but you cannot look away. What in the world is she going to say or do next? Sometimes she is outrageous, but she never comes across as mean. Just larger than life. She is wildly generous with her home so there is a steady stream of characters camping on their couch. This story has a plot, but it is all about the characters, connection, marriage, and family. The characters did not resemble people that I know, but I always believed them. There are many moments of humor, some touching episodes, and some things that will spark reflection. It is a contemporary feeling novel that I enjoyed reading.

I wouldn't have picked this book up based on the title, but a friend recommended it to me. I'm so glad. The book is wonderfully written and filled with humor and philosophical insight about the trials and tribulations of being "out of whack with the norm." Aren't we all. I would have sworn the book had been written by a man. ( I didn't pay much attention to the author until the end, sorry to say.) But she captured the main character perfectly. The play between him and his wives (both first and second) were spot on. You fell in love with each one of them and could visualize them perfectly. Well done. Worth the read...especially if you're up for something a little less heavy handed these days.

This was a fun little book. There really isn't much of a plot - you basically get to follow a man and his family and friends around for a few years seeing snippets of their lives and the challenges they face. And the challenges are both interesting and human. No really big dramas - just daily life with a gregarious second wife and a child with Asperger's. The first person narrator is basically along for the ride as an observer to his sometimes unusual and sometimes typical world. The book is well-written and the characters are believable and true to themselves. So an enjoyable read to pass the time.

This story moves right along, and is a bit unusual in that the husband is the narrator. It is an interesting perspective on his current wife and his former wife and how he feels about each one as they briefly build a friendship. For me, the story ended abruptly without really ending. It just seemed like the author had nothing more to say and there was little resoluton of any kind. Perhaps I am too old to identify with this book, but I'm not too old to appreciate a well told story of any kind. This one just left me feeling "so what"?

i am on the fence as to whether or not I like this book. At first I was really enjoying getting to know the characters but after awhile they just started to really annoy me. Audra with her incessant chatter (does she EVER shut up and she's SO inappropriate), Graham with his strange, detached thoughts and mannerisms, Elsbeth with her cool indifferencr about everything and anything. My favorite character is turning out to be Julio, the doorman and occasional houseguest, who seems to be the most normal out of everyone. I'm nearly done with the book and im having a hard time finishing it. I keep hoping to like the main characters again but at this point I don't see that happening. I can't imagine anything happening aside from something drastic that will change my opinion.

Meet Graham, who seems to be going through a midlife crisis but his circus-like life isn't really allowing him time to indulge in his pity. This is a perfectly written book, that draws you in subtly, and before you know it you're part of Grahams world. I can't remember when I laugh so much reading a novel, and I was equally touched at times. This was a journey worth taking.

This is a very funny amusing book looking into the world of a family dealing with their young teenage son who is on the high spectrum of autism. The husband and wife have their own personality disorders as well which makes their life is chaotic, amusing, very funny, and sad at the same time. Some of the scenes will have you chuckling out loud, others will have you shaking your head. The book is in the first person male voice but written by a woman which gives it a different twist. We used this as our book club choice and most everyone enjoyed it. Not a serious read but a good beach read, Here's the puzzle, which personality is really out of the Standard Deviation?

I bought this novel on the merits of all the high praise it had received for being so funny, comical and feel-good. Well I don't know if I was sent some altered copy or if a completely different novel was somehow inserted under the cover because the book I read was in no way shape or form funny or comical. The character of Audra was so painfully annoying - she's exactly the kind of person I would avoid in real life and as for the cheating husband Graham - well the grass seems to always be greener on the other side for him. So many other characters come and go but you never fully invest in any of them. The story just plods along with no goal or real plot in sight - its just a snippet of life for two incredibly annoying, unlikable, self absorbed people. The mind boggles as to how this even got published never mind how the likes of Jojo Moyes came to praise it so highly (I'll be taking anything recommended by her with a pinch of salt in the future!). I foolishly read this book right to the end thinking something wonderful was going to happen somewhere along the line but no, it didn't. A total waste of time and I don't recommend this book.

This was just brilliant - my favourite type of book. Well written and droll, laugh out loud humour. Full of eccentric characters but I felt we laughed with them not at them. Audra is wonderful, so unselfconscious in her exuberant and scatty way of life, and Graham her questioning, reluctantly grumpy husband, actually the main character of the book. Their only son, Matthew, has Aspergers, making their lives difficult but their love for him shines through the book. Not a lot happens, so if you like exciting, action packed novels this is probably not for you. But the humour found in the the characters' everyday lives and thoughts make this, for me, a memorable novel and I shall eagerly look forward to any new work from Katherine Heiny.

"Standard Deviation is a marvel," - says Kate Atkinson. And I totally agree. Katherine Heiny has such a unique, original voice - I love reading about her characters, how they think, how they make their choices, how they go through their lives.Yet again, I laughed out loud. Yet again, my heart was broken. Yet again, I was moved. Why yet again - because it all happened before, while I was reading her collection of short stories,  Single, Carefree, Mellow .Eccentric, amusingly unconventional, moving and tremendously wise - "Standard Deviation" is a book about love, life, family, connections and broken hearts. And love, LOVE. Origami and missed chances. I loved it.I loved it. Single, Carefree, Mellow

If you are looking for a book with a plot (as several reviewers were) then this is not for you. However, if you are looking for a funny, well written book about marriage and the challenges of parenting a child with Aspergers, then enjoy. Some of it read like a stream of consciousness, but it worked because that was how Audra, the second wife, thought and spoke. Her long suffering husband, Graham, from whose viewpoint the book is written, seems a more passive character who allows himself to be pulled along in her frenetic wake. At times he felt a little two-dimensional - a bystander in his own life - but I liked him nevertheless. There were several 'laugh-out-loud' moments and whereas my heart did break a bit each time they tried to make their son's life a little easier - dare I say, more 'normal' - overall it is an easy read from a fresh, engaging voice.

sorry i got to 49'/. and gave up. I just felt it was lots of pointless chatter and opinion but no story and no substance. Not even that funny. I very rarely give up on a book.