This book reminds me a lot of a good Ann Tyler one, like ’Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant’ or ’Saint Maybe.’ But,as Dorothy in ’The Wizard of Oz’ might say, "I’ve a feeling we’re not in Baltimore any more." I was also reminded of Nick Hornby’s "How to Be Good." Such great reading.

posted Jul 2, 2010 at 4:54PM

Terrific read full of complex family relationships. The author does a good job of telling the story through many different points of view going back and forth in time to give insights into the characters. It’s also full of laugh out loud humor.

posted Nov 18, 2011 at 1:16PM

A sad, hilarious and sometimes puzzling portrait of a man with multiple wives. The premise is in the title!

posted Apr 20, 2012 at 4:17PM

The title may seem to be an oxymoron. After all, Golden Richards is the husband to four wives and father of 26 children. But in Brady Udall's 600-page saga, told from the perspective of Golden, his pretty youngest wife, and socially-inept preteen son, we come to see just how alone someone can feel in a large family, where nobody has the right to think of himself first and individuality is frowned upon. The story unfolds slowly, but every new revelation draws the reader in more deeply, ensuring that finally parting with the Richards clan is such sweet sorrow.

posted Jun 20, 2012 at 11:18AM

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