Julia Claiborne Johnson

I had such a lot of fun reading this novel and since finishing, I'm now in withdrawal, it's been two days with no Frank!! Age 9, photographic memory, encyclopaedic knowledge base, possibly autistic, definitely eccentric, this kid dresses like a Savile Row devotee and loves all those black and white, classic movies of the 40s. Mimi, his mother, has her own problems - she wrote a debut novel that went ballistic, hit every bestseller list in the country, was made into a movie and yet to date, show more she's never written another word. Alice, her home help, assigned to come in and look after Frank while she works on her follow book, tries to understand them both, on their own terms. Xander, their friend and Mr Fix It Man can fix anything he puts his hands on but is never around when he's needed the most. Julia Claiborne Johnson has created four characters that will have you laughing, biting your bottom lip in anticipation, sighing with frustration and break your heart one way or another. I love this book and wish it had never ended! show less

It's impossible not to love the main character, Frank. A nine year old boy who loves old movies and dresses like a movie star from the '30s. Of course, this doesn't endear him to the other children in his fourth grade. His mother wrote one novel which made her too famous and very rich. Now, a recluse, she's lost all her money to Bernie Madoff like Ponzi scheme. She now has to write another book quickly to support herself and her son. Her editor, Mr. Vargas, sends his assistant, Alice show more Whitley, to monitor the progress of the writing and take care of the house and Frank. A lot to put on a 24 year old from the Midwest. While there were some areas that bogged down a little, overall, this book was wonderful. This was an excellent debut novel from Julia Johnson and I will definitely watch out for her next one. show less

I had heard good reviews of Julia Claiborne Johnson's debut novel Be Frank With Me. I was intrigued by the cover of Better Luck Next Time, the vintage photo of women at play. I am so, so happy that I put in my name in to win an ARC. This was a bright, warm, and happy light in the midst of Michigan's dismal winter and COVID-19 self isolation.

I laughed out loud, starting with the first page with the narrator's epigram, "Some men are born gigolos; others have it thrust upon them."

In 1988, Dr. show more Howard Stovall Bennett III (Ward) tells his story to an unnamed interviewer, recalling six weeks in 1938 that changed his life.

He took any job he could find during the Depression after his family lost their wealth and home. A Cary Grant look-a-like, he leaves his manual labor work to become a fake cowboy on a Reno dude ranch that offers wannabe divorcees a six-week residency to qualify for a quick divorce.

Ward was hired to perform ranch chores, provide eye-candy, and to "squire rich, brokenhearted ladies around Reno," which he proclaims was good experience for his future career as a doctor.

But that career was far in the future in 1938 when Nina and Emily arrive at The Flying Leap ranch. Nina is a 'repeat customer' with all the vibe and audacity of a Flapper, and she determines to help Emily loosen up and live a little.

OK, actually live it up a LOT. Like teenage schoolgirls, they go on larks and involve Ward as their chauffeur and partner in crime. Over-the-top scenes involve skinny dipping and Bottom's head and fairy wings from the theater department.

I loved all the women at the ranch, and the other cowboy Sam, and the ranch owners, and even the husbands and insolent daughter; it's an ensemble that lends itself to insight and humor.

The writing is so clever, the setting so unique and bizarre, the characters flawed and zany but human and lovable.

Warm and generous, with a heartwarming twisted ending, this was a real delight.

I received an ARC from the publisher through LibraryThing. My review is fair and unbiased. show less

Digital audiobook performed by Tavia Gilbert.

M.M. “Mimi” Banning is a reclusive literary genius (and one-hit wonder) who has fallen prey to a Ponzi-scheme and is flat broke. In order to keep her Bel Air mansion, she must now produce a new book. She reluctantly agrees to her publisher’s offer of an assistant, with stipulation: “No Ivy Leaguers or English majors. Must drive, cook, tidy. Computer whiz. Good with kids. Quiet, discreet, sane.” But when Alice Whitley arrives she’s put show more to work immediately as a companion / nanny to Frank, Banning’s 9-year-old son, a devotee of 1930s movies (with a wardrobe to match).

This is a delightful, engaging novel. The characters are complex and the author deftly handles the difficulties of dealing with such an unusual situation. To say that Alice has her hands full is an understatement. She almost never has a chance to interact with Mimi, whose assistant she is supposed to be, because Mimi locks herself away in her study “writing” while Alice is left to care for Frank.

Frank is a challenge – to say the least. Although no diagnosis is ever given, it seems clear that he is on the autism spectrum. He’s highly intelligent, but unable to understand other’s behavior. His chief coping mechanism is to lie down stiff as a board. He is very literal as well, so jokes and word play elude him. He’s also a pretty talented detective and thief. Frank is the catalyst for the book’s most hilarious … and heartbreaking … moments.

Rounding out the cast are Mr Vargas, Mimi’s publisher and Alice’s boss (and all-around good guy); Paula, the secretary at Frank’s school (and a person Frank can truly rely upon); and the mysteriously elusive Xander, Frank’s piano teacher and all-around handy-man, who comes and goes seemingly on a whim.

I thought this was headed for a Hollywood ending … but Johnson surprised me. I’m glad. I love it when a book leaves me wanting more. I can hardly wait to read what she writes next.

Tavia Gilbert does a superb job narrating the audiobook. Her voice for Frank is particularly effective. Brava! show less