Easy Way Out

Patrick O'Neil has been called the anti-hero and I have to admit, when I read that I thought of Taylor Swift (I love that song...only Dermot Kennedy's version). Patrick is not exactly the best lover to his partner, Arthur. He isn't the best brother to Ryan and Tony either. He is an even worse travel agent. How he manages his relationships, both personal and professional, is a conundrum. In all honesty, I didn't like any of the characters well, except Sharon. Everyone was someone who took the easy way out (hence the title of the book). Am I supposed to applaud Patrick for finally not compromising his feelings? The way he did it wasn't admirable either.

My first Stephen McCauley book and I enjoyed it. I won't describe the plot again but the book is really a study of families and relationships rather than being plot driven. You do wonder whether Patrick and Arthur will stay together and if Tony the brother will marry but really the interest comes in following Patrick and his thoughts and actions.
What's really interesting is that Patrick is not really a character you can relate to or particularly like, other characters are much nicer (Arthur and Ryan for example) he's unsure what he wants and doesn't treat people very well but he's intriguing, funny and somehow this keeps your interest.
You can chime in with many of the thoughts and issues here and it's written with flair but not show more arrogance.
It will make me read other books by McCauley show less

Throughout the first hundred pages I thought that McCauley didn't have any clue what he should be writing about and all I got was a series of pseudo-witty and try-to-be-funny anecdotes of a dysfunctional family. To quit reading would have been 'The Easy Way Out' so I kept reading and were rewarded by an increasingly better story.
Patrich is one of three sons of an elderly couple that runs a clothes shop with products that are not only out of date but also out of taste. And the parents keep fighting and arguing... Well, haven't I heard that before. And the three sons aren't happy about their social life either: Ryan was left by his wife and lives with his parents again (dressing in their shop's clothes), Tony is about to get married but show more in love with another woman and Patrick, the narator, is involved with Arthur but both of them stick together for convenience and shelter only and not for lust or love.... (the sex scenes between them are just to depressing to be repeated).
So, during the next 200 pages I followed their sometimes disastrous struggles in life for love that doesn't always bring those people what they desire, want or need.
In between all of Patrick´s sarcasm and negativism towards people, life and the world in general there are some gems to be found in this book. Well, one really needs to look for them, though.
Note: A very dear friend recommended this book as opera was part of the story according to the blurb. I almost missed those three moments of opera mentioning. Once again proof that the blurb of a book is mostly randomly written and not alwasy quite trustworthy. show less

I picked this book up as some light bedtime (and train journey) reading and that's what it was, but it seemed ever more insubstantial than I expected.

HYSTERICAL! One of the funniest books I have ever read. Actually has made me lauh out loud several times...and that is pretty rare for me when reading.

Really good, really funny novel.