We’re All Damaged
By Matthew Norman
Little A, Hardcover, 9781503933378, June 2016, 268pp.
The Short of It:
Marriage is highly overrated. Especially when your wife takes off with your paramedic neighbor down the street.
The Rest of It:
After losing his wife to his neighbor and humiliating himself at his best friend’s wedding, Andy Carter is forced to realize that his marriage is over and that it’s time to move on. He moves to New York City where he makes do in his tiny apartment but happy, he is not.
When he gets the news that his grandfather is dying, he decides to make the trip back to Omaha to spend as much time with him as possible but that means seeing his ex-wife, her new lover, and all the people that he disappointed along the way.
This is a “woe-is-me” read but I can so relate to Andy and I suspect that a lot of readers will too. He’s well-meaning but awkward. His matter-of-fact approach is kind of funny too. There is a lot of self-deprecation going on here but it’s so well done and there are many odd, quirky characters thrown in for good measure. If you like this sort of thing, you will find this aspect of the story quite amusing.
But, it’s also a sweet story about heartbreak and loss. It has just enough humor to keep it light but there are some deeper themes here, which I enjoyed. I read Norman’s first book, Domestic Violets and that one had the same kind of humor but I think I liked We’re All Damaged a little bit more.
If you want a funny, summer read but one that has some depth to it, you really can’t go wrong with We’re All Damaged.
For more information on the author, click here.
Source: Review copy provided by the publisher via TLC Book Tours.
Disclosure: This post contains Indiebound affiliate links.
Book Chatter 
Sounds like a summer book I’d enjoy. Thanks for reviewing it Ti.
I think you would like this one. It’s fun and reads super fast.
I read Domestic Violets and really liked it, but this one didn’t sound all that interesting to me. I’m glad you enjoyed it though 🙂 Funny with depth does sound good. By the by, I’m still reading Dance Dance Dance. That part where the hotel girl was telling him about floor 16 had me thinking of The Shining – ahhh! So far, so good 🙂
I liked this book because I’ve read many books where the wife has a nervous breakdown. In this book, the main character doesn’t have a nervous breakdown per se, but close. It’s nice to see a male character’s perspective.
Oh, I didn’t realize he has a new book out! I loved Domestic Violets and will have to look for this.
Oh good! Now you have something to look forward to.
This sounds like the perfect book for this time of year…especially for you and all of your changes! I actually think I read Domestic Violets!
I read Domestic Violets with my book club a few years back and we all enjoyed it tremendously. I think I’d like this one, too! Thanks for being on the tour.
I think you will like this one too. It’s funny but not silly. You know what I mean?
Thanks for this review. Both book and author new to me so I appreciated the post very much.
I remember Domestic Violets. This is bound to be another good one.
I like his sense of humor. I guess that’s why his books work so well for me.
Andy sounds a lot like Hubs (minus the heartbreak and cheering wifey, obv :D) I think I would enjoy this. As always, I can always count on you to fatten up my TBR pile. Sigh. But, you know, thanks ❤
Thanks for reviewing this one — I’ve been curious about it. It’s seems a bit like a Jonathan Tropper kind of novel. Woe is me, check.