Now I Know Everything - Hardcover

Postman, Andrew

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0517599406 ISBN 13: 9780517599402

Publisher: Crown, 1995

Synopsis

An earnest, good-natured sex comedy for the '90s, starring a man trying to make it in a woman's world. Our hero's romantic struggles inspire columns and eventually a novel; this one in fact--a smart mix of good advice and urban wit that's sure to be a hit with both sexes and the people who love them.

About this title

From the Inside Flap

good-natured sex comedy for the '90s, starring a man trying to make it in a woman's world. Our hero's romantic struggles inspire columns and eventually a novel; this one in fact--a smart mix of good advice and urban wit that's sure to be a hit with both sexes and the people who love them.

Reviews

Postman's witty first novel is based on his own experience at Glamour magazine, where for four years he was the anonymous male voice behind the column "Jake: A Man's View." As the novel opens, the narrator, who shares the author's name, is about to be named "Vince," the sensitive yet virile masculine presence at a woman's magazine. The supposed anonymity of Vince notwithstanding, he finds that when he reveals his identity as "the man behind the myth," he becomes instantly popular with women who want to help him gather "material" for his columns, though most of these encounters are, ironically, unconsummated. Andrew zigzags his way through the gossipy, cutthroat Manhattan publishing world and the myopic, pretentious social scene of his Ivy League graduate friends, making clever observations on gender politics but growing increasingly antagonistic toward his increasingly gutter-minded, cynical alter ego. When the author/character tries to delve beneath the surface, however,the prose falls flat. In a confused late night, lovelorn hike through Times Square, his deepest musings reveal only that "[Madonna's] one lasting regret in life is that she will never be able to blow Jesus." For all the talk of sex in this work, it is devoid of any kind of sexiness or poetic intensity. However, Andrew's lack of understanding of his inner motivation, to which he readily admits, seems to be the point here. Vince, for all his hype and "expertise," is just a regular guy, as are the similarly clueless, if interesting, members of his supporting cast of friends, editors and girlfriends. For all its flaws, this is a clever jaunt through the minefield of sexual politics, an easy and entertaining read. Movie rights to Castle Rock. Author tour.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Would-be novelist Andrew is hired to write a column for a glossy women's magazine. He is supposed to project a man's vulnerability and sensitivity in discussing etiquette, orgasms, and more. As "Vince," he becomes very popular and has a series of girlfriends until he meets his true love. Based on the author's own experience, this short, delightful first novel maintains an appropriately light touch and tone, with just enough humor and heart to win the reader's sympathy. Recommended for popular collections.
--Robert H. Donahugh, formerly with Youngstown & Mahoning Cty. P.L., Ohio
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

With his new gig writing a column headed "Vince: A Man's View" for G------ Magazine, a mass market women's magazine, the "fictional" author (also named Andrew Postman) believes he's got a license to love, for the sake of story ideas, of course. Andrew finds that upon revealing his alias as "Vince," women leap to date him; but, alas, his expectation of copious carnality evaporate into sex-starved, writing-blocked frustration. Poor Andrew. His arid reality belies "Vince's" reputation as "sensitive yet manly, tomcatting yet condom-wearing." On the sexual defense, and pining for his ex-girlfriend, Andrew takes the offense in word-playing sarcasm about his unrequited desires. Self-consciously frivolous, this period-piece novel (New York magazine world, early 1990s) leaves a light impression on the perils of dating in its world. Given its fleshy theme, there aren't many racy scenes; libraries may gauge interest from the fact that the real G------ (Glamour) will run space ads. Gilbert Taylor

Edition details

• Publisher: Crown
• Publication date: 1995
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0517599406
• ISBN 13: 9780517599402
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 246