Editorial Content for My Father's Wives
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Reviewer (text)
Jonathan Sweetwater is a lucky man. He is blessed with loads of money, both inherited and earned, a fulfilling career (that leads him to play basketball with Michael Jordan), two beautiful children, and Claire, the love of his life --- a sophisticated, gorgeous, intelligent and compassionate woman. A relationship with his father is the only thing Jonathan never got in the all-American package of perfection, and it haunts him still.
Percival Sweetwater III was a five-term U.S. senator. He left Jonathan behind at the age of nine and, although now dead, continues to take his toll on his son’s life and demeanor. Percy was particularly popular in life, friended by presidents, loved by his constituents, and worshipped, at least for a while, by the five women who married him after Jonathan’s mother.
Jonathan is nothing like his dad. Or so he thinks. When he discovers evidence that his marriage may not be as strong and valid as he had hoped, he turns to the women who put up with his dad to find answers to the big questions of life: manhood, marriage and manipulation.
"MY FATHER’S WIVES shows a light hand, an easygoing look at middle-age anxiety and confusion that is often ignored for greater sturm and drang in literary fiction."
As Jonathan spans the globe in the hopes of finding answers about what may have gone wrong and his part in the proceedings, MY FATHER’S WIVES takes a light and enervating look at the mid-life crisis --- when seemingly perfect guys who have the American dream all wrapped up suddenly find themselves with a big hole in their awesomeness. Where did this come from? Jonathan decides to move into the past in order to figure out the future.
Mike Greenberg is an affable and accomplished broadcaster with a legion of fans. Why he has decided to write novels is unknown to us all --- the hankering has been itched by lesser writers certainly. But MY FATHER’S WIVES shows a light hand, an easygoing look at middle-age anxiety and confusion that is often ignored for greater sturm and drang in literary fiction. This is a book that should’ve come out in the summer, as it's short and fun to read, with moments of real emotion buoying up the floating boat of humorous anxiety that Jonathan is trying to unload.
Jonathan has a fantasy life that sports fans may find especially exciting. A very funny chapter is dedicated in part to his basketball game with Michael Jordan. He flies around in private jets, but also has time to hang out at soccer games with his kids and take flights to Europe to search out his father’s ex-paramours. With visits to his New York mom in between, this protagonist provides a look at the life of the 1% while also examining the lives of the 99%. No matter how much money you have, there is no guarantee to extended happiness as people and marriages age and change.
MY FATHER’S WIVES will take your mind off the Knicks’ lousy season and Deflate-gate. It is a must for ESPN aficionados and sports fans alike.
Teaser
Jonathan Sweetwater has been blessed with money, a fulfilling career and a beautiful family. But there’s one thing he never had: a relationship with his late father. On his quest for understanding --- about himself, about manhood, about marriage --- Jonathan decides to track down his father’s five ex-wives. His journey will take him from cosmopolitan cities to the mile-high mountains to a tropical island --- and ultimately back to confront the one thing Jonathan has that his father never did: home.
Promo
Jonathan Sweetwater has been blessed with money, a fulfilling career and a beautiful family. But there’s one thing he never had: a relationship with his late father. On his quest for understanding --- about himself, about manhood, about marriage --- Jonathan decides to track down his father’s five ex-wives. His journey will take him from cosmopolitan cities to the mile-high mountains to a tropical island --- and ultimately back to confront the one thing Jonathan has that his father never did: home.
About the Book
Jonathan Sweetwater has been blessed with money, a fulfilling career, great kids and Claire, his smart, gorgeous, sophisticated wife. But there is one thing Jonathan never had: a relationship with his father.
Percival Sweetwater III has been absent from his son’s life since Jonathan was nine years old. A five-term U.S. senator, now dead, Percy was beloved by presidents, his constituents, and women alike, especially the five women who married him after Jonathan’s mother.
Jonathan hasn’t thought about Percy or the hole he left in his life for years. Dedicated to Claire and his family, he’s nothing like his serial monogamist father. But then Jonathan discovers evidence that everything in his marriage may not be as perfect as he thought. Hurt and uncertain what to do, he knows that the only way to move forward is to go back.
On this quest for understanding --- about himself, about manhood, about marriage --- Jonathan decides to track down his father’s five ex-wives. His journey will take him from cosmopolitan cities to the mile-high mountains to a tropical island --- and ultimately back to confront the one thing Jonathan has that his father never did: home.
