The Full Catastrophe: A Novel

By: David Carkeet

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Synopsis: A New York Times Notable Book: &“A comic chronicle of marital misunderstandings . . . Eccentric, hilarious, wildly inventive&” (Los Angeles Times). Linguist Jeremy Cook knows how language works, but he doesn&’t know how marriage works. In fact, he is strangely hostile to the institution. So Cook is naturally uneasy about his job with a St. Louis firm specializing in &“the linguistically troubled marriage.&” His assignment is to move in with Dan and Beth Wilson, a prosperous suburban couple with an impoverished relationship, to analyze their problems with verbal communication and help them—if he can. But as Cook catalogs the Wilsons&’ missed signs and signals, he becomes increasingly, and unscientifically, involved . . . &“Read this terrific book.&” —Los Angeles Times &“With humor and insight, Mr. Carkeet&’s fourth novel addresses the commonest of social diseases—a failing marriage—with the least likely of therapies: a live-in linguist.&” —The New York Times Book Review &“Carkeet&’s premise is fresh, his characters utterly winning and his comic observations full of affection for those caught up in the complex confusions of love. Laugh-out-loud scenes and swift, convincing dialogue.&” —Publishers Weekly