I’m not sure whether this story is a tragedy or a comedy. It begins in a cemetery; it ends at a graduation. Someone will die—angry and alone; someone will grieve—also alone. At least two characters will fall in love, and nearly all of them will find something to laugh about. It would be pleasant to perceive this story as a journey out of grief towards some wider, welcoming place, but that remains to be seen. If anything approaching wisdom arises from this tale, maybe it’s simply the gratitude that sometimes friendship can serve as a lifeline to pull us back to shore—to save us.
The NPR humorist and award-winning author of Me and Orson Welles returns to fiction with The Lifers: the funny/sad story of a decades-long male friendship. The Lifers chronicles a year in the lives of two friends in their late thirties, Kenneth and Marty. Before the year is over both men will go through a firestorm of emotions—and both will survive with their sense of humor and sense of self still intact. Kenneth is a teacher of English looking for meaning in the face of overwhelming loss. Marty is an administrator trying to navigate a collapsing marriage and a political coup right out of The Caine Mutiny.
In a voice that’s wickedly funny and sometimes heartbreaking, The Lifers is a celebration of friendship that’s filled with characters finally learning to reconcile themselves to change, death, and the possibility of beauty.
Praise for the work of Robert Kaplow:
"Robert Kaplow hits all the high notes as a writer—he does meticulous and exhaustive historical research (when his story demands it) and then writes with a wonderful humor and, most importantly, a big heart.”
—Richard Linklater, writer/director Boyhood, Dazed and Confused, Before Sunrise
“A total joy."
—Edward Sorel, author/illustrator, Profusely Illustrated
“A must-read for people who hate books.”
—Matt Selman, executive producer, The Simpsons
Genre: General Fiction
The NPR humorist and award-winning author of Me and Orson Welles returns to fiction with The Lifers: the funny/sad story of a decades-long male friendship. The Lifers chronicles a year in the lives of two friends in their late thirties, Kenneth and Marty. Before the year is over both men will go through a firestorm of emotions—and both will survive with their sense of humor and sense of self still intact. Kenneth is a teacher of English looking for meaning in the face of overwhelming loss. Marty is an administrator trying to navigate a collapsing marriage and a political coup right out of The Caine Mutiny.
In a voice that’s wickedly funny and sometimes heartbreaking, The Lifers is a celebration of friendship that’s filled with characters finally learning to reconcile themselves to change, death, and the possibility of beauty.
Praise for the work of Robert Kaplow:
"Robert Kaplow hits all the high notes as a writer—he does meticulous and exhaustive historical research (when his story demands it) and then writes with a wonderful humor and, most importantly, a big heart.”
—Richard Linklater, writer/director Boyhood, Dazed and Confused, Before Sunrise
“A total joy."
—Edward Sorel, author/illustrator, Profusely Illustrated
“A must-read for people who hate books.”
—Matt Selman, executive producer, The Simpsons
Genre: General Fiction
Used availability for Robert Kaplow's The Lifers