White Elephant audiobook

Enjoy the Crazy, Behind the Scenes Look at Suburbia in this humorous, satirical debut novel, White Elephant by Julie Langsdorf.Having grown up and currently living in a small town in suburbia, where over time, modest houses are knocked down and replaced by mansions, trees are removed so yards can have more sunlight, and neighbors have disputes over fences, branches, mailboxes and plowing, I have witnessed communities caught up in grievances surrounding property lines, barking dogs and early morning leaf blowing. Author Julie Langsdorf creates Willard Park, a small town outside of Washington DC where amidst the community craziness we meet well meaning, imperfect characters living their lives to the best of their abilities. Those of us living in suburban areas outside of cities will relate to this slice of life, entertaining debut, White Elephant where neighborly tensions run high and add to the stress of everyday life, tired marriages and over exposed mortgages. In this satirical debut...(read more and Q & A with author) https://booknationbyjen.com/2019/04/2...booknationbyjen.com

Sharp, sly, and laugh-out-loud funny, this novel follows three families in a DC suburb as their parents, children, and notions of home come into conflict. Julie Langsdorf's descriptions of the anxieties of the wealthy – what their neighbors are up to, how their marriages appear from the outside, whether their houses are appreciating in value – are so good, claustrophobically good, making you prickle with their tension as you read. You can feel Langsdorf's love for every character even as you relish her honesty about them. Wonderful.

Wow! What an amazing lens into a supposedly “idyllic” suburban DC community. It’s so rich, weaving together so many threads, each unique and fresh in its own way. On the one hand, it’s a witty and satirical commentary on American suburbia, and at the same time, there’s a lot of insight about what it means to be a mother/wife and what the ramifications are for women’s own individual needs and desires. The mix is fascinating, and the novel as a whole is sharp, warm, and downright hilarious. Probably my favorite aspect of WHITE ELEPHANT is the incredible voice. Clever, funny, witty—every sentence from beginning to end was a pure pleasure to read. I almost didn’t even care what was happening from a plot perspective because the narrative asides were so entertaining. The story is told from multiple points of view with an intimacy that allows the readers to get to know the all-too-human motivations and emotions of the characters. The result: complex, vividly-drawn characters who earn our sympathy and understanding. I’m also in awe over the brilliant social commentary this novel provides. There is so much lurking just beneath the (very funny) surface. Gentrification is at the core of this story, with a few families bickering over trees and size/style of their neighboring houses, with each side gaining allies and enemies until the whole (previously-)charming town devolves into war mode. But just as important are the issues about classism, about marriage and fidelity, about parenting, and about the social politics of close-knit communities of mothers. And that ending! I won’t say much, for fear of spoiling it, but I found it very emotionally satisfying.In short, I loved this novel, and I can’t believe that this is Julie Langsdorf’s debut novel. I would happily read anything this author writes. If you like Liane Moriarty, you will love this novel. Most strongly recommended!

Ah, I do enjoy a good suburban satire. Langsdorf focuses on three main families living in an established neighborhood in a fictional DC suburb. All have different expectations. As McMansions threaten to take over the smaller, but charming original homes, a classic fight over trees ignites political unease. All hell breaks loose in this darkly humorous take on suburban life. Satire soothes my soul. I love when we can tastefully poke fun at real issues, however big or small.

To put it as succinctly as possible, I LOVED this book. With WHITE ELEPHANT, Julie Langsdorf perfectly captures life in the suburbs--the tension and competition between neighbors, the comfort of cozy familiar spots, the dreams that get put on hold to keep things afloat, and the sense of community that can be both stifling and lifesaving. The characters in this novel were all incredibly rich, written with so much depth and empathy that I often found myself not only sympathizing, but actually falling in love, with characters that I had previously written off as vapid or villainous. The story is deeply compelling, full of brutal truths and immense warmth. Funny and clever, moving and heartfelt, this novel is perfect for book clubs, college syllabi, or just any time you're in need of a terrific story.

Thanks to the publisher for an advance reader's copy.I have a soft spot for books that shine a light on suburban malaise if they're satirical in tone and especially if they don't expect me to sympathize with men having mid-life crises. All the terrible men in this book are portrayed as weenies and it was great! Most characters and their motivations are at least slightly (if not completely) ridiculous, with the town's environmentalism and community spirit outed as less altruistic than previously supposed and pilloried along with the commercialism and greed that threaten them. Plus there was a random Beaufort, SC mention! A thoroughly enjoyable novel for anyone interested in the tensions beneath an idyllic surface and entertained by someone else's petty squabbles.

What a terrific book! I loved this portrait of a seemingly perfect small town that descends into chaos when a hideously large house (Dubbed the "White Elephant" by other residents) is erected by a new builder. The plot is absorbing and moves along briskly, but what makes this book so wonderful is the rich portrait of all the characters. Whether we like them or not, we sympathize with all of them--and even find ourselves rooting for them even if we don't agree with their choices. A funny and wise portrait of a modern American suburb and the desires that draw people together--and tear them apart.

This is an incredibly well-written, thought out novel. I really loved reading it, and will be recommending it to anyone who asks for a new book to read!

Loved this book! The writing is clever and the characters are dynamic and entertaining. This is a wonderful debut novel, and I can't wait to read more by the author in the future!

Perfect for fans of Tom Perrotta and Jonathan Tropper, White Elephant is an impressive debut that I binge-read in a couple of days. These neighbors are so dysfunctional, and yet, so relatable. I wanted to simultaneously hug and yell at every character in this book.Charming 100-year-old Sears homes, a children’s library, the local coffee shop where everyone has their own mug . . . an idyllic bedroom community for upper-middle class families. All is perfect in Willard Park, until newcomer architect Nick Cox moves in and begins building massive mansions that loom over the cozy smaller houses. His neighbor Ted is at first moved to peaceful protest, but Willard Park is a crucible, boiling everyone’s fears and insecurities into an explosion.White Elephant is packed with flawed characters that are entertaining and sympathetic (well, most of them anyway). There’s Ted, the do-gooder who just wants his small town back; his wife, Allison, stifled in her sexless marriage and tempted by other options; their daughter Jillian, who just wants to be noticed; their neighbors, the volatile Nick and his trophy wife, Kaye, who is not as vapid as she appears; and new to the neighborhood, the pothead lawyer Grant and his wife Suzanne, who is coming to realize her marriage is going up in smoke. Animosity simmers until Nick Cox cuts down the maple tree that Ted planted when his daughter was born. The vitriol escalates exponentially, and the residents of Willard Park start behaving in ways they never deemed possible. This book is quite a page-turner, and each chapter introduces more conflict. It’s hilarious and heartbreaking. Highly recommended. Many thanks to HarperCollins and Ecco Press for the advance copy in exchange for my review.

In the tradition of great stories about distinctive houses (Mansfield Park, Bleak House, I Capture the Castle) is the delicious debut White Elephant. The book invites us into the small suburban community of Willard Park and the complex emotional allegiances of its inhabitants. This place and these people are so familiar, and yet they are completely engaging. The author’s voice is sharp—its depiction of everyday domestic life reminds me at times of Austen—but also tender. We see these characters’ insecurities and petty choices and misdirected bravado, and we love them anyway. In that sense the book reminds me most of Tom Perrotta. Readers that love his sweet/sharp depiction of suburban life will love White Elephant. I was sad to let these characters go. An entirely satisfying book. Highly recommend. Out March 26, 2019!

Julie Langsdorf's debut novel, WHITE ELEPHANT, is a visual, rich description of a small town divided. While a calming, beautifully-written, relaxed read, the book doesn't shy from important subjects. The characters are fully developed, leaving the reader "rooting" for every character as she or he struggles within the main theme of the book as well as those outside of the theme -- that is, dealing with their own, internal demons. Langsdorf is a sharp observer of human nature. This is the kind of read, about a small, quirky town, that allows a break from larger, often explosive issues, that loom in our every day realities.

An entertaining, compelling and surprising tale told with great humor and compassion. So relevant for these divided times. I loved White Elephant and I highly recommend it!

I have a thing for all things dysfunctional so through in a community of neighbours who are just that and you have me hooked on a book.This is an engrossing debut that I practically devoured. Willard Park is an idyllic community on the outskirts of DC. From quaint little cottages, good schools to Lucy’s coffee shops - you get the feel that it is the perfect suburb to want to live. But when Nick Cox moves in and takes down Ted’s much loved maple tree, it starts a rivalry and discord within the community. The book is multilayered as we learn about all of the different characters within the book. I loved how Langsdorf executed this. I enjoyed reading about each characters life and although, not all were likeable, they were still amusing. It reminded me a little of The Nest meets Little Fires Everywhere which is a pretty good combo if you ask me. Overall, I clicked with this book early on and flew through it. The writing flowed easily and each character provided something different. The setting of Willard Park was beautiful. It was slick, witty and you couldn’t help but be able to compare certain characters to those you’ve come across in your own neighbourhood.Thanks to Ecco for sending this my way! Blog post to follow

A warm, witty, and at times laugh-out-loud funny read about suburban ennui and what it means to accept your loves ones (and yourself!) for who they are, not who you want them to be. Langsdorf has a knack for capturing the calisthenics we do in our heads every day as we struggle to seem like we have it all together. She's also a beautiful writer; WHITE ELEPHANT is packed with rich descriptions, snappy dialogue, and impressively complex characters—not easy to pull off with a large ensemble cast. I received an ARC from the publisher and I'll be recommending this like crazy when it's out.

White Elephant is a great story, with lots of cozily familiar situations and interesting characters you cannot help but to love and hate. The big new house in town, also known as 'the white elephant’, raises havoc in a quaint town already simmering with fraught situations. The characters are well-developed and you'll find yourself relating to them in different ways. Slowly but surely, the author manages to beautifully weave all the stories together into a poignant finale. White Elephant is a book that you won’t want to put down. I highly recommend it.

*I won an arc of this book in Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review*I really enjoyed the writing in this book. It had enough humor, and it was relatable, it flowed really well. But the story was basically about nothing. Just glimpses of different worlds of different people. I thought the dispute over the big house would be the central point here but it was the secrets or things we don't want to talk about (the big elephant in the room). It's about how hard it is to say what you feel, or think, or what you want from life, relationship, etc. I liked the characters, they were all so different, but some were just slow. Slow to act, or change. Don't expect much action, just some family drama you'd expect to see in real world.The ending was satisfying to me. So I'm rounding up, and giving this 4 stars.

A perceptive, clever look at suburban life and the complexities of marriage, parenthood, and community. White Elephant follows three families in Willard Park, a suburb in DC. The construction of a massive home in the quaint neighborhood leads to turmoil among the neighbors, and brings to the surface some of the characters' marital tension and personal struggles. Some were particularly poignant to see on the page: Ted's relationship with Terrance, his intellectually disabled brother; Kaye's insecurity over her parenting and art; and Jillian's budding, but cautious, friendship with Lindy. Funny and sharp - totally recommend it!