Modern Lovers by Emma Straub

Last week was my first book club meeting, and we were discussing Modern Lovers by Emma Straub.

Although not a title I would gravitate toward at the book store, I loved this novel. I am glad one of my fellow book clubbers suggested this title.

Modern Lovers follows the lives of 2 couples, Andrew and Elizabeth, Jane and Zoe, and their two kids, Harry (Andrew/Elizabeth's son) and Ruby (Jane/Zoe's daughter), as they try to navigate different aspects of relationships and growing older.

Throughout college, Andrew, Elizabeth, and Zoe were members of Kitty's Mustache along with Lydia. Elizabeth, Zoe, and Andrew stayed together after the band broke up, moving to New York together. Lydia hits it big, leaving Kitty’s Mustache behind. Although never alive during the novel, Lydia plays a pivotal role in the storyline.

The story is told from multiple points of view: beginning with Zoe's in Chapter one, and swiftly moving to Andrew's in chapter two. Ruby, Harry, and Elizabeth also take turns narrating the novel. For the first few chapters, this is hard to follow, but once you understand Straub's writing style, it is very enjoyable.

I found myself at many points in the novel more interested in Ruby's character than Elizabeth, mentally groaning when I realized I had to read another 4-5 chapters before I'd get back to Ruby's story.

I hope you take the time to read this novel. It’s a wonderful, quick summer read. This is great for a day by the pool or at the beach. Once you’ve read the novel, come back to see what else I thought below!

Buy Modern Lovers Here!