New World Monkeys

A Perv, a pig and a tire iron. GREAT READ.

I got my hands on a copy of this novel and I couldn't put it down. Nancy Mauro's writing style is truly unique and sets her apart from the masses of sound-alikes that abound.

This book will take you on an unexpected journey. The power dynamics she explores will give you pause and make you think of your own life and relationships. I never imagined I would come to care about a peeping Tom and an ill-fated wild boar (that's where the tire iron comes in).

One of her protaganists works in the Advertising Industry. I couldn't help but squirm at some of her spot-on observations. But don't be misled - this is about MUICH MUCH more than a look inside the twisted reality of the NY advertising scene. That provides only one of the delicately intertwining sub-plots.

I highly recommend this book for everyone from the big city industry guy to the small town idealist. You will all be proven wrong.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

This is an entertaining graveyard humor thriller

Estranged couple Lily and Duncan leaves the heat of Manhattan to spend part of the summer in the Upstate New York town of Osterhaven although he knows it will be a long commute as h is an ad exec in the Big Apple. Their drive is uneventful until near the house they leased, the couple hits an apparent wild boar running out of nowhere onto the road Lily feeling for the beast still alive but crying in severe pain takes the tire iron and smashes the animal's head until he is dead.

In Osterhaven, they learn the boar they killed is considered sacred by townsfolk as the Sovereign of the Deep Wood. In particular he was Skinner's pet and the angry odious man vows similar deaths to the killers; as does other fuming residents. The house they rented is dilapidated and while exploring outside Duncan finds a gravestone and a human bone. Stunned they disinter the remains of the buried body. While Duncan is in New York City, Lily becomes friends with the town pervert who she finds she can communicate with easier than her spouse.

This is an entertaining graveyard humor thriller tale that paints a neat twist to the urban yuppie finding heaven in rustication as both the big city and small town are made up of two legged beasts. The key to this engaging tale is Nancy Mauro never takes the subject too gravely serious as the author uses hyperbolic ghoulishness to make a case that veracity is the foundation of any relationship.

Harriet Klausner

What a great book!

This book is extremely well written, in a unique and interesting style that makes it fun to read just for the sake of the metaphors. The story itself is very clever as well, and while amusing and lighthearted at times, it also tells the story of a broken marriage in a way that pulls at your heart. I haven't picked up many books that caught my attention like this one. This book is a good quick read, is good for starting conversation. Its very intellectually stimulating and enjoyable to read. I would definitely reccomend this book to anyone who wants a refreshing and original read.

New World Monkeys - A bizarre but smart read

New World Monkeys: A Novel by Nancy Mauro tells the story of a young couple (Duncan and Lily), married for 5 years, who head to upstate NY one summer in an effort (although this is never stated directly) to salvage their troubled marriage. A series of bizarre events unfold including the killing of a wild boar, Lily's friendship with a Peeping Tom and the couple's archeological dig of their backyard to unearth the body of the nanny that abducted Lily's great-grandfather. Hmm . . . sounds like a lot is going on but the main plot, that of the couple and the slow unraveling of their marriage, moves slowly with little to no progress. That seems intentional - there is no action in that plot because the couple is really examining the state of their marriage, themselves and how they relate to each other against the backdrop of the crazy townspeople lusting for revenge for the killing of the wild boar, the bones in the backyard and the revelations from the Peeping Tom.

I really like the author's style of writing - it is smart and witty with sentences that are crafted, not just written. In fact, Carolyn See in her review of the book for the Washington Post , said the book belonged to a sub-genre that is rare these days, "Educated-Women's Lit" - I think that is a great way to describe a genre for this book. Although I appreciated the smart writing style and dry humor in the book, I did get frustrated with the characters, especially Lily. She seemed supercilious and invulnerable and once she befriended Llyod, the Peeping Tom, and began partaking in his perverted afternoon adventures, she lost me. I found I cared more about her husband, Duncan, and his struggles in the ad business including his insecurities about not being smart or successful enough. But I never found myself caring much about either of them as much as I cared about their examination of their marriage - this novel isn't really about the characters but about the marriage and its fate. The narrative is so smart that is almost makes up for the fact that the characters are not really the main stars of the novel.

Like looking at a train wreck; I couldn't stop reading

This might possibly be the oddest book I have ever read. I can usually knock out a book this size in 3 or 4 days but this one took two weeks. I guess in a way it is a compelling read because I kept going back to it but honestly, I never found the answers I needed to make this a really great read. I will say that the characters are interesting but boy are they cowardly. The ending was beyond strange and it felt like the writer just stopped writing.

Tedious and very putdownable

How I felt glad for the wild boar - it was put out of its misery right at the start. I, on the other hand, had to wait longer.

By page 44, I was fairly certain that I would not enjoy this book, but, lacking anything else to read, carried on, regardless. Halfway through, I finally gave up. It was trite, tedious and boring, and I was happy to, at last, have another book to read, putting this one down, in the certain knowledge that it would get no better.

Not so much wild boar as an absolute bore.

Moments of Brilliance Lost in Random Plot Twists

This book had the makings of something delightful, funny and thought provoking, but somehow missed hitting the mark. The characters were original but their interactions with each other were, at times, beyond absurd. Maybe that was a point the author was trying to make (which did create some funny moments) but I found the overall effect strange and a bit stilted. Very disappointing ending.

Stunning debut

A dark and delicious tale. Mauro is an original, certainly one to watch.

Provocative on every level.

Ms. Mauro is a true wordsmith, brilliant storyteller, and astute observer of the contemporary human condition. I'm looking forward to reading the other twisted tales she has locked up in her head!

Great read!

Loved the characters, plot and especially the ending.

Brilliantly crafted

Intriguing plot with credible characters

Mauro meets Mad Men and a Wild Boar

Brilliant first novel from Mauro. From the opening accident scene involving wild swine to the darkly comedic plot that ensues, this book will draw you in with its plot twists, lyrical writing and under the surface glance at the world of advertising. A must read from a strong new talent.

Buy it now!

Nancy Mauro's debut novel, "New World Monkeys," was a pleasure to read! The characters were quirky and compelling, the plot windy and engrossing, and the writing fresh and fun. The book will make you laugh, think, and put a smile on your face...

Funny, dark and compelling

Outstanding, layered characters unveil themselves in a truly original storyline. Mauro creates humour where there shouldn't be any and a genuine sense of anticipation as she peels back the layers of this deliciously written mystery.

Feisty Debut!

In short, this a book about 30-something marital angst. Hard to believe this is her first novel, I liked it so much. The author has very deftly drawn characters that are uncomfortable in their own skin, which is something I can totally relate to! And something she's careful not to betray as we feel them grapple with one another in that detached and fumbling way that is so common in relationships gone weird (for reasons not even they can quite put their fingers on - sound familiar?) Being the fly on the wall as they wrestle with their quirks, foibles and especially those uncomfortable silences that pass between them was delicious.

Dave - Toronto, Canada

Savagely funny dissection of modern life

Lily and Duncan SHOULD have it made -- they are attractive young professionals with the luck to inherit a gorgeous old house in an idyllic upstate burg. But pages into this thoroughly entertaining debut, cracks are appearing in this pretty picture. Delicious complications come fast and furious and they all originate in a mysterious old boar that looms larger in death than he did in legendary life. This is a novel that will make you laugh, surprise you, tantalize you and make you think -- in essences, a perfect fall read. Don't miss it!

Not Very Often

I wish books like New World Monkeys came out more often. Why can't we have more debut authors with such a stunningly mature voice, who craft characters that are as erudite as they are comic. It's a provocative and entertaining work. Pick it up!

Hip, Hot and Very Now ... READ THIS

Accurately captures the post Mad Men world of advertising, the contradictions of modern relationships, the absurdity and the sheer fun of it all. Striking characters colliding in situations that are as bizarre as they are real. The pettiness of everyday drama escalates to a feverish existentialist pitch. And above all the book is sweet, fun, beautifully written and a wonderful read.

I am LOVING New World Monkeys

I am currently reading NWMs and I am in love with Nancy Mauro's wit and humor.

AMAZING!

Excellent read, could not put it down! Would love to see more works from the author!