The cactus

Title:

The cactus

Author:

Summary:

For Susan Green, messy emotions don't fit into the equation of her perfectly ordered life. She has a flat that is ideal for one, a job that suits her passion for logic and an 'interpersonal arrangement' that provides cultural and other, more intimate, benefits. But suddenly confronted with the loss of her mother and the news that she is about to become a mother herself, Susan's greatest fear is realized. She is losing control. When she learns that her mother's will inexplicably favors her indolent brother, Edward, Susan's already dismantled world is sent flying into a tailspin. As Susan's due date draws near and her family problems become increasingly difficult to ignore, Susan finds help and self-discovery in the most unlikely of places.

General Note:

Includes questions for discussion.

Physical Description:

375 pages ; 21 cm

Genre:

Domestic fiction.

Subject Term:

Single women -- Fiction.

Asperger's syndrome -- Fiction.

Pregnancy -- Fiction.

Mothers -- Death -- Fiction.

Life change events -- Fiction.

Siblings -- Fiction.

Publisher:

Park Row Books,

Publication Date:

2018

ISBN:

9780778369073

Publication Information:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada : Park Row Books, [2018]

Call Number:

HAYWOOD

Holds: Copies:

Available:*

Item Barcode	Collection	Call Number	Status	Item Holds
33607003412379	Adult Fiction	HAYWOOD Sarah	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

A Reese's Book Club Pick and New York Times Bestseller

"Fans of Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine will love The Cactus." --Red magazine

An unforgettable love story that shows sometimes you have to embrace the unexpected.

Susan Green is like a cactus: you can't get too close. She likes things perfectly ordered and predictable. No surprises. But suddenly confronted with the loss of her mother and the unexpected news that she is about to become a mother herself, Susan's greatest fear is realized. She is losing control.

Enter Rob, the dubious but well-meaning friend of her lazy brother. As Susan's due date draws near and her world falls further into a tailspin, Susan finds an unlikely ally in Rob. She might have a chance at finding real love and learning to love herself, if only she can figure out how to let go.

"I found myself laughing out loud." --Reese Witherspoon

Reviews (1)

Publisher's Weekly Review

A cactus is the perfect metaphor for Haywood's hilarious and endearing debut about a prickly woman who thrives no matter her environment. Londoner Susan Green is a controlling single 45-year-old woman who is successful in both her professional life as a civil service worker and in her personal life with formally scheduled liaisons with Richard, a similarly organized and methodical businessman. Susan's disciplined life is rocked when her widowed mother dies and the will specifies that Susan's undeserving, ne'er-do-well younger brother, Edward, whom Susan despises and has little to do with for good reason, can inhabit the family's suburban home until he wants to sell it, at which time the proceeds will be evenly split. To make matters even more complicated, Susan discovers she is pregnant with Richard's child, whom she will raise alone because she doesn't want to be beholden to anyone. She intends to prove that her brother, now living in the house with his buddy, Rob, had undue influence on the content of their infirm mother's will. As Susan builds a case against her brother, she forms a dubious connection with Rob, hoping that will help her garner the truth about Edward's motives. What she eventually learns-not only about her mother but also about herself-thoroughly alters her approach to life, which Haywood lovingly and humorously demonstrates is actually a very good thing. The novel is consistently enjoyable, anchored by the splendid character of Susan. (May) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.