Title: Today Will Be Different
Author: Maria Semple
First published October 4, 2016
259 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780316403436 (ISBN10: 0316403431)
Rating: 3.17
Overview
In Maria Semple’s Today Will Be Different, we follow the story of Eleanor Flood as she attempts to make the most of her day. She has a plan in place to tackle the small things, to better herself and her relationships with her family.
However, life has other plans. Her son decides to fake sick, her husband has kept a secret from her, and an unexpected encounter threatens to reveal a buried family secret.
The day that was meant to be full of little victories turns into a chaotic mess. With humor and heart, this novel explores the themes of reinvention and the importance of facing our former selves to truly begin living.
Join Eleanor on her journey to navigate the unexpected and find her way to a brighter future.
About the Author
Maria Semple, a renowned author and television writer, made her debut with the novel This One is Mine, which was set in the city of Los Angeles. She has penned scripts for several popular TV series such as Arrested Development, Mad About You, and Ellen.
Semple was born in Santa Monica, California, and spent a significant part of her childhood in Spain. Her father, Lorenzo Semple Jr., who was a screenwriter, wrote the pilot for the iconic TV series Batman during their stay in Spain.
Later, they moved to Los Angeles and then to Aspen, Colorado. After completing her schooling at Choate Rosemary Hall, Semple graduated with a BA in English from Barnard College in 1986.
Editoral Review
Maria Semple’s Today Will Be Different is a sharp-witted and achingly funny novel that explores the frenzied inner life of Eleanor Flood, a self-proclaimed mess of a woman who is determined to have a “different” day. Simultaneously, the novel provides an honest yet humorous exploration into the everyday struggles of being human, making Today Will Be Different a refreshingly funny and heartwarming read.
Semple, the author of the bestseller Where’d You Go, Bernadette, has a knack for bringing humor and heart to even the darkest of situations. Her latest novel follows Eleanor Flood, a former artist turned writer whose life has become unwieldy and unfulfilling.
Over the course of one day, we bear witness to Eleanor’s wild and often hilarious inner monologue as she tries to keep it together while her life falls apart. The plot takes us on a wild goose chase from Seattle to New York as Eleanor tries to unravel the mysteries of her personally tumultuous life.
Simultaneously engaging and heartwarming, the novel touches on themes of family, love, and the tie that binds us to the people we were and the people we’ve become. One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its vivid character development.
Eleanor is endearing and often laugh-out-loud funny, while still sparking empathy in the reader. Her husband Joe, whose secrets are slowly revealed throughout the novel, is another standout character.
His quiet, reserved personality is a perfect foil to Eleanor’s loud and chaotic one. Semple’s writing style, characteristically witty and sharp, is perfectly suited to this material.
Her prose is snappy and concise, with each sentence packing its own punch. Even amidst the humorous tone, Semple still manages to hit us with moments of unexpected poignancy, making the novel feel grounded and real.
One criticism of the novel would be its pacing. The plot jumps around erratically, and while this could be seen as a reflection of Eleanor’s own disorganized thoughts, it can sometimes leave the reader feeling disorientated.
Additionally, some may find that the novel’s ending comes together a bit too tidily. Despite these minor flaws, Today Will Be Different remains an excellent read that will leave you chuckling and contemplating long after you’ve turned the final page.
For fans of Where’d You Go, Bernadette, this novel will be a delightful follow-up. However, even those unfamiliar with Semple’s earlier work will find something to love here.
A perfect blend of witty humor and heartfelt emotion, Today Will Be Different is a must-read for fans of contemporary fiction. Rating: 4.5/5
