I Can't Complain: (All Too) Personal Essays

“Lipman is always in top form as an essayist.” – New York Times Book Review

In her two decades of writing, Elinor Lipman has populated her fictional universe with characters so utterly real that we feel like they’re old friends. Now she shares an even more intimate world with us—her own—in essays that offer a candid, charming take on modern life. Looking back and forging ahead, she considers the subjects that matter most: childhood and condiments, long marriage and solo living, career and politics.

In these stories you’ll find the lighthearted as well as the serious and profound. Whether for Lipman’s longtime readers or those who love the essays of Nora Ephron or Anna Quindlen, I Can’t Complain is a diverting delight.

“Engaging and moving . . . Whether or not one is a Lipman fan before reading this collection, he or she most certainly will be by the time the final page is turned.” – Publishers Weekly

“Full of wit and charm, along with some trenchant observations.”– Seattle Times

“A feast of bite-sized morsels of humor and wisdom.” – Kirkus Reviews

Elinor Lipman finds the profound in the everyday and the hilarious in the ridiculous.

• Witty Observations: From navigating the politics of writing book blurbs to the unwritten rules of holding a good grudge, Lipman’s take on modern life is sharp, funny, and unforgettable.
• Heartfelt Memoir: A moving exploration of a long and happy marriage, the joy of raising a son, and the bittersweet reality of watching life change in unexpected ways.
• Family Relationships: Laugh-out-loud stories about a mother with a phobia of condiments, a father who loved a good joke, and the quirky, loving family that shaped her world.
• For Fans of Nora Ephron: If you love warm, intelligent, and candid essays that feel like a conversation with your smartest, funniest friend, this collection is for you.