Just The Way You Want Me

Nora Eisenberg burst on the literary scene with her stunning debut novel, The War at Home (A Washington Post Book World Book Rave of 2002) a masterful recreation of family life in the 1950's and one of the most vivid, poignant?and humorous?views of the left wing political family in recent American literature. Now she returns with a gripping new novel about a daughter's search for the truth about her father. Betsy Vogel is turning forty. With a trail of failed relationships behind her and a loving man very much in her future, Betsy is simply unable to commit. Sexually pliant, generous to a fault, Betsy puts her own best interests last. When, on the eve of a fresh start, she discovers that her father, a charismatic ex-convict in and out of prison for labor organizing, is not buried in the family plot, indeed may not be dead at all, she's compelled to begin a cross-country journey that leads her to discoveries about her father, herself, and the dark political history of our nation. At the heart of this tragicomic novel matters of love, loyalty, and the true nature of patriotism burn with rare intensity. With a warm, energetic voice, tender and hilarious characterizations of the eccentric Vogel clan, a cross-country bus trip ranging from the condos of Miami to the Santa Monica Pier, Just the Way You Want Me explores the cultural legacies of deeply committed political families and the life-long struggles of their children to measure up to their parents' idealistic dreams.

One year after her stunning debut with "The War at Home "("Remarkable. Poignant and unforgettable."-"Library Journal," starred review), Nora Eisenberg returns with a gripping and humorous new novel about a daughter's search for the truth about her father.

Suzy Vogel is in her mid-40s. With one failed marriage already behind her, she is simply unable to commit, to a great guy who wants to tie the knot, to a great job as a New York City magazine reporter. Sexually pliant, gen-erous to a fault, her own best interests always come last. When, on the eve of a new life, she discovers that her father, a charismatic ex-convict always in and out of prison for his political organizing, is not buried in the family plot, indeed may not be dead at all, she's compelled to begin a cross-country journey that leads her to the truth about his heroic altruism and an understanding of the obsessions to please people and to "blend in" that have thwarted her attempts at happiness all her life.

Combining a warm, street-wise voice reminiscent of the early Grace Paley, breathtaking twists of plot, compassionate but outrageous characterizations and a harrowing cross-country bus trip from Ft. Lauderdale to the Santa Monica Pier, "Just The Way You Want Me "explores the cultural legacies of deeply committed political families and the life-long struggles of their children to measure up to their parents' idealistic dreams.

Nora Eisenberg's first novel, "The War at Home," won enthusiastic acclaim from critics nationwide. She is a Professor of English at the City University of New York (La Guardia) and the co-author of four influential text books on writing. Her short fiction and prose have appeared in "ThePartisan Review, The Village Voice, Choice, Tikkun "and the "Los Angeles Times," She lives in Manhattan.