Nothing serious : A novel / Daniel Klein.

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Publishers Weekly Review

When the founding editor of a New England philosophy magazine expresses his dying wish to see the struggling publication continue in a modernized form, his survivors serendipitously choose as his successor a once-hip, newly out of work pop culture writer whose experience in philosophy is largely limited to a cram session undertaken before the job interview. Klein (Travels with Epicurus) gives us, in Digby Maxwell, a fabulously colorful character self-aware enough to fear having his pseudo-intellectualism exposed. As such, it is a delight to watch him fake his way through situation after situation, enjoying the perks and wealth of his new position with the relish of someone who knows that it is likely to end soon. Primarily told through a limited-omniscient narration focusing on our hero's own thoughts, subplots involving Maxwell's estranged wife and daughter, a brewing conflict on the local college campus over gay rights, and Maxwell's own romantic entanglements help build a surprisingly fun and detailed world for such a short novel. When he proves a surprisingly competent editor after all, and the true reasons behind his hire are revealed, the novel will hold few surprises, but most of the enjoyment of this book is in the journey, and in spending time with a character like Maxwell. (Apr.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Booklist Review

*Starred Review* First divorced, then unceremoniously relieved of his job for being a has-been, Digby Maxwell has hit rock bottom. Once a key trend-spotter and -setter in New York City, he is now as obsolete as the pop-culture magazine for which he once wrote. Seeking new employment, he receives one rejection after another, until he is made the most unlikely of job offers, entitling him editor in chief of a minor philosophy magazine published in a small college town. Overlooking his dearth of knowledge on the subject, Digby accepts the job, planning to fake his way through. When, against all odds, he begins to drag the outdated magazine and town into a newly revived existence, some brewing mystery becomes apparent, and Digby must answer the question of exactly who is fooling whom. Klein's second existential novel is as thought-provoking as The History of Now (2009), with a heavier dose of sharp, witty humor. Klein is a master of relevant social commentary, and his background as a writer of both mysteries and philosophy is clearly evident, resulting in an exceptional story sprinkled with philosophical overtones and rounded out with the perfect amount of symbolism and allegory. Look to J. P. Donleavy or Nick Hornby for apt comparisons.--Ophoff, Cortney Copyright 2010 Booklist

Kirkus Book Review

A hip editor takes the helm of Cogito, a stodgy philosophical journal, with mixed--and occasionally hilarious--results. Digby Maxwell has recently left his job at New York Magazine under untoward circumstances--he has lost his ability to be able to spot "the very next thing"--and his initial hope is to get back his former position at the Village Voice. When owner and editor-in-chief Phil Winston quickly disabuses him of that notion, Digby begins smoking a lot of pot and wondering about his future. Enter Felicia Hastings, owner/proprietor of Cogito, a journal known for the intellectual panache of its philosophical inquiry, who rather unaccountably chooses Digby to be the new editor-in-chief, succeeding her late husband, Bonner. Much to the disgust of some of the editorial staff, Digby decides to shake things up by having his first journal focus on the subject of heaven--scarcely worthy of serious analysis according to "real" philosophers. But Digby follows through, relying on old friends--one of whom is a world expert on comic books--to churn out a few metaphysical articles. He also meets Mary, a local Unitarian minister and widow, who has some serious views on the topic. Life gets complicated when Digby becomes smitten with Mary (though he is more intimately involved with the hypersexual Winny). Amid a personal life that's falling apart--Digby's wife has left him for Phil Winston, and his daughter Sylvie is making a good living writing online erotica--Digby tries to overcome Felicia's plot to undermine her own journal and to woo the sweetly innocent Mary. Klein has a light--or "lite"--touch when it comes to both philosophy and love.]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.