Wow! This will probably be my favourite of 2017, and in my Top 10. I loved the story, the characters and imagery were fabulous. I want Audra as my friend: she's mad, funny, intelligent and just hilarious. There would never be a dull moment around her.
While there was a serious issue as the focus of the book, overall it was a very entertaining read. I particularly loved the Origami Club and their doings: so cleverly characterised.
I'll be keeping an eye open for more from Katherine Heiny.

Having finished this book a few days ago, I am struggling with how to review it. Though I read it all I felt it was a bit flat and just didn't do it for me personally. It wasn't a bad read, just one that did not grab me.

Standard deviation - Katherine Heiny

I never knew I was the kind of person who would snort with laughter at the idea of some one's mule dying, but it seems I am

Hmmmm .........took me a while to get into step with this book - at the beginning it doesn't seem to take breath, with all the character background descriptions tumbling out from situation to situation. I also don't feel particularly warm towards Graham and Audra with the subsidiary characters feeling a little flat and flavourless. This feeling lasted until about the 46% mark when things took a sweet and sour turn.
If you can shelve what to me seems a 1950's scripted approach to socialisation - maybe that's how all people get along in New York - who am I to comment I've never been to the city let alone a dinner party there - you will find this book Clever and quick witted.
It has a captivating narrative and the most enjoyable sentence structure I've ever read, with lines like - their eyes caught like two coat hangers before you shook them free of each other.

For the most part I enjoyed meandering through this story, and when it came I appreciated the operatic crescendo of the thanksgiving dinner party. Both the most hilarious and cringeworthy chapter in the entire book as well as the point I learned to love both Audra and Graham.

To me it was like a woody Allen movie starring Barbara Streisand and George Segal but with everyone seemingly having a place on the ASD scale.
Verdict - Much like real life then. I loved it.

This felt like lots of very well written stories with nothing actually pulling them together properly.
Easy to read but I find it hard to actually say what it was about. I'm sure there will be lots of people who love it and I would buy it and recommend it even though it wasn't really for me.

Interesting book. I've no experience of special needs children, so much of this was surprising to me. The main female character, Audra, must be the most annoying person I've ever come across in a book - I kept hoping she'd be killed off!
Although I quite enjoyed the book, I didn't find the characters particularly believable - so I didn't really feel much empathy with them.

I absolutely LOVED this book! Graham was a fantastic protagonist, warm, self effacing, devoted and above all funny. Katherine Heiny has captured fatherhood so well which is not easy for female authors. Often the male characters in family dramas are less developed, their story secondary to the female characters. I finished the book over 24 hours ago but I am still observing things with Grahams eye and wondering what he would make of a situation.
The female characters were both intriguing and endearing in their own ways. I loved 'watching' Audra but I'm not sure I could cope as well as Graham does with her! While her behaviour and conversational style was tending towards the crazy, it was never unbelievable. Everything about Audra was authentic, in fact the whole book spoke of authenticity and living your life in the best way you could.
Elspeth was exactly as Graham described and yet, something else. Her own pain and desire to be loved and her stark apartment which spoke of both her need for order and modernity but also her loneliness and emptiness.
Matthew, oh sweet lovely Matthew. Having a son with ASD and having another little boy in my life at the moment with autism, Matthew was especially dear to me and yet another example of how well Heiny draws her characters. Nothing was out of place, or exaggerated or used from sympathy or sentimentality, Matthew was simply Grahams much loved son. Matthew had his own emotional attachments and relationships throughout the novel and its interesting to see his horizons expand as his parents contract.
This book really is all about the characters, the supporting roles of Lorelei, Doug, Mrs Munn, Bitsy, Akela, Juan and Clayton are all superb and books could easily be written with them as the starring role.
If you want a book with lots of action, this isn't the book for you, but I recommend you read it anyway as I think you'll like this. If you love rich characterisation, love, family, hopes, dreams and fears then you will love this book every bit as much as I have.

I enjoyed the writer's style and did finish the book. The ending for me felt lacking and I wanted something more from it but I'm sure what!

Although Katherine Heiny has had her short stories published before, I believe this is her first full length novel and what a delight!

I really wasn't sure what to expect but it is very funny with just a few heartbreaking moments.

It's a family story based around Graham, his second wife Audra and their 10 year old son, Matthew. 'Standard Deviation' is a reference to their son's scores in various assessment tests which had led to a diagnosis of Aspergers.

Graham is a bit older and fairly quiet. His first wife, Espeth was very cool, calm, collected and in control. Audra is the complete opposite. She never stops talking – about anyone and anything – the just opens her mouth and keeps going. Says what she thinks. She comes out with the most inappropriate things at the most awkward moments. If she doesn't know the whole story she just makes things up. She thinks everyone should be a friend: talks to everyone, invites random characters to come for a meal or even stay with them, which leads to some great storytelling. She just has no filter. Volunteers for things, kind of meddles in things, even wants to become involved in the life of Graham's first wife. At the same time, I really liked her. She's not a bad person. In fact she's a wonderful character but as I was reading I kept thinking, “Oh no. Don't say that! Oh please!”

They worry about Matthew and want the best for him. She latches on to any interest Matthew might have and runs with it. He gets interested in origami so she finds an origami 'club' for him. We encounter more eccentric but wonderful characters and hilarious escapades.

It's not all fun and laughter. There are a few thoughtful moments and some poignant scenes. It's not all plain sailing but you just hope that things will work out well for everyone in the end.

I really enjoyed the book. It's a well written, entertaining novel with interesting characters and good dialogue. I certainly wouldn't mind if there was a sequel. More please!

Oh wow, this book is just fantastic! It is smart, emotional, compelling and laugh out loud funny.

Standard Deviation examines marriage and parenthood, the joys and struggles that come with each and the things people do to survive their personal daily grind. It's the story of parents Graham and Audra, their son Matthew and the people that weave in and out of their lives.

The writing flows effortlessly and the jokes are constant and hilarious. This is a marvelous book that I highly recommend.

Many thanks to the publisher Harper Collins and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Unforgettable marriage, hilarious story that ultimately goes nowhere but does so in a remarkably entertaining way

Graham is married to Audra, his second wife. They have a son, Matthew, whose Aspergers' sees them having to take part in his origami obsession. Audra is a force of nature, a Streisand-like 'Dolly' who seems involved in every situation, knows everyone, has a finger in every pie, can get anything done, always has advice to give.

She's also the most entertaining character I've come across in a long time. Entirely unassuming and unabashed, she'll talk about anything anywhere:
"(Audra) had once interrupted a complete stranger on a crosstown bus to say that the symptoms she was describing sounded like bacterial vaginitis"

Audra also has a habit of inviting guests into their home after the briefest of acquaintances. Graham looks on bemused, admiring his 'pretty' (he calls her this repeatedly) wife, he's embarrassed but also proud of her.

Graham himself is rather adorably funny, clearly in love with his wife and son, it's quite touching at times. The story sees him trying to come to terms with his son's eccentricities, his wife's, and he finds himself back in touch with the wife he left for Audra - Elspeth, her polar opposite.

Matthew, their eleven year old, is like Audra in that we watch him as an outsider. He has his obsessions, we watch his parents anxiously trying to encourage his friendships, loyally taking him to his clubs. It's touching, and quite an insight into parenting a child with Aspergers'.

This is the sort of story where not much really 'happens': it's Graham's journey through a few months of his life, but it's marvellously amusing and such a warm read with a married couple you've never seen the like of. It's totally bonkers at times, Graham also lends it a core of sense but also the heart and soul. Audra is almost a 'manic dream pixie' of an older woman, a law unto herself, Graham is her straight man.

It's an unusual perspective and story, but hard to dislike I would say. I did finish it thinking I could have kept on going for weeks, reading more about their lives, the people they meet, seeing how Matthew continues to grow up. It ends without the story really reaching a 'high', but some elements are resolved and plots wrapped up.

I loved this, though it's hard to say quite why as it meanders along merrily without you realising you're quickly approaching the end.

I would definitely recommend this, you'll smile, cringe, laugh your way through and just adore the characters eccentricities.

With thanks to Netgalley for the advance e-copy.

3⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book started really well. I loved the writing style and humour and really got to know the characters.

The problem with it is that nothing happens; it's just an ongoing story about people's lives, views, relationships.

Parts are really touching, others really funny, others a bit silly (Papa Stan?!)

An enjoyable book and I will read more by the author.

I loved this book from page one, funny and informative a rare combination. His 1st and then 2nd wife so different but will make you laugh and be glad they aren't yours. It's seems that if it wasn't for Graham were have all the normal people gone, but like real life at times. I am convinced more than ever that origami is not for me in increasing folds.

I have received a free copy of this book from Net Galley for a honest review.

If there is a book to describe the phrase, "most men lead lives of quiet desperation," this is it. Very funny, full of accurate observations, and insight. Bitchy but accurate - a great read.

I love this book in a strange way. Not much happens it is all about characters and how people interacts, about what normal is and isn't and origami.
A little gem but not for everyone, definitely not. If you expect a plot and twists in your books this is not for you, don't even try it, you will be disappointed. But if you are into anything from "Who's afraid of Virginia Woolf?" to Jonathan Franzen or any celebration of weirdness, like for instance Mike Leigh's Abigail's Party then give this book a try. You might love it.
I am interested in quirky characters and in what makes people tick and I enjoyed this book. It is about Graham and Audra who are a married couple. Audra reminds me of my sister in law, she never stops talking and has an opinion about everything. Graham was married to Elspeth previously who is the right opposite of Audra, quiet and not very talkative. Graham and Audra have a 10 year old son, Matthew, who has Asperger's and loves origami. Audra befriends everyone and takes stray people home and the book if full of strange characters. I am not a fan of book with too much dialogue unless it sounds realistic and this book passed the test. I can now add another author in my list. Reviews will be posted externally closer to the publishing date.

I connected with these characters easily and got completely ensnared in their world. Highly detailed characters and a constant moving stream of events keeps the book fresh and enjoyable throughout. The comedy is tinged with the sadness of reality, and that adds huge weight to everything that unfolds. A joy to read.

Katherine Heiny's debut novel is an unusual treasure which proves that there doesn't always need to be a cliffhanging plot or a twist in the tale to write a fantastic book. If the characters are interesting and engaging enough, you can just let them tell their own story – and this is exactly what Heiny does. Her writing style reminded me of Kate Atkinson in her more recent novels and this novel is very character driven.

While married to the sophisticated, well-bred, aloof Elspeth, Graham had an affair with the beautiful, self-aware, chatterbox Audra and left Elspeth for her. Elspeth is a lawyer and comes across as the stereotypically disassociated, aesthetically perfect and rich New York wife, while Audra seems quite conceited, feels blessed to live in the time of the hair towel and talks nonsense to absolutely anyone.

Time has passed, Audra and Graham are happy, and have a young son named Matthew who has Aspergers and a great love of origami. Throughout the novel we see life through Graham's eyes – the daily trials of family life, a wife with an extremely friendly and open personality (their home is always full of waifs and strays she has brought home) and dealing sympathetically with a child with difficulties. When a chance encounter brings Elspeth back into Graham's life, he starts to compare the two, very different women and you sense that he is at a turning point in his life – did he make the right decision leaving his first wife for Audra? As opportunities present themselves for Graham to take a fork in the road, you find yourself wondering which way he will go. We also see him struggle with the suspicion that Audra is having an affair, or perhaps even a number of them.

Heiny translates some difficult situations into easy reading and brings humour to them. I loved each of the characters – I felt like I was people watching, which I love & will look forward to reading more from this author.

This the Seinfeld of novels. It is a book about nothing but unfortunately without the humour. If you love plot driven books, this is not the book for you.

A cleverly written book about the trials of living with a teenager who has autism, who's into origami.
I found myself warming to the characters apart from Audra: who's character I found to over powering.
Katherine Heiny writes in away that you need to dig for hidden clues and I got satisfaction for guessing right.
Although I did have to look up the pronunciation of some of the names.

Lets start with what I liked about the book.

The writing is witty and chock full of observations related humorously and with insight from Graham's point of view. It is rare to read a book with only one perspective that is insightful and reflective.

Having said that, it is way too long. I glossed over portions of Matthew's childhood because by then I was bored. Elspeth's re-entry into Graham's life was interesting yet too short with a heart-wrenching end. Yes, I felt more for Elspeth than Graham or Audra. The cover description made it seem that there was more introspection on Graham's part on how he could love/had loved two very different people however after reading this, it felt as if Graham thought about this only for a bit. He was mostly interested in just passing through life instead of actively participating in it.

Sure he likes to cook and takes care of all the meals and is a great business man however, besides that, it seemed he was just going through the motions of his marriage (life with Audra is exhausting, not exciting), fatherhood and being a good host.

He deals with all the challenges with good grace however in the end, I felt as if my biggest takeaway from the book was that they were all cheaters

Thanks so much to Harper 4th Estate for the opportunity to read this brilliant book.

I wasn’t expecting a family/relationship tale to make me laugh so much, yet still deal with some serious themes of individuality and personal interaction. I was transfixed by the characters from beginning to end, and the wonderful Audra in particular, of course. My opinion of her kept shifting - ditsy on the one hand, seemingly completely lacking a social filter, yet on the other hand a consummate multi-tasker and an astute networker, usually in the interests of her autistic son. The effect on the family of Matthew’s disability is sensitively handled - especially poignant are Audra and Graham’s hopes and fears for him as he takes tentative steps into independence. Such is the author’s skill that even those characters at the remotest edges of the main action make a vivid impact and the dialogue is spot on. A delightful book and a new favourite author for me - as a result I have ordered a copy of her collection of short stories published a couple of years ago, can’t wait to read it.