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Everyone’s Happy
From the critically acclaimed author of The Knockout Queen and The Girls from Corona del Mar comes a darkly humorous story that charts the unlikely friendship of two women and exposes the absurdity of everything from playground drama to marriage to Goodreads reviews.
Motherhood has turned out to be a lot weirder and lonelier than Mary anticipated - has the world gone crazy, or has she? Most of the time, it feels like both. But when her oldest starts kindergarten, Mary meets another mom, Fiona, and the two form an unusual yet exhilarating friendship. There’s only one problem: Mary doesn’t really like Fiona’s husband, Andreas. What begins as a minor irritation keeps intensifying and changing shape in Mary’s mind as Andreas’s perceived wrongdoings pile up, until she can’t distinguish integrity from self-sabotage.
Everyone’s Happy is both an unnervingly honest examination of the shifting loyalties between family and friendship and a love letter to the absurd banalities of suburban life.
Motherhood has turned out to be a lot weirder and lonelier than Mary anticipated - has the world gone crazy, or has she? Most of the time, it feels like both. But when her oldest starts kindergarten, Mary meets another mom, Fiona, and the two form an unusual yet exhilarating friendship. There’s only one problem: Mary doesn’t really like Fiona’s husband, Andreas. What begins as a minor irritation keeps intensifying and changing shape in Mary’s mind as Andreas’s perceived wrongdoings pile up, until she can’t distinguish integrity from self-sabotage.
Everyone’s Happy is both an unnervingly honest examination of the shifting loyalties between family and friendship and a love letter to the absurd banalities of suburban life.
Audible Audio
First published August 31, 2020
About the author
Rufi Thorpe
5 books924 followersRufi Thorpe received her MFA from the University of Virginia in 2009. She is the author of four novels, The Girls from Corona Del Mar, Dear Fang, With Love, and The Knockout Queen, which was a finalist for the PEN/Faulkner award. Her newest book, Margo's Got Money Troubles, will be out 6/11/24 and is currently being adapted for television by A24 and AppleTV. She lives in California with her husband and two sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
October 23, 2020
“Everyone’s Happy” is an audible original by Rufi Thorpe narrated by Lauren Fortgang. It’s a short listen, about an hour, with much insight into women of young children: postpartum rolly-polly bodies; husbands; friendships; and child rearing,
Mary is the mother of two, with her oldest going to kindergarten. All the other moms seem to be sparkly and put together, while Mary is wearying ratty 9 year old yoga pants. She meets Fiona who has a daughter in the same kindergarten class as Mary’s. Fiona is far more opinionated. The ladies strike a friendship, but Mary has misgivings about Fiona’s husband. In fact, she googles his name and find he’s a regular on Goodreads. She reads all his reviews and finds him obnoxious. Mary’s musings about Fiona’s husband and his Goodreads judgements and critiques are hilarious. And is a “bubbleologist” a real thing for children’s birthday parties?
Mary lives much of her life in her head. And she’s exhausted, very exhausted. A toddler and a kindergartner will do that.
It’s an easy hour listen that is funny and intelligent. Thank you to GR Friend Lisa for steering me to this one!
Mary is the mother of two, with her oldest going to kindergarten. All the other moms seem to be sparkly and put together, while Mary is wearying ratty 9 year old yoga pants. She meets Fiona who has a daughter in the same kindergarten class as Mary’s. Fiona is far more opinionated. The ladies strike a friendship, but Mary has misgivings about Fiona’s husband. In fact, she googles his name and find he’s a regular on Goodreads. She reads all his reviews and finds him obnoxious. Mary’s musings about Fiona’s husband and his Goodreads judgements and critiques are hilarious. And is a “bubbleologist” a real thing for children’s birthday parties?
Mary lives much of her life in her head. And she’s exhausted, very exhausted. A toddler and a kindergartner will do that.
It’s an easy hour listen that is funny and intelligent. Thank you to GR Friend Lisa for steering me to this one!
December 19, 2020
I love Thorpe's wicked sense of humor and the way she gets right to the essence of Mary and Fiona's friendship. And oh yes - there is a part where Mary stalks Fiona's husband's reviews on Goodreads - so funny. Free to Audible members via their new streaming feature. I'm ready for another novel by Rufi Thorpe.
November 1, 2020
This was a fun and insightful story about the friendship between 2 mothers of young tots. One friend gets a bit paranoid about the husband of the other and that's when the fun starts; like looking up his GoodReads account and complaining about his reviews and finding special meaning in them and in the books he reads! LOL I laughed every time she made reference to these. My only complaint is that it was too short - one hour. In fact, it's a one hour freebie from Audible/Amazon.
October 19, 2020
3.5 Stars
This is a story about marriage, motherhood and suburbia, which ordinarily wouldn’t appeal to me by the description, but when I saw it was by Rufi Thorpe, whose novel, The Knockout Queen I recently read, I added it. This doesn’t quite live up to her novel, but at less than an hour of listening time, this was one that had me remembering the early years of driving carpool, and having little time to do more than meet the demands of motherhood and work.
Mary drives her child to and from school ’with hair dented by sleep’ but doesn’t really socialize with the other parents because they ’didn’t feel real to her. She’s depressed, and seems to prefer things to avoid making friends, until she meets Fiona. Fiona is also married, but even though Mary doesn’t seem to really get to know Fiona’s husband, she doesn’t like him. When she starts ‘following’ his reviews on Goodreads, where he is among the top readers followed, her dislike intensifies, especially when he dislikes a book she loved.
Filled with unreasonably ridiculous moments, this was an amusing, if not completely fulfilling story.
February 25, 2021
Rufi Thorpe understands all the nuance between people and in this case it's two women brought together through children at the same school, and how their relationships shift, how feelings get hurt, how people fight differently, and what to do when you hate your friend's spouse. I listened to this on one trip to pick up a kid at school so that was a good time to do it. I think this is one of those titles I originally downloaded for free from Audible.
August 4, 2024
Made me so uncomfortable, in a good way. Her characters are so nuanced.
September 30, 2020
I love how the author included inner dialogs so realistically (to my inner dialogs anyway) and how she portrayed the different relationships. (5 stars)
But the story seemed to end right in the middle, maybe a third of the way in - super disappointing! I want to know what happens next, how things get resolved... (2.5 stars)
But the story seemed to end right in the middle, maybe a third of the way in - super disappointing! I want to know what happens next, how things get resolved... (2.5 stars)
September 2, 2020
This story was sublime. A quick tale of new friendship, motherhood, and marriage that doesn’t pick sides but, as Rufi so excels at, examines the gray areas of differing opinions. The characters in her stories debate but the winner is never clear cut. No one is perfect.
As this one is only available through Audible, credit also to Lauren Fortgang for her narration. Rufi’s ear for dialogue is razor sharp and Lauren does it justice.
As this one is only available through Audible, credit also to Lauren Fortgang for her narration. Rufi’s ear for dialogue is razor sharp and Lauren does it justice.
September 1, 2020
So, I feel like this started out on a good note. Two good friends who seemed to really get along. Sure, there’s a lot of complaining, but sometimes we just need to vent to our friends.
Then, one night one just totally flips the switch. Does it mess with their friendship?
Then, one night one just totally flips the switch. Does it mess with their friendship?
December 27, 2020
3.5 stars
I thought the ending was a bit abrupt and unsatisfying, but Thorpe, once again, deeply explores character.
I thought the ending was a bit abrupt and unsatisfying, but Thorpe, once again, deeply explores character.
September 1, 2023
Beautifully Gutpunching & Utterly Heartrending
It's hard to not feel extremely self conscious about reviewing a story that has a protagonist who lambasts reviews, but I think I understand the point being made extremely effectively and how little it actually has to do with reviews themselves. I'm still going to try my best.
I completely adored this short story. I was just talking to my partner about how I have come to discover just how much I enjoy these viscerally human stories of people, most often women, in such raw and emotional situations that are simply their lives. This extrapolation of how life happens and we find ourselves floating out to sea with no idea how we got there, or rather knowing, but having been made to feel we need to keep quiet and not even see it. There's just something so powerful about short stories like this that drag me into the lives of these people and rain their emotional blows, trials, and tribulations upon me that gives me some kind of connection and empathy that helps with my own difficulties. The short story format works so perfectly for these rich slivers of another's experience, and this is an exemplary example of that.
The performance is really something and makes the writing sing.
I wish I had more brainpower and better words to describe just how wonderful I found this story. I heartily recommend it, though your mileage may vary, and I will absolutely be reading more from this author.
It's hard to not feel extremely self conscious about reviewing a story that has a protagonist who lambasts reviews, but I think I understand the point being made extremely effectively and how little it actually has to do with reviews themselves. I'm still going to try my best.
I completely adored this short story. I was just talking to my partner about how I have come to discover just how much I enjoy these viscerally human stories of people, most often women, in such raw and emotional situations that are simply their lives. This extrapolation of how life happens and we find ourselves floating out to sea with no idea how we got there, or rather knowing, but having been made to feel we need to keep quiet and not even see it. There's just something so powerful about short stories like this that drag me into the lives of these people and rain their emotional blows, trials, and tribulations upon me that gives me some kind of connection and empathy that helps with my own difficulties. The short story format works so perfectly for these rich slivers of another's experience, and this is an exemplary example of that.
The performance is really something and makes the writing sing.
I wish I had more brainpower and better words to describe just how wonderful I found this story. I heartily recommend it, though your mileage may vary, and I will absolutely be reading more from this author.
March 8, 2022
Mary loves a simple life: wife and mother. She’s content with things, dealing with everyday stresses we all face. When her youngest starts school and makes a new best friend, Mary is introduced to Fiona, another mother living and surviving.
As their friendship depends, Mary can’t help but have the strongest dislike for Fiona’s husband, Andreas. In her attempt to find as many things wrong with him as possible, she puts her friendship at risk.
I was just passing time with this book. There was no major plot twist or epic climax. It was just a simple story about a mother trying to figure out her life and making mistakes along the way.
Chose this for Popsugar 2022 Reading Challenge, prompt: A Book with a Misleading Title.
As their friendship depends, Mary can’t help but have the strongest dislike for Fiona’s husband, Andreas. In her attempt to find as many things wrong with him as possible, she puts her friendship at risk.
I was just passing time with this book. There was no major plot twist or epic climax. It was just a simple story about a mother trying to figure out her life and making mistakes along the way.
Chose this for Popsugar 2022 Reading Challenge, prompt: A Book with a Misleading Title.
November 17, 2020
I loved this. Don't understand all the negative reviews. For me this audio-book captured all the ways conversations can go wrong with completely ordinary people. The way it tackled self absorption, awkwardness, pettiness, misunderstandings, and even love was quite natural. It's a very character driven book, very slice of lifey, and if that's your thing go for it. There's no real plot here, but for this book it works. All the characters seemed real in this 50 some minute short. 4.5 out of 5 for me.
April 15, 2021
Short and sweet little musing on the messiness of friendship and interpersonal relationships as parents and mothers that cuts straight to the bone of our awkward humanity, the ironic universality of our differences and how that keeps of from being with each other, and a reminder that we’re all weird and uncomfortable animals.
I could really relate to Mary’s gregariousness and her attempts to overcome it, sometimes being self critical or self depreciating. The recurring use of relating to things as if they were book reviews was clever.
Definitely worth the short read.
I could really relate to Mary’s gregariousness and her attempts to overcome it, sometimes being self critical or self depreciating. The recurring use of relating to things as if they were book reviews was clever.
Definitely worth the short read.
February 16, 2021
This was a short story and it was very much just “middle of the road” okay. Nothing memorable, nothing terrible - just kind of the literary equivalent of beige. It started promising but then just meandered until the end with no direction or conclusion.
*DISCLAIMER* I try to review books on their own merit or against the author’s other works. I recognize that it is not equitable or useful to compare emerging authors against long-established authors.
*DISCLAIMER* I try to review books on their own merit or against the author’s other works. I recognize that it is not equitable or useful to compare emerging authors against long-established authors.
March 12, 2024
This was... different, I suppose.
A mother is bored with her life, and when she learn that her best friend's husband writes book reviews on Goodreads, she does the same thing herself, but for everyday events and troubles, possibly as a coping mechanism.
It was unortodox, for sure, but I, more often than not, enjot stories that shape around women and talk about real problems that real women struggle with, so, I enjoyed this, too.
A mother is bored with her life, and when she learn that her best friend's husband writes book reviews on Goodreads, she does the same thing herself, but for everyday events and troubles, possibly as a coping mechanism.
It was unortodox, for sure, but I, more often than not, enjot stories that shape around women and talk about real problems that real women struggle with, so, I enjoyed this, too.
October 15, 2020
Cute little story of two women's friendship and the modern complexities of life. They're both married with young kids. I'm not really sure why Mary felt unhappy really, I guess it's more of modern life and feeling a need to be and show yourself to others as happy all the time? Maybe I didn't get it lol.
November 28, 2020
I started listening, got interrupted, and didn’t come back to the story until several days later. This may have impacted my appreciation for the story, as I had no idea what was going on when I returned. I finished, but didn’t really enjoy it, and didn’t like either of the women enough to go back and listen to the beginning again.
February 22, 2023
Audible Freebie
In a 2 hr audiobook you can get nuanced characters or you can get plot. They're isn't enough time to do both. This one has the characters. Can't complain that a story this short left me wanting more.
Reminded me of a modern version of a Shirley Jackson story which often explore the ennui or malaise of an average person living an average life.
In a 2 hr audiobook you can get nuanced characters or you can get plot. They're isn't enough time to do both. This one has the characters. Can't complain that a story this short left me wanting more.
Reminded me of a modern version of a Shirley Jackson story which often explore the ennui or malaise of an average person living an average life.
July 9, 2024
Honestly I didn’t find it funny, perhaps it was too close to home for that. It wasn’t brutally serious or unrelenting though, but honest. As a young girl it was scary, because it’s a genuine depiction of life as a women, with Fiona and Mary feeling more than characters. It explored gender roles in modern society so well and was really very clever, if a little slow off the bat for me.
September 25, 2020
I liked this;) At first the two female friends seemed a little irritating and then this short story suddenly turned into a snapshot of themes surrounding class, gender equality, vulnerability and sharing between friends.
December 16, 2021
What?! Of course this wasn't a last-minute listen at the very end of year chosen solely because it's only an hour long and I was in danger of not meeting my 52-book goal; I totally wanted to read this dumb audible short.
January 18, 2023
An interesting short story about the relationships of a mom with her husband and friend. Loved that the character stalks the hubby’s GoodReads reviews. Hopefully none of my friends are reading/critiquing mine.
November 10, 2023
This is such a great book. It's not my typical genre, but I've been trying some new things lately. It was a wonderful palate cleanser for me after reading multiple thrillers back to back. I loved the relationship between Fiona and Mary. The author clearly has an incredible sense of humor.
September 5, 2020
3/10 Too short and nothing really happened.
September 28, 2020
I have no idea what I just listened to. Some sort of weird stream-if-conscious mental health crisis?
October 7, 2020
A short story about friendship and marriage. Didn’t really go anywhere, but has potential.
October 10, 2020
Although I knew this was short, I hoped it would still have potential. This one didn’t do it for me.
October 18, 2020
A short booklet on nothing, and has nothing to offer subsequently.
November 11, 2020
This book was over before I even processed it had started. Not impactful, unfortunately.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews