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Marrying the Ketchups
An irresistible comedy of manners about three generations of a Chicago restaurant family and the deep-fried, beer-battered, cream cheese-frosted love that feeds them all--from the best-selling author of Girls in White Dresses
Here are the three things the Sullivan family knows to be true: the Chicago Cubs will always be the underdogs; historical progress is inevitable; and their grandfather, Bud, founder of JP Sullivan's, will always make the best burgers in Oak Park. But when, over the course of three strange months, the Cubs win the World Series, Trump is elected president, and Bud drops dead, suddenly everyone in the family finds themselves doubting all they hold dear.
Take Gretchen for example, lead singer for a '90s cover band who has been flirting with fame for a decade but is beginning to wonder if she's too old to be chasing a childish dream. Or Jane, Gretchen's older sister, who is starting to suspect that her fitness-obsessed husband who hides the screen of his phone isn't always "working late." And then there's Teddy, their steadfast, unfailingly good cousin, nursing heartbreak and confusion because the guy who dumped him keeps showing up for lunch at JP Sullivan's where Teddy is the manager. How can any of them be expected to make the right decisions when the world feels sideways--and the bartender at JP Sullivan's makes such strong cocktails?
Outrageously funny and wickedly astute, Marrying the Ketchups is a delicious confection by one of our most beloved authors.
Here are the three things the Sullivan family knows to be true: the Chicago Cubs will always be the underdogs; historical progress is inevitable; and their grandfather, Bud, founder of JP Sullivan's, will always make the best burgers in Oak Park. But when, over the course of three strange months, the Cubs win the World Series, Trump is elected president, and Bud drops dead, suddenly everyone in the family finds themselves doubting all they hold dear.
Take Gretchen for example, lead singer for a '90s cover band who has been flirting with fame for a decade but is beginning to wonder if she's too old to be chasing a childish dream. Or Jane, Gretchen's older sister, who is starting to suspect that her fitness-obsessed husband who hides the screen of his phone isn't always "working late." And then there's Teddy, their steadfast, unfailingly good cousin, nursing heartbreak and confusion because the guy who dumped him keeps showing up for lunch at JP Sullivan's where Teddy is the manager. How can any of them be expected to make the right decisions when the world feels sideways--and the bartender at JP Sullivan's makes such strong cocktails?
Outrageously funny and wickedly astute, Marrying the Ketchups is a delicious confection by one of our most beloved authors.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 26, 2022
About the author
Jennifer Close
6 books996 followersJennifer Close is the best-selling author of Girls in White Dresses and The Smart One. Her new novel, The Hopefuls, will be out in July 2016. Born and raised on the North Shore of Chicago, she is a graduate of Boston College and received her MFA in Fiction Writing from the New School in 2005. She worked in New York in magazines for many years. She now lives in Washington, DC, and teaches creative writing at George Washington University.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,969 reviews
December 28, 2022
Such a delightful novel about a dysfunctional family members who deals with their mid-life crisis with their own unique ways!
3 generations of a family runs a Chicago restaurant: the founders: Bud and Rose who has heartfelt love story you may easily adore are the grandparents.
They resume their problematic lives till sudden tragedy hit them so hard: Bud: Pillar of their family passes away! This incident brings out so many bottled up feelings of three cousins who start to question their life decisions including Teddy who’s about to lose his patience as he works with his stubborn uncle who rejects any changing idea about the restaurant and his ex who keeps showing up at the restaurant holds him back, Gretchen: 90’s cover band singer, sick of surviving in NYC life style and wedding gigs she gets, moving to Chicago for a fresh start and Jane finds out her husband’s new gym habits absolutely a great sign indicates he’s aiming another women. Now she has to question what’s best for her and children after the separation!
And let’s forget Rose: trying to adjust her life in assisted living when she deals with grief, Riley granddaughter, struggling to adjust in high school life with inappropriate advances of boys and social media bombardment which ruins anything about her personal life.
The characterization was well developed. The story of the family was picking your interest. Not as interesting as the author’s previous works but it’s still well executed, good written story about self discovery, second chances, generation gaps, love, grief, fresh starts!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Knopf Doubleday Publishing for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
3 generations of a family runs a Chicago restaurant: the founders: Bud and Rose who has heartfelt love story you may easily adore are the grandparents.
They resume their problematic lives till sudden tragedy hit them so hard: Bud: Pillar of their family passes away! This incident brings out so many bottled up feelings of three cousins who start to question their life decisions including Teddy who’s about to lose his patience as he works with his stubborn uncle who rejects any changing idea about the restaurant and his ex who keeps showing up at the restaurant holds him back, Gretchen: 90’s cover band singer, sick of surviving in NYC life style and wedding gigs she gets, moving to Chicago for a fresh start and Jane finds out her husband’s new gym habits absolutely a great sign indicates he’s aiming another women. Now she has to question what’s best for her and children after the separation!
And let’s forget Rose: trying to adjust her life in assisted living when she deals with grief, Riley granddaughter, struggling to adjust in high school life with inappropriate advances of boys and social media bombardment which ruins anything about her personal life.
The characterization was well developed. The story of the family was picking your interest. Not as interesting as the author’s previous works but it’s still well executed, good written story about self discovery, second chances, generation gaps, love, grief, fresh starts!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Knopf Doubleday Publishing for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
Shelved as 'dnf-did-not-finish'
December 22, 2022I read 50 pages and when you mention politics +/- 10 times in 50 pages, I just feel like it's being shoved down my throat and you're not telling me a story. I get it, 2016 was traumatic for you. Regardless of your political views matching my own or not, I don't want it repeatedly mentioned over and over. Love a family drama, don't care who you voted for 🤷🏻♀️ I read to escape from this stuff!
May 18, 2022
I’m a huge sucker for big messy family dramas. The crazier (dare I say more real) the family, the more eccentric, the better. “Marrying the Ketchups” is laugh-out-loud funny; Jennifer Close created a lively, loud, and loving Irish family tied together by a family-run restaurant and their mutual obsessions with the Cubs. Close begins her story in 2016 Chicago, at the start of the Cubs world series playoffs and before the divisive 2016 presidential election. The Cubs (the bums) are a running commentary through the novel. The turbulent political landscape provides additional fodder to Close’s keen observations.
Gretchen Sullivan is living in NYC at the beginning of the story, barely surviving as a lead singer for a ‘90’s cover band. Gretchen is in her 30’s, dating a man who doesn’t own a garbage can. Yes, she has failed to launch. After discovering her man is cheating on her, she decides to move back to Chicago. Her older sister, Jane, seemingly enjoys the perfect life with the perfect children and husband. Well, Close allows the reader to be inside the brain of Jane, and it’s hysterical! I totally related to Jane and her drive for perfection. At the beginning of the story, she’s trying to ween her toddler off the pacifier, and it brought back memories. In a sleep deprived moment, she looked at her son, aghast, and likened him to a little drug addict, while he writhed on the floor begging for his pacie like a stung-out heroin addict.
“He looked so pathetic that it made Jane’s heart race. If he was this addicted to pacifiers, what would happen when he was older? Heroin? Opioids? Jane wished she knew a mother of a current drug addict who she could call and ask about pacifier habits…”
Meanwhile, cousin Teddy just returned to the family womb after a heart-wrenching breakup with his boyfriend. Teddy managed a highly successful trendy restaurant which he needed to leave after Walter dumped him. Teddy intended to freshen-up the dated Sullivan’s, yet no one wanted the extra work. A new micro-brewery opened next door with complicated beers. Plus, “they served small trendy food that seemed to be designed for picky, obese children: chicken fingers breaded with Cap’n Crunch cereal, fried mac and cheese bites”. Teddy wants to attract new customers before the old ones die of old age.
Working part time is Teddy’s sixteen-year-old half-sister Riley who is a holy terror. The bartender, Brendon, is a little too familiar with the waitress staff. Teddy sees nothing but health code violations and angered customers.
When Jane finds out her husband has engaged in traitorous behavior, she too runs back to the family bosom with both toddlers. Now, Sullivan’s the restaurant is teeming with family.
The backdrop of the 2016 presidential election never leaves the story. The three cousins are trying to make sense of their personal imploding world and that of the country. Their existential angst is the energy that propels this highly entertaining family drama. Reading the story is a time-travel back to the shock of the election, the women’s movements, the marches, the unrest. The best part of the novel though is how the characters are all recognizable, flawed, angry, and human.
This is one of my 2022 favorites. I need to read more of Jennifer Close’s work!
Gretchen Sullivan is living in NYC at the beginning of the story, barely surviving as a lead singer for a ‘90’s cover band. Gretchen is in her 30’s, dating a man who doesn’t own a garbage can. Yes, she has failed to launch. After discovering her man is cheating on her, she decides to move back to Chicago. Her older sister, Jane, seemingly enjoys the perfect life with the perfect children and husband. Well, Close allows the reader to be inside the brain of Jane, and it’s hysterical! I totally related to Jane and her drive for perfection. At the beginning of the story, she’s trying to ween her toddler off the pacifier, and it brought back memories. In a sleep deprived moment, she looked at her son, aghast, and likened him to a little drug addict, while he writhed on the floor begging for his pacie like a stung-out heroin addict.
“He looked so pathetic that it made Jane’s heart race. If he was this addicted to pacifiers, what would happen when he was older? Heroin? Opioids? Jane wished she knew a mother of a current drug addict who she could call and ask about pacifier habits…”
Meanwhile, cousin Teddy just returned to the family womb after a heart-wrenching breakup with his boyfriend. Teddy managed a highly successful trendy restaurant which he needed to leave after Walter dumped him. Teddy intended to freshen-up the dated Sullivan’s, yet no one wanted the extra work. A new micro-brewery opened next door with complicated beers. Plus, “they served small trendy food that seemed to be designed for picky, obese children: chicken fingers breaded with Cap’n Crunch cereal, fried mac and cheese bites”. Teddy wants to attract new customers before the old ones die of old age.
Working part time is Teddy’s sixteen-year-old half-sister Riley who is a holy terror. The bartender, Brendon, is a little too familiar with the waitress staff. Teddy sees nothing but health code violations and angered customers.
When Jane finds out her husband has engaged in traitorous behavior, she too runs back to the family bosom with both toddlers. Now, Sullivan’s the restaurant is teeming with family.
The backdrop of the 2016 presidential election never leaves the story. The three cousins are trying to make sense of their personal imploding world and that of the country. Their existential angst is the energy that propels this highly entertaining family drama. Reading the story is a time-travel back to the shock of the election, the women’s movements, the marches, the unrest. The best part of the novel though is how the characters are all recognizable, flawed, angry, and human.
This is one of my 2022 favorites. I need to read more of Jennifer Close’s work!
February 16, 2022
As Jennifer Close reminds us, family is complicated. And so are my emotions about this book. On the one hand, the writing is lovely, and this book is clearly an exemplar character study. On the other hand, all the characters are miserable, unhappy people, and not much happens in the book.
I felt exhausted by the book because of the people in it. Every character is just so passive in their life and is always complaining about something — or someone — or other, and it’s hard to tell if any of them actually like each other. Trust me, I totally get that family often drives you a special kind of insane, but family is also a source of so much love and happiness. And that latter part felt missing. Instead, we just get too many pages of people doing stupid things, justifying them, and then continuing the cycle. You then get caught up in the minds of these characters who are harsh and hard on themselves, and I found myself starting to get annoyed and dragged down alongside them. The book is ostensibly about a family running a restaurant, but the fact that it follows just three of the family members (the family tree at the start has 13 names) made me feel like there was a missing thread that would tie the whole family together.
The book is set in 2016 after the Cubs have won the World Series and after Trump’s election, and, while I loved the addition of the Cubs‘ win to the storyline, the Trump part felt forced. It came across like Close thought she had to put the election in there given the timeline, not that she wanted to. The reactions to the election didn’t really add much to the story other than to point out the whiteness of the characters and their actions. Maybe it just felt like there weren’t really any stakes for them with the election? One character even remarks on that, saying, “It’s not as bad as you think. Nothing is really going to change for us.” Yes, there’s mention of what this (horrid) election means and what the characters are going to do to protest it, but it’s mostly a sentence every once in a while, and the emotions never really feel explored. All the talk of Trump felt surface-level and shoehorned-in and very, very white.
I do feel like Close really understands her characters, and she did a wonderful job of differentiating them and of describing them in a well-rounded fashion. I didn’t like them much, but I definitely saw where they were coming from and why they were acting the way they were (even if they annoyed the pants off me). The writing in this book was also wonderfully done. Close has an easygoing and approachable writing style, which makes this a read you can slip right into. The writing never weighs you down, and there are some parts that are delightful.
Not all books are for everyone, and I’m bummed this one wasn’t for me. I love the title and the cover and was so excited by the description, but the characters just couldn’t redeem themselves for me. If you’re someone who really enjoys in-depth studies of flawed characters and nice writing, this book will be right up your alley. This book will, for better or worse, definitely make you feel like you’re part of the Sullivan clan — annoyances and grievances included.
Special thanks to NetGalley, Knopf Doubleday, and Jennifer Close for proving me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I felt exhausted by the book because of the people in it. Every character is just so passive in their life and is always complaining about something — or someone — or other, and it’s hard to tell if any of them actually like each other. Trust me, I totally get that family often drives you a special kind of insane, but family is also a source of so much love and happiness. And that latter part felt missing. Instead, we just get too many pages of people doing stupid things, justifying them, and then continuing the cycle. You then get caught up in the minds of these characters who are harsh and hard on themselves, and I found myself starting to get annoyed and dragged down alongside them. The book is ostensibly about a family running a restaurant, but the fact that it follows just three of the family members (the family tree at the start has 13 names) made me feel like there was a missing thread that would tie the whole family together.
The book is set in 2016 after the Cubs have won the World Series and after Trump’s election, and, while I loved the addition of the Cubs‘ win to the storyline, the Trump part felt forced. It came across like Close thought she had to put the election in there given the timeline, not that she wanted to. The reactions to the election didn’t really add much to the story other than to point out the whiteness of the characters and their actions. Maybe it just felt like there weren’t really any stakes for them with the election? One character even remarks on that, saying, “It’s not as bad as you think. Nothing is really going to change for us.” Yes, there’s mention of what this (horrid) election means and what the characters are going to do to protest it, but it’s mostly a sentence every once in a while, and the emotions never really feel explored. All the talk of Trump felt surface-level and shoehorned-in and very, very white.
I do feel like Close really understands her characters, and she did a wonderful job of differentiating them and of describing them in a well-rounded fashion. I didn’t like them much, but I definitely saw where they were coming from and why they were acting the way they were (even if they annoyed the pants off me). The writing in this book was also wonderfully done. Close has an easygoing and approachable writing style, which makes this a read you can slip right into. The writing never weighs you down, and there are some parts that are delightful.
Not all books are for everyone, and I’m bummed this one wasn’t for me. I love the title and the cover and was so excited by the description, but the characters just couldn’t redeem themselves for me. If you’re someone who really enjoys in-depth studies of flawed characters and nice writing, this book will be right up your alley. This book will, for better or worse, definitely make you feel like you’re part of the Sullivan clan — annoyances and grievances included.
Special thanks to NetGalley, Knopf Doubleday, and Jennifer Close for proving me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
July 14, 2022
I loved Marrying the Ketchups, a modern family drama set in Chicago. In late 2016, Bud Sullivan, the owner of restaurant JP Sullivan’s, dies. Right after his death, the Chicago Cubs win the World Series and right after that, a new president is elected. The multi-generation Sullivan family is left to process all of these changes.
The story shifts viewpoints, primarily among the middle generation of Sullivans — Sisters Jane and Gretchen, and their cousin, Teddy. Gretchen returns home to Chicago after a breakup with her boyfriend and their band, slowly realizing they may not have ever made it past being a NYC area wedding band. Jane is a mom to 2 young kids and becoming suspicious of her husband’s late nights of work. Teddy returns to JP Sullivan’s to manage operations after Bud dies, but isn’t getting the appreciation he expected, especially after his own significant experience working in restaurants.
I can’t say I found this story funny in a classic comedic way, but there were plenty of relatable moments throughout the book — The dread of what’s to come in America following the 2016 election, the tension sometimes felt in extended families, and the at least occasional self-reflection, am I doing enough?
Highly recommend this contemporary family story — 4.5 stars
The story shifts viewpoints, primarily among the middle generation of Sullivans — Sisters Jane and Gretchen, and their cousin, Teddy. Gretchen returns home to Chicago after a breakup with her boyfriend and their band, slowly realizing they may not have ever made it past being a NYC area wedding band. Jane is a mom to 2 young kids and becoming suspicious of her husband’s late nights of work. Teddy returns to JP Sullivan’s to manage operations after Bud dies, but isn’t getting the appreciation he expected, especially after his own significant experience working in restaurants.
I can’t say I found this story funny in a classic comedic way, but there were plenty of relatable moments throughout the book — The dread of what’s to come in America following the 2016 election, the tension sometimes felt in extended families, and the at least occasional self-reflection, am I doing enough?
Highly recommend this contemporary family story — 4.5 stars
June 15, 2022
This book was not incredibly fabulous. However, it was readable, and even though a lot of it made me very angry and I was ready to give up at 50%, I kept reading, thinking there would be a great ending since so many people loved this book. I was wrong.
Politics and being woke were brought up just too many times to seem natural. In my opinion, hatred on either side of the political parties shouldn't be so extreme in a book that is supposed to be fun to read.
Most of the characters were supposed to be adults. But, unfortunately, they didn't act that way, and they didn't grow very much.
*ARC provided by Netgalley, the publisher Knopf/Penguin Random House, and the author.
Politics and being woke were brought up just too many times to seem natural. In my opinion, hatred on either side of the political parties shouldn't be so extreme in a book that is supposed to be fun to read.
Most of the characters were supposed to be adults. But, unfortunately, they didn't act that way, and they didn't grow very much.
*ARC provided by Netgalley, the publisher Knopf/Penguin Random House, and the author.
May 21, 2022
[3.5] Every time I picked this novel up, I enjoyed delving into the lives of the Sullivan family. Close writes skillfully and sharply about her characters. She hones right in on the essence of family dynamics.
It was also easy to put down. There isn't much momentum or story - the book is basically loosely bound character sketches. But still quite enjoyable. And I will be checking out her backlist!
It was also easy to put down. There isn't much momentum or story - the book is basically loosely bound character sketches. But still quite enjoyable. And I will be checking out her backlist!
June 28, 2022
I have been looking forward to writing this review. I actually had a lot of fun tracing my progress, and telling folks to "dodge the bullet!" But truth be told, I really hate to pan a book. The authors work so hard to produce something they can be proud of, a story they want to tell. And different books strike people differently. We all know that. Perhaps it's unfair for me to tell people my strong opinion. But here in the review I get to explain why.
I did listen to it on audio in the car. There is always the chance that makes it worse. Well, what did I think? Well nothing happened really. Or stuff happened, but I wasn't engaged enough to care. I thought the three main characters were sort of unsufferable. There was a lot of our listening in to their internal dialogue, and I didn't care for their thoughts. In addition, the writing style was very "as if/like a", meaning that the author used every single line, or every other to compare each movement and thought to something else. Then you are stuck thinking about the other thing that doesn't remotely fit in the story. I swear if she cut those out, the book would be 1/4th to 1/6 the size. Slipping that sort of description works when its subtle and once in a while. So this one did not feel like it worked well for me.
Just in its last moments, I reflected on having listened to the Liz Taylor Ring on Audio, which I really liked. Similarly, three siblings have to figure out where they are going in life, how to re-narrate their own story and that of each others. But I really loved listening to that. And I liked and wanted to root for the characters.
I did not find the characters depthful. They had an annoying quality actually. I cared not for the conversation in their heads, or between them, and they made it hard for one to care for their goings-on. I love when a book has the characters or the dynamic grow. In this book nothing grew. A little nostalgia, a little regret and a spoonful of basically nothing chatter.
Its hard to also add this piece in this day and age. But this one felt like it was "trying to be woke." Set in 2016 in the days just following the fateful election result, is the exact setting of the book. But the viewpoints failed to emerge naturally. I felt there was some inadvertent virtue signaling. Nothing felt natural. They owned a restaurant. The 30's generation had to sort out their lives and begin again. Truly, it wasn't horrible. I listened to the whole damn thing, it couldn't have been that bad. And yet, one of the fabulous things about Goodreads, is that since I have read so many good books, is that all the next have to measure up. Curious to see how other people experienced it.
I did listen to it on audio in the car. There is always the chance that makes it worse. Well, what did I think? Well nothing happened really. Or stuff happened, but I wasn't engaged enough to care. I thought the three main characters were sort of unsufferable. There was a lot of our listening in to their internal dialogue, and I didn't care for their thoughts. In addition, the writing style was very "as if/like a", meaning that the author used every single line, or every other to compare each movement and thought to something else. Then you are stuck thinking about the other thing that doesn't remotely fit in the story. I swear if she cut those out, the book would be 1/4th to 1/6 the size. Slipping that sort of description works when its subtle and once in a while. So this one did not feel like it worked well for me.
Just in its last moments, I reflected on having listened to the Liz Taylor Ring on Audio, which I really liked. Similarly, three siblings have to figure out where they are going in life, how to re-narrate their own story and that of each others. But I really loved listening to that. And I liked and wanted to root for the characters.
I did not find the characters depthful. They had an annoying quality actually. I cared not for the conversation in their heads, or between them, and they made it hard for one to care for their goings-on. I love when a book has the characters or the dynamic grow. In this book nothing grew. A little nostalgia, a little regret and a spoonful of basically nothing chatter.
Its hard to also add this piece in this day and age. But this one felt like it was "trying to be woke." Set in 2016 in the days just following the fateful election result, is the exact setting of the book. But the viewpoints failed to emerge naturally. I felt there was some inadvertent virtue signaling. Nothing felt natural. They owned a restaurant. The 30's generation had to sort out their lives and begin again. Truly, it wasn't horrible. I listened to the whole damn thing, it couldn't have been that bad. And yet, one of the fabulous things about Goodreads, is that since I have read so many good books, is that all the next have to measure up. Curious to see how other people experienced it.
May 18, 2022
I can’t with the politics. We see it everyday on the news. At the end of the night I just want to sit down a read a good book and put that world aside. It’s gross to insinuate that every suburb is full of white people that don’t care about the world. Just write a good book that takes us out of reality. Enough…quite at page 80
November 20, 2022
QUICK TAKE: “He chopped garlic, set a pot of water to boil on the stove, and poured a healthy amount of kosher salt into it. He threw the garlic in a pan of olive oil and let it sizzle for just a minute before taking it off the heat. The smell began to relax all of them and Gretchen and Jane settled themselves at his counter and watched him cook. He poured them both large glasses of red wine and watched as their bodies physically relaxed. He could see the tightness in Jane’s jaw go away and he smiled. It was hard to feel bad about the world when the air smelled like garlic, when pasta nd cheese were being prepared, when you had a good glass of red wine.
Sautéed garlic could save the world.”
I mean…I want to EAT that paragraph. It is so visceral, evoking smells and emotions and feelings…and stomach grumbles. If books were comfort food, MARRYING THE KETCHUPS would be my go-to meal, because I could eat it all day. A multigenerational dramedy about close-knit family set against the backdrop of their Chicago-run restaurant, #MarryingTheKetchups is funny and witty and poignant and emotional, and it surprised the hell out of me. Many of you know I’m a huge fan of family dramas, so it’s not a huge surprise that I loved this book, but in the time since I finished MTK, I’ve actually recommended it to 3 other friends who similarly devoured and loved it. It’s THIS IS US meets THE BEAR (minus all that anxietyyyyy), a love letter to anyone with a big messy family or those of you who have worked in a restaurant (as a former server, I loved that the characters dreamt about the restaurant, as I still have similar anxiety-riddled dreams 14 years later where I’m back at my former restaurant forgetting orders and moving too slowly).
MARRYING THE KETCHUPS is available now. Thank you to my friends at @aaknopf for the gifted copy, this is for sure going to be one of my favorite books of the year.
Sautéed garlic could save the world.”
I mean…I want to EAT that paragraph. It is so visceral, evoking smells and emotions and feelings…and stomach grumbles. If books were comfort food, MARRYING THE KETCHUPS would be my go-to meal, because I could eat it all day. A multigenerational dramedy about close-knit family set against the backdrop of their Chicago-run restaurant, #MarryingTheKetchups is funny and witty and poignant and emotional, and it surprised the hell out of me. Many of you know I’m a huge fan of family dramas, so it’s not a huge surprise that I loved this book, but in the time since I finished MTK, I’ve actually recommended it to 3 other friends who similarly devoured and loved it. It’s THIS IS US meets THE BEAR (minus all that anxietyyyyy), a love letter to anyone with a big messy family or those of you who have worked in a restaurant (as a former server, I loved that the characters dreamt about the restaurant, as I still have similar anxiety-riddled dreams 14 years later where I’m back at my former restaurant forgetting orders and moving too slowly).
MARRYING THE KETCHUPS is available now. Thank you to my friends at @aaknopf for the gifted copy, this is for sure going to be one of my favorite books of the year.
June 8, 2022
Apparently now do I not only fail to recap what I’ve read in a timely manner, but also fail to even mark some books as currently reading . . . .
Really the only thing I have to say here is . . . .
I wanted this one as soon as I saw the title. For those of you in the know, you’ll recognize right away this is most likely in some way, shape, or form a story about a restaurant . . . .
And not about . . . . .
As I said, I was interested in this simply for the title and cover and actually broke my own practice of not reading the blurb. When I found out this really was going to be about a family owned restaurant, and not only that but one in Chicago that jumps off when this has occurred . . . .
Wellllll, you might be able to take the girl outta Illinois, but you can’t take the Illinois outta the girl.
I’m not sure about “outrageously funny,” but this really was a charmer. I love stories about families and I love the “fly on the wall” approach to storytelling where you’re just plunked in the middle of the Sullivans’ dynamic and get to enjoy the ride. This one was light on the drama, and heavy on the maybe you can go home again.
Warning to anyone who lives in the Oak Park suburb: You may find yourself triggered by the accuracy of this author’s knowledge . . . .
“I want to live in a place where people care about each other. Where people aren’t just showing off for each other.”
“You think people in Oak Park aren’t showing off for each other? It’s just about different things, like who has the most tote bags and who’s the most vegan of all the vegans.”
#nailedit
I loved this book.
♬♪♫ Hey Chicago whaddya say? The Cubs are gonna win today! ♫♪♬
Really the only thing I have to say here is . . . .
I wanted this one as soon as I saw the title. For those of you in the know, you’ll recognize right away this is most likely in some way, shape, or form a story about a restaurant . . . .
And not about . . . . .
As I said, I was interested in this simply for the title and cover and actually broke my own practice of not reading the blurb. When I found out this really was going to be about a family owned restaurant, and not only that but one in Chicago that jumps off when this has occurred . . . .
Wellllll, you might be able to take the girl outta Illinois, but you can’t take the Illinois outta the girl.
I’m not sure about “outrageously funny,” but this really was a charmer. I love stories about families and I love the “fly on the wall” approach to storytelling where you’re just plunked in the middle of the Sullivans’ dynamic and get to enjoy the ride. This one was light on the drama, and heavy on the maybe you can go home again.
Warning to anyone who lives in the Oak Park suburb: You may find yourself triggered by the accuracy of this author’s knowledge . . . .
“I want to live in a place where people care about each other. Where people aren’t just showing off for each other.”
“You think people in Oak Park aren’t showing off for each other? It’s just about different things, like who has the most tote bags and who’s the most vegan of all the vegans.”
#nailedit
I loved this book.
♬♪♫ Hey Chicago whaddya say? The Cubs are gonna win today! ♫♪♬
May 29, 2022
This is ultimately a warm and wonderful book about rolling with the punches, the capacity of everyday life to surprise (not always pleasantly - although sometimes), and the day to day trick of balancing tradition and stability with the inevitability of risk and change and the need for adaptability over time. It’s an immersive little family drama/character study snapshot, taking place largely in and around the interesting setting of a long-standing suburban Chicago family restaurant business, that explores the intersection of a number of things happening for the family and the world all at once: a surprising person is - unexpectedly for many, especially in this quirky neighborhood - elected President; the kindly grandfather/patriarch/glue of the family and the restaurant biz passes suddenly away; his strong-willed wife needs to move, reluctantly, into assisted living; several other family members at various life stages contend with the kinds of career and relational upheaval and transition that tend to occur at certain times in a person’s developmental trajectory unless you are somehow immune to life’s happenings (if so, well then - congrats); and most shocking of all, the Cubs actually, finally win the World Series! Jennifer Close is a fluent and lively writer and I thought this book was funny and smart. It’s another one that helped me escape my fiction slump, and the awesome food descriptions didn’t hurt a bit.
June 1, 2022
I’m such a huge fan of all forms of character driven family dramas, but this one sadly just did not hit the mark for me. It was an easy read and the story flowed (for the most part), but that was about it. I’m kinda kicking myself for not DNFing it at the halfway mark just due to how frustrating and angry the characters made me, but I kept going thinking that the author was setting them up for growth. I was wrong. Each of the characters in this story were adults, but all they did is complain and their characters had very little if any growth. It was really hard to read about such unlikeable characters and in the end, they were just unredeemable and annoying. This might have been because the author focused on the each character’s past experiences and relationships, rather than creating a story of growth in the present-day narrative.
I should also note that the author had her own political agenda in this book. Politics and being woke were brought up from the very first page and took away from the focus of the story. It just felt like it didn’t fit and the hatred from both political parties felt excessive.
There are a lot of rave reviews for this book, so I highly recommend you check them out.
I should also note that the author had her own political agenda in this book. Politics and being woke were brought up from the very first page and took away from the focus of the story. It just felt like it didn’t fit and the hatred from both political parties felt excessive.
There are a lot of rave reviews for this book, so I highly recommend you check them out.
June 30, 2022
Since childhood, I've enjoyed stories about large families, because, well . . . I was an only child. (Before you waste any tears over thoughts of my lonely upbringing, know that I was a kid during the late sixties, and was surrounded by the other products of the tail end of the Baby Boom; nearly every house in my neighborhood contained one to three potential playmates.) I was drawn to the idea of having siblings, but reading about them instead of experiencing them in the flesh meant never having to share my toys.
Close's fun book features the wacky tribe of Sullivans, a Chicago-based, restaurant-owning family, all of who seem slightly shell-shocked by the death of their beloved patriarch, and the election of Donald Trump. (It's a world gone mad, I tells ya!) The author touches all the bases here: unhappy marriages, and doomed couplings, mourning spouses, noisy children, and oh, so many shared meals, and she does so with a light, humorous touch. Her dialog, in particular, features many laugh-out-loud lines.
In all, this was just an enjoyable book.
I'm still happy to be an only child, though . . .
Close's fun book features the wacky tribe of Sullivans, a Chicago-based, restaurant-owning family, all of who seem slightly shell-shocked by the death of their beloved patriarch, and the election of Donald Trump. (It's a world gone mad, I tells ya!) The author touches all the bases here: unhappy marriages, and doomed couplings, mourning spouses, noisy children, and oh, so many shared meals, and she does so with a light, humorous touch. Her dialog, in particular, features many laugh-out-loud lines.
In all, this was just an enjoyable book.
I'm still happy to be an only child, though . . .
May 30, 2022
If you like big, messy multigenerational family dramas and/or have ever worked in a restaurant this one is for you. Set in the shadow of the 2016 presidential election, the Sullivan family is regrouping after the death of their patriarch. The book centers around a family-owned restaurant in the Chicago suburbs and follows Bud's three grandchildren—all in their 30's—as they figure out what they want in life and where they fit in the family and the restaurant's operations. This book had such rich characters and I felt like the family dynamics and restaurant politics were both spot on! Truly enjoyed this one.
June 1, 2022
The book and story in general I would give four stars, if not five. The writing style jumps around a bit but whatever. That’s not my issue. My issue is soap boxing your political beliefs onto everyone. You don’t have to like a president or their policies, but to basically center your book around your hatred for Trump and how basically him being elected to President ruined lives and was the cause of marriages failing etc, it’s all just too much. I respect a persons right to their own opinion, but this book makes you feel like that if you don’t agree with the author, then you are a piece of shit too. If I wanted to read about politics and global warming, I would read non-fiction. This was all too much for what should have been an enjoyable family drama type book.
Quotes from the book:
“Jane hadn’t wanted to leave her house after the election because she knew most of her neighbors were pleased with the results.” On the more liberal side of town, they also basically ran one couple out of the neighborhood for voting for Trump and said “good riddance.” -page 62
“The week after the election, Jane couldn’t stop crying” -page 71 (really?????? Pathetic)
Kids ran around wearing pussy hats (wtf?) -page 91
“She wondered how many meals were ruined across the country in this specific way” - page 119 (in reference to two couples dining and one man speaking about his support for Trump).
“Jane knows three other couples who have started therapy after the election.” “The election isn’t Mike and Jane’s only problem, but it has sped things up.” page 125
“They started talking politics, about the danger of this stupid president. Fuck him.” -page 190
Ok ok I think you catch the drift. So basically Trump is the scapegoat for all the worlds problems. From ruined dinners, to couples in therapy to global warming. According to the author Trump is the worst thing to have ever happened. If the author wasn’t so whiny and complaining and left out all the political bullshit, the book would have been amazing. Or I guess if you hate Trump maybe you will like this. There’s just too much hate in this world…so why spot light it and then be intolerant of other peoples differing views and perspectives?
Quotes from the book:
“Jane hadn’t wanted to leave her house after the election because she knew most of her neighbors were pleased with the results.” On the more liberal side of town, they also basically ran one couple out of the neighborhood for voting for Trump and said “good riddance.” -page 62
“The week after the election, Jane couldn’t stop crying” -page 71 (really?????? Pathetic)
Kids ran around wearing pussy hats (wtf?) -page 91
“She wondered how many meals were ruined across the country in this specific way” - page 119 (in reference to two couples dining and one man speaking about his support for Trump).
“Jane knows three other couples who have started therapy after the election.” “The election isn’t Mike and Jane’s only problem, but it has sped things up.” page 125
“They started talking politics, about the danger of this stupid president. Fuck him.” -page 190
Ok ok I think you catch the drift. So basically Trump is the scapegoat for all the worlds problems. From ruined dinners, to couples in therapy to global warming. According to the author Trump is the worst thing to have ever happened. If the author wasn’t so whiny and complaining and left out all the political bullshit, the book would have been amazing. Or I guess if you hate Trump maybe you will like this. There’s just too much hate in this world…so why spot light it and then be intolerant of other peoples differing views and perspectives?
August 25, 2023
This was my first book by the author and I really enjoyed it. 4.5 stars.
This is a family drama set in Chicagoland. First off, as a Chicagoland native I absolutely loved all the local references. And even though I am a White Sox fan, having the love of the Cubs and their recent World Series Win tied into the storyline was so fun.
This novel is definitely character driven and the author does a fantastic job of highlighting the dynamics of a close knit family that runs a businesss, a restaurant in this case, together. You know it’s gonna have great, rich character development when there is a family tree drawn out in the front.
The family dynamics and struggles that each character has are so relatable and I found myself shaking my head yes as so many conclusions they came to at different parts of their lives.
This would be a fantastic book club read, lots to discuss from divorce, to raising teenagers to sisterhood to family dynamics across generations, etc.
This is a family drama set in Chicagoland. First off, as a Chicagoland native I absolutely loved all the local references. And even though I am a White Sox fan, having the love of the Cubs and their recent World Series Win tied into the storyline was so fun.
This novel is definitely character driven and the author does a fantastic job of highlighting the dynamics of a close knit family that runs a businesss, a restaurant in this case, together. You know it’s gonna have great, rich character development when there is a family tree drawn out in the front.
The family dynamics and struggles that each character has are so relatable and I found myself shaking my head yes as so many conclusions they came to at different parts of their lives.
This would be a fantastic book club read, lots to discuss from divorce, to raising teenagers to sisterhood to family dynamics across generations, etc.
May 16, 2022
This was such a witty, feel-good multigenerational family story set in Chicago. I loved the third person narration by Cassandra Campbell as we get to know a full cast of the Sullivans - a restaurant family dealing with secrets, infidelity, divorce, death and just a gamut of relatable life moments. Perfect for fans of The most fun we ever had by Claire Lombardo and excellent on audio. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance review copy!
July 29, 2022
I just loved this. A story about family that gave me all the laughs and feels of Parenthood (tv show and movie). The simple sarcasm was perfect (“every word in the English language was stupid”). Adored Teddy, Gretchen and Jane (and Riley!). And the grandparents Bud and Rose- my grandparents were Bud and Jan 😭❤️. My one gripe- sandwich loaf 🤢🤢🤢.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 9, 2023
What a fun, entertaining, funny book! I love family dramas and books set in restaurants, especially when they describe the food in good detail. And I’m always down for a character-driven read! The Sullivan family revolves around their restaurant, Sullivans. It’s a place for them to work, gather, host family dinner, and of course, family arguments. The youngest adults, sisters Jane and Gretchen, and their cousin Teddy are all in their mid-30s and going through it. Jane’s marriage is over once she suspects her husband of cheating, Gretchen’s longtime boyfriend and band mate cheats on her with another band mate, causing her to flee back to Chicago to work at Sullivans, and Teddy’s ex boyfriend is lurking around.
As the three of them come to terms with their new lots in life, things change dramatically for them. Teddy is entangled with his ex, causing him to wallow in angst and self-disgust. Gretchen realizes that she’s the baby of the family in more ways than one, and when is she going to grow up Peter Pan? And Jane finds out the truth about her husband, which brings on all sorts of self-esteem issues…and rage. They’re all working at the restaurant again for the first time in forever, and with the good comes the bad. As their family holds the struggling restaurant tighter in their grips, the three of them butt heads, make mistakes, and generally make a mess of things for a while. I won’t give the rest away, but I thought this book was heartwarming, funny, entertaining, smart, and lovable! Not an action packed plot-driven novel, but one that made me feel like I was a Sullivan for a little while!
As the three of them come to terms with their new lots in life, things change dramatically for them. Teddy is entangled with his ex, causing him to wallow in angst and self-disgust. Gretchen realizes that she’s the baby of the family in more ways than one, and when is she going to grow up Peter Pan? And Jane finds out the truth about her husband, which brings on all sorts of self-esteem issues…and rage. They’re all working at the restaurant again for the first time in forever, and with the good comes the bad. As their family holds the struggling restaurant tighter in their grips, the three of them butt heads, make mistakes, and generally make a mess of things for a while. I won’t give the rest away, but I thought this book was heartwarming, funny, entertaining, smart, and lovable! Not an action packed plot-driven novel, but one that made me feel like I was a Sullivan for a little while!
April 26, 2022
First appeared at https://www.thenewdorkreviewofbooks.c...
If you are a Chicagoan, the fall of 2016 was the absolute epitome of the "best of times, the worst of times." The Cubs won their first World Series in 108 years...and then six days later, there was an election, and I don't remember the rest, but I think it was really bad.
These are the backdrop events for Jennifer Close's fantastic new novel, Marrying the Ketchups. Sullivan family patriarch Bud has dropped dead of a heart attack. In his wake, he's left an institution Oak Park restaurant and a devastated family. A life-long Cubs fan, poor Bud checked out just before that rainy November night in Cleveland when the Cubs lifted a century-old curse, and that fact alone is all the more devastating to his family.
The restaurant Bud started in the early 1970s is still the cornerstone of all the Sullivans' lives, even as their lives have diverged away from the friendly confines and outdated decor of Sullivan's. After Bud's death, the novel tells the story of the Sullivan family from the perspective of three characters.
Gretchen is mid-30s, living in New York City and fronting a popular 90s cover band. When her boyfriend, also the band's guitarist, cheats on her, she dissolves the band and moves back to Chicago to live above the restaurant. Her older sister Jane lives a bougie Lake Forest life with her rich husband (who she suspects is cheating on her) and her two kids. And then Gretchen and Jane's cousin Teddy, the restaurant's floor manager, gets dumped by his boyfriend, only to begin an affair with him after he's engaged to another guy. So yeah, all their lives a little bit of a mess. But they take comfort in each other, in between shouting matches and disagreements. Just your normal family...
The meat of the novel is each of these characters evaluating their romantic relationships, their relationships to each other, and crucially, their relationship to the restaurant, the symbol of the ties that bind their family together.
If you were a fan of Claire Lombardo's The Most Fun We Ever Had, you'll love this book. I absolutely did — a definite favorite of the year so far.
If you are a Chicagoan, the fall of 2016 was the absolute epitome of the "best of times, the worst of times." The Cubs won their first World Series in 108 years...and then six days later, there was an election, and I don't remember the rest, but I think it was really bad.
These are the backdrop events for Jennifer Close's fantastic new novel, Marrying the Ketchups. Sullivan family patriarch Bud has dropped dead of a heart attack. In his wake, he's left an institution Oak Park restaurant and a devastated family. A life-long Cubs fan, poor Bud checked out just before that rainy November night in Cleveland when the Cubs lifted a century-old curse, and that fact alone is all the more devastating to his family.
The restaurant Bud started in the early 1970s is still the cornerstone of all the Sullivans' lives, even as their lives have diverged away from the friendly confines and outdated decor of Sullivan's. After Bud's death, the novel tells the story of the Sullivan family from the perspective of three characters.
Gretchen is mid-30s, living in New York City and fronting a popular 90s cover band. When her boyfriend, also the band's guitarist, cheats on her, she dissolves the band and moves back to Chicago to live above the restaurant. Her older sister Jane lives a bougie Lake Forest life with her rich husband (who she suspects is cheating on her) and her two kids. And then Gretchen and Jane's cousin Teddy, the restaurant's floor manager, gets dumped by his boyfriend, only to begin an affair with him after he's engaged to another guy. So yeah, all their lives a little bit of a mess. But they take comfort in each other, in between shouting matches and disagreements. Just your normal family...
The meat of the novel is each of these characters evaluating their romantic relationships, their relationships to each other, and crucially, their relationship to the restaurant, the symbol of the ties that bind their family together.
If you were a fan of Claire Lombardo's The Most Fun We Ever Had, you'll love this book. I absolutely did — a definite favorite of the year so far.
April 30, 2022
Pretty hard to get through the first chapter. Characters are unappealing and too much political nonsense. Added to my Garbage folder. So glad this was from the library and not a purchase.
April 29, 2022
Sadly, the title is the best part.
May 31, 2022
I went into this pretty blind and therefore I was a bit surprised by what I read. I expected a comical family saga, instead it was a realistic family drama. To be honest, there were some moments I laughed out loud, but generally I thought the family was all in need of a therapist. In despite of the much needed therapy sessions, I was enamoured by them. They had me cheering them on and in some of their moments I was like “yes, I get that completely.” It was real life.
The meaning of the title is almost hidden until half way through and it was clever. I won’t look at a ketchup bottle the same way.
If you like larger than life families, if you enjoyed “We are the Brennans”, I would suggest this is an excellent choice for you. Irish, Catholic and flawed through all generations.
“… she was filled with relief (although she didn’t know she had forgotten) that no matter what mistakes she made, she didn’t always choose the wrong people to be in her life, that sometimes she chose exactly right.”
The meaning of the title is almost hidden until half way through and it was clever. I won’t look at a ketchup bottle the same way.
If you like larger than life families, if you enjoyed “We are the Brennans”, I would suggest this is an excellent choice for you. Irish, Catholic and flawed through all generations.
“… she was filled with relief (although she didn’t know she had forgotten) that no matter what mistakes she made, she didn’t always choose the wrong people to be in her life, that sometimes she chose exactly right.”
May 9, 2022
Thank you AA Knopf for gifting me a copy of Marrying the Ketchups!
This character-driven novel centers around the Sullivan family; three generations struggling with the ups and downs of life while trying to run a family business. Gretchen has returned home after a failed music career, Jane thinks her husband is having an affair, and Teddy struggles with his self-esteem and making good choices. Set in 2016, the author touches on the election, the Cubs winning the World Series, marriage, death, teenage angst, finding yourself, and starting again. All of these characters felt flawed and real to me and I enjoyed the ease of the writing. I was definitely caught up in each character's lives and laughed and cried with each of them.
This character-driven novel centers around the Sullivan family; three generations struggling with the ups and downs of life while trying to run a family business. Gretchen has returned home after a failed music career, Jane thinks her husband is having an affair, and Teddy struggles with his self-esteem and making good choices. Set in 2016, the author touches on the election, the Cubs winning the World Series, marriage, death, teenage angst, finding yourself, and starting again. All of these characters felt flawed and real to me and I enjoyed the ease of the writing. I was definitely caught up in each character's lives and laughed and cried with each of them.
March 18, 2023
DNF at 38%. This author put her own political belief in every freaking chapter. We get that you don’t like trump but she literally mentioned him 72 times in what I listened to. I wanted to chop my own ear off before I’d listen to anymore. I usually pick a up a book to escape what’s happening in the world.. not this. I was really excited for this one cause I LOVE family dramas but it was a major letdown.
June 21, 2022
Laughing at the snowflake reviewers who apparently can’t stand anything progressive in their books. And who are clueless about Oak Park, IL (guess what? It’s suuuuuuuper “woke” progressive and YEAH the characters would have been quite concerned about the Trump presidency. Sad!).
May 4, 2022
Marrying the Ketchups offers a peek into everyday life for an ensemble cast of siblings and cousins, who are connected both by blood and their shared stake in Sullivan’s, a family restaurant in Chicago. More character-driven than plot-driven, the novel emphasizes the characters’ past experiences and relationships, rather than offering any real progression to the present-day narrative.
This one reminded me of Good Company, Morningside Heights, or The Paper Palace - a snapshot story about ordinary people and their ordinary lives. This one stands out from the crowd a little bit, due to its heavy political themes and anti-Trump sentiments (so intense at times that it becomes unnecessarily melodramatic!), but beyond that, it’s pretty much standard women’s-fiction fare: someone mourning a breakup, someone dealing with infidelity in their marriage, someone giving up on the NYC performing arts scene and moving back home.
If a friend asked me to describe what I thought of this book, I’d probably shrug and say “Eh.” I guess I never really connected with all of the midlife crises, the infidelity, the “I-can’t-get-my-shit-together” lifestyles from people who are supposed to be grown adults, or the fresh & gutwrenching panic over an election of a candidate whose entire term is now in the rearview mirror.
The book wasn’t horrible, and some of the characters were likeable at times. The author’s writing style was fine. But nothing about the story felt super important or necessary—it just felt like something that’s already been done before. 2.5 stars rounded down, because when I finally finished reading, I actually said “ugh FINALLY” out loud.
This one reminded me of Good Company, Morningside Heights, or The Paper Palace - a snapshot story about ordinary people and their ordinary lives. This one stands out from the crowd a little bit, due to its heavy political themes and anti-Trump sentiments (so intense at times that it becomes unnecessarily melodramatic!), but beyond that, it’s pretty much standard women’s-fiction fare: someone mourning a breakup, someone dealing with infidelity in their marriage, someone giving up on the NYC performing arts scene and moving back home.
If a friend asked me to describe what I thought of this book, I’d probably shrug and say “Eh.” I guess I never really connected with all of the midlife crises, the infidelity, the “I-can’t-get-my-shit-together” lifestyles from people who are supposed to be grown adults, or the fresh & gutwrenching panic over an election of a candidate whose entire term is now in the rearview mirror.
The book wasn’t horrible, and some of the characters were likeable at times. The author’s writing style was fine. But nothing about the story felt super important or necessary—it just felt like something that’s already been done before. 2.5 stars rounded down, because when I finally finished reading, I actually said “ugh FINALLY” out loud.
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May 19, 2022No rating. DNF
Even pathetic Cubs fans are not often this miserable, clueless complaining or as willing to share naive based angst unhappiness. It's like very poor sit com speak.
Characters are unlikable and narrator voice too arrogant at the same time. Even within Oak Park, IL standards. No go for me before page 50.
Politico shoving in continual pattern is also obnoxious. But that I can take much more than cretin complainers.
Even pathetic Cubs fans are not often this miserable, clueless complaining or as willing to share naive based angst unhappiness. It's like very poor sit com speak.
Characters are unlikable and narrator voice too arrogant at the same time. Even within Oak Park, IL standards. No go for me before page 50.
Politico shoving in continual pattern is also obnoxious. But that I can take much more than cretin complainers.
December 11, 2021
4+++
A great family saga about an Irish family in Chicago and their restaurant that is the hub of their lives. Great characters combined with current issues and lots of typical family angst.
Loved it!
Released in April 2022.
A great family saga about an Irish family in Chicago and their restaurant that is the hub of their lives. Great characters combined with current issues and lots of typical family angst.
Loved it!
Released in April 2022.
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