Plus One

September 15, 2014
In his first novel, journalist Noxon, the husband of TV writer-producer Jenji Kohan (Weeds, Orange Is the New Black) doesn’t stray far from his own experience in writing about Alex Sherman-Zicklin, a former marketing executive (last campaign: soystrami) whose wife, Figgy, is the creator of the hit TV series, Tricks, about a suburban housewife who runs a prostitution ring out of a scrapbooking shop (sound familiar?). Alex stays home to take care of their two young children and accompany his more successful wife to various industry functions. His descent into Hollywood marriage purgatory begins when Figgy wins an Emmy and has a “Swank moment,” forgetting to thank him in her acceptance speech. A rat sighting in their home sends Alex into the byzantine world of L.A. residential real estate. To complicate matters, Alex worries that Figgy might be having an affair with Zev, her Israeli director of photography. The last blow, though, comes when Alex finds out that Figgy has gone off the pill and wants another child. His response sets off a climactic marital crisis. Noxon (Rejuvenile) channels the ’80s semi-classic, Mr. Mom, with a Hollywood makeover. But despite some deft observations about the L.A. parenting scene, Alex’s story seems inconsequential.

September 1, 2014

This comic debut novel by a Los Angeles-based journalist Noxon (Rejuvenile) revolves around a Hollywood self-identified misfit family. Alex Sherman-Zicklin (he's the Sherman; wife Figgy is the Zicklin) is quickly becoming the shadow man to Figgy's Emmy Award-winning writing career. Together they've been a powerhouse quirky couple, tackling life challenges to put together their superfamily, a modern forward-thinking nucleus, parenting with grace and humor. But now Alex seems to be losing Figgy to the power of show business as her career takes off and he is left behind, the increasingly proverbial "plus one" with other hangers-on and spouses just trying to make it to the magic "California ten"--the decade of marriage required for the good payout in a divorce settlement. Suddenly Alex takes another look at the state of his marriage, his family, and his status in the world, wondering where he stands in this new Figgy-centric universe. VERDICT For fans of Rainbow Rowell and similar keenly insightful truth tellers, this fresh male take on modern relationships is too smart, focused, and funny to pass up.--Julie Kane, Sweet Briar Coll. Lib., VA

Copyright 2014 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2014
In the L.A. entertainment world, Alex Sherman-Zicklin is a plus one. The Emmy ceremony invitation is addressed to his wife, Figgy, creator and writer of the cable show Tricks, about a housewife running a prostitution ring out of a scrapbooking shop, and the invitation notes, plus one. Then long shot Tricks takes the best comedy award, Figgy makes a snappy acceptance speech, and she's catapulted into higher levels of celebrity and income. So Alex gives up his job to become a domestic first responder, handling the home front, with kids Sylvie, 7, and Sam, 10. Once he's managed the purchase, renovation, and move into a Mediterranean mansion near Griffith Park, he's left with buying protein at a boutique meat market; daydreaming about Miranda, the butcher who works there; and ditching plans to write a book, as demands on Figgy escalate. Debuting novelist Noxon, himself a plus one to a top TV writer-producer, pens a brisk romp that's sometimes laugh-out-loud funny as it deals with the serious issues of roles and communication in a marriage. And just picture this on the big screen, with Jason Bateman as the lead.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)