Going Together

Paul and Helen meet by coincidence on a Los Angeles subway platform. Neither of them is interested in boarding the approaching train. But, without admitting as much to the other, each suspects the other is there for the same unhappy reason - that of being a `jumper.' Extraordinarily, they bump into each other later the same day at the edge of a pier where a rather comic and awkward scene ensues. Thus distracting each other from their original intentions, mutual interest is sparked. Paul, a popular men's advice columnist, and Helen, a high-class hairdresser, are both troubled personalities, with little hope in their prospective futures, and deep sadness from their respective pasts. Paul copes through relentless black humor, while Helen maintains an obsessively ordered environment around her, which nobody is allowed to penetrate, particularly not another man. Yet they fascinate each other. Going Together traces their relationship from its inauspicious and weird beginning through its serpentine twists and turns to its final conclusion and fulfilment. This is an extraordinary story of two tormented souls-who stumble into love, and into the prospect of a future, which neither is sure they even want. As Helen exclaims to Paul: "I find it hard to believe you're interested in beginnings. You're an ender." Going Together is both an unconventional love story and a story about love. It is set in a context and backdrop that is quirky and unorthodox. The main protagonists are in themselves deeply complex and idiosyncratic people, and as they become more fascinated by each other, the reader is drawn into that fascination. The story contains several other wonderfully off-the-wall characters, such as the homeless conman who ends up paying for Helen's parking, the hapless mugger who is anguished after shooting Paul, and the visually impaired helicopter pilot. This is a book filled with memorable characters, surreal incidents, and circular conversations. The atmosphere and location of Los Angeles pervades the whole story. Going Together must be one of the most unusual love stories ever written. Armchair Interviews says: Quirky and satisfying.

Really enjoyed this book - picked it up on a whim. Follows 2 previously married people both toying with the idea of suicide who get to know each other and beat around the bush on the very subject that brought them together. Very funny in places. Very awkward in others. I will certainly be looking out for Mr Grossman's next book. If you liked 'This book will save your life' by A.M. Homes you will surely also appreciate this.

I found this book very innovative, clever, and extremely funny. It's a quick read and you get more entertainment for the buck than I have seen for a long time. I highly recomend this book and hope the author is working on another.

I did read this fresh novel in two days, gave it to my wife and she had to laugh as I did, which is a tremendous achievement of the author. We were instantly attached to the main characters and could recognize the awkward situations as we would see a movie instead of reading a very entertaining novel. The psychological strain causing the whole story doesn't come through but this is a minor flaw.