Putting on the Ritz

Even better than the first book, Keenan's humorous take on gays and New York is entertainment of the first rank. Anyone who can do analogies to Gershwin, Philip Glass and Charlotte Corday has lots going for him in my book. This time Philip Cavanaugh gets roped in by Gilbert Selwyn into an on-going feud between rival millionaire publishing magnates. Philip knows better than to get involved in another of Gilbert's schemes, but gets trapped by love--the initiator of the plot is this beautiful man named Tommy Parker who Philip falls madly for. Of course, Claire gets involved as well (without knowing Gilbert's involvement or the actual scheme) and the books is an exciting ride to the last page.My only disappointment is that, as far as I know, Keenan hasn't written any other books. Someone hurry up and give that man a contract!

Joe Keenan was head writer and executive producer for Frasier. His trademark episodes always had some kind of mistaken identity, like the one where Frasier brings the new station manager home to meet Daphne, but the station manager is gay and thinks he is on a date with Frasier.This book is very funny. You won't be able to put it down, and Joe gets the characters into difficult situations that they have to get out of, and you will laugh all the way through. By the way, this book, and the first one with these characters, were the books that got Keenan his job on Frasier, so you can be sure his talent shines through.

A hilarious follow up to "Blue Heaven". Joe Keenan is perhaps one of the funniest and most talented writers alive. If this one doesn't get a laugh out of you you are dead. (you probably died laughing while reading "Blue Heaven"...) He has come up with characters that are as inventive and funny as his first novel, as well as being truly wicked parodies of certain New Yorker who shall remain nameless. I read this book when it came out years ago, and I still re-read it and Keenan's first at least once a year. As a matter of fact- I am going to log off and read them again right now.

This is one of the funniest books I've read in many years. Keenan's wit is sharp, his characters are hilarious. High humor is found in the fantastic descriptions of the rich-and-famous of New York, who are skewered delightfully. Meanwhile the simpler foibles of our narrator and his friends provide a milder, though still very funny, counterpoint. The plot concern our heroes: Phil, Claire and Gilbert, and their ill-fated foray into the world of multimillionaires and their well financed feuds. What follows is a bizarre yet plausible combination of domestic espianage, lounge singing, revenge, romance, and the introduction of an imitation French "that could best be termed 'Desperanto'". The book is highly crafted. Every sentence provides delightfully funny description or dialog combined with important plot information. The book culminates seemlessly in two amazing climaxes, combining all of the characters in the highest comedy. Am I getting repetitious? In general, Mr. Keenan would appear to be some sort of modern reincarnation of P.G. Wodehouse or E.F. Benson. Those who enjoy the comedy of human social life should love this book (unless they are actively homophobic, I suppose...) I would very much like for Mr. Keenan to write us another book, I would think that our heroic threesome (Claire, Phil and Gilbert) could go to Hollywood.

If you're happier listening to Noel Coward than Neil Simon and your idea of a great Sunday night includes Wooster and Jeeves, chances are good you'll love this book. Keenan combines a sharp sense of humor and self-depracating pathos to tell his story of romantic intrigue, impossible egos, and high rollers from Manhatten. Not all pratfalls, the story plays on the things we'll do for love and money. The characters are so well developed you can almost match them tycoon for tycoon in current NYC player politics. One of the few books that could genuinely make me laugh out loud not only while I read it, but while I remember it. Highly recommended for fellow spirits of a lost generation.