Less by Andrew Sean Greer

 

Andrew Less is not having a good year.  His most recent novel has been passed on by his long time publisher.  His boyfriend of nine years is getting married to someone else and even worse, has invited Andrew to come to the wedding.  To cap things off, he's turning fifty in a few years.

But Less has a plan.  He is constantly getting invitations to conferences, writing retreats, places to review for magazine articles and travel with friends.  He looks at his recent ones and decides to accept them all.  That will take him abroad for a couple of months with stops in Mexico, Germany, France, the Arabian desert and Japan.  It should be safe to return by then.

As Less travels, he meets a wide variety of characters.  Some become lovers while others become friends and memorable individuals he'll never forget.  He has adventures wherever he is but his trusty blue suit which is his touchstone takes him through anything.  Whenever he meets an acquaintance he refuses to hear anything about Freddy's wedding and plows on.  He is accused of being a bad gay but also singled out as someone who has the best blind luck of anyone.  

Andrew Sean Greer is an American author whose books have garnered much praise, with this one winning a Pulitzer Prize.  Readers fall in love with Andrew Less as do the people in his life and those he meets.  He stumbles through with exquisite manners and never quite sure what is next but he is endearing and memorable.  This book is recommended for readers of literary fiction.