Book Review: "This is Just Exactly Like You" by Drew Perry

Title: This is Just Exactly Like You

Author: Drew Perry

Publisher: Viking Publishing

ISBN, PUB Date: 0670021547, April 1, 2010

Reviewed by: Denien Robbins for Author Exposure

Jack Lang is going crazy in suburbia. His wife, Beth, has grown tired of his harebrained ideas which he starts and never follows through on. Their house constantly remains what can only be called "a work-in-progress". Most recently, Jack decided to remodel their kitchen. After knocking holes in the walls and starting to tile the floor, he abandons the project altogether and impulsively buys an identical house directly across the street. His plans to do minor work and sell it for a tidy profit are intolerable for Beth. Fed up, she leaves Jack and their six-year-old son, Hendrick. With little fanfare, she moves in with Jack's best friend and business partner, Terry. Terry is newly separated from his longtime girlfriend, Rena, who is the last piece in their old foursome of friends. When Rena hears the news, she pays Jack a visit and ends up staying. Despite the madness going on around him, six-year-old Hendrick, who is autistic, finally begins to communicate verbally—in fluent Spanish. This, of course, surprises all of the adults and also gives his parents a glimmer of hope.

This Is Just Exactly Like You takes a somewhat humorous look at people's ability to create strange situations for themselves and the confusion that follows. It is funny, sad, and hopeful all wrapped up in one novel. Readers who enjoy quirky novels and don’t mind some dark humor would enjoy this book. Aside from the plot which touches on infidelity, it has no strong language or graphic sexual content.