No Ordinary Matter: A Novel

by Jenny McPhee

Jenny McPhee's critically acclaimed debut, The Center of Things, was hailed by O, The Oprah Magazine as "a smart novel of love, lust, and life's miraculous randomness." The New York Times Book Review called it "an engaging novel about big ideas." In her delightful new novel, No Ordinary Matter, McPhee turns her razor-sharp pen on the offbeat worlds of soap operas, mistaken identities, private detectives, and sibling rivalries as she deftly navigates the territory between coincidence and fate.
Veronica Moore writes for a daytime drama while secretly composing a musical and has fallen in love with Alex Drake, who plays a neurologist on her show. Lillian Moore is a neurologist who is pregnant from a one-night stand. Veronica and Lillian have hired Brian Byrd, P. I., to uncover the mystery surrounding their father's death. Before they know it, unexpected answers come crawling out of the woodwork. The sisters meet monthly at the Hungarian Pastry Shop, where they entangle their futures and unravel their pasts, setting the stage for a series of revelations that will change the course of everyone's lives. This fast-paced narrative is full of situations worthy of the steamiest of soaps, and yet McPhee renders this fantastical world delightfully ordinary.
No Ordinary Matter is as addictive as a soap opera, as high-kicking as a Broadway show, as insightful as an MRI, and as satisfying as a buttery croissant. With its sly charm and witty sophistication, McPhee's new novel is another sparkling gem from a rising literary star.

Genres: Fiction

272 pages, Paperback

First published May 25, 2004

About the author

Jenny McPhee is the author of the novels A Man of No Moon, No Ordinary Matter, and The Center of Things. She is the coauthor with her sisters Martha and Laura of Girls: Ordinary Girls and Their Extraordinary Pursuits. Her translations include Paolo Maurensig's Canone Inverso, and Crossing the Threshold of Hope by Pope John Paul II.
Her short stories and articles have appeared in Bookforum; Brooklyn Review; Descant; Glamour; Glimmer Train; Harper’s Bazaar; The New York Times and Zoetrope.
She is on the board of The Bronx Academy of Letters. She is presently living in London where she co-runs The Upper Wimpole Street Literary Salon.

Favorite Quote: “I read poetry to save time.” –Marilyn Monroe

Reviews

[Leo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I flew through the book, forgetting my time spent and surrounding, which is usually a good sign. But after some time, I hardly remember anything of it and the it didn't give any particular feelings for it. A low 3 stars.

[Meghan]

So rarely do I give up on a book I actually bought (rather than borrowed from the library), but after 50 pages and still no character motivation or perspective elucidation, I had to. I thought it was an intriguing, soapy plot, but it was one of the coldest third person narratives I've read in some time. I don't always agree with Nancy Pearl. Alas, book - farewell.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this author, and this is her best book. The novel is about two sisters, their goals, and how they achieve them. Recommended for people who savor coincidence, making plans, and the little details of life.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jenny McPhee writes a good read. Her writing is fluid, taking you into the lives of her characters. The story is about a writer for soap operas whose life is turned into a soap opera. To McPhee's credit, the book remains believable although the characters range from unusual to strange to downright weird.

[Marcelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

No redeeming value. So slow moving. I skipped ahead but then gave up and quit when it didn't improve or move faster. Didn't finish and then threw the book away.

[Mary Feeley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A dysfunctional family who life changes in minutes when the younger sister is in an accident with father. She wakes up in a hospital and finds out her father has died. The aftermath still affects them 25 years later. Veronica the youngest writes for a daytime soap opera while she works on her true passion her musical. Older sister Lillian has a disconnect when it comes to human relationships . Lillian is a neurologist , who decides she wants to get pregnant. This book and the life of these to sisters is better and more complex than the soap opera Veronica works on. A wild , confusing ride that some how keeps you reading , just so you can see what happens next

[Andrea Ezerins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally engaging book. Fast paced. Loved the part set in Sri Lanka. The sisters were both great characters.

[Rosanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too, too unbelievable. Soap-operal like. Really so surreal as to be silly. But -- still -- fun.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a no-brainer for me...a witty, semi-outlandish novel about a soap opera writer and her neurologist sister. The plot of the novel parallels the kind of material the protagonist is writing, but the characters, thoughtful and engaging, keep the book grounded and relatable.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute.

[Jillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

interviewed the author

[Joy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don't believe everything you read in the reviews on this one. Not a very probable story, I never got into it.

[Diane C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. Read The Center Of Things a few years ago. Jenny Mcphee's writing is fun, smart, observant and timely.

[Mariah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing is strangely cool and detached. Interesting twists. I liked how the relationship between the sisters played out - they could be different, yet still close.

[Meg]

"Hilarious and weird."

[Sofie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like this book for two reasons:
every motive of the main characters is explicitly and thoroughly explained
the plot is held together with too many and too big a coincidences

[Glenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A soap opera writer with a life that is straight from a soap opera. Interesting and fun.