What do you think?
Rate this book
Starting from Square Two
Starting from Square Two by Caren Lissner released on Feb 23, 2004 is available now for purchase.
296 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
5 people are currently reading
384 people want to read
About the author
Caren Lissner
12 books121 followersCaren Lissner is the author of CARRIE PILBY (rereleased July 1, 2010) - a humorous novel about a 19-year-old genius who graduated from Harvard three years early and doesn't know how to fit in, socialize, and date in New York City. The main character believes many of the people she meets to be immoral and hypocritical, and has a lot to learn. How far should she go to fit in with others her age? The (wonderfully fun and creative) movie version, also called Carrie Pilby, was filmed in January, 2016 in New York City and premieres in September at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival! Where will it go next? Keep watching! See www.carenlissner.com for more!
Lissner also published the novel Starting from Square Two, and several essays and humor pieces in the New York Times and McSweeney's.net. She lives in beautiful New Jersey. Feel free to e-mail her at lizzner@aol.com (PLEASE put "carrie pilby" in the subject head so she doesn't think it's spam) and LIKE the Carrie Pilby-the Movie page on Facebook. The book was re-released in July 2010 via Harlequin Teen and was back on shelves at Barnes and Nobel and at barnesandnobel.com in summer of 2016. See www.carenlissner.com.
Lissner also published the novel Starting from Square Two, and several essays and humor pieces in the New York Times and McSweeney's.net. She lives in beautiful New Jersey. Feel free to e-mail her at lizzner@aol.com (PLEASE put "carrie pilby" in the subject head so she doesn't think it's spam) and LIKE the Carrie Pilby-the Movie page on Facebook. The book was re-released in July 2010 via Harlequin Teen and was back on shelves at Barnes and Nobel and at barnesandnobel.com in summer of 2016. See www.carenlissner.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 25, 2017
I am a big Caren Lissner after reading the brilliant Carrie Pilby. I was expecting more of the same (hilarious, heartwarming comedy), but got a nice surprise in this one - this one is the opposite. Carrie Pilby makes you laugh out loud, this one makes you think.
Why? Because Starting From Square Two's main character, Gert, already had a perfect life, and then became a widow due to an accident, now is 29 and is - starting again, this time from square two.
I'm reminded a bit of Lena Finkle's Magic Barrel: A Graphic Novel, in the sense that this book was way out of my comfort zone (ie the main thrust of it is finding a boyfriend), and yet I was engaged throughout. Don't ask me how, I just was!
In any case, this is like Sex and the City, but with real life problems, namely that Gert is dealing with things she doesn't want to deal with, doing things she doesn't want to do, and learning lessons throughout. I highly recommend it!
October 2, 2009
I wanted to read this book because I really enjoyed her first novel, Carrie Pilby. Right from the get-go though, this novel really irritated me in all its chick-lit stereotypical glory.
Gert is recently widowed and hangs around her two single friends, Hallie and Erika. Both are jaded to the world of dating, Hallie never having had a successful relationship and Erika constantly obsessing over her ex-boyfriend Ben. Gert seems like she’ll be the one to keep this book together. She even has the potential to be a strong, single woman. But no, right from the start she’s in a bar meeting guys because no woman can be complete without a man.
The only reason I didn’t chuck this book out of my second story window to be shred into a million pieces by the air conditioner unit below is because of the guy Gert ended up meeting at the bar. His name is Todd, he works as some sort of railroadenginieer and he’s about the greatest guy who’s ever graced the pages of a chick-lit novel. He’s kind, thoughtful and considerate and does just about everything right.
Gert doesn’t treat him as well as she should and both her and her friends agree that Todd does some things which are insensitive and warrant an apology. These things are SO SMALL I don’t understand how the woman was successfully married before. Maybe that husband of hers really killed himself to be rid of her and her childish expectations of men.
If you want a light and fluffy read, please by my guest and dive into this book. You’ll fall in love with Todd and the (honest to God) most serious problem in this book is that Todd is working long hours and is too tired to give Gert 100% of his attention.
Wow.
Todd, I salute you! You’re a great guy and don’t deserve to be picked apart so much by Gert, Hallie and Erika. Better luck next time.
Gert is recently widowed and hangs around her two single friends, Hallie and Erika. Both are jaded to the world of dating, Hallie never having had a successful relationship and Erika constantly obsessing over her ex-boyfriend Ben. Gert seems like she’ll be the one to keep this book together. She even has the potential to be a strong, single woman. But no, right from the start she’s in a bar meeting guys because no woman can be complete without a man.
The only reason I didn’t chuck this book out of my second story window to be shred into a million pieces by the air conditioner unit below is because of the guy Gert ended up meeting at the bar. His name is Todd, he works as some sort of railroadenginieer and he’s about the greatest guy who’s ever graced the pages of a chick-lit novel. He’s kind, thoughtful and considerate and does just about everything right.
Gert doesn’t treat him as well as she should and both her and her friends agree that Todd does some things which are insensitive and warrant an apology. These things are SO SMALL I don’t understand how the woman was successfully married before. Maybe that husband of hers really killed himself to be rid of her and her childish expectations of men.
If you want a light and fluffy read, please by my guest and dive into this book. You’ll fall in love with Todd and the (honest to God) most serious problem in this book is that Todd is working long hours and is too tired to give Gert 100% of his attention.
Wow.
Todd, I salute you! You’re a great guy and don’t deserve to be picked apart so much by Gert, Hallie and Erika. Better luck next time.
November 4, 2017
Before reading this book, I thought I'd would be put off by the plot of a young widow getting back into dating after the loss of the love of her life. I did not find this off putting at all but rather absorbed by the author's skillful handling of a tough topic. This book is sensitive, funny at times, and very easy to relate to. Gert is portrayed so skillfully that I'd love to have an update on how she's doing now - 15 years appx. after this book. I guess one could criticize that the primary female characters really wanted a man and found meeting new men frustrating in New York City (after all it's full of people). However, the objects of desire, the male characters, were well portrayed. I'm currently reading two other books (one by a well known respected author) by male authors where the women just seem like beautiful objects for the male characters to possess and lament their loss. Both of the male characters are overwrought whiny men (granted they have managed to get themselves into bad situations) so I really appreciate a grounded female protagonist like Gert. Maybe that's why she feels so real to me.
February 22, 2018
Lissner develops very interesting scenarios, both in the overall story and in various episodes. I began reading her Carrie Pilby novel and have happily continued with this one. She is a thoughtful and careful writer, and reading her work is a thorough pleasure.
June 19, 2008
Again, far more depth than your average Red Dress Ink imprint book. A little too predictable though.
February 25, 2024
Très bon roman !
Super mignon !!
Super mignon !!
November 4, 2020
Print: 2/23/2004; Red Dress Ink; 296 pgs. eBook: 6/15/2012; Red Dress Ink; 296 pgs. Audio: Not available
SUMMARY / EVALUATION:
I watched the movie “Carrie Pilby” and noticed it was based on a book. So I looked up the details and found that, although I had to put a hold on the Pilby book, I could check out the eBook of the author’s 2nd publication—this one.
I don’t always get through eBooks very quickly but this one was engaging enough to only have to check it out twice to finish it.
This is a story about a 29 year-old widow, dealing with loss, and having to carry on despite it.
I liked the main characters, and found the other characters real enough. I liked the realism of friendships that don’t perfectly sync with one’s own personality, but are still satisfying and enduring. I liked that, while the main character was depressed, she still had an inner strength that buoyed her along. I particularly liked the acceptance and understanding she had to extend to the foibles of her friends.
AUTHOR:
Caren Lissner 2/13/1973: Ahhh, Caren is an Aquarius. This syncs well with her ability to write about the dedication to friends despite a sense of miss-match. Aquarians are all about friendships, so a good Aquarian understands the wisdom of acceptance, compassion and devotion in friendships as well as intimate relations.
According to Amazon, Caren is “A University of Pennsylvania graduate with a B.A. in English, she published both serious and humorous pieces in the New York Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, McSweeney's, and Weatherwise Magazine.”
GENRES / SUBJECTS:
Romance / young widowhood, friendships, support groups, dating, love, intimate relationships
LOCATIONS: New York, Boston
SAMPLE QUOTATION:
From Chapter 1:
“It is that bad,” Hallie said to Gert. “You have no idea what it’s like out there.”
Gert looked up at Erika, who was strap-hanging. They weren’t really straps, though. They were metal triangular things. When was the last time they were straps, Gert wondered.
She’s triangle-hanging, Gert thought to herself.
She’d have said it aloud if Marc were there. He liked corny observations.
Then she felt bad. It was impossible not to think of him in relation to everything. She’d done it for eight years of her life.
“Let me ask you a question,” Hallie said to her.
“Fine,” Gert said. “Ask me a question.”
“You were married to Marc for five years, and you dated him for three before that. In those eight years, did you come across even one other man who, had you been single, you would have considered dating?”
Gert shrugged. “I wasn’t thinking like that,” she said, “because I was with Marc.”
RATING:
I’m giving this four stars for being engaging and inspiring.
SUMMARY / EVALUATION:
I watched the movie “Carrie Pilby” and noticed it was based on a book. So I looked up the details and found that, although I had to put a hold on the Pilby book, I could check out the eBook of the author’s 2nd publication—this one.
I don’t always get through eBooks very quickly but this one was engaging enough to only have to check it out twice to finish it.
This is a story about a 29 year-old widow, dealing with loss, and having to carry on despite it.
I liked the main characters, and found the other characters real enough. I liked the realism of friendships that don’t perfectly sync with one’s own personality, but are still satisfying and enduring. I liked that, while the main character was depressed, she still had an inner strength that buoyed her along. I particularly liked the acceptance and understanding she had to extend to the foibles of her friends.
AUTHOR:
Caren Lissner 2/13/1973: Ahhh, Caren is an Aquarius. This syncs well with her ability to write about the dedication to friends despite a sense of miss-match. Aquarians are all about friendships, so a good Aquarian understands the wisdom of acceptance, compassion and devotion in friendships as well as intimate relations.
According to Amazon, Caren is “A University of Pennsylvania graduate with a B.A. in English, she published both serious and humorous pieces in the New York Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, McSweeney's, and Weatherwise Magazine.”
GENRES / SUBJECTS:
Romance / young widowhood, friendships, support groups, dating, love, intimate relationships
LOCATIONS: New York, Boston
SAMPLE QUOTATION:
From Chapter 1:
“It is that bad,” Hallie said to Gert. “You have no idea what it’s like out there.”
Gert looked up at Erika, who was strap-hanging. They weren’t really straps, though. They were metal triangular things. When was the last time they were straps, Gert wondered.
She’s triangle-hanging, Gert thought to herself.
She’d have said it aloud if Marc were there. He liked corny observations.
Then she felt bad. It was impossible not to think of him in relation to everything. She’d done it for eight years of her life.
“Let me ask you a question,” Hallie said to her.
“Fine,” Gert said. “Ask me a question.”
“You were married to Marc for five years, and you dated him for three before that. In those eight years, did you come across even one other man who, had you been single, you would have considered dating?”
Gert shrugged. “I wasn’t thinking like that,” she said, “because I was with Marc.”
RATING:
I’m giving this four stars for being engaging and inspiring.
May 28, 2019
I enjoyed reading Carrie Pilby so I thought something else by the same author would be just as enjoyable...it was not.
March 31, 2023
This was okay. I read it because I liked Carrie Pilby so
much and wanted to see if there was more from the same author, but this one doesn’t have the same uniqueness, the same spark.
much and wanted to see if there was more from the same author, but this one doesn’t have the same uniqueness, the same spark.
June 19, 2010
I inherited this book when I moved into my cube at work. It was ok but painful to go through this woman's analysis of going through the loss of her husband at the age of 29. boo hoo. Stupid book...kind of sucked.
August 30, 2010
The plot itself was good, and I enjoyed the main character, Gert. She was strong and inspiring in what she was able to overcome, and learn from. With that said, I found the story would drag on from time to time.
December 28, 2011
This book was okay. I really did feel that the story premise itself could have been executed better though. Gert (really, whhhy that name?) is a young widow and the book describes her struggles to move on. Her friends are kind of annoying and don't understand her -- and the end felt abrupt.
June 14, 2007
Great story about dating again after losing a spouse.
January 17, 2008
A Red Dress Ink book of a different color... I enjoyed it.
October 10, 2008
A young widow tries to re-enter the dating scene after five blissful years of marriage. It's intelligent chicklit and I really liked the main characters and the way their relationship grows.
September 24, 2017
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2011
Ehhhh...her friends were really annoying and the whole book felt rather shallow. I found myself reading it quickly so I could move on. End was good but not impressed with the rest.
June 6, 2012
Not my cup of tea when there are so many other books to read. I guess it would be a good beach read. I got half way thru it before another book from the library became available
March 1, 2010
Enjoyable...written with empathy and perspective.
June 29, 2011
I never got involved with these characters and hated the personalities of the two girlfriends.
Read
October 15, 2017I read this a long time ago and it feels really dated now.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews