Plotless: A Coming-of-Middle-Age Story

by Sarah Lea Glover

Inertia is a property of matter and of marriages. Lori is a nurturing type who avoids conflict, priding herself on her adaptability. Parenting keeps her too busy to face her eroding relationship with independent Ike, who is consumed by his job. Receiving only crumbs of attention and affection has left Lori starved, so she throws herself into helping others and finds that a unique new friendship gives her some of the companionship and fulfillment she’s been missing. A series of wake-up calls jolts both Lori and Ike into unavoidable conflict and self-examination, climaxing over fears for their young daughter, Claire.

Plotless has been called a nonconformist love story for middle-aged people. Many of us are feeling frustrated and fragmented in our lives and relationships. We know something is out of whack, but we’re just too damn tired to deal with it. Written as a series of vignettes, journal entries, and lists, this novel will surprise and validate readers as the protagonist and her small family break the inertia and figure out what works for them.

294 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 29, 2023

Reviews

[T. Albright · Rating 5 out of 5]

The phrase "the magic in the mundane" kept coming to mind. Lori lives a quiet life filled with quiet magic, relatable to anyone who has ever wanted to change the world while also struggling just to get the dishes and laundry done. A moving debut from an new author. I can't wait to see what Sarah does next!

[Janay Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm usually not the biggest fan of "no plot, all vibes" books and stories but this one I really enjoyed. So relatable and I love the dark humor of the main character. I really connected to the main character Lori's struggle of standing up for herself and communicating her needs in her relationships, while at the same time trying to keep the peace. Been there. And if anyone ever tells you they have never made a pro and cons list of their relationship to their significant other, just know, they are lying lol. Overall a good read about the re-evaluation of who we are in middle age and who we want to continue being or not being.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not plotless, tho I think Lori may have thought her life was! It held my attention from beginning to end. With interesting characters, it focuses on Lori, a woman who is considering her relationships, her life choices, and her ability to choose what she wants. Her solution is innovative.