Review: Meet the Newmans by Jennifer Niven

Bestselling author Jennifer Niven does not disappoint with her latest offering Meet the Newmans. Set in 1964, it tells the story of "America's favourite family". For years now, the Newman's have starred as themselves in a top rating television sitcom, and previously, a radio serial. There is Del, the father who is also writer and director of the series, who has fought hard to make Meet the Newmans the success that it is. Then there is wife Dinah, who comes across as the perfect wife and mother on the screen. Finally there are sons Guy, whose recent TV storylines about an engagement might be hiding a different reality from the public and Shep, a popular musician both on and off screen. The Newmans have been a wholesome staple of American television for so long but now, the times, and the ratings are changing. As the series faces cancellation and when Del is seriously injured in a car accident Dinah finds herself tasked with writing the final episode of Meet the Newmans. Then she finds herself asking for help from feminist journalist Juliet and, suddenly, the finale might not be what America is expecting ...

Meet the Newmans is an entertaining read and a very interesting nostalgic glimpse at American television during an era of intense social change. I have to be honest and admit that prior to picking this novel up and realising that it had to be based at least loosely on a real life sitcom, I had never heard of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. Regardless of that, the author explains the situation well and makes it believable. (That said, I imagine this book will have special relevance for those who know Ozzie and Harriet.) The ending is absolutely fitting and satisfying.

Overall a well crafted and fun read about social change.

Recommended.

Thank you to Pan Macmillan Australia for my ARC. 

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