Less is Lost by Andrew Sean Greer

May 14, 2023

Less is Lost by Andrew Sean Greer

Arthur Less returns for another entry in the continuing saga of his life. He and his partner Freddy Pelu are in a steady relationship, his novels are moderately successful, and overall, life is going well. But then the death of a former lover causes not only emotional blow but a financial crisis as well. Arthur is forced to find a way to pay the back rent on The Shack, their tiny but beloved San Francisco home. So while Freddy is away on a three month sabbatical in New England (where Arthur was supposed to join him), Arthur is instead racing around the southwest with an eccentric author trying to complete an interview for which he'll get paid, while also serving as a judge for a gay literary prize (also for money), accompanying an acting troupe performing a play adapted from one of his books (yes, and got paid for it), and returns to his Delaware home town for a speaking tour, all with somewhat disastrous results. And his long-estranged father decides to get in touch.

Light and entertaining. Even at the age of 50+, Arthur is sweet, hopeful and earnest. I actually think this sequel is better than the first book. Freddy is the narrator of the books and we learn more about his life. Arthur is constantly being confused with another writer by the same name, which makes for some entertaining confusion. One complaint is that the chapters are VERY long - I would have preferred breaking them up into shorter segments.

Rossina, the VW minibus that Arthur travels the South in