You Only Call When You're in Trouble: A Novel

Praise for You Only Call When You're in Trouble: A Novel

An IndieNext Pick for January 2024
One of Pure Wow's “9 Books we can't wait to read in January”
Named one of Electric Literature's “42 Queer Books You Need to Read in 2024”

“As he has done for nearly four decades, McCauley weaves a witty social critique from the interplay between his characters and the day’s breaking news. . . McCauley’s gifts for prose, plot and provocation are likely to offer you a few fast-flying hours in his sunny, slightly futuristic world.”
—Meredith Maran, The Washington Post

“A wryly funny family drama interlaced with astute observations on aging and academia.”
—People

“You Only Call When You're in Trouble. . . offers readers not only the expansive gift of laughter but, also, a more expansive image of what family can be.”
—Maureen Corrigan, NPR

“Shot through with bright dialogue and smart observations.”
–Joanne Kaufman, The Wall Street Journal

“Stephen McCauley sits on my I-know-it'll-be-funny-and-smart-about-people bookshelf right next to Elinor Lipman and Cathleen Schine. . . . McCauley is gifted at character details that are amusing but also help us understand why his people behave the way they do.”
—Chris Hewitt, Minneapolis Star Tribune

“Big hearted and quick witted. A boisterous family drama laced through with razor-sharp insight, this book will make you laugh, think, and want to call your mom—or your golden-hearted gay uncle, if you happen to have one handy.”
—Charley Burlock, Oprah Daily

“This moving and bewitching novel will lift your mood, inspiring you to want to be a better person. McCauley is at the apex of his extraordinary gifts.”
—Brian Bromberger, The Bay Area Reporter

“Brimming with his characteristic wit and withering observations of human behavior — [McCauley’s] new book You Only Call When You're in Trouble tells the story of family bonds, and why we tend to load up on the louses in our lives.”
—WGBH, The Culture Show

“To find another book this year as affecting or as heartening . . . is going to be one difficult task.”
—Steven Whitton, The Anniston Star

“A wonderful book. Stephen McCauley is one of my favorite writers...the best at these dysfunctional, melancholy, but thrilling...social comedies.”
—Bill Goldstein, on NBC's Today in New York

“Every page pleases. . . .The story is beautifully written and replete with laugh-out-loud pronouncements. . . . Add to this fully realized, empathic characters (well, a few of them are real stinkers), and you have an unmitigated delight and a book that you'll hate to see end.”
—Booklist (starred review)

“Another chronicle of modern disappointments and their occasional consolations from a master of the modern social novel.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“McCauley writes sentences that ring with the clear and true tones of melodies spun from crystal glassware. . . . This incandescent mixture of observational humor and humane characterizations makes Stephen McCauley worth calling on again and again.”
—Dave Wheeler, Shelf Awareness

“I read You Only Call When You're in Trouble at a moment when I needed to be around the intelligence and humanity of the novel's characters, and I'm still grateful for being so happily entertained and totally engrossed.”
—Francine Prose, author of Blue Angel and The Vixen

“McCauley’s novels are always a cause for celebration, and You Only Call When You’re In Trouble shows why.”
—Andrew Sean Greer, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Less Is Lost

“I can’t find the words to say how much I love You Only Call When You’re in Trouble. This perfect novel has profoundly moving observations of human nature, emotional acuity, and brilliant insights wrapped up in warmth and wit. I don’t think I will find a book I love more this year.”
—Jane Green, New York Times bestselling author

“Picture F. Scott Fitzgerald with tongue in cheek and you get the gift of Stephen McCauley's You Only Call When You're in Trouble. I loved these deliciously flawed characters and every thought that runs through their heads. As with all things Stephen McCauley, it has the highest of wit and the sharpest of social commentary plus tenderness and much love.”
—Elinor Lipman, author of Ms. Demeanor

“Stephen McCauley’s delicious new novel follows its characters, light on their feet as they search for their best selves. Along the way, they dodge with agility an assortment of contemporary obstacles—flagging relationships, employment insecurities, delusional parents. The author’s rare ability is finding the humor lining sadness to create a complex story with emotional depth.”
—Carol Anshaw, author of New York Times bestseller Carry the One