Domestic Violets by Matthew Norman

Tom Violet always thought that by the time he turned thirty-five, he’d have everything going for him. Fame. Fortune. A beautiful wife. A satisfying career as a successful novelist. A happy dog to greet him at the end of the day.


The reality, though, is far different. He’s got a wife, but their problems are bigger than he can even imagine. And he’s written a novel, but the manuscript he’s slaved over for years is currently hidden in his desk drawer while his father, an actual famous writer, just won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. His career, such that it is, involves mind-numbing corporate buzzwords, his pretentious arch nemesis Gregory, and a hopeless, completely inappropriate crush on his favorite coworker. Oh . . . and his dog, according to the vet, is suffering from acute anxiety.


Tom’s life is crushing his soul, but he’s decided to do something about it. (Really.) Domestic Violets is the brilliant and beguiling story of a man finally taking control of his own happiness—even if it means making a complete idiot of himself along the way.

I don't think you would call this my normal fare. I certainly didn't think so when I read the first chapter which is all about the erectile dysfunction of the main character, Tom Violet. Once I got used to this as the opening of the novel and the focus changed a little, I enjoyed the voice and humour of Tom Violet.

Tom is in his mid-thirties and quite frankly his life is falling apart. He hates his job, he and his wife are supposedly trying for another child (but that can't really happen when you can't get it up), he has a bit of a crush on a young coworker and he is riddled with self doubt over the book that he has just finished which may be a bit understandable given that his famous novelist father, Curtis Violet, has just won a Pulitzer Prize.

One of the things that was quite interesting to me about this book is that this seemed a little bit like a coming of age novel, or more precisely a coming of maturity. Tom cruises through his normal work day, doing as little work as possible, but taking every opportunity he got to irritate his arch enemy Greg (who prefers to be called Gregory). One of the highlights of this book were the series of notes that are sent to HR about Tom. They initially start with Gregory but eventually other people in his life are writing to HR to complain about Tom as well.. As someone who works in a HR department, I can't say that I have seen complaints quite like those in the book, but I have seen some pretty odd ones over the years. Here's an example of one of the notes to HR from page 39.

Dear HR

Tom Violet insists on smiling and saying hello to me every time he sees me, even in the men's room. However, I know that these sentiments are not sincere, and only succeed in undermining me in front of my team and fellow employees.

Despite the Global Financial Crisis casting its long shadow and causing anxiety for all of his coworkers, Tom performs a stunt which basically guarantees his career in copy writing is over. Tom is left to put together the pieces of his life - relationships, future and more. He needs to figure out what he wants to do for a living, whether he wants to save his marriage, what to do with the novel he has written, and how to finally face up to living in the shadow of his charismatic and successful father. Ultimately, he has to decide what is important to him.

I really enjoyed the portrayal of the Violet family. Anna knows that everything is not as it should be but doesn't know how to reach her husband. Both of Tom's parents are having marital issues with their respective partners, and I loved the way that the two fathers in Tom's life came together. Both have their own issues to deal with but the bond with Tom was definitely important and strong.

With a full and varied cast of supporting characters that each are on their own emotional journeys but together  form a strong narrative on modern life, Domestic Violets is in turns funny and serious, showing the strengths and weaknesses of the characters in such a way that will have you both laughing at them and giving the reader something to ponder as well.

This was a different read for me, but one I enjoyed. I will be keeping my eye out for more from Matthew Norman in the future.

Rating 4/5

Thanks to Netgalley for an egalley of this book.