What an off, engaging, sad, funny book. Ames seems to excel at characters that are somehow endearing and unlikeable, if that's even a thing. The struggles of the narrator, Louis Ives, with his sexual explorations is especially interesting to read now, when transsexualism is as accepted as it's ever been (though we still have so, so far to go). And Henry Harrison, with his arch conservative views and his admiration of Russia. Donald Trump even makes a cameo, trying to insert himself into the high society of South Florida and failing (his "beautiful models" were really prostitutes. I'm not surprised.)

But this isn't some sort of cultural curio. It is a love letter to and a portrait of a bygone era of New York City, but it's also a highly entertaining comedy of manners, a sometimes achingly sad tale of sexual repression, and an engrossing character study. Jonathan Ames writes characters that seem very real and distinct, even through his pervasive literary style, with its echoes of both PG Wodehouse and 80s Woody Allen.

Also, it must be said that I had seen the 2010 film adaptation prior to reading this book, and while that film was utterly forgettable (as in, I literally remembered no plot details from the film) it was completely impossible to imagine anyone else but Kevin Kline and Paul Dano as Henry and Louis. They were both perfectly cast and it was an added pleasure to hear all of Ames' dialogue in my head in their voices. ( )

Depressing and funny at the same time - which by itself already a sign of a very good novel. Reminded me somewhat of 'Portnoy's complaint'. Excellent writing! ( )

This is one of those books what has me drumming my fingers on the desk trying to sort what I'd like to say about it. It is the story of Louis Ives, a young Jewish man who is confused about his sexuality and rents a room from seventy-something Henry Harrison in early nineties Manhattan. Louis is self-conscious about his Jewishness and perplexed by his desires. He likes to put on women's clothing, especially underclothes; is attracted to young, petite women for their femininity itself rather than for their personality or their sexual appeal; and frequents transsexual prostitutes. His roommate is an eccentric of indeterminate sexuality who spends many of his evenings accompanying rich, widowed, elderly society women to their functions in exchange for free meals, event tickets, and the opportunity to be seen by other rich, widowed, elderly society women who might ask him out in turn. Louis looks up to Henry and may be falling in love with him, and sometimes it appears that Henry may feel the same way. The novel is billed as comedic, though I can't say I found it particularly funny (though it also did not have that flat feeling of writing that is meant to be funny and misses the mark). The exploration of Louis's sexuality is by far the most interesting part of the novel, and Henry's eccentric goings-on (and Louis's attempts to keep on his good side) grew rather tiresome well before the book was over. Not an unenjoyable read, but one with which I felt I never quite found a way to get on. Hence the finger drumming. ( )

Stiff upper lips and the transgendered. What more do you need?

I expected this to be very, very funny (which it was! It made me laugh on the Metro! Hi, social humiliation!), but THE EXTRA MAN is also surprisingly sweet! Ames deals with the lurid and the flashy with a kind, pulsing, gentle understanding that saps the more sensational bits of their spectacle. Too sweet to be sour, too nice to be mean, but still extra-sharp with wit. ( )

You'll either love it or hate it. I love it! It is reminiscent of British social satires like those of Benson and Mitford, but the characters are far better drawn 3 dimensional oddballs, weirdos, trannies, cross dressers and other social misfits who are not really misfits in their own minds. Some overt sex, but no foul language. Very well written, rapidly paced, and descriptions are so vivid, you can see as well as "hear"