Tom Connolly’s dazzling second novel is a funny, turbulent, and heartfelt study of male relationships, and a glorious love letter to the city of New York.

DESCRIPTION

It is April in Manhattan and the destinies of four very different men are about to collide. Nineteen-year-old Finn has just arrived in the city with his irrepressible and volatile girlfriend, Dilly, determined to even the score with his older brother Jack for abandoning him in the UK in the aftermath of their parents’ deaths. Across town, successful gallery owner Leo Emerson is haunted by loneliness, unsettled by the contrast between his life and that of his brother-in-law and oldest friend William, who is enviably contented in his faith and his marriage.

When Finn wanders into Leo’s gallery, a series of unexpected and interconnected events unfold, changing the lives of all four men, for better or worse. Leo and William’s settled existences are overturned by events outside of their control, while Jack and Finn’s complex relationship reaches its long overdue showdown.

Beautifully orchestrated and richly comic, Men Like Air explores the romance and solitude of cosmopolitan life, the transformative power of art, and the impact we have on one another’s lives—and what happens when the ties that bind us are tested or broken. It is an intense and uplifting story of growth and renewal, mapping the complex workings of the human heart across the streets of New York City.

WHAT READERS SAY

“An epic love letter to New York City, Men Like Air is bold, absorbing and very funny. Tom Connolly has a quiet brilliance.” – Evie Wyld

“Connolly’s writing makes this story unforgettable. It captivated me unlike any other book this year and should not be missed.” – The Last Word

“The writing is beautiful, witty, and sharp. Connolly orchestrates the relationships in the most assured manner. It’s funny, upsetting, and very true to life. A contender for book of the year.” – Bookmunch

“Funny and refreshingly complex.” – Elle Magazine

“A tender and moving read, at times witty and almost slapstick, which combined with the deep emotions and tenderness of the main plot, leads to a book that had me crying with laughter one moment, and close to tears of sadness the next… a must-read.” – Bookbag

“There are wonderful turns of phrase that capture the feel of the city and the nuances of everyday life, at which Connolly excels.” – Trip Fiction