cover image MOTHERS AND SONS

MOTHERS AND SONS

Paul Hond, . . Random, $24.95 (304pp) ISBN 978-0-375-50805-9

Hond's sophomore effort (The Baker ) begins auspiciously enough with the introduction of engaging, self-effacing Moss Messinger. An aspiring screenwriter, 29-year-old Moss ekes out an existence by writing restaurant reviews and doing other odd jobs. He still lives in the Manhattan apartment where he grew up (his single mother, a jazz pianist, decamped to Europe when he was 19). Moss and his neurotic little problems might be annoying—he is tormented by pigeons living outside his bedroom window, lives in fear of a disgruntled restaurant owner (the recipient of a negative review) and is suffocated by his "too-good-for-me" girlfriend's desire for commitment—but his charm wins out over his whining. That is, until his mother, Nina, comes home, worried that her son is reacting badly to his attempted breakup with his girlfriend. A series of misunderstandings and intentional miscommunications ensue—many stemming from an affair between Nina and Moss's best friend, Boris—which are more frustrating than funny. Though the plot presents plenty of opportunity for conflict and confrontation, Hond shies away from character development as if suffering from the same fear of commitment that plagues Moss. Each moment of potential connection is followed by an expedient escape. Despite Hond's deft, clean prose, the end product is implausible and unsatisfying. Agent, Barbara Zitwer. (Apr. 12)