| Author | Andrew Lipstein |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Farrar, Straus and Giroux |
Publication date | January 21, 2025 |
| ISBN | 9780374613358 |
Something Rotten is a literary novel by Andrew Lipstein. It was published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux in 2025.
Reuben loses his job as an NPR radio host after accidentally performing a compromising act on a Zoom conference call. His wife Cecilie, a reporter for The New York Times , has family in Denmark and they decide to spend her maternity leave in Copenhagen. There, Cecilie is contacted by her ex-boyfriend Jonas, who has a life-threatening neurological condition. A disillusioned Reuben begins to cling to Mikkel, who represents the self-confidence and directness that Reuben feels he lacks.
Reuben's feeling of emasculation and inefficacy are explored throughout the novel, exemplified by the loss of his job and his becoming a stay-at-home dad, and the linguistic and cultural barriers he finds in Denmark. [1] [2]
Critics praised the novel's premise, plot twists and exploration of ethical quandaries. [3] [4]