Standard Deviation: A novel by Katherine Heiny

Katherine Heiny’s newest book Standard Deviation is a charming, witty, and illuminating coming-of-age novel about a marriage in the modern age. Heiny’s signature humor and emotional impact are on full display in Standard Deviation, taking readers on a hilarious, emotional journey with Graham and Audra through their blossoming relationship.

Standard Deviation opens two days before Graham Cavanaugh’s fifth wedding anniversary when he is invited to his ex-wife’s wedding. At this point, Graham has been married to Audra for quite some time and the two of them make a surprisingly charming couple. After his ex tells him of a “surprise engagement”, Graham is forced to confront his own assumptions about marriage and relationships. As the novel progresses, he begins to grapple with how his past relationships are affecting his current marriage.

As the reader experiences Graham’s struggle, we are treated to charming and intimate conversations between Graham and Audra. These conversations, which the reader is made privy to, explore the inner workings of everyday issues in marriage such as communication, loyalty, and trust. The conversations also offer a glimpse at what it is like for a couple in a long-term marriage to re-affirm their love and devotion.

Katherine Heiny’s care is also evident in the characterization of other characters in Standard Deviation. Graham’s ex Margo sparkles with a lifetime of mischief and adventure. His children, Derek and Isabel, are also beautifully written. As they all come together, we are given a crystal-clear image of how families work, how parents interact with their children, and how relationships can evolve over time.

While Standard Deviation is set against the backdrop of a marriage and the family dynamics that surround it, it is also a story of hope and resilience. As Graham and Audra traverse the rocky road of marriage, they are ultimately confronted with the fact that they can “make it” if they address the issues that confront them. Among them are communication, compromise, and trust; qualities that Heiny imbues in her characters to create a narrative that is full of insight, affirmation, and redemption.

Through humor and heart, Katherine Heiny’s Standard Deviation invites readers to consider their own relationships and examine the nuances of intimate connections that shape the way we interact and see those around us. This thought-provoking and fun novel weaves Graham and Audra’s story with those of other characters, inviting us to find our own connection and payoff by their journey. With her signature wit and charm, Heiny has created a delightful and inspiring novel that will challenge your view of marriage, family life, and love.