Book Review: Standard Deviation by Katherine Heiny

After the success of short story collection Single, Carefree, Mellow, Heiny’s debut novel delves into the lives of a New York couple as they negotiate the stresses of modern family life.

Graham has been married to glamorous, spontaneous second wife Audra for 12 years. Audra’s effusive personality, combined with her need to make useful acquaintances everywhere she goes, leads to the couple reconnecting with Graham’s ex-wife, hosting a handful of lodgers and attending a trail of play dates for socially awkward son Matthew.

As daily life and it’s challenges pass by, Graham ponders his life choices.

Although the novel takes a pedestrian pace through the lives of Graham and Audra, it is anything but boring. Heiny’s observational humour almost turns the pages itself. Most remarkable are the characters who would usually earn the term ‘bit players’, but, under Audra’s endless assault of questions, are clinically dissected for the reader.

Heiny’s insight into the intricacies of relationships – whether they be between husband and wife, old man and dog, or boy with Asperger’s and his origami club – will make you look at loved ones and strangers in a new light.