That's Not How It Happened: A Novel
"Funny and poignant... Craig Thomas is a big-hearted, empathetic writer who knows his characters inside and out." --Tom Perrotta, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Mrs. Fletcher and The Leftovers
"Funny, real and moving all at once...[A] wonderful, heartfelt debut." -Lin-Manuel Miranda, Tony-Award Winning creator of Broadway's Hamilton
From the Emmy-nominated co-creator and Executive Producer of How I Met Your Mother, this smart, funny, bighearted novel for fans of Kevin Wilson and Monica Heisey, follows a family turned upside down after Hollywood decides to make a movie version of their lives.
With Audiobook narration by Cobie Smulders and Josh Radnor
Paige didn't set out to be a stay-at-home mom, but when her husband's screenwriting career took off right before they had a son with Down syndrome, the decision was made for her. Now, with their children nearly grown and unsure what's next, Paige writes a memoir about the challenges of raising a child with a disability. When a major actress-turned-producer shows up at her door eager to make her "inspiring" story into a movie, she's shocked, excited, and a little terrified.
This movie just might be the comeback opportunity her husband, Rob, desperately needs. His career has fizzled in recent years. But the movie is going to need a screenwriter, and who better to adapt his wife's memoir than him?... Meanwhile, their son, Emmett, doesn't understand why people think his Down syndrome is the most important thing in his life (that's definitely his girlfriend, Amy)--but he hopes his newfound fame might somehow get him closer to meeting his idol, Eddie Vedder. Their daughter, Darcy, couldn't care less about the whole thing because she's hardly even in their mom's book. The "normal" child who nobody ever worries about is feeling more forgotten than ever as her love life implodes and college decisions loom.
As their lives are chewed up and spit out by the Hollywood machine, triggering old resentments and launching new betrayals, will any of them even recognize the "inspiring" family in this film? Or will this "feel-good" movie be the end of them?
"Funny, real and moving all at once...[A] wonderful, heartfelt debut." -Lin-Manuel Miranda, Tony-Award Winning creator of Broadway's Hamilton
From the Emmy-nominated co-creator and Executive Producer of How I Met Your Mother, this smart, funny, bighearted novel for fans of Kevin Wilson and Monica Heisey, follows a family turned upside down after Hollywood decides to make a movie version of their lives.
With Audiobook narration by Cobie Smulders and Josh Radnor
Paige didn't set out to be a stay-at-home mom, but when her husband's screenwriting career took off right before they had a son with Down syndrome, the decision was made for her. Now, with their children nearly grown and unsure what's next, Paige writes a memoir about the challenges of raising a child with a disability. When a major actress-turned-producer shows up at her door eager to make her "inspiring" story into a movie, she's shocked, excited, and a little terrified.
This movie just might be the comeback opportunity her husband, Rob, desperately needs. His career has fizzled in recent years. But the movie is going to need a screenwriter, and who better to adapt his wife's memoir than him?... Meanwhile, their son, Emmett, doesn't understand why people think his Down syndrome is the most important thing in his life (that's definitely his girlfriend, Amy)--but he hopes his newfound fame might somehow get him closer to meeting his idol, Eddie Vedder. Their daughter, Darcy, couldn't care less about the whole thing because she's hardly even in their mom's book. The "normal" child who nobody ever worries about is feeling more forgotten than ever as her love life implodes and college decisions loom.
As their lives are chewed up and spit out by the Hollywood machine, triggering old resentments and launching new betrayals, will any of them even recognize the "inspiring" family in this film? Or will this "feel-good" movie be the end of them?
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Community Reviews
This is a great debut novel by Craig Thomas that was unique and different from what I usually read. I really liked it. Yes, it's a story about a family but it's much more than that too. Rob & Paige are parents to two children; Emmett is their son with Down's Syndrome and Darcy is their "normal" daughter. Rob is a screenwriter in NY whose best days are behind him (previously lived in CA and moved back to NY) but lately has been struggling to find enough work to pay bills. Paige has spent the last 20 (something) years raising the children and taking Emmett to medical appointments and helping him find ways to be more independent. Although Darcy does love her brother and is very protective of him, she also feels that her life has revolved around his needs and she is often a 2nd thought to her parents. Paige who had put her journalism career on hold to raise the children, writes a memoir which suddenly gets noticed by a Hollywood "star" and optioned for a movie. What happens next is funny, realistic, raw and emotional as the family navigates this next step-seeing their lives as a movie.
The story is well written from 4 POVs (Rob, Paige, Emmett & Darcy). It was a very pleasant surprise. It was also a funny (and realistic?) look into the publishing and movie business industries. And of course, it was a glimpse into the life of someone who has Down's Syndrome. I just adored Emmett. I was always grinning reading his POV. Everyone should know someone like Emmett. Be sure to read the author's note at the end. :)
The story is well written from 4 POVs (Rob, Paige, Emmett & Darcy). It was a very pleasant surprise. It was also a funny (and realistic?) look into the publishing and movie business industries. And of course, it was a glimpse into the life of someone who has Down's Syndrome. I just adored Emmett. I was always grinning reading his POV. Everyone should know someone like Emmett. Be sure to read the author's note at the end. :)
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