The Full Catastrophe by David Carkeet

A sharp, funny, and heartfelt comedy of modern life, language, and love gone linguistically wrong.
In The Full Catastrophe, David Carkeet turns everyday conversation into comic gold.
 
Jeremy Cook, a linguistic researcher fascinated by human speech, joins the Pillow family to study how people really talk at home — but quickly finds himself tangled in their chaotic domestic drama. Between marital strife, teenage rebellion, and his own romantic misadventures, Jeremy’s experiment becomes a hilarious and poignant study in what it really means to communicate.
 
Set in St. Louis and filled with wit, warmth, and social insight, The Full Catastrophe is both a satire of academic life and a heartfelt exploration of human connection. Carkeet’s sharp dialogue and sly humor make this a novel as clever as it is compassionate — a celebration of imperfection and the messy joy of being human.
 
💖 Why You’ll Love It
Smart, funny exploration of language, love, and family.
Perfect balance of satire and sincerity.
A charming, character-driven story with heart.
Appeals to fans of humorous literary fiction.
David Carkeet’s writing is witty, observant, and full of life.
 
🌟 Perfect For
Fans of A Confederacy of Dunces and Where’d You Go, Bernadette?
Readers who enjoy clever, dialogue-rich fiction.
Book clubs looking for a funny yet thoughtful read.
Anyone who loves quirky stories about ordinary people.
 
❤️ Fans Also Liked
If you enjoyed The Full Catastrophe, you might also like:
Less by Andrew Sean Greer — wit, love, and self-discovery.
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion — humor meets human connection.
The Humans by Matt Haig — communication, chaos, and compassion.