Peter Leroy investigates and reconstructs the life stories of his maternal grandparents, Herb and Lorna Piper. On the surface, Herb and Lorna seem to be a typically sunny 1950s American couple. Herb sells Studebakers to the citizens of Babbington, a Long Island seaside town, and Lorna is his cheerfully coy and clever wife. Their story seems like an American myth: small-town origins, Jazz Age romance, Depression trials, postwar prosperity. "A beautiful book." Marc Munroe Dion, The Kansas City Star "A wonderful love story." Lisa Jensen, San Francisco Chronicle "Funny, raunchy, and clever." Justin Kaplan "Nothing short of brilliant." Armistead Maupin "A funny, sexy story told with consummate skill." Malcolm Jones, Jr., The St. Petersburg Times "There aren't enough adjectives to praise this delightfully generous storyteller. Herb 'n' Lorna is a classic. Savor it." Andrei Codrescu, National Public Radio A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK OF THE YEAR