EDITOR’S CHOICE
A heartfelt, beautifully written novel with rich characters, sharp dialogue, and a touching exploration of redemption, resilience, and human connection.
Shari Lane’s Two Over Easy All Day Long is a novel that simmers with heart, humour, and a quiet depth that lingers long after the last page. The story follows Giles Gibson, a Manhattan executive sentenced to a year of minimum-wage work after his negligence leads to tragedy. Stripped of his wealth and privilege, he reinvents himself as “Tony” in a small Oregon diner, where the daily grind introduces him to lives far removed from his own.
The novel shines in its richly drawn characters, each with their own burdens and secrets. The diner’s boss is far more generous than he lets on, the cook is a Vietnam War deserter who never quite left the past behind, and the town itself hums with tensions—a drug ring run by a corrupt ex-sheriff, an undocumented workforce on a lavender farm, and a gay couple navigating their place in a conservative community. Lane brings these stories together with a deft hand, using sharp dialogue, vivid imagery, and subtle symbolism to create a world that feels authentic and immersive.
What makes Two Over Easy All Day Long particularly compelling is its exploration of resilience and transformation. Tony’s journey from entitled executive to someone who truly listens and understands is both moving and believable. Lane avoids clichés, instead offering a nuanced take on redemption and the complexities of human connection.
With a perfect balance of warmth, wit, and social commentary, this novel is a quietly powerful read—one that deserves a place on anyone’s reading list.
