Reviewed by Tierney Reardon
Psychologist Larry Lentchner’s new novel, I Should Have Known Better, takes readers on a journey spanning more than fifty years. This book is a fictionalized memoir of protagonist Phil Green’s chaotic, eventful life. Phil has had one true constant throughout his life: he overthinks everything. From love affairs in his youth, to marriage and fatherhood, to battling illness – no life event, mishap, or ‘could have been’ is too small – Phil dissects it all. As he goes through countless changes, his youthful idealism starts to fade, but his hope, kindness, and drive to improve himself remain strong. The one main source of anxiety hanging over Phil’s head is one that we’ve all felt from time to time – the feeling of guessing your way through life. Are we doing this right? Should we have known better? Is overthinking any of this really helping? Through a series of journal entries, Phil attempts to find the answers that will finally put his mind at ease. Purchase Here.
There’s a very sharp sense of humor that permeates I Should Have Known Better – Lentchner’s witty insights deliver a very dry and clever look into Phil Green’s life. The dialogue is intelligent and fast-paced, and the one-liners are quick and genuinely funny. With a conversational narration style that feels like reminiscing with a friend, this book is a deep dive into little moments in time that many readers will relate to. His anecdotes of romantic encounters, allusions to struggles with addiction, and his ever-changing relationship with his family all paint Phil as a very human and realistic character.
With a narrator who uses such a constant stream-of-consciousness style of storytelling, it’s impossible not to connect with Phil as a person. He’s highly relatable, and some of the opinions and anxieties he shares are sure to resonate with readers. Phil and his inner self-critic (his ‘inquisitor’, as he likes to call it) share every detail, leaving nothing out – the highs and lows, the highlights and darkest moments. All these are laid bare in this memoir, accompanied by a constant stream of witty quips and dry self-deprecation. “I’m not very good at rationalization,” he admits. “People who have an inquisitor never are.” In particular, his accounts of becoming a father stand out as strong entries in this memoir.
Overall, I Should Have Known Better holds value for readers at all stages of life; at one point, we’ve all looked back and thought, “I should have known better.” Equal parts hilarious and philosophical, this book encourages readers to stay hopeful and see the value in taking a step back to reflect. Anyone who loves a nostalgic memoir, a satirical commentary on the world, and a witty narrator will thoroughly enjoy Larry Lentcher’s new work.