Lauren Grodstein is the author of the novel “A Friend of the Family,” which will be published by Algonquin in November.

In a starred review, Publishers Weekly called it a “wonderful second novel . . . An astute dissector of male aspiration, Grodstein brings great insight into a father’s protective urge for his son in this gripping portrait of an American family in crisis.”

Her debut novel, “Reproduction Is The Flaw of Love,” was called “funny, poignant … terrifically comic” by Time Out New York.  And the New York Times praised the “agile prose and clever observation” of her story collection, “The Best of Animals.”

Lauren earned her MFA in fiction from Columbia University. She teaches creatve writing at Rutgers University.

Visit her online at www.laurengrodstein.com.