Calling something a guilty pleasure suggests that while that thing is amusing or satisfying in a fleeting fashion, it is also superficial, not particularly well executed or not of lasting value. I’ve read all of Elinor Lipman’s books – of which her latest, “The Family Man”, is one of my favourites – and I realize that I need not think of them as guilty pleasures. The Jane Austen comparisons may be a tad overstated, but Lipman lovingly and elegantly crafts charming characters, foibles and all, along with engaging storylines and refreshing dialogue well within the realm of believability. Rueful Henry Archer and how he goes about forging a new extended family from fragments of his past, present and future are a delight to follow. Elinor Lipman’s work is a pleasure … no guilt necessary!