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kandicez's review against another edition
2.0
2 and a 1/2 stars, but since that's not an option, I don't feel like bumping it to 3.
My opinion probably suffered because I went into this book expecting something completely different. I read it because my daughter loves the movie, which stars Tina Fey and Paul Rudd. Because of them I expected it to be lighter than it was, and if not actually funny, at least amusing. It was neither. It was very, very heavy and dense. The entire book is an internal journey for Portia, the main character. There was very little that actually happened.
I don't want to spoil anything, although the "big reveal" which doesn't occur until about page 350, is so nonchalantly slipped in that I didn't feel surprised, or even have that "ah ha!" moment, where NOW things make sense. It was all too internal and personal for me to care very much.
The ending was also a let down. When Portia's life changing event is revealed, and she realizes how it has colored and made her hold eveyone at arms length since, I expected her to DO something! To be fair, she does something, but it's just not that big of a deal, and she never even goes so far as to find actual proof of her suspicions.
A definite whimper as opposed to a bang.
I also had to rate the novel low for it's shear length. There was no reason it took over 500 pages to tell this story. There were pages and pages of droning where I would read and read and realize my eyes had glazed over because what I was reading meant nothing to me or the story and wasn't even interesting besides.
Maybe if I had approached the novel with no expectations I would have enjoyed it more, but, unfortunately we can't go back. I just didn't enjoy it.
My opinion probably suffered because I went into this book expecting something completely different. I read it because my daughter loves the movie, which stars Tina Fey and Paul Rudd. Because of them I expected it to be lighter than it was, and if not actually funny, at least amusing. It was neither. It was very, very heavy and dense. The entire book is an internal journey for Portia, the main character. There was very little that actually happened.
I don't want to spoil anything, although the "big reveal" which doesn't occur until about page 350, is so nonchalantly slipped in that I didn't feel surprised, or even have that "ah ha!" moment, where NOW things make sense. It was all too internal and personal for me to care very much.
The ending was also a let down. When Portia's life changing event is revealed, and she realizes how it has colored and made her hold eveyone at arms length since, I expected her to DO something! To be fair, she does something, but it's just not that big of a deal, and she never even goes so far as to find actual proof of her suspicions.
A definite whimper as opposed to a bang.
I also had to rate the novel low for it's shear length. There was no reason it took over 500 pages to tell this story. There were pages and pages of droning where I would read and read and realize my eyes had glazed over because what I was reading meant nothing to me or the story and wasn't even interesting besides.
Maybe if I had approached the novel with no expectations I would have enjoyed it more, but, unfortunately we can't go back. I just didn't enjoy it.
kittykornerlibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
I liked it and couldn't get wait to get back to it every time I put it down. It was somewhat disconcerting to realize I had already seen the movie adaptation when I was about a quarter of the way through. Portia was an interesting character, and her personal drama revealed itself at a good pace. The ending was a little too neatly brought together, but I enjoyed it a lot.
corrinpierce's review against another edition
2.0
Too many words. Not enough action or character development. Way too many words.
andrearbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Admission was good - a little long at times, but good. There was a movie based on this book starring Tina Fey and Paul Rudd a few years back, and I admittedly spent a lot of the time imagining them in these roles.
bookwitchkatie's review against another edition
4.0
This book was certainly an interesting and well-paced read, but it has certain elements holding it back from being amazing. The ending did not feel right; there is no solid conclusion. This, however, is sometimes the right resolution for a book, but not here. I think the reader deserved a fufilling ending! On the other hand, maybe a fairy tale ending would not have fit in with the book's realistic plotting. I loved the pacing and plot because it never descends into melodrama.
The book gives a fascinating look into the Ivy League college admissions process, one that I never knew about so that it made it that more interesting. The main character, Portia, frustrated me sometimes with her rants about the admissions process. Kind of tedious and self-righteous.
I would recommend this book only to readers with patience and a taste for realistic fiction. Others will just get bored.
The book gives a fascinating look into the Ivy League college admissions process, one that I never knew about so that it made it that more interesting. The main character, Portia, frustrated me sometimes with her rants about the admissions process. Kind of tedious and self-righteous.
I would recommend this book only to readers with patience and a taste for realistic fiction. Others will just get bored.
koprivan's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book very, very much. Portia Nathan is someone I'd love to have a coffee with, though I'm not sure she would feel the same about me, and that's part of the character's charm. Prickly, unsentimental,loyal, and witty.
jerrica's review against another edition
4.0
Succeeded in making me extremely nervous for my upcoming college admission process. However, great storyline and decent writing, though "ensconced" appeared about every other page, as did "acerbic". If I noticed it, wouldn't the author have as well? It was a bit annoying at times, to be honest.
judyward's review against another edition
3.0
The title of this book refers to two meanings of admission, "Admissions, admission. Aren't there two sides to the word? And two opposing sides...it's what we let in, but it's also what we let out." Thirty-eight year old Portia Nathan is an admissions officer at Princeton University and she uses her stressful job to isolate herself from her feelings, from a close relationship with her mother, from her friends, and even from David, an English professor at Princeton with whom she has been living for years. Portia's area of responsibility is New England and after visiting a new, experimental school a chain of events is unleased that forces Portia to face her past. Every academic year, thousands of seniors seal their hopes in an envelope and send them off to admissions offices in hundreds of colleges and universities across the country. After having all of the factors that admissions officers consider described in detail in this book, I'm thankful that I've already graduated from college and don't have to submit my academic credentials for judgment.
llkendrick's review against another edition
3.0
I'd give this a 3.5.
I read this because it's the book that the new Tina Fey movie is based off of and I love everything she does so this book has to be awesome, right? I haven't seen the movie yet but I'm going to take a guess that they take a lot of liberties with the storyline because this wasn't a funny book. With that being said, I still enjoyed it and I particularly enjoyed see what it is like to be an admissions counselor at a top school like Princeton. I liked most of the characters but did find most of the storyline predictable.
I read this because it's the book that the new Tina Fey movie is based off of and I love everything she does so this book has to be awesome, right? I haven't seen the movie yet but I'm going to take a guess that they take a lot of liberties with the storyline because this wasn't a funny book. With that being said, I still enjoyed it and I particularly enjoyed see what it is like to be an admissions counselor at a top school like Princeton. I liked most of the characters but did find most of the storyline predictable.