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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
Its not often that we read about characters who choose to be child-free, alongside other stories of motherhood, fertility and family, which I think was the main reason I enjoyed this book. The tensions articulated between the close group of friends felt authentic but were handled carefully so that no character felt superior or more likeable than any other. My main gripe was the fact that it felt very white, middle-class and London-centric. While it did a good job of portraying a wide range of experiences relating to motherhood, it would have benefited from also examining the potential influence of race, disability, class or sexuality for example. That might have tipped it into strained woke essay rather than enjoyable novel, but a recognition of these other factors would have added depth to the story. Gannon is presumably writing about "what she knows" though, which she has done well.
Didn’t finish - got about a third of the way in and it didn’t seem like it was really moving anywhere. Characters were interesting and felt like it had potential but I’m trying to be better about not forcing myself to finish books just to finish them
I hope this becomes a movie or series. I love the mix of female friendship and the focus of being child-free as a legitimate choice. That’s rare. I love how relatable and absorbing this read was.
I REALLY wanted to like this book, but it didn’t work out. The “Letter from the Editor” at the beginning was solid but then after that, meh. The author tells tells tells, never shows. It’s hard to create emotional bonds when we are being told what to feel. I had to DNF pretty early because that and the MC was so whiny and narcissistic. Which has nothing to do with her being child-free.
I hope people keep writing about this subject matter, but in a better way.
I hope people keep writing about this subject matter, but in a better way.
The main character’s issues could have been solved if she was less self obsessed and had less self obsessed friends. Like make friends with people who share your values and interests. The entire book was peak millennial whinge. Points for trying to say something about having children/not having children but feminism had moved way past that.
El tema me gustó y es de interés personal para mi, la novela no me gustó. Se me hizo un libro... plano. La historia va de atrás hacia adelante, ese recurso es muy útil cuando quieres ir construyendo una historia y atrapando al lector, pero en este caso no parece tener mucho sentido porque desde el inicio sabemos de que trata y no hay cambio en esa narrativa. Entre el principio y el final pasan cosas pero ninguna de ellas dramática o que cause emoción al saber qué pasará. No tiene clímax, me pareció un libro meh.
4.5 stars. I really enjoyed this book. Covering growing old with friends, how friendships change and evolve over time and exploring themes of motherhood and women who choose to be child free. Gave me a fresh perspective and outlook!
2.5 stars. This book was okay. It’s definitely a good book club selection because I could see it inspiring a lot of discussion, but overall it was just sort of bland? I’m glad I read it, but a fair amount of it just didn’t feel feasible or that believable.
What a load of pompous drivel. I DNF Olive. I'm clearly not the target audience for this book as I have two kiddos and although I only got 10% through this book, I ended up avoiding my kindle and dreading having to read more.
Olive is meant to be early 30s but the character is clearly stuck in her teenage years and complains about not seeing her friends as often but then actually actively disengages when they discuss anything she isn't interested in. Way to go, one-sided friendship! The relationship she describes with her friends at university seems more suited to behaviour of 14-18 year olds. There's also quite a few incorrect references - such as mentioning Bridesmaids in 2009 when it wasn't released until 2011.
I dunno. You might like this book, and I guess I won't judge you for it, but I think I also will a little bit.
Olive is meant to be early 30s but the character is clearly stuck in her teenage years and complains about not seeing her friends as often but then actually actively disengages when they discuss anything she isn't interested in. Way to go, one-sided friendship! The relationship she describes with her friends at university seems more suited to behaviour of 14-18 year olds. There's also quite a few incorrect references - such as mentioning Bridesmaids in 2009 when it wasn't released until 2011.
I dunno. You might like this book, and I guess I won't judge you for it, but I think I also will a little bit.