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annaofjesup's review
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Medical content, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Cursing, Grief, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Cancer, Addiction, Sexism, Alcohol, Sexual violence, and Terminal illness
Minor: Drug abuse, Car accident, Pregnancy, and Racism
novella42's review
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I devoured this in a day, staying up late to finish, even though I didn't expect to like it in the first place (I'm more of a genre fiction gal). I found certain elements very true to my experience years ago of being someone's people-pleasing personal assistant. "You're only ever as good as your last pat on the head." Oof.
I was impressed with the way Hart captured each person's internal insecurities and contrasted those with the opinions of other characters. She seems to have a wonderful grasp of the gulf of difference between how we see ourselves and how others see us, and I think that's one reason this book kept me up at night. I wanted to know how it turned out, of course, but I r ally wanted to know what they all thought of each other by the end. And of themselves.
A very satisfying read. I have a writer friend who is burning out as a PA to a jerk in Hollywood, and I cannot tell you how much I want to mail a copy of this book to her with the note "You are a human who deserves empathy and a humane work environment where your own creative voice can shine." I might actually do just that.
Maybe a lot more of us need to hear a story like this, than we think.
Update to add: Half a year later, I'm upgrading this to a full five stars because it stayed with me and I keep recommending it to people. Also, I just stumbled across a Tumblr thread about the relationship between famous male film directors and their female editor counterparts. It talked about Marcia Lucas, George Lucas' ex-wife, who was one of the co-editors of A New Hope and the rest of the trilogy. Some believe her editing skills are a huge part of the reason Star Wars worked in the first place. It's been making me think a lot about the character in this book. While The Work Wife can't be said to be based on a true story, it clearly comes close. I'm even more impressed with the author, now.
(Source: https://fandomshatewomen.tumblr.com/post/669852239376089088/bitchthefuck1-iwilleatyourenglish)
I was impressed with the way Hart captured each person's internal insecurities and contrasted those with the opinions of other characters. She seems to have a wonderful grasp of the gulf of difference between how we see ourselves and how others see us, and I think that's one reason this book kept me up at night. I wanted to know how it turned out, of course, but I r ally wanted to know what they all thought of each other by the end. And of themselves.
A very satisfying read. I have a writer friend who is burning out as a PA to a jerk in Hollywood, and I cannot tell you how much I want to mail a copy of this book to her with the note "You are a human who deserves empathy and a humane work environment where your own creative voice can shine." I might actually do just that.
Maybe a lot more of us need to hear a story like this, than we think.
Update to add: Half a year later, I'm upgrading this to a full five stars because it stayed with me and I keep recommending it to people. Also, I just stumbled across a Tumblr thread about the relationship between famous male film directors and their female editor counterparts. It talked about Marcia Lucas, George Lucas' ex-wife, who was one of the co-editors of A New Hope and the rest of the trilogy. Some believe her editing skills are a huge part of the reason Star Wars worked in the first place. It's been making me think a lot about the character in this book. While The Work Wife can't be said to be based on a true story, it clearly comes close. I'm even more impressed with the author, now.
(Source: https://fandomshatewomen.tumblr.com/post/669852239376089088/bitchthefuck1-iwilleatyourenglish)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Addiction, Cancer, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Racism, Sexual assault, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Cursing, Sexism, Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Gaslighting, Misogyny, and Classism
Minor: Infertility and Death of parent
catsimmons96's review
dark
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
When I say people described this book as slow-paced, my heart sank. Slow-paced usually means dull, boring, hard to get into.
This book is not that. This book is a roller coaster.
For everyone who witnessed the #metoo movement and saw themselves reflected. To the women of color struggling to make it in the arts (and every other field). This book is for us. It is about us.
This book is not that. This book is a roller coaster.
For everyone who witnessed the #metoo movement and saw themselves reflected. To the women of color struggling to make it in the arts (and every other field). This book is for us. It is about us.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Cancer, Sexism, Drug use, Drug abuse, Addiction, Classism, Misogyny, and Racism
All of the content warnings listed are not graphic. The incidences are typically in the past, and the characters reflect on them, but they are not graphic.
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