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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
Wow, this book was another one of those that took me on an unexpected emotional rollercoaster.
I had some sort of attachment to each and every one of the characters. I laughed with them, I cried with them, and I was heartbroken with them. I haven't read a book that made me feel such strong and complex emotions like this in a long time. It was so refreshing.
This story primarily follows the lives of two sisters, Jo & Bethie from their childhood in the 1950s all the way to the future in 2022. I really enjoyed the fact that the author was able to intertwine so many different plot stories while still managing to keep the focus and interest on the two sisters.
Jo & Bethie are two completely different people yet early similar at the same time. Because of this, I felt a strong connection to both of these women. Normally when I am reading a book I find myself feeling more of a connection with one particular character and not so much the other(s). This was not the case with this book and I really loved it.
My highlights & notes get into specifics in terms of plot details and my thoughts behind the messages within the story if you are interested.
Overall, this was a great story and will probably be one that I come back to in the future.
I had some sort of attachment to each and every one of the characters. I laughed with them, I cried with them, and I was heartbroken with them. I haven't read a book that made me feel such strong and complex emotions like this in a long time. It was so refreshing.
This story primarily follows the lives of two sisters, Jo & Bethie from their childhood in the 1950s all the way to the future in 2022. I really enjoyed the fact that the author was able to intertwine so many different plot stories while still managing to keep the focus and interest on the two sisters.
Jo & Bethie are two completely different people yet early similar at the same time. Because of this, I felt a strong connection to both of these women. Normally when I am reading a book I find myself feeling more of a connection with one particular character and not so much the other(s). This was not the case with this book and I really loved it.
My highlights & notes get into specifics in terms of plot details and my thoughts behind the messages within the story if you are interested.
Overall, this was a great story and will probably be one that I come back to in the future.
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Wow - this book was NOT what I expected from Jennifer Weiner, but it was a great read, which left me feeling so inspired and empowered!
*** I received an advanced e-copy from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review
This book is about Jo and Bethie.... two sisters growing up in Detroit in the 50's. The story takes you through both of their lives....through their childhood, college and adulthood. The girls were as different as they possibly could be, with their lives taking two very different (and unexpected) directions.
I am a huge fan of this author and this book did not disappoint. It was easy to get lost in the story. This is a great book, and I definitely recommend it.
This book is about Jo and Bethie.... two sisters growing up in Detroit in the 50's. The story takes you through both of their lives....through their childhood, college and adulthood. The girls were as different as they possibly could be, with their lives taking two very different (and unexpected) directions.
I am a huge fan of this author and this book did not disappoint. It was easy to get lost in the story. This is a great book, and I definitely recommend it.
This dragged for me a bit in the first half and I almost marked it as a dnf, but I got to the halfway point and decided I needed to see where the storyline would go and how Weiner would cover 50 years, at the right cadence, in 400 pages. Ultimately, it wasn't perfect, but I definitely liked it and I think even moreso than Whisper Network.
Intersectionality through the lens of white people again? Not perfect but it's a good introductory book cramming in a much as possible.
_______________________________
So I am writing this review a month after I reading the book and to be honest I cannot remember a single thing. Looking back at my notes it doesn't seem to be regarding the contents of the book but rather how annoyed I felt with the characters. Like, do we need another book about feminism from the lens of a white woman who's well-to-do. All the instances remarking about race comes with the permission of whiteness. I know I'm being highly critical and I think that there's a lot to unpack.
How do we tackle intersectionality? Is this book meant for me? I think a younger version of myself would have been totally on board with this brand of feminism and impressed that there are mentions of queerness and race. However there's a lot more this book can do in terms of exploring the contentions of feminism and white women. Despite Bethie being attracted to women, it's a part of her self she can hide. Violence doesn't necessarily seek her out as long as she can disguise herself. In turn I don't want to lessen her struggles because it does feel suffocating two lie to yourself because you're afraid of being attacked. The threat is real.
I just don't recommend this book if you're very familiar with feminist philosophy. All I know is that the characters do not represent my experiences as a woman. That there are intricacies Jo and Bethie face that lacks nuance. I can't confidently say that they are Mrs. Everything as the book implies. For a long time white feminists have told women of color, queer women, and anyone outside of this neat category once white women are liberated there'll be a trickle-down equality effect. That's just not true.
For example, the book ends with Joe on her deathbed seeing Hillary Clinton running for presidency. However we know that Trump won with 53 percent of white women who voted for him. And now they're trying to convince us that we should resist Trump when the very people who support internalized misogyny, racism, and homophobia are the ones who present a bigger issue. Do you understand why I can see this book as disingenuous and a little bit flimsy at best. I'm just not impressed by this halfhearted rhetoric anymore.
_______________________________
So I am writing this review a month after I reading the book and to be honest I cannot remember a single thing. Looking back at my notes it doesn't seem to be regarding the contents of the book but rather how annoyed I felt with the characters. Like, do we need another book about feminism from the lens of a white woman who's well-to-do. All the instances remarking about race comes with the permission of whiteness. I know I'm being highly critical and I think that there's a lot to unpack.
How do we tackle intersectionality? Is this book meant for me? I think a younger version of myself would have been totally on board with this brand of feminism and impressed that there are mentions of queerness and race. However there's a lot more this book can do in terms of exploring the contentions of feminism and white women. Despite Bethie being attracted to women, it's a part of her self she can hide. Violence doesn't necessarily seek her out as long as she can disguise herself. In turn I don't want to lessen her struggles because it does feel suffocating two lie to yourself because you're afraid of being attacked. The threat is real.
I just don't recommend this book if you're very familiar with feminist philosophy. All I know is that the characters do not represent my experiences as a woman. That there are intricacies Jo and Bethie face that lacks nuance. I can't confidently say that they are Mrs. Everything as the book implies. For a long time white feminists have told women of color, queer women, and anyone outside of this neat category once white women are liberated there'll be a trickle-down equality effect. That's just not true.
For example, the book ends with Joe on her deathbed seeing Hillary Clinton running for presidency. However we know that Trump won with 53 percent of white women who voted for him. And now they're trying to convince us that we should resist Trump when the very people who support internalized misogyny, racism, and homophobia are the ones who present a bigger issue. Do you understand why I can see this book as disingenuous and a little bit flimsy at best. I'm just not impressed by this halfhearted rhetoric anymore.
Jennifer Weiner knows how to paint a vivid picture featuring engaging characters and her talents were on full display with this novel! Having grown up in Michigan, I loved how accurate her depictions of familiar landmarks and cities were. The characters were emotionally engaging; I laughed and cried with them and their struggles were very tangible. Parts of this were very sensitive and personal, but Weiner handled delicate details with respect and did not belittle her characters. I couldn't help but be pulled into Jo and Bethie's lives and stayed up late many nights to spend more time with them.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with an ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with an ARC.
I ended up really really enjoying this book. I wasn't so sure at the beginning, but the characters, each of them, wove their way into my heart. I wanted to know how Jo's story ended. And Bethie's too. And all the rest as well. I was not disappointed.
Ms Weiner's writing enfolded me as I read such that I was in a different place and didn't want to leave that space.
Not being a deep thinker in literary-land I don't have any insightful comments or observations. I would say, though, that if you like well-rounded character development and believable actions and motivations then I think you will enjoy this book. I was pleased with how the author chose to finish her tale and I will find it hard to leave that story, at least for the next day or so, to dive into a new read.
I can heartily recommend this book without any caveats.
Ms Weiner's writing enfolded me as I read such that I was in a different place and didn't want to leave that space.
Not being a deep thinker in literary-land I don't have any insightful comments or observations. I would say, though, that if you like well-rounded character development and believable actions and motivations then I think you will enjoy this book. I was pleased with how the author chose to finish her tale and I will find it hard to leave that story, at least for the next day or so, to dive into a new read.
I can heartily recommend this book without any caveats.
Very long but very good. I really felt like I knew the characters by the end.