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bmf's review
1.0
Oh I am so excited to write this review just because I want to vent about how much I hated this book. It was given to me by a friend and is not the sort of book I would ordinarily choose for myself but, believing it a good thing to read books you wouldn't normally read I tried it. Let's break this down shall we:
Characters: A collection of bland middle-aged women barely distinguishable from each other save for their differing jobs and family lives. Personality wise I would have struggled to tell you who was speaking were it not for the giant names at the start of each chapter. I tried to become invested in them but I just couldn't.
Writing style: Oh my god. Oh my god where do I start with this one? That cardinal rule of writing show don't tell? Perhaps when you've written as many books as Trollope you belive this rule stops applying to you because the first four chapters are just an info dump of backstory. "This happened and then she loved this person and then she did this" like someone who wanted to prove that she had written backstories for her characters regardless of whether they were important. Similarly with habits and personalities instead of telling us it would be "'blah blah' as she was of this disposition' 'she believed blah blah blah' I mean motivations and actions should be revealed to us, not slapped on the middle of the page like we're too dumb to get the nuances of language unless she's telling us why she's made this character choose such an action.
Plot: This was probably the biggest issue I had. Every single supposed plot point was just such a tiny thing that was treated like a huge plot twist with every character over-reacting in response? "She hired someone" Oh no?? what a betrayal??? Hiring someone who is right for the job??? "Character A got Character B's husband a promotion and now Character B is angry" what? Get some perspective. I couldn't get to grips with how these characters were rationalising their decision.
Perhaps being twenty one and in an entry level job made me completely the wrong person to sympathise with issues framed within the words "well of course money isn't an issue" every other chapter. This is without touching on the white saviour role of one of the characters.
Sorry Joanna Trollope but I often forgot this was a book and not me just observing someone's dull day-to-day existence.
Characters: A collection of bland middle-aged women barely distinguishable from each other save for their differing jobs and family lives. Personality wise I would have struggled to tell you who was speaking were it not for the giant names at the start of each chapter. I tried to become invested in them but I just couldn't.
Writing style: Oh my god. Oh my god where do I start with this one? That cardinal rule of writing show don't tell? Perhaps when you've written as many books as Trollope you belive this rule stops applying to you because the first four chapters are just an info dump of backstory. "This happened and then she loved this person and then she did this" like someone who wanted to prove that she had written backstories for her characters regardless of whether they were important. Similarly with habits and personalities instead of telling us it would be "'blah blah' as she was of this disposition' 'she believed blah blah blah' I mean motivations and actions should be revealed to us, not slapped on the middle of the page like we're too dumb to get the nuances of language unless she's telling us why she's made this character choose such an action.
Plot: This was probably the biggest issue I had. Every single supposed plot point was just such a tiny thing that was treated like a huge plot twist with every character over-reacting in response? "She hired someone" Oh no?? what a betrayal??? Hiring someone who is right for the job??? "Character A got Character B's husband a promotion and now Character B is angry" what? Get some perspective. I couldn't get to grips with how these characters were rationalising their decision.
Perhaps being twenty one and in an entry level job made me completely the wrong person to sympathise with issues framed within the words "well of course money isn't an issue" every other chapter. This is without touching on the white saviour role of one of the characters.
Sorry Joanna Trollope but I often forgot this was a book and not me just observing someone's dull day-to-day existence.
emmkayt's review
3.0
What my kiddo calls a 'mom book.' Tells the story of four women friends in their 40s, foregrounding their relationships with their work, which I thought was neat, if a bit over laboured (oh, ha ha, didn't mean to make a pun). The interpersonal dilemmas were sometimes odd - I didn't understand what the big deal was with some developments that sent characters into a tizzy, and yet the author quickly dispatched the interesting struggle of one character dealing with her mother's dementia. Even so, it was a decent read, and I appreciate the effort to write about women's work lives and friendships.
briarsreviews's review
2.0
City of Friends is a lovely story by Joanna Trollope following the interconnecting lives of women.
This book focuses on the trials and errors of middle aged women being women. Lost jobs, children to take care of, parents to take care of, struggling romantic relationships, family drama and friendship drama all mash together into one well written tale. It's everything you'd expect from a contemporary, women's fiction novel!
There are four women who were once friends and now all of them are middle aged. Each of them have their own struggles to deal with, and somehow all of their problems relate to each other's problems. As with most female centered books, there is a pinch of feminine drama that makes me question if women are just bound to be dramatic and gossip (as a woman, I haven't seen too much of that as an adult - maybe it's just me though). Examples of this drama: One woman offers her friend's "mistress" or new lover a job but not her best friend, two of the women's children start seeing each other, a husband tells a woman to pick between their relationships or her mother's health. Yeah... this book felt petty at times.
Even with some of these interesting plot lines, I did enjoy this book. Buuuuuut... it wasn't a hit out of the park for me. I found it was a lovely, soft read that wasn't hard to jump in and out of. The worst part was that it got very slow at times. There were entire chapters that could have been left out and the story still would have progressed. I also didn't feel like there was a real "end" to this book, it just stopped. That's how life stories go there - there never is an "end", something just "stops".
There are some really strong parts of this book, for those looking for my positives! There are strong women characters who are facing realistic problems. I know many girls and women who have faced some of these troubles - like a sick parent, dealing with a lost job, and trying to balance work and family life. I like seeing books like this that bring about real issues so people realize that everyone goes through this stuff. Our lives aren't what we see on Instagram - life isn't perfect.
It may be because I've read a lot of women's fiction lately (on accident) or maybe it is just the plot of this book - I just didn't enjoy it as much as I hoped. The synopsis sounds awesome, the cover is gorgeous and the first half of the book really peaked me interest. At half, I kind of just wandered off in my brain and had trouble getting through it.
That being said, I would still recommend this book to anyone who loves contemporary novels and women's fiction. It's not a bad book, it's just not a good book for me - mainly because it couldn't hold my attention the way other women's fiction has. I think Joanna Trollope has a fantastic, easy reading, writing style and I want to read more books by her! This is just a blip on the book radar!
Two out of five stars.
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
This book focuses on the trials and errors of middle aged women being women. Lost jobs, children to take care of, parents to take care of, struggling romantic relationships, family drama and friendship drama all mash together into one well written tale. It's everything you'd expect from a contemporary, women's fiction novel!
There are four women who were once friends and now all of them are middle aged. Each of them have their own struggles to deal with, and somehow all of their problems relate to each other's problems. As with most female centered books, there is a pinch of feminine drama that makes me question if women are just bound to be dramatic and gossip (as a woman, I haven't seen too much of that as an adult - maybe it's just me though). Examples of this drama: One woman offers her friend's "mistress" or new lover a job but not her best friend, two of the women's children start seeing each other, a husband tells a woman to pick between their relationships or her mother's health. Yeah... this book felt petty at times.
Even with some of these interesting plot lines, I did enjoy this book. Buuuuuut... it wasn't a hit out of the park for me. I found it was a lovely, soft read that wasn't hard to jump in and out of. The worst part was that it got very slow at times. There were entire chapters that could have been left out and the story still would have progressed. I also didn't feel like there was a real "end" to this book, it just stopped. That's how life stories go there - there never is an "end", something just "stops".
There are some really strong parts of this book, for those looking for my positives! There are strong women characters who are facing realistic problems. I know many girls and women who have faced some of these troubles - like a sick parent, dealing with a lost job, and trying to balance work and family life. I like seeing books like this that bring about real issues so people realize that everyone goes through this stuff. Our lives aren't what we see on Instagram - life isn't perfect.
It may be because I've read a lot of women's fiction lately (on accident) or maybe it is just the plot of this book - I just didn't enjoy it as much as I hoped. The synopsis sounds awesome, the cover is gorgeous and the first half of the book really peaked me interest. At half, I kind of just wandered off in my brain and had trouble getting through it.
That being said, I would still recommend this book to anyone who loves contemporary novels and women's fiction. It's not a bad book, it's just not a good book for me - mainly because it couldn't hold my attention the way other women's fiction has. I think Joanna Trollope has a fantastic, easy reading, writing style and I want to read more books by her! This is just a blip on the book radar!
Two out of five stars.
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
rebecca_hedger's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the four different perspectives and how different decisions/characters impact on one another.
Occasionally I got a bit lost between who was who/what had happened to each character but didn't take long to figure it out.
Focusing on strong, hard working women which I loved.
Occasionally I got a bit lost between who was who/what had happened to each character but didn't take long to figure it out.
Focusing on strong, hard working women which I loved.
angrygreycatreads's review
1.0
City of Friends by Joanna Trollope is a celebration of capitalism disguised as feminism. Heavy handed didactic prose revolving around four women whose petty grievances wouldn’t even cause the average woman to bat her eyes. One character, trying to reach her young teen daughter writes her a letter about the glory of work, how work will save you, how work is the greatest thing ever….made me instantly feel that the tagline for this book should be “lean in”. Perhaps I just don’t relate to the issues of the 1%. I have been trying Trollope because her work is recommended to me based on other women’s fiction that I have read, but it just hasn’t worked for me.
novellenovels's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
rhonaea's review
2.0
Bunch of dysfunctional, one-dimensional characters dealing with first world problems. At one point I laughed out loud when the single parent visits the school to try and understand why her child is confused living between two households; and then she starts dating his teacher! For goodness sakes, get a grip. How was that supposed to help? If you like of romantic fiction and can suspend your disbelief (I obviously can’t) it’ll appeal to you.
maige's review against another edition
1.0
Okay, so these 4 characters are all adult, rich, extremly successful business women. Still they are making such a fuss about everything, it's ridiculous.
Stacey loosing her job and having to take care of her mother is awful, yes. Also Beth breaking up with her girlfriend is sad. But the rest of the "problems" are simply laughable.
Melissa is a grown-up woman who got pregnant with her son Tom about 15 years ago. She didn't really have a committed relationship with the father (Will) back than, who now enters Toms and her life again. Coincidentally Will's wife works for Gaby, Melissa's friend, who didn't tell her about it. So what? What is the big deal? You could say it's weird that Gaby never mentioned it but it is in no way worth spending so many pages elaborating this drama.
The same goes for the fact that Melissa suggested (as it is her job to advise firms) that Stacey's husband Steve should get a promotion. Apparently no one in this group of friends talks to each other and so Stacey wasn't told about the fact that Melissa had something to do with Steve's promotion. Again, it's weird that she never mentiones it but it also isn't really a bad thing, is it?
The only storyline that i found to be interesting and somehow touching was the one about Stacey's mother. Sadly it felt like it was just checked off with her being put into a nursing home so that the book could go back to the shallow, stupid misunderstandings and problems of the other characters.
Also: i don't know if i simply have a different understanding of friendship or if the so-called friendship they have is just shit. I mean, i get that they're all busy but still: the whole book is full of misunderstanding and secrets and shallow conversation. There is not one situation where all 4 of them are in one place. There is mostly two of them coming together talking about one of their stupid issues they have because they didn't communicate beforehand.
Writing this review I had to open the book again to look up who was who and who was involved in which drama.
Stacey loosing her job and having to take care of her mother is awful, yes. Also Beth breaking up with her girlfriend is sad. But the rest of the "problems" are simply laughable.
Melissa is a grown-up woman who got pregnant with her son Tom about 15 years ago. She didn't really have a committed relationship with the father (Will) back than, who now enters Toms and her life again. Coincidentally Will's wife works for Gaby, Melissa's friend, who didn't tell her about it. So what? What is the big deal? You could say it's weird that Gaby never mentioned it but it is in no way worth spending so many pages elaborating this drama.
The same goes for the fact that Melissa suggested (as it is her job to advise firms) that Stacey's husband Steve should get a promotion. Apparently no one in this group of friends talks to each other and so Stacey wasn't told about the fact that Melissa had something to do with Steve's promotion. Again, it's weird that she never mentiones it but it also isn't really a bad thing, is it?
The only storyline that i found to be interesting and somehow touching was the one about Stacey's mother. Sadly it felt like it was just checked off with her being put into a nursing home so that the book could go back to the shallow, stupid misunderstandings and problems of the other characters.
Also: i don't know if i simply have a different understanding of friendship or if the so-called friendship they have is just shit. I mean, i get that they're all busy but still: the whole book is full of misunderstanding and secrets and shallow conversation. There is not one situation where all 4 of them are in one place. There is mostly two of them coming together talking about one of their stupid issues they have because they didn't communicate beforehand.
Writing this review I had to open the book again to look up who was who and who was involved in which drama.
peggyfitz's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A lovely novel following 4 friends in their life at middle aged, it's very easy to get involved in their lives
samstillreading's review
4.0
Confession time: I’ve never read a Joanna Trollope book before City of Friends. Why? I don’t know really. I could make a lot of excuses but the truth is I’ve never really gotten around to it – it’s too hard to go to the library, the local bookshop closed down…then it’s all too late. In a way, City of Friends explores that notion – letting something slide until it’s too difficult, then nearly impossible. But the stakes are much higher here as it’s about secrets within friendships and family.
The story opens dramatically with Stacey losing her job, very suspiciously after she’s asked to work from home some days to look after her mum who has dementia. After her boss says no, he then casually mentions that she’s superfluous to the team and he was going to make her redundant anyway. This really got me simmering, the casual sexism and the fact that it’s pretty much against equal opportunity laws. The explosive start develops into a theme – can women have it all (family and work life)? What are the barriers that women face when they try to do that? Is it so wrong for a woman to say she loves her work before her family? These ideas are what hooked me into City of Friends. It’s a bold investigation into the life of a career woman.
All four women studied economics and now have high flying jobs in the corporate and academic sectors. Except for Stacey, who is a lost end with caring for her mum. It’s a different structure that lacks routine, socialisation and her mum barely notices if she’s there or not. Melissa started her own company and now tells boards of directors what to do. She excels that that but when her son says he wants to spend time with his father, she’s at a loss what to do. Gaby has the family and the high powered job that she openly admits she loves more than her family. Now if she could tell Melissa that she hired her ex-lover’s wife and that she can’t give Stacey a job…but it’s too late. Beth went into academia, becoming an in demand guru of organisation psychology but her relationship is on the rocks. Can she handle a vindictive breakup and change her future?
What was pleasantly refreshing about City of Friends is that it didn’t shy away from the characters’ flaws and mistakes. They were tackled openly once they were brought to the fore. The flaws in each character didn’t make me like them less as a reader, rather I appreciated the honesty and I could see myself being friends with them. They are not superhero workers, lovers and mothers – they all juggle everything and sometimes it fails, occasionally in cringe worthy fashion. Yet the story is not preachy or bogged down in drama – it’s a pleasant read that moves quickly. The only thing I would have liked to have seen more of is the economics as I’m interested in that area, but I really I’m in a tiny minority here (and to be honest, I don’t think it would have fit with the lighter tone of the book). I’ll certainly be seeking out more of Joanna Trollope’s novels as I thought the strong female characters and open exploration of their faults was refreshing.
Thank you to Pan Macmillan for the copy of this book. My review is honest.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
The story opens dramatically with Stacey losing her job, very suspiciously after she’s asked to work from home some days to look after her mum who has dementia. After her boss says no, he then casually mentions that she’s superfluous to the team and he was going to make her redundant anyway. This really got me simmering, the casual sexism and the fact that it’s pretty much against equal opportunity laws. The explosive start develops into a theme – can women have it all (family and work life)? What are the barriers that women face when they try to do that? Is it so wrong for a woman to say she loves her work before her family? These ideas are what hooked me into City of Friends. It’s a bold investigation into the life of a career woman.
All four women studied economics and now have high flying jobs in the corporate and academic sectors. Except for Stacey, who is a lost end with caring for her mum. It’s a different structure that lacks routine, socialisation and her mum barely notices if she’s there or not. Melissa started her own company and now tells boards of directors what to do. She excels that that but when her son says he wants to spend time with his father, she’s at a loss what to do. Gaby has the family and the high powered job that she openly admits she loves more than her family. Now if she could tell Melissa that she hired her ex-lover’s wife and that she can’t give Stacey a job…but it’s too late. Beth went into academia, becoming an in demand guru of organisation psychology but her relationship is on the rocks. Can she handle a vindictive breakup and change her future?
What was pleasantly refreshing about City of Friends is that it didn’t shy away from the characters’ flaws and mistakes. They were tackled openly once they were brought to the fore. The flaws in each character didn’t make me like them less as a reader, rather I appreciated the honesty and I could see myself being friends with them. They are not superhero workers, lovers and mothers – they all juggle everything and sometimes it fails, occasionally in cringe worthy fashion. Yet the story is not preachy or bogged down in drama – it’s a pleasant read that moves quickly. The only thing I would have liked to have seen more of is the economics as I’m interested in that area, but I really I’m in a tiny minority here (and to be honest, I don’t think it would have fit with the lighter tone of the book). I’ll certainly be seeking out more of Joanna Trollope’s novels as I thought the strong female characters and open exploration of their faults was refreshing.
Thank you to Pan Macmillan for the copy of this book. My review is honest.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com