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satashan's review against another edition
3.0
Quite an interesting story but such a let down of an ending.
lambsears's review against another edition
5.0
I added this novel to my list after seeing the recent movie, with Glenn Close's absolutely masterful performance - and am so glad I did.
The Wolitzer's writing is sharp and angry and bitter, brilliantly conveying all the feelings of Joan Castleman as she wrestles her way towards freedom.
A lot of younger readers, who have grown up with expectations and rights that were hard-won by the previous generation of women, may struggle to understand why Joan did what she did but to me the whole thing was totally convincing.
I wasn't much of a fan of Wolitzer's after reading "The Female Persuasion', but this has sold me - 100%!
Great writing.
The Wolitzer's writing is sharp and angry and bitter, brilliantly conveying all the feelings of Joan Castleman as she wrestles her way towards freedom.
A lot of younger readers, who have grown up with expectations and rights that were hard-won by the previous generation of women, may struggle to understand why Joan did what she did but to me the whole thing was totally convincing.
I wasn't much of a fan of Wolitzer's after reading "The Female Persuasion', but this has sold me - 100%!
Great writing.
maya8's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.0
Maybe more of a 3.75.
Masterful writing. The reader is let on a big upcoming "plot twist" very early on in the book, and the road there seemed a bit tedious at times. At times also a bit didactic. Nevertheless, great setting and good concept - the writing makes it worthwhile. I think id've enjoyed this book more had I spread out the reading over a longer time period - reading 10 pages a sitting rather than cramming it into a week or two. Though it's short, its style is very dense, so I might've OD'ed on it in some sittings.
Masterful writing. The reader is let on a big upcoming "plot twist" very early on in the book, and the road there seemed a bit tedious at times. At times also a bit didactic. Nevertheless, great setting and good concept - the writing makes it worthwhile. I think id've enjoyed this book more had I spread out the reading over a longer time period - reading 10 pages a sitting rather than cramming it into a week or two. Though it's short, its style is very dense, so I might've OD'ed on it in some sittings.
toebean5's review against another edition
4.0
"Everyone needs a wife; even wives need wives. Wives tend, they hover. Their ears are twin sensitive instruments, satellites picking up the slightest scrape of dissatisfaction... We know just what to say to the men who for some reason have a great deal of trouble taking consistent care of themselves or anyone else." p 240
This is one of those books that brings issues of female identity, sexism, feminism, marriage, and regret so clearly to the forefront that it is bound to make people uncomfortable. I think that for people who find Joan's actions incomprehensible, or those who argue that things are now "so different" from the 1950s, they may want to dig a bit deeper. There were alot of bits in here that really resonated with me regarding marriage and women's roles; I think this will work well for book discussion, with the prediction that several of them will hate this, some will say it was good but they just didn't like the main character, the man will feel attacked, and a couple of people will say that they could have done with less sex.
This is one of those books that brings issues of female identity, sexism, feminism, marriage, and regret so clearly to the forefront that it is bound to make people uncomfortable. I think that for people who find Joan's actions incomprehensible, or those who argue that things are now "so different" from the 1950s, they may want to dig a bit deeper. There were alot of bits in here that really resonated with me regarding marriage and women's roles; I think this will work well for book discussion, with the prediction that several of them will hate this, some will say it was good but they just didn't like the main character, the man will feel attacked, and a couple of people will say that they could have done with less sex.
saraeliss's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
babymandrake_666's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
curlewcora's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.25
laureneuritt's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bisbabelba's review against another edition
2.25
I cannot believe I finished this because I didn’t love the writing style nor did I think this book is worth whatever hype it got 15 years ago. I don’t know if the revelation at the end was supposed to be a twist, but I honestly would’ve preferred if we were let in on it sooner (even though I had guessed it from around 30 pages in), even if that would’ve made this a bit different of a book.