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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
Another funny and sweet Abbi Waxman novel! I appreciate that her books are very “slice of life.” This one focused on the relationship between a mother and teenage daughter who is trying to figure out what to do after high school. It all takes place on a college campus tour on the East coast. Hyjinx ensue, secrets come out and relationships are tested. As usual, the dialogue was funny as were the characters. I always love that Waxman creates a cast of characters that turn into a makeshift family.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Jessica, a 45-year-old lawyer, and her daughter Emily head to the East coast for an organized college tour. I enjoyed parts of it, but it wraps up a little too neatly— everyone learns their lesson, everyone figures out what they need to figure out, and all problems are solved. This is the third Waxman novel I’ve read and it’s suffering by comparison with the others, which I loved. Three and a half stars rounded up.
I just didn't like this as much as The Bookish Life of Nina Hill. I really enjoy Waxman's quirky characters and her knack for nailing inner dialog, but this book didn't entirely hang together for me. Emily's parts often didn't sound authentic--I've year to hear a teenager say AF aloud and not use the actual words--so she sometimes didn't work for me.
However, I do think the plot was very strong in other respects. The ways in which Emily and Jessica misunderstand one another rang so true for me. They're such a good example of the ways in which we all see others through our own lens while they, in turn, see us through theirs. Naturally, this creates a lot of misunderstanding. And since mother and daughter aren't very good at communicating with one another, it's difficult for each to understand the other's perspective.
I also thought this book had a lot to say about the pressures placed on teenagers. I do think things were quiet different back in the 90s, as far as the pressure to go to college and get into the "right" school. I find it dismaying how high stress and destructively competitive the high school years are these days, and I think well-intentioned parents, teachers, and administrators are often sending the wrong messages to kids. Jessica's angst and worries rang so true to me. There's an excellent scene where she rants about how parents are so high-strung about getting their kids into the best schools because they want to believe it's a form of insurance against uncertainty that really resonated with me. It's strange how adults understand that life is often a winding journey with plenty of switchbacks and pointless meanderings, yet we seem to think we can somehow magically prevent our kids from experiencing this if only we get them into the right school. And I think Waxman is spot on when she delves into how competitive parenting has become, and how if a child doesn't graduate with a laundry list of achievements and admission to a dream college it's seen as a failure of parenting. There is a lot of privilege baked into this book, and I get that, but I do think the wish to see children live a better life than the one they've lived is pretty universal amongst parents. I think this speaks to the times and the ways in which so many of our social systems are crumbling. After all, why would parents obsess over their kids getting into the best school and nailing down a well-paying job if not because we worry about our kids being able to afford a place to live and food to eat?
Obviously, in this respect the book provided me with a lot of food for thought. Were it not for other aspects that pulled me out of the story, I would have given this a higher rating. Still, I think it's well worth a read, and I know I'll be chewing over it for a while.
However, I do think the plot was very strong in other respects. The ways in which Emily and Jessica misunderstand one another rang so true for me. They're such a good example of the ways in which we all see others through our own lens while they, in turn, see us through theirs. Naturally, this creates a lot of misunderstanding. And since mother and daughter aren't very good at communicating with one another, it's difficult for each to understand the other's perspective.
I also thought this book had a lot to say about the pressures placed on teenagers. I do think things were quiet different back in the 90s, as far as the pressure to go to college and get into the "right" school. I find it dismaying how high stress and destructively competitive the high school years are these days, and I think well-intentioned parents, teachers, and administrators are often sending the wrong messages to kids. Jessica's angst and worries rang so true to me. There's an excellent scene where she rants about how parents are so high-strung about getting their kids into the best schools because they want to believe it's a form of insurance against uncertainty that really resonated with me. It's strange how adults understand that life is often a winding journey with plenty of switchbacks and pointless meanderings, yet we seem to think we can somehow magically prevent our kids from experiencing this if only we get them into the right school. And I think Waxman is spot on when she delves into how competitive parenting has become, and how if a child doesn't graduate with a laundry list of achievements and admission to a dream college it's seen as a failure of parenting. There is a lot of privilege baked into this book, and I get that, but I do think the wish to see children live a better life than the one they've lived is pretty universal amongst parents. I think this speaks to the times and the ways in which so many of our social systems are crumbling. After all, why would parents obsess over their kids getting into the best school and nailing down a well-paying job if not because we worry about our kids being able to afford a place to live and food to eat?
Obviously, in this respect the book provided me with a lot of food for thought. Were it not for other aspects that pulled me out of the story, I would have given this a higher rating. Still, I think it's well worth a read, and I know I'll be chewing over it for a while.
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes