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esabel's review
5.0
I absolutely loved this book! It's beautifully written and includes some very powerful statement on feminism and women's place in society. I read it at the perfect time too, because it's coming right on the heels of Brittany Spear's memoir and the Barbie movie. It actually has a lot in common with Brittany's memoir, in that they both talk about the affect silence can have on women. It's a book with a powerful message and I'd recommend it to anyone who liked Brittany's memoir or the Barbie movie.
marcella's review
informative
medium-paced
3.0
This is a fascinating mix. A feminist history through the lens of Jell-O marketing and a family history, describing the lives of the women with access to the Jell-O fortune. I liked it way more than I expected.
A recurring moral of the story is how patriarchy and its social norms can ruin and restrict lives; this was clearly true for many of the women and men of the Jell-O family. The author's mother felt this in a very emotional and psychic way that---to me---felt more bonkers than reasoned, but who am I to judge how different people process the constant browbeating let-down that is the patriarchy?
A recurring moral of the story is how patriarchy and its social norms can ruin and restrict lives; this was clearly true for many of the women and men of the Jell-O family. The author's mother felt this in a very emotional and psychic way that---to me---felt more bonkers than reasoned, but who am I to judge how different people process the constant browbeating let-down that is the patriarchy?
melmar's review
3.0
I’ve described this as 1/3 food history, 1/3 family history, 1/3 feminist thoughts. It’s interesting and heart breaking. Her exploration of mother-daughter relationships was so honest and showed so much vulnerability from the author.
himissjulie's review
Didn't finish. Was pretty interesting, but not enough to keep me reading. Might go back to it another time.
happiestwhenreading's review
4.0
I didn’t know what I was getting into with this one. I picked it up on a whim on my last library haul, and I’m glad I did!! It was intriguing!
Not only was I intrigued with the cultural history of an American icon - JELL-O -, but I absolutely loved the memoir part of Rowbottom’s life. Her relationship with her mother was difficult and honest; I loved the sense of redemption and hope I was left with by the end. The feminism/patriarchy theme was a pleasant surprise.
This book is smart and got me thinking from a new perspective. I think this would make a wonderful book club selection as there is much to dissect.
I didn’t know what I was expecting when I picked this one up, but I definitely got more than I thought it would be. This would have made my Top of 2018 list had I read it sooner. Parts of this book will stick with me for awhile.
Not only was I intrigued with the cultural history of an American icon - JELL-O -, but I absolutely loved the memoir part of Rowbottom’s life. Her relationship with her mother was difficult and honest; I loved the sense of redemption and hope I was left with by the end. The feminism/patriarchy theme was a pleasant surprise.
This book is smart and got me thinking from a new perspective. I think this would make a wonderful book club selection as there is much to dissect.
I didn’t know what I was expecting when I picked this one up, but I definitely got more than I thought it would be. This would have made my Top of 2018 list had I read it sooner. Parts of this book will stick with me for awhile.
dundermifflin's review
2.0
This reminded me of my reaction to Devil in the White City. Everyone was fascinated by the serial killer and I was more interested in the Chicago World's Fair and history. They struggles of a spoiled, wealthy family was of little interest (nothing special there), but the role of Jell-o in the United States, the early marketing and branding of a product, what lives and the perception of women were at the time were fascinating. Great cultural history. I almost didn't finish this, but the history was so fascinating I struggled through the family story.
Oh, and the audio editor should have told the author that even though she wrote the book, she isn't the person to narrate it.
Oh, and the audio editor should have told the author that even though she wrote the book, she isn't the person to narrate it.
oldrunningmom's review
3.0
I grew up in the 60s and 70s and Jell-O was a big part of my life. All I knew about Jell-O is that it was a fun and colorful sugary treat. Dinners were always better with Jell-O on the side. My grandma used to put black cherries in the black cherry jello and it was magical. And then there was that Hawaiian fruit salad using Jell-O and Cool Whip I made for Girl Scouts...super healthy, right? Totally 1970s. By the time Bill Cosby was on the scene, I was over Jell-O.
Of course, now I know better--the food colorings and chemicals in the product make it a health hazard. Little did I realize the story about the family behind the product or the focused marketing on women, housewives in particular. Jello-Girls is a big book- part memoir, part women's history, and part history of the town and a supposed curse on the women who lived in LeRoy, NY. While I found the writing to be beautiful, this book was kind of all over the place. The chapters on the history and development of Jell-O were interspersed with the author's family story and the story of the local women who were supposedly cursed, altho it sounds to me that they were kind of brainwashed into thinking they were ill. I don't know. I wasn't there. I just know that the culture was way different back then. Still, this was a really interesting story and worth reading for a look into the past, especially if you grew up in this era.
**3.5 stars**
Of course, now I know better--the food colorings and chemicals in the product make it a health hazard. Little did I realize the story about the family behind the product or the focused marketing on women, housewives in particular. Jello-Girls is a big book- part memoir, part women's history, and part history of the town and a supposed curse on the women who lived in LeRoy, NY. While I found the writing to be beautiful, this book was kind of all over the place. The chapters on the history and development of Jell-O were interspersed with the author's family story and the story of the local women who were supposedly cursed, altho it sounds to me that they were kind of brainwashed into thinking they were ill. I don't know. I wasn't there. I just know that the culture was way different back then. Still, this was a really interesting story and worth reading for a look into the past, especially if you grew up in this era.
**3.5 stars**