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nataliejr's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
novelvisits's review against another edition
3.0
Thanks to @w.w.norton for an ARC of #Margot.
I’m struggling with how to rate books that I’m fully invested in for the majority of the book, but find the ending is lacking in some way. That was the case for me with
I’m struggling with how to rate books that I’m fully invested in for the majority of the book, but find the ending is lacking in some way. That was the case for me with
tinyhermione's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
I'm gonna have to sit with this one but I think I loved it.
Ultimately it was about nothing, but in the way that Fitzgerald wrote about nothing. It had that same kind of flavor, that same shine that was dulled slightly with distaste for the whole thing. No one did anything at the right time for it to work out the way they wanted it to and really it didn't matter anyway.
Ultimately it was about nothing, but in the way that Fitzgerald wrote about nothing. It had that same kind of flavor, that same shine that was dulled slightly with distaste for the whole thing. No one did anything at the right time for it to work out the way they wanted it to and really it didn't matter anyway.
judithdcollins's review
5.0
Acclaimed journalist turned novelist Wendell Steavenson delivers a humorous, razor-sharp, moving and insightful coming-of-age tale following the journey of Margot Thornsen—titled MARGOT, set in New York during the exciting political and sexual revolutions of the 50s and 60s.
At age eight, we meet Margot and her self-absorbed and verbally abusive mom, Peggy Vanderloep Thornsen—her overbearing mother, has charted a course for her—to forego education and marry well, following society's expectations.
Do we have to lose ourselves to find ourselves? A novel about how we come into our own―the roads we take, and the ones we leave behind.
She wants something different than the privileged family's Park Avenue apartment and their Oyster Bay, Long Island, estate. Not a husband and a life her mother thinks she should have.
Going against the grain, Margot is fascinated with biochemistry, which blossoms at Radcliffe on her journey to pursue a career as a scientist.
The sexual revolution dawns and a new path opens up—the expansive world of late-1960s Radcliffe College and the intellectual, cultural, and sexual freedom she desires.
She gets quite the worldly education from a cast of colorful characters from childhood into college: Trip Merryweather, the boy from the mansion next door—keeping Margot on a string. His older brother, Richie, a medical student, and Margot's free-spirited friend, Maddy, and GI/poet, Sandy Full, among others. Some scenes will make you laugh out loud!
From the social movement that resulted in liberalized attitudes toward sex and morality, the social norms were changing as sex became more widely discussed. The women's liberation movements sought to free women from social and moral confines—War, laws and feeling helpless at times.
With the introduction of the pill and second-wave feminism, women gained more control over their bodies and sexuality during the 1960s. Women had more power over their bodies (more than we do today) and were involved in the feminist movement. Also, abortion, Vietnam War, political unrest, and other topics are some of the many discussions in the book and worldly events during this era.
Intriguing, Margot dives into the new findings of the field of genetics. There are personal discoveries and scientific discoveries.
"The Haves and Have Nots."
Beautifully rendered, a compelling, moving portrait of a young woman’s struggle to break free from her upper-class upbringing amid the whirlwind years of the sexual revolution.
MARGOT is a well-written, thought-provoking novel crossing contemporary, political, historical, scientific, humor, and coming-of-age genres.
We also experience life from a young woman's viewpoint from life during this period as she finds her place in the ever-changing world. I grew up in the 50s and 60s, and I appreciated this trip down memory lane, the nostalgia—reminded me of Judy Blume's books and sitting in the 6th-grade classroom when Kennedy was shot —like yesterday.
With the cliff hanger ending—Margot's departure to London, wondering if there will be a sequel. I am definitely in for a continuation of the life of Margo.
Readers who enjoyed Jessica George's [b:Maame|60784605|Maame|Jessica George|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1666031380l/60784605._SY75_.jpg|91610666] debut coming-of-age will enjoy MARGOT; from a different background of one woman's journey into life.
At age eight, we meet Margot and her self-absorbed and verbally abusive mom, Peggy Vanderloep Thornsen—her overbearing mother, has charted a course for her—to forego education and marry well, following society's expectations.
Do we have to lose ourselves to find ourselves? A novel about how we come into our own―the roads we take, and the ones we leave behind.
She wants something different than the privileged family's Park Avenue apartment and their Oyster Bay, Long Island, estate. Not a husband and a life her mother thinks she should have.
Going against the grain, Margot is fascinated with biochemistry, which blossoms at Radcliffe on her journey to pursue a career as a scientist.
The sexual revolution dawns and a new path opens up—the expansive world of late-1960s Radcliffe College and the intellectual, cultural, and sexual freedom she desires.
She gets quite the worldly education from a cast of colorful characters from childhood into college: Trip Merryweather, the boy from the mansion next door—keeping Margot on a string. His older brother, Richie, a medical student, and Margot's free-spirited friend, Maddy, and GI/poet, Sandy Full, among others. Some scenes will make you laugh out loud!
From the social movement that resulted in liberalized attitudes toward sex and morality, the social norms were changing as sex became more widely discussed. The women's liberation movements sought to free women from social and moral confines—War, laws and feeling helpless at times.
With the introduction of the pill and second-wave feminism, women gained more control over their bodies and sexuality during the 1960s. Women had more power over their bodies (more than we do today) and were involved in the feminist movement. Also, abortion, Vietnam War, political unrest, and other topics are some of the many discussions in the book and worldly events during this era.
Intriguing, Margot dives into the new findings of the field of genetics. There are personal discoveries and scientific discoveries.
"The Haves and Have Nots."
Beautifully rendered, a compelling, moving portrait of a young woman’s struggle to break free from her upper-class upbringing amid the whirlwind years of the sexual revolution.
MARGOT is a well-written, thought-provoking novel crossing contemporary, political, historical, scientific, humor, and coming-of-age genres.
We also experience life from a young woman's viewpoint from life during this period as she finds her place in the ever-changing world. I grew up in the 50s and 60s, and I appreciated this trip down memory lane, the nostalgia—reminded me of Judy Blume's books and sitting in the 6th-grade classroom when Kennedy was shot —like yesterday.
With the cliff hanger ending—Margot's departure to London, wondering if there will be a sequel. I am definitely in for a continuation of the life of Margo.
Readers who enjoyed Jessica George's [b:Maame|60784605|Maame|Jessica George|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1666031380l/60784605._SY75_.jpg|91610666] debut coming-of-age will enjoy MARGOT; from a different background of one woman's journey into life.
bedjacket's review
2.0
i was sucked in by the cover. rather a beach read, honestly. rich family, mean mother, withholding golfing father. the sixties. girl who reads BOOKS??? crazy
meghan_readsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you to Tantor audio for the review copy on NetGalley. Audiobook review for Margot by Wendell Steavenson.
I love this audiobook and am becoming quite a fan of Karissa Vacker's narration style, she captures style and nuance and tone very well.
Margot is very much my kind of character focused literary story and I loved the development of Margot's voice, her self-awareness, and her movement into her own career and intellect. I am not a fan of historical fiction per se but this story is enhanced by the setting and context, which are needed to give a bigger picture to the themes on Margot's clashes with her mother and others and the meaningful trajectories that open up for her during the 1960s.
This is a great book/audiobook for fans of character focused stories, particularly stories about women's lives and the women's/sexual revolution, and I hope this book finds fans and book clubs!
I love this audiobook and am becoming quite a fan of Karissa Vacker's narration style, she captures style and nuance and tone very well.
Margot is very much my kind of character focused literary story and I loved the development of Margot's voice, her self-awareness, and her movement into her own career and intellect. I am not a fan of historical fiction per se but this story is enhanced by the setting and context, which are needed to give a bigger picture to the themes on Margot's clashes with her mother and others and the meaningful trajectories that open up for her during the 1960s.
This is a great book/audiobook for fans of character focused stories, particularly stories about women's lives and the women's/sexual revolution, and I hope this book finds fans and book clubs!
sallymentzer25's review against another edition
4.0
This was a quick and absorbing read; a combination of well-developed characters and fast-moving plot. I admired Margot’s ambition and determination to go to college and study science, despite her family’s social pressures. I also felt sorry for Margot having to suffer the behavior of her dreadful mother and remote, unethical father. The book recalls historical events of the late 1960’s and the struggles of women competing with men in the academic world. Thank you to @bookbrowse and @w.w.norton for the ARC.
debi_g's review against another edition
Random thoughts:
Intentional cover allusion to Joni Mitchell?
Did people use the term “on the down low” in this era?
Margot’s story, in some ways, is the opposite of the protagonist of Lessons in Chemistry.
Nothing went as I wanted it to go.
Do we all end begin full of promise and end up scarred, ordinary, and banal, fiilling internal vacuum chambers with could-have-beens?
Will there be a sequel? A movie?
Intentional cover allusion to Joni Mitchell?
Did people use the term “on the down low” in this era?
Margot’s story, in some ways, is the opposite of the protagonist of Lessons in Chemistry.
Nothing went as I wanted it to go.
Do we all end begin full of promise and end up scarred, ordinary, and banal, fiilling internal vacuum chambers with could-have-beens?
Will there be a sequel? A movie?