Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.24 AVERAGE
3.24 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The writing was good, but this plot about the struggles of a single mom were depressing to me
This book gave me much to think about and if you want to rethink every book that you have ever read by a politician or famous person, this book will challenge your belief of whether they really wrote it, and how much is true.
Reading Experience:
Full Review on Armed with A Book.
Impersonation promises to be a read touching on ghostwriting, feminism, politics, public image and much more. In about 350 pages, it delivers a lot of information, sometimes factual as Allie researches the ideas Lana wants her to pursue, sprinkled with Allie’s life history. Though most of the book progresses at a slow pace, the last 30% delivers punches and has to be taken seriously. Below are three themes that spoke to me throughout this book.
On First Hand Experiences
Allie is a single mother. She has been in relationships but Cass is her family. Throughout the story, Allie is faced with the harsh realities of counting on a short-term partner who is dealing with his own identity crisis. She is the one who has to put food on the table, pay rent for their house as well as make sure that Cass is growing up with good role models. I liked learning about her struggles with parenthood, the challenges of being tight on money but wanting to give her son the opportunity to socialize with other kids.
It was often hard for Allie to work and without Lana giving her the right information to work with, it wasn’t surprising that Allie had to take inspiration from her own experiences as a mother. Every family is different and though the book that Allie was ghostwriting for Lana was about Lana and her son, Allie’s experiences as a mom came in handy. However, Lana did not give her enough material to help portray a family with her husband. When inspiration comes from experiences, the lack of them can leave gapping holes, and imagination has to kick in big time to make up for that.
On the Characters
This book has characters from various socio-economic statuses. We meet Allie who is a single mom, trying to make ends meet and Lana who is a famous activist. At the same time, we also meet different people involved in publishing a book, people in charge of publicity and public image for Lana, a full-time nanny that helps Lana with her son. Though Allie is the protagonist and a good chunk of these characters come later in the story when the book’s first draft is complete, it was interesting to see the dynamics of the roles that they fulfilled.
Though it is Lana’s book and Allie is writing it, with the intent to pass full ownership to Lana, there are outsiders who have a lot of say in what gets published and what should not. It does not seem to matter what Lana and Allie discussed and how they wanted to approach the book. It was situations like these that there was a lot of tension to be felt in the book because all I wanted to do for was Allie and Lana to speak up for themselves, or for me to speak up for them.
The book also touches on family troubles and how anger and discontent can have major repercussions on public image. Since the book portrays politics in the United States, it is not surprising that a lot of bad press is present for Lana and her competitors. The cut throat competition and how it affected Lana’s memoir about her son portrayed the outside forces that affect projects like this one.
I found Impersonation sad in this regard. What the public wanted to read about Lana or who they wanted her to be wasn’t exactly possible with the kind of work that she does and who she is. This attempt to show a side of her that does not exist was not something I had expected and I felt Impersonation did a good job of questioning whether the memoirs and books by famous people are even based in truth.
On Self-Advocacy
Impersonation is a very real book. Money and status often trumps talent and a person’s desperation to have food on the table wins over keeping their pride and name. No matter what happened, Allie got a major lesson in self-advocacy through this whole episode, and though I do not know if she would have continued to live by it, Lana gave her a fair chance. Lana did see her hard work though I found her quite passive and resigned to how she was a puppet herself in the game of politics.
Is Impersonation a feminist book? Does Lana live by her feminist ideals? You will have to read it to find out. Through forums with fellow ghostwriters and Allie’s story itself, you’ll get a glimpse of what a single mom ghostwriting a book might look like. There is promise of money but is no guarantee and there is definitely no fame. Lots to think about with this book!
Many thanks to the publisher for providing me a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reading Experience:
Full Review on Armed with A Book.
Impersonation promises to be a read touching on ghostwriting, feminism, politics, public image and much more. In about 350 pages, it delivers a lot of information, sometimes factual as Allie researches the ideas Lana wants her to pursue, sprinkled with Allie’s life history. Though most of the book progresses at a slow pace, the last 30% delivers punches and has to be taken seriously. Below are three themes that spoke to me throughout this book.
On First Hand Experiences
Allie is a single mother. She has been in relationships but Cass is her family. Throughout the story, Allie is faced with the harsh realities of counting on a short-term partner who is dealing with his own identity crisis. She is the one who has to put food on the table, pay rent for their house as well as make sure that Cass is growing up with good role models. I liked learning about her struggles with parenthood, the challenges of being tight on money but wanting to give her son the opportunity to socialize with other kids.
It was often hard for Allie to work and without Lana giving her the right information to work with, it wasn’t surprising that Allie had to take inspiration from her own experiences as a mother. Every family is different and though the book that Allie was ghostwriting for Lana was about Lana and her son, Allie’s experiences as a mom came in handy. However, Lana did not give her enough material to help portray a family with her husband. When inspiration comes from experiences, the lack of them can leave gapping holes, and imagination has to kick in big time to make up for that.
On the Characters
This book has characters from various socio-economic statuses. We meet Allie who is a single mom, trying to make ends meet and Lana who is a famous activist. At the same time, we also meet different people involved in publishing a book, people in charge of publicity and public image for Lana, a full-time nanny that helps Lana with her son. Though Allie is the protagonist and a good chunk of these characters come later in the story when the book’s first draft is complete, it was interesting to see the dynamics of the roles that they fulfilled.
Though it is Lana’s book and Allie is writing it, with the intent to pass full ownership to Lana, there are outsiders who have a lot of say in what gets published and what should not. It does not seem to matter what Lana and Allie discussed and how they wanted to approach the book. It was situations like these that there was a lot of tension to be felt in the book because all I wanted to do for was Allie and Lana to speak up for themselves, or for me to speak up for them.
The book also touches on family troubles and how anger and discontent can have major repercussions on public image. Since the book portrays politics in the United States, it is not surprising that a lot of bad press is present for Lana and her competitors. The cut throat competition and how it affected Lana’s memoir about her son portrayed the outside forces that affect projects like this one.
I found Impersonation sad in this regard. What the public wanted to read about Lana or who they wanted her to be wasn’t exactly possible with the kind of work that she does and who she is. This attempt to show a side of her that does not exist was not something I had expected and I felt Impersonation did a good job of questioning whether the memoirs and books by famous people are even based in truth.
On Self-Advocacy
Impersonation is a very real book. Money and status often trumps talent and a person’s desperation to have food on the table wins over keeping their pride and name. No matter what happened, Allie got a major lesson in self-advocacy through this whole episode, and though I do not know if she would have continued to live by it, Lana gave her a fair chance. Lana did see her hard work though I found her quite passive and resigned to how she was a puppet herself in the game of politics.
Is Impersonation a feminist book? Does Lana live by her feminist ideals? You will have to read it to find out. Through forums with fellow ghostwriters and Allie’s story itself, you’ll get a glimpse of what a single mom ghostwriting a book might look like. There is promise of money but is no guarantee and there is definitely no fame. Lots to think about with this book!
Many thanks to the publisher for providing me a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Not giving this one a rating just yet, because this is a book I have to sit with for awhile. I stayed up late on Election Night 2020 to finish it because I felt it’s pull during another emotional election. Still fighting the same fight from 2016 that is referenced over and over in Impersonation, and not sure if I can go through the wringer again.
Yet I don’t know if I liked this book or not, I don’t know if I should have been rooting for Lana and Allie or not.
Update 1/4/2021: added 4 star rating because this is a book I haven’t forgotten about and has a strong point of view and garnered a strong reaction from me.
Yet I don’t know if I liked this book or not, I don’t know if I should have been rooting for Lana and Allie or not.
Update 1/4/2021: added 4 star rating because this is a book I haven’t forgotten about and has a strong point of view and garnered a strong reaction from me.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Professional ghostwriter Allie lands a deal to write the memoir of a prominent women’s rights advocate whose staff believes she needs to soften her image before running for public office.
This novel was a personal gut punch for me. Allie's journey as a broke single mother with a young child stirred up so many memories and emotions, most specifically the constant worrying and despair of barely being able to make rent or find adequate, available, and affordable childcare. Author Heidi Pitlor also delivers a smart and honest behind-the-scenes look at the ghostwriting process and the ups-and-downs of working with a variety of clients. I currently handle many of the situations in this novel on a daily basis so I found myself alternating between cracking up and sighing in solidarity.
Come chat with me about books here, too:
Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest
Professional ghostwriter Allie lands a deal to write the memoir of a prominent women’s rights advocate whose staff believes she needs to soften her image before running for public office.
This novel was a personal gut punch for me. Allie's journey as a broke single mother with a young child stirred up so many memories and emotions, most specifically the constant worrying and despair of barely being able to make rent or find adequate, available, and affordable childcare. Author Heidi Pitlor also delivers a smart and honest behind-the-scenes look at the ghostwriting process and the ups-and-downs of working with a variety of clients. I currently handle many of the situations in this novel on a daily basis so I found myself alternating between cracking up and sighing in solidarity.
Come chat with me about books here, too:
Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest
reflective
medium-paced
REVIEW. Book 79 of 2020. 3/5 stars.
Thank you Algonquin and Heidi Pitlor for the ARC of this book!
Unfortunately this ARC had 47 pages missing! There were 47 pages that were printed twice, so I don't know what happened between pages 182-231. I was able to piece together a few things but otherwise I am probably missing some important parts!
With that said - I still enjoyed the book. It is set in 2016-2017, US, with the backdrop of the election. Hillary Clinton is mentioned by name often, and Trump is discussed but never named. I found the story interesting as a character study of the main character Allie, and the subject of her ghostwriting - Lana. They were very realistic and nuanced characters. Allie is a single mom, freelance ghostwriter who is generally broke between books. Lana is a high profile attorney who speaks at NARAL events, fights trolls on Twitter, and writes op-eds in the New York Times about policies and laws that affect women.
Allie is trying to ghostwrite a book for Lana about being a feminist mother and raising a feminist son (Lana's son is 12). Allie has a son who is 4, and she finds herself putting in stories from her own life since Lana basically refuses to provide personal information and keeps asking her to write about studies and data showing that women suffer disproportionately from the medical system, etc, etc.
Allie also had a brief gig ghostwriting for a very famous man who ended up getting his book deal cancelled because of allegations of sexual harassment. Allie reflects on being "one of the guys" at an old job, and how she got along with the famous man but definitely could see him sexually harassing someone. There is another theme of men overcoming a #metoo scandal in politics, towards the end of the book that basically just made me sad!
I liked Allie's character and I was interested in the logistics of the ghostwriting. It was pretty clear from the beginning that Lana was not exactly the warm mom everyone wanted her to be in her book. The missing pages were right before the final third of the book, so I may have missed something important, but the feeling I got from the ending was one of disappointment. A lot happened to Allie that I felt wasn't fair and I felt that she didn't stand up for herself as much as she should have. On the other hand, the book really delved into politics and the need for compromise in order to get ahead, ESPECIALLY for women - but I still just felt kind of icky about all the compromise going on. Without spoiling it, I will have to stop here and say this was entertaining, realistic (maybe too realistic - i.e. depressing - about the state of US politics!) and a quick read. It comes out on August 18th!
Thank you Algonquin and Heidi Pitlor for the ARC of this book!
Unfortunately this ARC had 47 pages missing! There were 47 pages that were printed twice, so I don't know what happened between pages 182-231. I was able to piece together a few things but otherwise I am probably missing some important parts!
With that said - I still enjoyed the book. It is set in 2016-2017, US, with the backdrop of the election. Hillary Clinton is mentioned by name often, and Trump is discussed but never named. I found the story interesting as a character study of the main character Allie, and the subject of her ghostwriting - Lana. They were very realistic and nuanced characters. Allie is a single mom, freelance ghostwriter who is generally broke between books. Lana is a high profile attorney who speaks at NARAL events, fights trolls on Twitter, and writes op-eds in the New York Times about policies and laws that affect women.
Allie is trying to ghostwrite a book for Lana about being a feminist mother and raising a feminist son (Lana's son is 12). Allie has a son who is 4, and she finds herself putting in stories from her own life since Lana basically refuses to provide personal information and keeps asking her to write about studies and data showing that women suffer disproportionately from the medical system, etc, etc.
Allie also had a brief gig ghostwriting for a very famous man who ended up getting his book deal cancelled because of allegations of sexual harassment. Allie reflects on being "one of the guys" at an old job, and how she got along with the famous man but definitely could see him sexually harassing someone. There is another theme of men overcoming a #metoo scandal in politics, towards the end of the book that basically just made me sad!
I liked Allie's character and I was interested in the logistics of the ghostwriting. It was pretty clear from the beginning that Lana was not exactly the warm mom everyone wanted her to be in her book. The missing pages were right before the final third of the book, so I may have missed something important, but the feeling I got from the ending was one of disappointment. A lot happened to Allie that I felt wasn't fair and I felt that she didn't stand up for herself as much as she should have. On the other hand, the book really delved into politics and the need for compromise in order to get ahead, ESPECIALLY for women - but I still just felt kind of icky about all the compromise going on. Without spoiling it, I will have to stop here and say this was entertaining, realistic (maybe too realistic - i.e. depressing - about the state of US politics!) and a quick read. It comes out on August 18th!
This book came in my Page One books subscription in September and I had never heard of it and wasn’t overwhelming excited about the description but have yet to be disappointed with one of the their picks so gave it a shot. There were a few points where I felt it dragged but overall I loved it and really enjoyed the story of women pushing back and supporting each other in our current political climate. Would definitely highly recommend.
Received this ARC from the publisher. I have to say, the cover put me off -- I wasn't sure what this book was, and the cover gave me the totally wrong idea that this was an obsessive friendship/identity stealing novel like [b:Social Creature|34909789|Social Creature|Tara Isabella Burton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1518794075l/34909789._SY75_.jpg|56171634]. But it's not about those things at all! Instead, this is a first-person confessional novel about Allie, a ghostwriter who is raising her young, sensitive son alone and struggling to make ends meet, picking up landscaping and substitute teacher gigs to supplement her ghostwriting career. After losing a job ghostwriting for a horrible tech bro who gets #metoo'd, Allie is hired to work with a rich, young rising feminist, Lana Breban, on a memoir about raising a feminist son. Lana and her team want the book to cement Lana's image as an authority on feminist parenting, but it quickly becomes clear that Lana has very little experience in this department, and her reliance on Allie for anecdotes and stories from her own experience of being a mother quickly spirals to the point where Allie is forced to decide how much of her own life she's willing to share as Lana's story. Did I mention this all takes place in the fraught period right before/after the 2016 election?
I found this book absolutely enthralling and at times, enraging. All of the mothers in this book make questionable decisions and terrible mistakes, and it left me feeling sad for their children who will have to live with the fallout, something that only Allie seems to consider. While reading it I felt like they were all bad mothers at one point or another, but it helps to think of their actions in terms of what was going on at the time the story took place, and how Hillary's loss in 2016 impacted the female psyche. When you take that into consideration, it becomes a little more understandable why some of these choices were made.
Although they're nothing alike politically, Lana reminded me of the recent characterization of Phyllis Schlafley on the FX show Mrs. America. Both women are living a public life wildly different from their own realities. Phyllis commanded a large network of like-minded conservative women voters, organizing them against the feminist effort to pass the ERA because women don't belong in the workplace and should be deferring to their husbands who head the household. Meanwhile, she's actively betraying this dynamic in her own home, going against her husband's wishes to further her education, and spending all of her time working on the campaign to end the ERA, with a housekeeper/cook and her sister taking on most of the household duties while Phyllis runs her empire and presents herself as a homemaker and stay at home mother in her public persona. Similarly, Lana has a schedule absolutely packed with travel and speaking engagements around the world to promote a feminist agenda, at one point organizing a stunt where a group of women publicly breastfeed behind her, something she never had the time or inclination to do. Her involvement in the feminist speaking circle largely keeps her away from her son and disengaged with hands-on parenting, which runs contrary to the image of a woman who has/does it all that she seems to feel she must present to the public.
All that being said, there is a ton to unpack here, about motherhood, feminism, politics, coupling, the public presentation of self, advocating for yourself in the workplace -- it's a lot, for such a readable and buzzy book. Having only finished it last night, I know I'll keep thinking about it as I digest further. Definitely recommended.
I found this book absolutely enthralling and at times, enraging. All of the mothers in this book make questionable decisions and terrible mistakes, and it left me feeling sad for their children who will have to live with the fallout, something that only Allie seems to consider. While reading it I felt like they were all bad mothers at one point or another, but it helps to think of their actions in terms of what was going on at the time the story took place, and how Hillary's loss in 2016 impacted the female psyche. When you take that into consideration, it becomes a little more understandable why some of these choices were made.
Although they're nothing alike politically, Lana reminded me of the recent characterization of Phyllis Schlafley on the FX show Mrs. America. Both women are living a public life wildly different from their own realities. Phyllis commanded a large network of like-minded conservative women voters, organizing them against the feminist effort to pass the ERA because women don't belong in the workplace and should be deferring to their husbands who head the household. Meanwhile, she's actively betraying this dynamic in her own home, going against her husband's wishes to further her education, and spending all of her time working on the campaign to end the ERA, with a housekeeper/cook and her sister taking on most of the household duties while Phyllis runs her empire and presents herself as a homemaker and stay at home mother in her public persona. Similarly, Lana has a schedule absolutely packed with travel and speaking engagements around the world to promote a feminist agenda, at one point organizing a stunt where a group of women publicly breastfeed behind her, something she never had the time or inclination to do. Her involvement in the feminist speaking circle largely keeps her away from her son and disengaged with hands-on parenting, which runs contrary to the image of a woman who has/does it all that she seems to feel she must present to the public.
All that being said, there is a ton to unpack here, about motherhood, feminism, politics, coupling, the public presentation of self, advocating for yourself in the workplace -- it's a lot, for such a readable and buzzy book. Having only finished it last night, I know I'll keep thinking about it as I digest further. Definitely recommended.
I’m not sure exactly what I was expecting going into this book. To be honest, I didn’t really do a lot of research into the book. I read the synopsis, or really skimmed over it, and thought it looked really interesting. If I had taken more time, then I doubt that I would have wanted to read and the review. I’m glad that I didn’t take much time on it, however; although I do not think that the book was perfect for me, I am very glad that I was given the chance to read an advanced reader copy of it.
The book follows Allie Lang, a professional ghostwriter and single mother who is struggling with making enough money to support her family. At the beginning of the book, Allie gets a job writing a memoir for a celebrity, but that falls through due to a scandal unrelated to her. After that, she soon gets another job, writing a memoir for Lana Breban, a feminist and political activist who has set her sights on running for office. She also is a mother to a young boy. It is decided that her image needs softening, so a memoir about her life as a mother is what is chosen to do the job.
Allie is very excited, however, Lana isn’t the most cooperative with the book, and often, if unintentionally, leaves Allie struggling to find material for the book. Lana’s job keeps her on her feet, and soon comes to require too much of Allie’s time.
I felt that the subplot that took place at the beginning of the book with the celebrity memoir that falls through was good, and very interesting. However, because of it we didn’t get introduced to Lana until much later in the novel. I’m not sure how that could have been done differently, but I was struggling to find the similarities between the book I was reading and the synopsis that I’d read for a good chunk of the book.
The plot, however, even if it wasn’t what I expected it to be was interesting enough. The ending was gripping, and towards the end of the book, I grew to like Lana’s character more and more.
When we were first introduced to her, however, I wasn’t a fan. The back of the copy I was provided said in big, bold letters, “together they make the perfect feminist mother.”
For most of the time I was reading the book, I was convinced that they really didn’t. Lana didn’t seem to care enough about the smaller things, and while she was aiming high and doing her best, she often wasn’t aware of the people right around her, and didn’t give them enough time. Lana is supposed to be coming out with a memoir about her being a mother, however, she really doesn’t parent much at all.
I had to wonder what it would be like for her son. His mom is a pretty big deal, but she’s often not around. I can only imagine that if she could barely spend time with Allie, she would spend next to nothing with her son.
Allie, on the other hand, is an amazing mother doing her best. She struggles with money, and struggles with finding childcare, but she tries so hard to give her son Cass the best life possible, and to raise him as an empathetic boy.
I do have to say, while reading this book I thought a lot about what it would be like to be a ghostwriter. I love writing, and someday want to be an author. It makes me really nervous for people to read my writing, even blog posts, but having no one know that you wrote something, a whole book even? And seeing someone else get credit for writing it? I think it would be weird, and I don’t know if I personally could get used to it.
I also would never be able to keep it a secret from everyone, and I think about Allie, who had ghostwritten many novels, and her mother, who is constantly guessing who Allie’s writing for, and is constantly pressuring her to tell her. Just her, and only her, she says.
The book also takes place before and during the 2016 election. I was a lot younger when that happened, only ten, but I remember it so clearly. I remember it so, so clearly.
Reading about how Allie reacts to things happening, reading about Allie reading the news, and knowing the outcome of the presidential election, well, it’s like having a whole other perspective.
Jimmie, Allie’s landlord, neighbor, and sort of friend is a Trump supporter, and she struggles with handling that. The election night, the days, weeks and months coming up to it, she tries to contain her anger and disgust about what is going on.
Allie’s relationship with her parents is very complicated, but is written in a way that feels entirely realistic. Her mother and stepfather Ed really love her, but don’t see how they are often very judgmental. Allie wants to have a good relationship with them, especially with her mother, but feels like they are constantly judging her on how she’s living her life, and how she is raising her son.
But Allie, through all of this preservers, and continues, and keeps going with her life. She never gives up, and learns to push harder for what she needs. Allie’s development throughout the book is one of my favorite aspects, and I grew to really admire her character.
In conclusion...
I did not start out loving this book at all. I really didn’t like it. But the plot intrigued me from the beginning, and I wanted to know how it all ended. I’m so glad that I kept up with it, because it turned out to be a really remarkable novel.
I loved watching as Allie Lang overcame each obstacle in her life, and how she really evolved as a character and progressed as a human being.
My rating:
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
Recommendable: Yes
To who? This is an amazing book, however, I do think that it would be much better for an adult reader than a younger one. It is a very important book, and one that I recommend to any older reader looking for a novel about feminism, perseverance, and the ups and downs of being a single parent struggling with money.
(review on my blog)
The book follows Allie Lang, a professional ghostwriter and single mother who is struggling with making enough money to support her family. At the beginning of the book, Allie gets a job writing a memoir for a celebrity, but that falls through due to a scandal unrelated to her. After that, she soon gets another job, writing a memoir for Lana Breban, a feminist and political activist who has set her sights on running for office. She also is a mother to a young boy. It is decided that her image needs softening, so a memoir about her life as a mother is what is chosen to do the job.
Allie is very excited, however, Lana isn’t the most cooperative with the book, and often, if unintentionally, leaves Allie struggling to find material for the book. Lana’s job keeps her on her feet, and soon comes to require too much of Allie’s time.
I felt that the subplot that took place at the beginning of the book with the celebrity memoir that falls through was good, and very interesting. However, because of it we didn’t get introduced to Lana until much later in the novel. I’m not sure how that could have been done differently, but I was struggling to find the similarities between the book I was reading and the synopsis that I’d read for a good chunk of the book.
The plot, however, even if it wasn’t what I expected it to be was interesting enough. The ending was gripping, and towards the end of the book, I grew to like Lana’s character more and more.
When we were first introduced to her, however, I wasn’t a fan. The back of the copy I was provided said in big, bold letters, “together they make the perfect feminist mother.”
For most of the time I was reading the book, I was convinced that they really didn’t. Lana didn’t seem to care enough about the smaller things, and while she was aiming high and doing her best, she often wasn’t aware of the people right around her, and didn’t give them enough time. Lana is supposed to be coming out with a memoir about her being a mother, however, she really doesn’t parent much at all.
I had to wonder what it would be like for her son. His mom is a pretty big deal, but she’s often not around. I can only imagine that if she could barely spend time with Allie, she would spend next to nothing with her son.
Allie, on the other hand, is an amazing mother doing her best. She struggles with money, and struggles with finding childcare, but she tries so hard to give her son Cass the best life possible, and to raise him as an empathetic boy.
I do have to say, while reading this book I thought a lot about what it would be like to be a ghostwriter. I love writing, and someday want to be an author. It makes me really nervous for people to read my writing, even blog posts, but having no one know that you wrote something, a whole book even? And seeing someone else get credit for writing it? I think it would be weird, and I don’t know if I personally could get used to it.
I also would never be able to keep it a secret from everyone, and I think about Allie, who had ghostwritten many novels, and her mother, who is constantly guessing who Allie’s writing for, and is constantly pressuring her to tell her. Just her, and only her, she says.
The book also takes place before and during the 2016 election. I was a lot younger when that happened, only ten, but I remember it so clearly. I remember it so, so clearly.
Reading about how Allie reacts to things happening, reading about Allie reading the news, and knowing the outcome of the presidential election, well, it’s like having a whole other perspective.
Jimmie, Allie’s landlord, neighbor, and sort of friend is a Trump supporter, and she struggles with handling that. The election night, the days, weeks and months coming up to it, she tries to contain her anger and disgust about what is going on.
Allie’s relationship with her parents is very complicated, but is written in a way that feels entirely realistic. Her mother and stepfather Ed really love her, but don’t see how they are often very judgmental. Allie wants to have a good relationship with them, especially with her mother, but feels like they are constantly judging her on how she’s living her life, and how she is raising her son.
But Allie, through all of this preservers, and continues, and keeps going with her life. She never gives up, and learns to push harder for what she needs. Allie’s development throughout the book is one of my favorite aspects, and I grew to really admire her character.
In conclusion...
I did not start out loving this book at all. I really didn’t like it. But the plot intrigued me from the beginning, and I wanted to know how it all ended. I’m so glad that I kept up with it, because it turned out to be a really remarkable novel.
I loved watching as Allie Lang overcame each obstacle in her life, and how she really evolved as a character and progressed as a human being.
My rating:
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
Recommendable: Yes
To who? This is an amazing book, however, I do think that it would be much better for an adult reader than a younger one. It is a very important book, and one that I recommend to any older reader looking for a novel about feminism, perseverance, and the ups and downs of being a single parent struggling with money.
(review on my blog)