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keen23's review
3.0
This book was all over the place. Three stars is rounding up a bit. Because it's not a two star book, but it's really not a three star book.
I complain about male authors not knowing how to write from a female perspective, and Perrotta fails just as much as any male author with this book.
I complain about male authors not knowing how to write from a female perspective, and Perrotta fails just as much as any male author with this book.
kevinjwangler's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
angus_mckeogh's review
4.0
Perrotta. His books just have some understated and underlying brilliance. They always seem to deal with the mundane things in life but then revolve around fairly extraordinary occurrences that most of us might overlook. Simple relationships placed in less than simple situations. Just add one more book to his list of really great novels.
readingkate8's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
booksonthefloor's review
4.0
3.5, but I always round up. Tom Perrotta is so good at writing flawed, unlikeable people that you somehow root for. This book, although not my favorite of his, followed that same formula.
valski's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
I liked the book. This is my third Perotta, and they all have a similar vibe to me. For each of them, I had seen the film/tv adaptation before reading the book which I don’t recommend.
marderosas's review
3.0
ora divertido, ora irritante. um problema da literatura americana contemporânea é achar que certos tópicos não foram debatidos antes, e querer colocar em dia todos os assuntos possíveis. então os autores vão acrescentando ao seu enredo diversos tópicos sobre sexualidade, gênero, privilégio de raça, etc. não que seja um defeito, mas a sede por abordar tudo acaba se tornando um empecilho, fazendo com que o livro nunca foque verdadeiramente em nada.
em mrs. fletcher isso se revela algo frustrante, já que tom perrota não consegue construir uma história para esses personagens, limitando-se apenas a superfície dos seus problemas e características. a obra parece uma grande introdução à um momento que nunca é realizado. quando esse momento chega, o autor se acovarda e finaliza o livro de uma maneira que não faz justiça ao que foi apresentado.
em mrs. fletcher isso se revela algo frustrante, já que tom perrota não consegue construir uma história para esses personagens, limitando-se apenas a superfície dos seus problemas e características. a obra parece uma grande introdução à um momento que nunca é realizado. quando esse momento chega, o autor se acovarda e finaliza o livro de uma maneira que não faz justiça ao que foi apresentado.
jencolumb0's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book had a bit of a boomerang effect for me: I thoroughly enjoyed the process of reading it - I plowed through it inside 24 hours - but, upon reflection, found it rang hollow. It takes on several tantalizing and complex issues: the patriarchy and gender constructions as well as enforcement, abandonment wounds, neurodiversity, etc. It earns a star, alone, for its reflections upon the gender dynamics of a hetero blowjob (by a male author) that encourages change for the better.
Perhaps it is my endless optimism that drove my initial hope that this book qualifies as a white dude’s attempts to engage his compatriots in assisting in the dismantling of the patriarchy and is not, instead, a (relatively depressing) meditation on its staying power. Despite some inspiring passages, the scales ultimately tip toward the latter scenario. The enduring nature of the patriarchy shines through in the successful publishing of a book depicting a 40-something woman’s attempt to define herself as a person . . . in ways that arise thoroughly from masculine assumptions and approaches ( getting a new haircut; engaging in a threesome with two younger people, one of whom is her female subordinate at work and the other is the barely-legal, male, former target of her son’s bullying; chatting up bartenders; following the advice of listicles and marshaling friends for a “girls night”, a la Sex in the City; and surfing porn ) and result in her finding herself in exactly the configuration in which she lost herself: married, caring for her husband, and with her son living at home . Shockingly (lolz), the close of the book finds her defined, even by those closest to her, by her relationship to the men she is designated to help or support in all facets of their being - still a woman to be consumed for male pleasure or benefit - just like her namesake.
Her lack of evolution could be explained by the general human attraction to what is comfortable and, at first blush, that seems plausible. However, there is not a women in the book who is existing for herself; every female character is explicitly in service to a man or her greater community, except the elderly bowlers (presumably devoid of sexual utility . . . because patriarchy):working as a social worker or otherwise caring for an aspect of the community, teaching boys/men not to be dehumanizing a**holes and/or see their privilege, cooking for them, servicing them sexually . This reality underscores the truly patriarchal lens of this novel. For the bros out there taking some initial steps toward self awareness, I,’ll grant that this is an accessible starting point that they are most likely to hear. However, for those out there who already understand that the patriarchy hurts everyone and needs to go, perhaps you slot something else into your TBR instead of this thing.
Perhaps it is my endless optimism that drove my initial hope that this book qualifies as a white dude’s attempts to engage his compatriots in assisting in the dismantling of the patriarchy and is not, instead, a (relatively depressing) meditation on its staying power. Despite some inspiring passages, the scales ultimately tip toward the latter scenario. The enduring nature of the patriarchy shines through in the successful publishing of a book depicting a 40-something woman’s attempt to define herself as a person . . . in ways that arise thoroughly from masculine assumptions and approaches (
Her lack of evolution could be explained by the general human attraction to what is comfortable and, at first blush, that seems plausible. However, there is not a women in the book who is existing for herself; every female character is explicitly in service to a man or her greater community, except the elderly bowlers (presumably devoid of sexual utility . . . because patriarchy):
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Bullying, Misogyny, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Cancer, Deadnaming, and Transphobia
Moderate: Ableism, Classism, Death of parent, Dementia, and Sexual violence
Minor: Excrement, Racism, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Islamophobia, and Police brutality
The transphobia and deadnaming are challenged, as is the ableism. There are some ick stereotypes of softball players, southeast Asian men, and non-hetero women, too