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3.37 AVERAGE
3.37 AVERAGE
This is a story about Jane, beginning with her childhood in the suburbs and following her through young adulthood. She moves to NYC to begin a career as a book editor, into a relationship with a much older, but revered writer.
Some will say that this book kick-started the “chick-lit” movement. And if it did, so be it. But there is a strange sadness and absurdity to it, as well – beneath the curtain of suburban life presented to readers.
The author does a good job of presenting prose effortlessly graceful in its restraint.
Even though the novel takes place in the 90’s (I read it in 2018), there is an old-world glamour to Jane’s life as she immerses herself in publishing parties with literary elite. She is also enjoying her boyfriend’s charming country home.
The story almost reads like a little girl’s fantasy of a grown-up life – but with melancholy.
As readers, it feels immersive and escapist at the same time. But also, thought-provoking. Tender. Whatever your mood, this might be an irresistible read.
The title refers to books for women on how to catch a husband by making it a game. Better to be yourself than to play at being things you are not.
A well-told story, but I wasn't fond of the protagonist. In the first chapter I was interested by the young girl's curiosity and brashness but the later chapters seemed to be written by someone on too much Prozac, sort of detached, distant and too sarcastic. Perhaps that was the point, but I found the book left me feeling depressed and hollow.
Totally charming. Felt like one of those TV shows you could watch and end up laughing and crying. Brought me back to my life in the late 80s/early 90s.
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
like the insert of the cover says, it's a shame that this book is solely relegated to the class of chick lit -
because of its stellar writing, it should definitely be somewhere above it: like "chick lit that is really literature" or something
because of its stellar writing, it should definitely be somewhere above it: like "chick lit that is really literature" or something
Not sure how this book ever came to fall under the label of chick lit. Anyone looking for a Shopaholic in these here parts will be disappointed. Maybe Bank could have avoided this miscategorization by having her heroine lose her ovaries in the war--I guess a breast to cancer wasn't enough. Which is not to say TGG doesn't percolate with humor and fresh, easy-to-read prose. The first story, featuring 14 year old Jane remains my favorite, but I zipped happily through the rest.
i expected this to be chick-lit/beach reading type of thing... and it's not. or, it can't make up its mind if it wants to be. some parts are great, but parts of this book wander into darker territory than expected. its like biting into a cake and finding a raw oyster. oysters are great if you want to be eating them, but they dont make sense in the middle of a cake.