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ukponge's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Drug abuse, Sexism, Religious bigotry, and Racism
sarahholliday's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
The short version: an entertaining novel that made me smile, but also left me disappointed.
I think Mary Jane is an excellent beach read, if you're looking for something that prods deeper issues without pushing too hard. Mary Jane makes for a delightful protagonist, and as someone who grew up in conservative Christian culture, I related to her instantly. The 70s nostalgia is palpable, and though Mary Jane's idyllic summer is predicated on her immense privilege, it's easy to get swept away by the music references and sweet details of the time.
My biggest issue is with the story's inability to stick to one approach...instead of being a piece of purely escapist nostalgia or a thoughtful examination of the complexity of the 1970s, the novel stops short of becoming either. I've seen reviewers dismiss Mary Jane's parents as caricatures, but unfortunately they read as all too familiar to me. But instead of there being some sort of reckoning between MJ and her parents over issues of racism, snobbery, and control, Mary Jane ends up being...sort of okay with accepting her parents for who they are.
In the end, I think it's the book's final 20% that let the rest of the story down, making this novel one of unfulfilled potential.
I think Mary Jane is an excellent beach read, if you're looking for something that prods deeper issues without pushing too hard. Mary Jane makes for a delightful protagonist, and as someone who grew up in conservative Christian culture, I related to her instantly. The 70s nostalgia is palpable, and though Mary Jane's idyllic summer is predicated on her immense privilege, it's easy to get swept away by the music references and sweet details of the time.
My biggest issue is with the story's inability to stick to one approach...instead of being a piece of purely escapist nostalgia or a thoughtful examination of the complexity of the 1970s, the novel stops short of becoming either. I've seen reviewers dismiss Mary Jane's parents as caricatures, but unfortunately they read as all too familiar to me. But instead of there being some sort of reckoning between MJ and her parents over issues of racism, snobbery, and control, Mary Jane ends up being...sort of okay with accepting her parents for who they are.
In the end, I think it's the book's final 20% that let the rest of the story down, making this novel one of unfulfilled potential.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Antisemitism, Racism, Religious bigotry, and Sexual content
kendallreadsbooks's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Racism, Drug use, and Sexual content
Minor: Infidelity
thebakerbookworm's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I read this for my work book club; it wasn’t one I voted for but I was pleasantly surprised by it! The plot is slow and it’s a lot of day-to-day activities, but it somehow was still really engaging and I couldn’t put it down. I read it in two days!
I do like character-driven books though so maybe it’s not surprising I liked it. You get a real feel for Baltimore in the 70s, and what it’s like for this young sheltered girl to be captivated by a movie star and her rock star husband. Mary Jane was easy to like and root for; her naivety was charming and felt real, rather than annoying. Instead of being overshadowed by the other larger-than-life-type characters, Mary Jane is the standout. Her growth and development over the course of the story feels earned and natural. Her relationship with her mother especially felt authentic, and I liked where the author took it. I liked the other characters as well, particularly her young charge, Izzy, and our movie star, Sheba.
If you enjoy 70s music, you’ll probably appreciate this book even more than I did—there are a lot of musical references that add to certain scenes.
A sweet and poignant coming-of-age story, this book made me laugh, made me care about the characters, made my heart swell in pride and joy (and sometimes alarm) at their decisions and growth, and made me want to keep reading, which is all I really ask for from a book.
Be on the lookout for it—it publishes May 11!
Read if you like: Daisy Jones and the Six, Almost Famous, anything to do with the 70s, group therapy.
I do like character-driven books though so maybe it’s not surprising I liked it. You get a real feel for Baltimore in the 70s, and what it’s like for this young sheltered girl to be captivated by a movie star and her rock star husband. Mary Jane was easy to like and root for; her naivety was charming and felt real, rather than annoying. Instead of being overshadowed by the other larger-than-life-type characters, Mary Jane is the standout. Her growth and development over the course of the story feels earned and natural. Her relationship with her mother especially felt authentic, and I liked where the author took it. I liked the other characters as well, particularly her young charge, Izzy, and our movie star, Sheba.
If you enjoy 70s music, you’ll probably appreciate this book even more than I did—there are a lot of musical references that add to certain scenes.
A sweet and poignant coming-of-age story, this book made me laugh, made me care about the characters, made my heart swell in pride and joy (and sometimes alarm) at their decisions and growth, and made me want to keep reading, which is all I really ask for from a book.
Be on the lookout for it—it publishes May 11!
Read if you like: Daisy Jones and the Six, Almost Famous, anything to do with the 70s, group therapy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Addiction, Antisemitism, Drug use, Racism, Religious bigotry, and Sexual content
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