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chrisje's review against another edition
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
clarakieler's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ashlynnbharrison's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5. The Group follows a collection of 8 women after they graduate college in 1933. As a woman 3.5 years post grad, I was thoroughly entertained by the 1930s perspective. Another review described this book as women rejecting, then accepting, the prisons in which they live - I could not agree more with this perspective. I see why this book was so wild for it’s day and found this book an enjoyable read.
debi_g's review against another edition
4.0
I am so glad I read this book. Other reviewers have said all there is to say. If anyone is struggling, I'd say to stick it out through page 40. Then you'll be hooked.
morgileelee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
chirson's review against another edition
4.0
(A brief glance at McCarthy's biography suggests that she was the original Taylor Swift - what with Harald being ostensibly loosely based on an ex.)
The book has its flaws - it doesn't quite come together at times, there are so many points of view that none of them get the attention one wants them to get, perhaps Hatton the Butler being the exception. I could have done without him.
But Girls has nothing on the scope and risky material (masturbation, fidelity, open relationships, sexuality and contraception, rape, lesbians), and it's downright unbelievable how accurate this novel - written in the 50s, depicting the 30s, published in 1963 - is about the mommy wars, or how scathing its social commentary is, or how interesting its analysis of homophobia. It's all pretty up to date, oddly enough.
I'm very glad I decided to read it on a whim. I laughed out loud at times, I interrupted my SO to read sections and demand reactions.
The story about Dottie waiting for her lover, armed with a douchebag and diaphragm in a manila envelope, could have been a Munro short story.
Aged well, this book did.
The book has its flaws - it doesn't quite come together at times, there are so many points of view that none of them get the attention one wants them to get, perhaps Hatton the Butler being the exception. I could have done without him.
But Girls has nothing on the scope and risky material (masturbation, fidelity, open relationships, sexuality and contraception, rape, lesbians), and it's downright unbelievable how accurate this novel - written in the 50s, depicting the 30s, published in 1963 - is about the mommy wars, or how scathing its social commentary is, or how interesting its analysis of homophobia. It's all pretty up to date, oddly enough.
I'm very glad I decided to read it on a whim. I laughed out loud at times, I interrupted my SO to read sections and demand reactions.
The story about Dottie waiting for her lover, armed with a douchebag and diaphragm in a manila envelope, could have been a Munro short story.
Aged well, this book did.
juliacecil's review against another edition
4.0
i really liked this book. very dramatic in a daytime soap kind of way.
katiehartsreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
pddkny's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75