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miloulou's review against another edition
3.0
This book introduced some really interesting points and paints a vivid tale of life at the time, but I felt like I kept reading unfinished thoughts.
minniepauline's review against another edition
2.0
An interesting look at a particular group at a particular time, culturally speaking, but I wouldn't call it a novel.
maplessence's review against another edition
4.0
Fairly near the start this book had waaay too much detail about 1930's contraception for my tastes - it went on for pages. Yes, I should be more sympathetic - this chapter also evoked the feelings of confused and furtive shame about sexual matters that I remember from the 70's.
But the further into this groundbreaking novel I got, the more absorbed I became. I especially like the way The Group moved in and out of each others lives - some of the characters disappear for chapters and chapters. This very much reflects real life. Most of the women have absorbing lives, but only the most frustrating member Kay has a real career. Kay also has a real devotion to the unlovely Harald.
Polly was my favourite, Libby felt the most realistic.
I found the ending confusing and a bit hard to follow, but still this is a most excellent book.
But the further into this groundbreaking novel I got, the more absorbed I became. I especially like the way The Group moved in and out of each others lives - some of the characters disappear for chapters and chapters. This very much reflects real life. Most of the women have absorbing lives, but only the most frustrating member Kay has a real career. Kay also has a real devotion to the unlovely Harald.
Spoiler
so wish he came to a horrible end.Polly was my favourite, Libby felt the most realistic.
I found the ending confusing and a bit hard to follow, but still this is a most excellent book.
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jerrica's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting in terms of its satirical commentary on the culture of (unfortunately over)educated women in 1930s New York, but the book was mostly just snappy character descriptions and didn’t have much in the way of plot.
_dunno_'s review against another edition
4.0
Depicting events from almost 90 years ago, the book—written almost 60 years ago—feels today as fresh as it probably was back then. By watching closely the 8 women, Mary McCarthy shows us all the facets of femininity—sex, marriage, motherhood, family, employment, friendship, mental health, politics, death, you name it—there's not a single thing she's left out. The times have changed, the language and mannerisms as well, but, in its essence, the book hasn't lost a single drop of authenticity and feels deeply relatable. Brilliant, sharp and funny, this Mary!
capra's review against another edition
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Pregnancy, Misogyny, Miscarriage, Gaslighting, Antisemitism, Suicide, Sexual violence, Death, Rape, Lesbophobia, Classism, and Alcoholism
Minor: War and Racism
kristinana's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, this book was fantastic! I hardly ever read what people might consider a "beach read," but I was going to the beach and decided to read something that might be a little closer to one than usual. I actually marked this book "to read" after seeing Betty Draper reading it on Mad Men (season 2) and finding out that it was a bit of a sensation at the time. What would Betty Draper read (WWBDR)? Apparently she has good taste.
From the beginning I kept thinking, "wow, I wish I could write like this." There are lots of writers I admire who I don't actually think this about, for one reason or another. But I thought this about Mary McCarthy for two main reasons (other than the simple fact that her sentence construction and rhythm are impeccable): first, she is *hilarious,* brilliantly poking fun at the cluelessness of her characters without ever losing affection for them, and second, she is so adept at moving among the characters, allowing you to see each one from the others' perspectives. This latter point is itself deftly satirized as the women in the group try, in deference to their Vassar education, to withhold judgment: "their education had impressed upon them the unwisdom of making large judgments from one's own narrow segment of experience," she writes early in the novel, and at another time, a young woman questions her husband's version of a story: "That was the big thing they taught you at Vassar: keep your mind open and always ask for evidence, even from your own side." You can see how McCarthy's characters are always consciously resisting their own privileged tendencies to make rash, conservative pronouncements on others; McCarthy seems to be gently poking fun at this rather academic approach to life, and how it creates such anxiety and confusion for her characters. And of course, much of it hits close to home.
This adeptness of McCarthy's in changing perspectives also yields another satisfaction, which is how she slowly, little by little, makes the story sadder. What once seemed like youthful folly turns pathetic, even tragic. While never losing its acerbic humor, the novel deepens to reveal how most of these young women, who think themselves so liberated, are much more trapped than they ever realize. (And then Norine shows up and everything is hilarious again.)
Like every novel, this one is not for everyone. Some people might find it too light; others might find it dull or dated. But to me, this was a brilliantly hilarious, often moving, and complex portrait of women's friendships and inner lives.
From the beginning I kept thinking, "wow, I wish I could write like this." There are lots of writers I admire who I don't actually think this about, for one reason or another. But I thought this about Mary McCarthy for two main reasons (other than the simple fact that her sentence construction and rhythm are impeccable): first, she is *hilarious,* brilliantly poking fun at the cluelessness of her characters without ever losing affection for them, and second, she is so adept at moving among the characters, allowing you to see each one from the others' perspectives. This latter point is itself deftly satirized as the women in the group try, in deference to their Vassar education, to withhold judgment: "their education had impressed upon them the unwisdom of making large judgments from one's own narrow segment of experience," she writes early in the novel, and at another time, a young woman questions her husband's version of a story: "That was the big thing they taught you at Vassar: keep your mind open and always ask for evidence, even from your own side." You can see how McCarthy's characters are always consciously resisting their own privileged tendencies to make rash, conservative pronouncements on others; McCarthy seems to be gently poking fun at this rather academic approach to life, and how it creates such anxiety and confusion for her characters. And of course, much of it hits close to home.
This adeptness of McCarthy's in changing perspectives also yields another satisfaction, which is how she slowly, little by little, makes the story sadder. What once seemed like youthful folly turns pathetic, even tragic. While never losing its acerbic humor, the novel deepens to reveal how most of these young women, who think themselves so liberated, are much more trapped than they ever realize. (And then Norine shows up and everything is hilarious again.)
Like every novel, this one is not for everyone. Some people might find it too light; others might find it dull or dated. But to me, this was a brilliantly hilarious, often moving, and complex portrait of women's friendships and inner lives.
beltorrealba's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-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
5.0
tmarwee's review against another edition
challenging
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
saraklem's review against another edition
5.0
I really struggled to find anything not to like about this book. I enjoyed it from beginning to end, and if any moment the plot got "slow" that moment would be fleeting. The characters were lovable but flawed in real ways, and McCarthy had a very "show, don't tell" way of portraying their relationships. I also loved that it wasn't one of those books that made you want to ~predict~ the ending -- it was very immersive.