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3.36 AVERAGE
3.36 AVERAGE
You have to know what you're getting into with Close's writing style. It's different. It's detached. It has special moments of belly laughter. I enjoyed this book more than her first, GIRLS IN WHITE DRESSES, probably because family, in its roots, is something everyone can relate to. There's silent judgement; there are failures; there are mistakes and mistakes that become blessings.
I like to think of this book as a narrative on family relationships and dynamics. It's not so much a story, as you would expect, but like a look into this one family and how these characters interact with one another. From crazy Martha (who admittedly got on my nerves, which I think was done on purpose) to racist grandma Bets, the characters are flawed and wildly entertaining. The best part? It's not just this one family Close is writing about. Ultimately, it spans to give the reader a subtle look into other family dynamics to show us that, yeah, every one's family is just a little nutty.
I like to think of this book as a narrative on family relationships and dynamics. It's not so much a story, as you would expect, but like a look into this one family and how these characters interact with one another. From crazy Martha (who admittedly got on my nerves, which I think was done on purpose) to racist grandma Bets, the characters are flawed and wildly entertaining. The best part? It's not just this one family Close is writing about. Ultimately, it spans to give the reader a subtle look into other family dynamics to show us that, yeah, every one's family is just a little nutty.
I love Jennifer Close’s writing. Her characters are complex and flawed, sometimes frustratingly annoying, but they feel real - like you really know them inside and out. It was entertaining to be inside their heads, as each chapter rotates perspectives, and try to understand their thoughts and actions.
The storylines are a bit depressing and it felt like a train wreck at times, but I enjoyed being a fly on the wall and witnessing these characters’ stories play out on their own and together with one another.
The storylines are a bit depressing and it felt like a train wreck at times, but I enjoyed being a fly on the wall and witnessing these characters’ stories play out on their own and together with one another.
Jennifer Close's novel, The Smart One is a story of shifting family dynamics and growing-up. The Smart One follows the Coffey family, as three of the adult children have left and returned to the nest.
Claire moves back home after her fiancé leaves her and she is drowning in a pile of credit card debt. Max has just graduated from college and his girlfriend is pregnant, creating a situation where his parent's basement has been converted into a mini-apartment for the new arrival. Martha has mental issues that prompted her to quit her nursing job and have kept her stuck in retail employment, not earning enough to live on her own. The Coffey family struggles to redefine their family dynamic and boundaries with their new circumstances.
Close's subject is sure to hit home with many adults finding themselves having to move back home with their parents due to the tough economy. The situations presented in this story and the way that the characters react, feel very real and very relevant. The story reads as a slice-of-life, without any earth shattering plot twists or a dramatic story arc. Close writes a story that is very much character driven.
I most related to Claire, who finds herself in a desperate situation after making a decent stab at independent living in New York City. Claire has a good job, a nice apartment and is months away from getting married, when her fiancé dumps her. She cannot afford to live on her own and just curls up in a ball and relies on credit cards to get her through, until the debt piles up and everything has spiraled out of control. She lets her depression control the situation. When she moves back home, she gets a basic job to pay off the debt, but starts seeing a guy from her high school that is in a similar situation himself. They fall into a quasi-relationship that basically doesn't extend beyond the boundaries of his parent's basement. I wanted to ring Claire's neck and get her out of her funk, but at the same time, I could totally relate. The circumstances have been different, but I've acted out in similar ways to Claire. It was frustrating to read.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and I thought that Close is a solid writer and keen observer of human behavior. There was one thing that really bothered me. Normally, I don't give a lot of thought to the title of the book, but with this story, I couldn't let it go. I couldn't quite figure out what or who the title referenced. I think that it may have been intentionally vague, like it sort of fits all of the characters and is a statement on the fact that everyone's contribution to a family dynamic is unique. There is no such thing as "The Smart" kid. However, the vagueness of the title just drove me a bit batty. I felt like it made me lose my focus towards the story or that I spent an unnecessary amount of time thinking about it, more than the author would have intended.
Finally, as Thanksgiving is tomorrow, this book was a timely read. Family dynamics can be bumpy and the story was a good reminder to remember that just because you're blood, doesn't mean that you are necessarily are similar. Sometimes time apart makes it easier to spend time together and to appreciate the differences. The Smart One is a great book to read if you are having trouble connecting with your own family. The fictional Coffey family gave me a sense of ease and perspective.
Like my Review? Check out my blog!
Claire moves back home after her fiancé leaves her and she is drowning in a pile of credit card debt. Max has just graduated from college and his girlfriend is pregnant, creating a situation where his parent's basement has been converted into a mini-apartment for the new arrival. Martha has mental issues that prompted her to quit her nursing job and have kept her stuck in retail employment, not earning enough to live on her own. The Coffey family struggles to redefine their family dynamic and boundaries with their new circumstances.
Close's subject is sure to hit home with many adults finding themselves having to move back home with their parents due to the tough economy. The situations presented in this story and the way that the characters react, feel very real and very relevant. The story reads as a slice-of-life, without any earth shattering plot twists or a dramatic story arc. Close writes a story that is very much character driven.
I most related to Claire, who finds herself in a desperate situation after making a decent stab at independent living in New York City. Claire has a good job, a nice apartment and is months away from getting married, when her fiancé dumps her. She cannot afford to live on her own and just curls up in a ball and relies on credit cards to get her through, until the debt piles up and everything has spiraled out of control. She lets her depression control the situation. When she moves back home, she gets a basic job to pay off the debt, but starts seeing a guy from her high school that is in a similar situation himself. They fall into a quasi-relationship that basically doesn't extend beyond the boundaries of his parent's basement. I wanted to ring Claire's neck and get her out of her funk, but at the same time, I could totally relate. The circumstances have been different, but I've acted out in similar ways to Claire. It was frustrating to read.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and I thought that Close is a solid writer and keen observer of human behavior. There was one thing that really bothered me. Normally, I don't give a lot of thought to the title of the book, but with this story, I couldn't let it go. I couldn't quite figure out what or who the title referenced. I think that it may have been intentionally vague, like it sort of fits all of the characters and is a statement on the fact that everyone's contribution to a family dynamic is unique. There is no such thing as "The Smart" kid. However, the vagueness of the title just drove me a bit batty. I felt like it made me lose my focus towards the story or that I spent an unnecessary amount of time thinking about it, more than the author would have intended.
Finally, as Thanksgiving is tomorrow, this book was a timely read. Family dynamics can be bumpy and the story was a good reminder to remember that just because you're blood, doesn't mean that you are necessarily are similar. Sometimes time apart makes it easier to spend time together and to appreciate the differences. The Smart One is a great book to read if you are having trouble connecting with your own family. The fictional Coffey family gave me a sense of ease and perspective.
Like my Review? Check out my blog!
Love Close's second novel. Highly recommend her first, "Girls in White Dresses".
I dug it as a good beach read. Totally related to Claire
Solid chick literary fiction. As my pal Melissa points out, I didn't particularly like any of these characters. I did appreciate that almost nothing turned out as I thought it might - nothing is more boring than predictability.
A story of coming of age and family the Smart One takes a look at 1 long year of turmoil in the life of a family and the changes that come with it.
Weezy's first priority has always been her children but now that her youngest Max is a senior at college she's not sure what to do with herself.
Martha was focused on becoming a nurse but when that doesn't work out quite as planned she finds herself living at home & working as a manager at J. Crew. The only one she really talks to is her therapist and it doesn't seem like she's listening and is just being harsh.
Claire had it all; an apartment, job and fiance in New York City and then she didn't. Now as she is about to turn 30 she is living in her high school bedroom and working a temp job.
Max is the baby and entering his senior year at college with a gorgeous girl at his side when his life takes a turn to the unexpected.
This story of family as it struggles to find itself as both individuals and a family makes you care about the characters and the choices they are making as they live a life that isn't working out exactly as they planned.
Weezy's first priority has always been her children but now that her youngest Max is a senior at college she's not sure what to do with herself.
Martha was focused on becoming a nurse but when that doesn't work out quite as planned she finds herself living at home & working as a manager at J. Crew. The only one she really talks to is her therapist and it doesn't seem like she's listening and is just being harsh.
Claire had it all; an apartment, job and fiance in New York City and then she didn't. Now as she is about to turn 30 she is living in her high school bedroom and working a temp job.
Max is the baby and entering his senior year at college with a gorgeous girl at his side when his life takes a turn to the unexpected.
This story of family as it struggles to find itself as both individuals and a family makes you care about the characters and the choices they are making as they live a life that isn't working out exactly as they planned.
This book did not have much of a plot, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Expect this to be more of a read following characters rather than a story. The characters were compelling and relatable.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
*** I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads. ***