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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
This story follows the life of Bethie and Jo throughout their lives, starting from when they're 5 years old through their 70s. Bethie and Jo grow up being the women they want to be, working towards their futures but neither of their lives end up the way they planned.
I listened to this audiobook over three weeks and overall I liked it. The book goes back in forth between Jo and Bethie's point of view. Throughout the years, they face so many real life issues and sometimes it seems like everything bad that could happen, did happen. There was a focus on family issues, societal pressure, and parenting. There were parts of the story that I thought were really good and other parts that I struggled getting through. I found myself rooting for these women, hoping that they could get through all these difficult obstacles that life was throwing them and that they could do what truly made them happy.
"When you give someone hard truths, you can't expect them to thank you."
I listened to this audiobook over three weeks and overall I liked it. The book goes back in forth between Jo and Bethie's point of view. Throughout the years, they face so many real life issues and sometimes it seems like everything bad that could happen, did happen. There was a focus on family issues, societal pressure, and parenting. There were parts of the story that I thought were really good and other parts that I struggled getting through. I found myself rooting for these women, hoping that they could get through all these difficult obstacles that life was throwing them and that they could do what truly made them happy.
"When you give someone hard truths, you can't expect them to thank you."
This was sad, and sort of unexpected, and dealt with a lot. If you’re looking for a light read (which you may have come to expect from Weiner), this is not it. Lots of potential triggers especially early on in the book.
I think my upbringing with a mother who was so adamant that I not be limited to what she was limited to (being a nurse or a teacher) and who played college sports in the early days of Title IX made it hard for me to relate to Jo and Bethie. I wanted to feel more sympathy for their familial strife, but mostly was annoyed and/or disinterested. My older sibling bias put me firmly on Jo's side when Bethie was blaming her for everything. The last quarter of the book was more my speed, with the women being more assertive, except Lila. Overall, not my favorite Jennifer Weiner book, but entertaining.
I enjoyed the story of the book but it was long and at times would drag on for more then was necessary
Couldn’t decide between 2 and 3 stars - I found the first 75% of this book somewhat painful to read, it just seemed like a series of unfortunate events. I liked how everything was wrapped up and how it spanned such a long period of time, and showed family dynamics across generations. Still don’t think I’d recommend it.
Wow. This covers a lot of different women's experiences throughout the last 50 years. Very well written and weaves many societal changes and shows how far we have come, but still how far we really have to go.
This has been described as Jennifer Weiner’s “most ambitious” novel. It could be because it’s so long (too long), or it could be because it tackles pretty much every social issue there ever has been or ever will be: LGBT issues, race, religion, abortion, drugs, eating disorders, sexual abuse, #metoo, war, gender roles, divorce, cancer/healthcare... the list goes on. The historical moments the book is set against aren’t so much parts of the story as they are throwaway lines: one character is in class when Kennedy is shot, one character briefly mentions watching the moon landing, Hillary Clinton appears on the TV at one point. Even though some of the characters live in New York, 9/11 is not mentioned. Even though one character is gay, “the Stonewall riots” are only mentioned in passing and the legalization of same sex marriage doesn’t get acknowledged. Even though some characters are political activists, civil rights moments are not even mentioned. I think Weiner missed an opportunity here.
I enjoyed this book, which focused on two sisters. Jo, the older sister who’s great at sports and hates dresses, and Bethie, who is constantly dieting so she can be the lead in school musicals. From the fifties through the sixties up until modern times, their lives don’t go in the way you might have predicted when you first met them as kids.
Some of this was hard to read. There is sexual abuse that isn’t described explicitly (at least not the rape), but how it impacts the character and the other characters is not easy reading. Weiner never goes for the easy happy ending, but pointing out that religion, gender, sexual orientation, and race ensure that there is no such thing as an easy life with easy choices.
So why I can’t say this is a super fun summer read, it is a good one that will keep you turning pages to find out what happens. Recommend.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this novel, which RELEASES JUNE 11, 2019.
For more reviews please visit http://www.theresaaalan.net/blog
Some of this was hard to read. There is sexual abuse that isn’t described explicitly (at least not the rape), but how it impacts the character and the other characters is not easy reading. Weiner never goes for the easy happy ending, but pointing out that religion, gender, sexual orientation, and race ensure that there is no such thing as an easy life with easy choices.
So why I can’t say this is a super fun summer read, it is a good one that will keep you turning pages to find out what happens. Recommend.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this novel, which RELEASES JUNE 11, 2019.
For more reviews please visit http://www.theresaaalan.net/blog
Growing up in the '50s, Jo and Bethie are living in a phot perfect family where the traditional roles are forced upon them. Fighting against traumas, tragedies, and a world who just isn't ready for them, Joe and Bethie fight to belong in the world without sacrificing too much of themselves in the process.
This is not a feel good, everyone ends up happy kind of novel. It shows a realness that I really enjoyed. Highly recommended for everyone, especially women to read.
*I received an advanced reader's copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review~
This is not a feel good, everyone ends up happy kind of novel. It shows a realness that I really enjoyed. Highly recommended for everyone, especially women to read.
*I received an advanced reader's copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review~