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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
A solid entertaining read, but more of a 3.5 than a 4, but I'm in a generous mood so I'm rounding up. The story of sisters and the things that bring them together and push them apart. The story line kept me entertained enough that I didn't question the reality of the situations or technical details (others have mentioned that some things during the timeline are off). I do feel like this book handled a LOT of different heavy situations and maybe scaling it back wouldn't have hurt.
One might just call this a "solid beach read".
One might just call this a "solid beach read".
4+. engrossing, nicely paced, fully developed characters. maybe 30 pages too long, and i didn’t like that one story ended so...capitalist...but i cared for these women. definitely the best weiner i’ve read.
If you read the narrative descriptors beneath the star ratings on GoodReads, four stars is 'really liked it' and three stars is 'liked it.' When it comes to Jennifer Weiners books, I like them, even though I don't find them compelling or transformative. And I'm often torn between three and four stars, leading me to believe that I'm an easy grader.
But here's my bottom line. I started the book (465 pages) two days ago. I read and read and read, barely putting it down. I wanted to know what happpened to the Kaufman sisters (Jo and Bethie--surely that's not a coincidence). I followed them through six decades of ups and downs, drugs, sexual awakenings, marriages, children, betrayals, crises. I wanted to know what happened.
Sure, there were times when I cringed a bit. This is chick lit, 100%, and nobody comes into a room without a description of what they're wearing. There are cardboard characters. There are 'Jennifer did her research' references to bars (much of the book is set in Detroit), schools, TV shows and what everyone was drinking and eating that decade. And the end of the book is manipulative, all right.
But still. I didn't put it down. I was stuck like glue to the story. So I gave it four stars, because three feels stingy and mean-spirited.
But here's my bottom line. I started the book (465 pages) two days ago. I read and read and read, barely putting it down. I wanted to know what happpened to the Kaufman sisters (Jo and Bethie--surely that's not a coincidence). I followed them through six decades of ups and downs, drugs, sexual awakenings, marriages, children, betrayals, crises. I wanted to know what happened.
Sure, there were times when I cringed a bit. This is chick lit, 100%, and nobody comes into a room without a description of what they're wearing. There are cardboard characters. There are 'Jennifer did her research' references to bars (much of the book is set in Detroit), schools, TV shows and what everyone was drinking and eating that decade. And the end of the book is manipulative, all right.
But still. I didn't put it down. I was stuck like glue to the story. So I gave it four stars, because three feels stingy and mean-spirited.
I would’ve given this a 3.5 if I could. The message is great, it’s just very drawn out.
Every woman should read this book. The common experience in this world is staggering.
This is a fascinating character study and look at history. I was engrossed from the beginning. There were a couple plot points that felt a little contrived, but otherwise a thoroughly enjoyable read.
A good story, although a few of the historical references (particularly 60s fashion) were inaccurate. I enjoyed the twists and turns Jo and Bernie took through their lives.
It was interesting from a historical perspective, seeing the differences in the eras. But I just didn't really like the characters that much.
This is a sweeping, masterful work of fiction that only Jennifer Weiner can write. Although it’s just my second novel of hers it was well worth it and pushed me to read more of her works.
Only problem - she needed a fact checker. As this novel flows from the 60s all the way to 2022, you would think an editor would have double checked a map of Detroit.
The author erroneously wrote the underground tunnel connecting the American city of Detroit and Canadian city of Windsor ran under Lake Erie. In actuality it’s the Detroit River.
The author also stated the road to the tunnel was the “Ambassador Bridge Road” which is incorrect. That road leads to, obviously, the Ambassador Bridge, a suspension bridge connecting the American and Canadian cities that is built OVER the Detroit River.
Such glaring oversights made me wonder what else the author got wrong.
Despite the rich history of Detroit there’s little mention of the magic and glory of Motown and not much in the way of racism and segregation besides Sarah, the matriarch of the family, declaring “their own” (Jewish people) should stay with their own. There are brief mentions of civil rights rallies and interracial dating but it’s all surface, nothing deeply explored. Really speaks to the privilege white women hold and the lack of respect and care for the rights of Black, Latinx, Asian and Indigenous women.
Only problem - she needed a fact checker. As this novel flows from the 60s all the way to 2022, you would think an editor would have double checked a map of Detroit.
The author erroneously wrote the underground tunnel connecting the American city of Detroit and Canadian city of Windsor ran under Lake Erie. In actuality it’s the Detroit River.
The author also stated the road to the tunnel was the “Ambassador Bridge Road” which is incorrect. That road leads to, obviously, the Ambassador Bridge, a suspension bridge connecting the American and Canadian cities that is built OVER the Detroit River.
Such glaring oversights made me wonder what else the author got wrong.
Despite the rich history of Detroit there’s little mention of the magic and glory of Motown and not much in the way of racism and segregation besides Sarah, the matriarch of the family, declaring “their own” (Jewish people) should stay with their own. There are brief mentions of civil rights rallies and interracial dating but it’s all surface, nothing deeply explored. Really speaks to the privilege white women hold and the lack of respect and care for the rights of Black, Latinx, Asian and Indigenous women.