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monenahall's review against another edition
2.0
I'm not in love with this book. Some of the stories are interesting, some less so. I have a huge pile to read. Not sure this is worth finishing.
toniobarton's review
5.0
Collection of short stories about marriage, work, children, divorce, affairs and dress sizes. . . So blunt, truthful, wonderful.
travelinkiki's review
4.0
I wasn't sure how I'd feel about this book since the reviews are all over the place. I went in with an open mind, and I'm so glad I did. I loved the stories, and I actually want more. Each of the women shared their story - whatever story that happened to be. They opened themselves up for judgment and share very uncomfortable truths from their lives.
Although I do agree with other reviewers that it would be better to have a more diverse set of authors for the essays, I was still able to identify with something from everyone's essay. There is something universal about the things these women wrote that I felt was powerful and touching.
I didn't see the stories as whiny or bitchy at all. They were personal stories and feelings, and I think there is a lot of overlap in how women are made to feel about our choices. Why those hardships are perceived as whiny, I'm not entirely sure - I just viewed it as the stories for each of those women.
Speaking of which, an unexpected finding of this book was the relief I felt in my own choice to be childfree. The trials and tribulations of motherhood became clear in ways that most other writers won't discuss (probably because they'd be accused of being bitchy). I appreciated this open honest viewing of life with kids, and it just solidified for me that I made the right choice.
I don't think for a second that everyone will walk away from the book with this feeling. In fact, I would expect that some women will want a child even more. But, that's the beauty of a personal story - everyone can take from it what they want or need. There is no one truth to fit us all.
Although I do agree with other reviewers that it would be better to have a more diverse set of authors for the essays, I was still able to identify with something from everyone's essay. There is something universal about the things these women wrote that I felt was powerful and touching.
I didn't see the stories as whiny or bitchy at all. They were personal stories and feelings, and I think there is a lot of overlap in how women are made to feel about our choices. Why those hardships are perceived as whiny, I'm not entirely sure - I just viewed it as the stories for each of those women.
Speaking of which, an unexpected finding of this book was the relief I felt in my own choice to be childfree. The trials and tribulations of motherhood became clear in ways that most other writers won't discuss (probably because they'd be accused of being bitchy). I appreciated this open honest viewing of life with kids, and it just solidified for me that I made the right choice.
I don't think for a second that everyone will walk away from the book with this feeling. In fact, I would expect that some women will want a child even more. But, that's the beauty of a personal story - everyone can take from it what they want or need. There is no one truth to fit us all.
melloves2read's review
5.0
Some essays spoke to me more than others, but overall I was entranced by these women and their stories. Their honest sharing of their lives and doubts, dreams, mistakes, choices felt like a gift. I would love to meet some of them and talk to them over coffee.
krazyk8y's review
3.0
It wasn't bad but I felt like there was a level of diversity missing in these stories. Not just diversity of race but also class and career. The book is still true of women experience and are definitely honest but coming from lower class experience it felt less relatable
misscbingley's review
2.0
I thought I would sympathize with the essayists in this book; instead, I found myself wondering how their children and spouses cope. Lots of misplaced rage, lots of blueprints for how I hope my life never looks.
mrselaineskinner's review
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
3.5
e first essay was fantastic and I believe I ended up enjoying about 70% of them. The essay titled Fat Lady Sings should be required reading! A few others were a bit dull and less than engaging. I enjoy reading about the daily “mundane” lives of “ordinary” women but I wish the writers had been a bit more diverse. That was my biggest issue. Every essay had a white upper middle class vibe and the book suffered because of it.