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A review by eevee_saur137
The First Wives Club by Olivia Goldsmith
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was published in 1992 so there's definitely elements that have not aged well.
But it shines in the empathy it has for the women at its center and how they each have to rebuild themselves. Goldsmith is a talented writer and the story has lots of great subtle callbacks that pack a good gut punch once you catch them.
It's not a misandrist novel either; this book isn't about all men. Just a very specific type of man. And Goldsmith is able to take these men, the four husbands, and flesh out their issues without making excuses for their behavior.
It's easy to see why this book was adapted into that great movie. The character of Gil Griffin was left out of the film adaptation though; maybe he seemed too monstrous to be real. Shame, since his downfall is the most satisfying.
But it shines in the empathy it has for the women at its center and how they each have to rebuild themselves. Goldsmith is a talented writer and the story has lots of great subtle callbacks that pack a good gut punch once you catch them.
It's not a misandrist novel either; this book isn't about all men. Just a very specific type of man. And Goldsmith is able to take these men, the four husbands, and flesh out their issues without making excuses for their behavior.
It's easy to see why this book was adapted into that great movie. The character of Gil Griffin was left out of the film adaptation though; maybe he seemed too monstrous to be real. Shame, since his downfall is the most satisfying.