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sicilianobrianna 's review for:
The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits
by Jennifer Weiner
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I am so grateful that Jennifer Weiner writes about fat women. There aren't enough words to express my gratitude for that. I've been so excited about this book since I first heard about it, which feels like a year or two ago via Jennifer's socials -- before I knew that one of the sisters would be a fat woman. However...
I thought Cassie deserved better. I wanted to love this book, and I do love parts of it. I love that the protagonists are strong women. But, I feel like Zoe (and even Cherry) are given the main character energy, and Cassie was pushed on the sidelines. I feel like Zoe was given the opportunity to grow, and Cassie's opportunities were so much smaller. CASSIE DESERVED BETTER!!!!
Cassie deserved more of Russell. She deserved someone, anyone, to be on her side. She deserved love -- romantic love, self love, love from her family (more love from Bess!!). She was secluded for 20 years!!!!!!!!! hating herself!!!!! alone!!!!! and Zoe built a life for herself, her "real" family with her young boys, and is forgiven by Cass.
I don't know what I hoped for -- I know Zoe and Cassie's experiences, especially pre-band and in the band, are so realistic, especially for the 00s (but even in the 2020s!). But, I guess I hoped there was more of a rejection of fatphobia and diet culture (though I LOVED Russell standing up for Cassie at the music video, and loved the letter to Cassie from a 15 year old in 2005). I guess I wanted more of that, even if that wasn't real to her story. I wanted Cassie to be the main character.
What Zoe did to Cassie was fucked up. Zoe was the villian - but was painted as a hero, it felt like. Sisters are complicated, Zoe's feelings and experiences are so valid. But, Cassie's are, too -- and Cassie deserved better.
I thought Cassie deserved better. I wanted to love this book, and I do love parts of it. I love that the protagonists are strong women. But, I feel like Zoe (and even Cherry) are given the main character energy, and Cassie was pushed on the sidelines. I feel like Zoe was given the opportunity to grow, and Cassie's opportunities were so much smaller. CASSIE DESERVED BETTER!!!!
I don't know what I hoped for -- I know Zoe and Cassie's experiences, especially pre-band and in the band, are so realistic, especially for the 00s (but even in the 2020s!). But, I guess I hoped there was more of a rejection of fatphobia and diet culture (though I LOVED Russell standing up for Cassie at the music video, and loved the letter to Cassie from a 15 year old in 2005). I guess I wanted more of that, even if that wasn't real to her story. I wanted Cassie to be the main character.
What Zoe did to Cassie was fucked up. Zoe was the villian - but was painted as a hero, it felt like. Sisters are complicated, Zoe's feelings and experiences are so valid. But, Cassie's are, too -- and Cassie deserved better.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia
Minor: Death, Sexual assault