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A review by jcstokes95
Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I have been in a bit of a (self-imposed) slump lately, so after finishing up my book about tree bark and one of all immoral characters I was really looking for an easy, buzzy read. This was definitely that. I was not expecting the sudden twist into a whodunnit and mysteries are not really my forte. But Weiner keeps things pretty breezy throughout. Daphne is likable enough and her feelings towards Drue are incredibly relatable as a former fat sidekick myself. I also really enjoy the complex friendships here. Dashi is sometimes mean -spirited and cruel while Daphne often abandons her. But their relationship is clearly more solid than Daphne and Drue's. It sets up the two friendships as great foils to each other and shows how much respect matter in friendship, even if you are different from one another.
My major complaints about this book are honestly that same things that made me enjoy it after a reading slump. It's incredibly low stakes. Even with a murder, it feels like we aren't really living in a world with consequences The characters lack any real depth, even Drue, who it feels like we're supposed to think had "more than meets the eye" to her, is a bit flat. The love interest is...the worst love interest I've read all year. He has no personality and I was kind of hoping in the end they'd go their separate ways. I was way more interested in Daphne than him. In fact, I was way more interested in his mother's story than his. I think he certainly brought down my enjoyment of the book.
The other thing that brought down my enjoyment was the final showdown with our perp. Like murder is wrong and insane. But also I felt bad for them? Which was weird. And a little annoyed that Daphne was making odd comparisons. I don't know. A strange scene entirely.
What I really like about the book, is that it answers the questions 'Do bitches deserve justice?' with a resounding yes. And I really liked that part of it. Much has been written about the kind of woman who gets justice and Drue seems like the type many would argue not to fight for, but Daphne does. It kind of reminds me of the idea that a lot of woman are against slut-shaming until it's someone they don't like. And Daphne's line in the sand here is that every person deserves justice and respect. Which is a moral I enjoyed.
My major complaints about this book are honestly that same things that made me enjoy it after a reading slump. It's incredibly low stakes. Even with a murder, it feels like we aren't really living in a world with consequences The characters lack any real depth, even Drue, who it feels like we're supposed to think had "more than meets the eye" to her, is a bit flat. The love interest is...the worst love interest I've read all year. He has no personality and I was kind of hoping in the end they'd go their separate ways. I was way more interested in Daphne than him. In fact, I was way more interested in his mother's story than his. I think he certainly brought down my enjoyment of the book.
The other thing that brought down my enjoyment was the final showdown with our perp. Like murder is wrong and insane. But also I felt bad for them? Which was weird. And a little annoyed that Daphne was making odd comparisons. I don't know. A strange scene entirely.
What I really like about the book, is that it answers the questions 'Do bitches deserve justice?' with a resounding yes. And I really liked that part of it. Much has been written about the kind of woman who gets justice and Drue seems like the type many would argue not to fight for, but Daphne does. It kind of reminds me of the idea that a lot of woman are against slut-shaming until it's someone they don't like. And Daphne's line in the sand here is that every person deserves justice and respect. Which is a moral I enjoyed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Fatphobia