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A review by mbkarapcik
That Summer by Jennifer Weiner
3.0
Before reading this book, understand that this is not a beach read. While the cover may embody that of a beach read, this book tells a story about a seemingly idyllic summer that turns dark. It's not that it isn't a good read, but it's not terribly uplifting, and the cover is misleading.
Daisy, a homemaker, mother, and wife, feels a little lost. Her best friend passed away, her teenage daughter gets into serious trouble, and she doesn't feel close to her husband. When she mistakenly receives emails for a woman named Diana, she starts dreaming of how her life could have been very different. Diana, a consultant for a pharmaceutical company, lives a fairly glamorous life without children and a husband "dragging" her down. After some communication, they decide to meet and become friends.
Unfortunately, not all is at it seems because Diana is not who she claims to be. She wants something from Daisy, but what is it?
As with all Weiner's novels, they draw you in with good characterizations, plot points, and enviable lifestyles. The tragedy that makes up the crux of the plot is devastating and hard to take, but it's real and serious. It's a topic we've been talking about for a few years now and is important, but it tends to be heavy-handed and a little too woke for my taste in this book.
I didn't like that many of the characterizations of men painted them as culpable of harm, not good or dismissive to women, and controlling. All the women appeared as victims in some way or form and they're absolutely unhappy. I felt that more nuance about the characters was needed. Not every man is evil and set on conquering women while women are not hapless victims who cannot stand up for themselves. The daughter does, but I don't understand how her actions are that acceptable, either. Fighting fire with fire maybe?
Many contradictions about having a career and going to college as opposed to making a home and not going to college surface. I find this frustrating because women and men should be able to choose what makes them happy, which is brought up in the book, but then it's dropped down to that those who go to college are more successful. What is success and fulfillment? It's a very personal and individual thing.
Although I'm glad that the book covered this topic, I felt that it could have been attacked from several different perspectives. For example, I've read books that discussed abortion clinics from multiple perspectives (Jodi Picoult's one book comes to mind, Spark of Light). I liked hearing all the different voices. I think this book could have tackled this topic from every side even from the villains who seemed way too stereotypical and narrow in their depictions.
When the climax starts approaching, the plot starts becoming too over-the-top and very unrealistic. I cannot say that I wasn't compelled, but it was ridiculous with some of the reveals and situations that take place. The ending also seems very unfinished and hurried with some more unbelievable twists of fate that I couldn't quite believe.
I didn't love this book, but it captivated me to the end, and I appreciate that the author approached this topic. At first, I liked the direction it was going in, but then it devolved into what it became.
Daisy, a homemaker, mother, and wife, feels a little lost. Her best friend passed away, her teenage daughter gets into serious trouble, and she doesn't feel close to her husband. When she mistakenly receives emails for a woman named Diana, she starts dreaming of how her life could have been very different. Diana, a consultant for a pharmaceutical company, lives a fairly glamorous life without children and a husband "dragging" her down. After some communication, they decide to meet and become friends.
Unfortunately, not all is at it seems because Diana is not who she claims to be. She wants something from Daisy, but what is it?
As with all Weiner's novels, they draw you in with good characterizations, plot points, and enviable lifestyles. The tragedy that makes up the crux of the plot is devastating and hard to take, but it's real and serious. It's a topic we've been talking about for a few years now and is important, but it tends to be heavy-handed and a little too woke for my taste in this book.
I didn't like that many of the characterizations of men painted them as culpable of harm, not good or dismissive to women, and controlling. All the women appeared as victims in some way or form and they're absolutely unhappy. I felt that more nuance about the characters was needed. Not every man is evil and set on conquering women while women are not hapless victims who cannot stand up for themselves. The daughter does, but I don't understand how her actions are that acceptable, either. Fighting fire with fire maybe?
Many contradictions about having a career and going to college as opposed to making a home and not going to college surface. I find this frustrating because women and men should be able to choose what makes them happy, which is brought up in the book, but then it's dropped down to that those who go to college are more successful. What is success and fulfillment? It's a very personal and individual thing.
Although I'm glad that the book covered this topic, I felt that it could have been attacked from several different perspectives. For example, I've read books that discussed abortion clinics from multiple perspectives (Jodi Picoult's one book comes to mind, Spark of Light). I liked hearing all the different voices. I think this book could have tackled this topic from every side even from the villains who seemed way too stereotypical and narrow in their depictions.
When the climax starts approaching, the plot starts becoming too over-the-top and very unrealistic. I cannot say that I wasn't compelled, but it was ridiculous with some of the reveals and situations that take place. The ending also seems very unfinished and hurried with some more unbelievable twists of fate that I couldn't quite believe.
I didn't love this book, but it captivated me to the end, and I appreciate that the author approached this topic. At first, I liked the direction it was going in, but then it devolved into what it became.