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A review by elliebell
The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer
4.0
SO excited to get my hands on Advance Uncorrected Proofs of The Female Persuasion six months before its publication date—thank you, Goodreads insider SS ;)—and this is by far my favorite Meg Wolitzer novel. I typically race through her books, enjoying the characters and curious to know what will happen next; however, I end up rating most just 3 stars (“good”, not “great”). TFP is a solid 4, and is particularly relevant to the current climate in the US. Because this is such an early reading and review of the book, I will not include any plot spoilers.
Wolitzer follows five characters—three women, two men—whose stories are intertwined, but she focuses mainly on Greer, a young woman we meet as she begins college in 2006, and whom we follow through young adulthood until present day. On a personal level, although I am much older, I could relate to Greer in so many ways, which is one reason the book kept me in thrall. Greer has a passion for literature and reading, she ponders many of the important questions intelligent women will grapple with in their lifetimes, she has strong ideas, struggles to speak out yet ultimately finds her voice, she is idealistic and wants to do good in the world, she can be naive about other people and their motives and character, she is outraged by unfairness, excited by Obama’s election and later, ignited by the Women’s March.
Unsurprisingly, TFP is primarily about the female experience and its many facets: politics, power, oppression, subjugation, misogyny, friendship, betrayal, emotional support and withdrawal, ambition, efficiency, do-gooding. There are several threads that are particularly relevant to our current societal struggles, including reproductive rights and sexual assault, and from these emerge a larger theme of women as outsiders and how they can overcome this status. Perhaps most importantly, the story ends with a protagonist musing about the idea that not playing by the rules and setting your own terms can pay off for you (a reference to Trump and the world at large today) and that perhaps it is high time for women do the same thing—a clarion call to shift from perpetually pushing back against the adversity females experience to creating the terms without asking. The book ends on an ultimately inspiring (although not exactly cutting edge) note: we do not have much time to accomplish what we will, and people must keep replacing those who come before them in the quest to effect change and do good. Hilary and Obama have passed the torch. To whom, it remains to be seen.
Additional strengths: amazing writing, with powerful similes and expert weaving of plot strands; satisfying closure; intriguing character arcs; accurate characterization of both a Teach-for-America-like program and the restlessness, boredom, brilliance and creativity of an ADHD brain.
Weaknesses: I foresaw a few major story events occurring, which annoyed me, as I believe Wolitzer probably intended them to surprise or startle. Also, while satisfying, the novel’s conclusion, particularly with characters' relationships and careers, felt too nicely wrapped up.
Wolitzer follows five characters—three women, two men—whose stories are intertwined, but she focuses mainly on Greer, a young woman we meet as she begins college in 2006, and whom we follow through young adulthood until present day. On a personal level, although I am much older, I could relate to Greer in so many ways, which is one reason the book kept me in thrall. Greer has a passion for literature and reading, she ponders many of the important questions intelligent women will grapple with in their lifetimes, she has strong ideas, struggles to speak out yet ultimately finds her voice, she is idealistic and wants to do good in the world, she can be naive about other people and their motives and character, she is outraged by unfairness, excited by Obama’s election and later, ignited by the Women’s March.
Unsurprisingly, TFP is primarily about the female experience and its many facets: politics, power, oppression, subjugation, misogyny, friendship, betrayal, emotional support and withdrawal, ambition, efficiency, do-gooding. There are several threads that are particularly relevant to our current societal struggles, including reproductive rights and sexual assault, and from these emerge a larger theme of women as outsiders and how they can overcome this status. Perhaps most importantly, the story ends with a protagonist musing about the idea that not playing by the rules and setting your own terms can pay off for you (a reference to Trump and the world at large today) and that perhaps it is high time for women do the same thing—a clarion call to shift from perpetually pushing back against the adversity females experience to creating the terms without asking. The book ends on an ultimately inspiring (although not exactly cutting edge) note: we do not have much time to accomplish what we will, and people must keep replacing those who come before them in the quest to effect change and do good. Hilary and Obama have passed the torch. To whom, it remains to be seen.
Additional strengths: amazing writing, with powerful similes and expert weaving of plot strands; satisfying closure; intriguing character arcs; accurate characterization of both a Teach-for-America-like program and the restlessness, boredom, brilliance and creativity of an ADHD brain.
Weaknesses: I foresaw a few major story events occurring, which annoyed me, as I believe Wolitzer probably intended them to surprise or startle. Also, while satisfying, the novel’s conclusion, particularly with characters' relationships and careers, felt too nicely wrapped up.