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mistakenforlc 's review for:
Friends and Strangers
by J. Courtney Sullivan
I didn’t think I would like this or finish it when it first started. Elisabeth was such a snot, but I was quickly drawn into the story and watching her grow. It reminded me of when I was 21, with a creepy boyfriend and not knowing what I was going to be when I grew up. My best friend was my cousin, and the age difference was similar to what it was between Elisabeth and Sam. Now that I think about it, we were closest during the first year of her first son’s life, also like the book.
Anyway.
Things I liked about the book:
- the female friendships, please see above.
- george, and everything he represented in the story (privilege of all kinds that we deny/ignore)
- the theme of secrets running through the book but then knowing there are two huge ones that the author leaves open ended! (SPOILER: sam was 100% pregnant, right? she was puking and showing all the gd signs, then there’s a gap of time in her story line but she comes back and starts telling Elisabeth there’s something awful she’s done? she definitely had an abortion and did not tell the reader. SPOILER #2: who in the shit is Willa? I will tell you. Andrew came home from Denver all bummed about the failed solar grill (bro. one exists already. the world does not need two shamwows. you’re so sweet though). they bone. like, a day later she goes through with IVF and an immediate blood test says she’s not pregnant. that story line ends. we’re led to believe since E wasn’t taking the shots and the blood test was negative, the story ends and there’s no baby. lest we forget the boning.
Things I did not like about this book:
- the in-law storyline had me in cringe city every single time they came up. Elisabeth’s family stuff, too. both played a really big part of the story and I’m not sure if it hit a nerve or what my problem was but I had to put the book down during christmas dinner. all of them at one table? girl, I feel you.
- clive, oh my god. was he not the creepy Brit from love, actually?
- was it intentional to exclude the cost of IVF??? Andrew was on a fellowship or whatever and we were to understand she had pissed away their savings. IVF is $$$$ and did they even have insurance? for a book all about privilege and money, why wasn’t this acknowledged?
I wouldn’t say that overall I loved it - but, I will say that I may remember details from this, which is a way higher compliment.
Anyway.
Things I liked about the book:
- the female friendships, please see above.
- george, and everything he represented in the story (privilege of all kinds that we deny/ignore)
- the theme of secrets running through the book but then knowing there are two huge ones that the author leaves open ended! (SPOILER: sam was 100% pregnant, right? she was puking and showing all the gd signs, then there’s a gap of time in her story line but she comes back and starts telling Elisabeth there’s something awful she’s done? she definitely had an abortion and did not tell the reader. SPOILER #2: who in the shit is Willa? I will tell you. Andrew came home from Denver all bummed about the failed solar grill (bro. one exists already. the world does not need two shamwows. you’re so sweet though). they bone. like, a day later she goes through with IVF and an immediate blood test says she’s not pregnant. that story line ends. we’re led to believe since E wasn’t taking the shots and the blood test was negative, the story ends and there’s no baby. lest we forget the boning.
Things I did not like about this book:
- the in-law storyline had me in cringe city every single time they came up. Elisabeth’s family stuff, too. both played a really big part of the story and I’m not sure if it hit a nerve or what my problem was but I had to put the book down during christmas dinner. all of them at one table? girl, I feel you.
- clive, oh my god. was he not the creepy Brit from love, actually?
- was it intentional to exclude the cost of IVF??? Andrew was on a fellowship or whatever and we were to understand she had pissed away their savings. IVF is $$$$ and did they even have insurance? for a book all about privilege and money, why wasn’t this acknowledged?
I wouldn’t say that overall I loved it - but, I will say that I may remember details from this, which is a way higher compliment.