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millie_yule's review
GAVE UP ON PAGE 279
This started off as a fun gossipy book that I thought was going to have more of a plot than it did. I had to stop reading because the relationships between the women was more 00s chick-flick than something I'd expect from such a recent book. I cringed especially at the comparisons between Stella and Laura made from the middle of the book as their lives became more intertwined.
Tldr for below: The internalised misogyny of the narrator, the link between hyperfemininity and stupidity, and the idea that any self-respecting woman should (ironically) hate her body made me roll my eyes too many times to carry on. Very disappointed.
Laura, the hardworking newly single mum with obvious unaddressed self-esteem issues, is pitted against Stella, the hyperfeminine trophy wife without two braincells to rub together, even when they ally. I understand a flawed narrator, but the hyperfeminine characters in the book are consistently presented as shallow, bitchy, and lacking any common sense, many of them being stay-at-home wives whilst their husbands earn. The rich female characters in the book all swarm Stella (her "minions") and take all social cues from her in an incredibly juvenile way (think Mean Girls, 00s staple). Stella also has the life-skills of a toddler with insane charisma. This links femininity with immaturity, as the main character, Laura, and her few female counterparts outside The Close are worldly-wise and sensible. It is understandable that Laura et al. are unable to follow the hyperfeminine lives of the women of The Close as they cannot afford many of the luxuries that come with a hyperfeminine lifestyle. However, they are also disgusted at the femininity of the women of The Close.
Laura's internal narrative is especially telling of this, seeing Stella's children making-over Betsy almost as a corruption of her child's true self instead of an exploration into self-expression. Laura's commentary on her own body was quite uncomfortable to read as she clearly does not view herself as attractive (if I wanted this I would read 00s classic Bridget Jones). This is something that would probably resonate with a lot of the readership (yay sexism and beauty standards) but Laura treats it almost as a badge of honour than an issue. This gives the message that in order to be a woman that is taken seriously you need to hate your body. She additionally labels displaying nude images of oneself as "vain" instead of either celebrating body confidence or damning a patriarchal society that sees women as existing solely for the male gaze.
The pitting women against other women as opposed to against the sexist system we're all trapped in is especially telling in Laura's reaction to being called a "slut" by Stella (inadvertently). She never seemed to hold issue with the word, but rather being called it herself. Laura. Check yourself, honestly.
There was also a lack of any diverse characters at all, and despite being the voice of the people in the book Laura still seemed to come from a middle class background in her adult life. Again, very 00s chick-flick of her.
I can see why people enjoy this book as the plot is fun and engaging, but the actual narration and relationships of the characters are about 20 years too late.
This started off as a fun gossipy book that I thought was going to have more of a plot than it did. I had to stop reading because the relationships between the women was more 00s chick-flick than something I'd expect from such a recent book. I cringed especially at the comparisons between Stella and Laura made from the middle of the book as their lives became more intertwined.
Tldr for below: The internalised misogyny of the narrator, the link between hyperfemininity and stupidity, and the idea that any self-respecting woman should (ironically) hate her body made me roll my eyes too many times to carry on. Very disappointed.
Laura's internal narrative is especially telling of this, seeing Stella's children making-over Betsy almost as a corruption of her child's true self instead of an exploration into self-expression. Laura's commentary on her own body was quite uncomfortable to read as she clearly does not view herself as attractive (if I wanted this I would read 00s classic Bridget Jones). This is something that would probably resonate with a lot of the readership (yay sexism and beauty standards) but Laura treats it almost as a badge of honour than an issue. This gives the message that in order to be a woman that is taken seriously you need to hate your body. She additionally labels displaying nude images of oneself as "vain" instead of either celebrating body confidence or damning a patriarchal society that sees women as existing solely for the male gaze.
The pitting women against other women as opposed to against the sexist system we're all trapped in is especially telling in Laura's reaction to being called a "slut" by Stella (inadvertently). She never seemed to hold issue with the word, but rather being called it herself. Laura. Check yourself, honestly.
There was also a lack of any diverse characters at all, and despite being the voice of the people in the book Laura still seemed to come from a middle class background in her adult life. Again, very 00s chick-flick of her.
I can see why people enjoy this book as the plot is fun and engaging, but the actual narration and relationships of the characters are about 20 years too late.
Content Warnings
Minor: Body shaming, Misogyny, Toxic friendship, and Sexism
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