kelseystamey's review against another edition
3.0
The women in this book--wealthy, privileged moms whose lives are vastly different from my own--are surprisingly relatable, molded into sympathetic characters by the gifted Wolitzer. This is the first book of hers that I've read; it turns out she can really write. This novel offers a meandering storyline told in a series of quiet vignettes that ask loud (if oft-repeated) questions: What's the value of working hard at a career and missing your child's life? Or, why give up your professional ambition for the well-worn path of motherhood and household management? Whatever happened to the passionate feminism of the 1970s? It's an enjoyable read, but I was ultimately dissatisfied with the lack of resolution, feeling like the plot could have been developed more conclusively. Many of the ideas and side characters introduced along the way serve no purpose in the long run.
ginafly's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. I can't relate to being a stay at home mom, as I am intentionally child free. But there were so many other interesting things in this book. Examination of female friendships, mother daughter relationships, marriages. It also spoke to the mix of nature vs nurture and how we do or do not resemble out parents. It was a book about choices and evolving through those choices. It's a good book. I want to read more by this author.
lcgerstmann's review against another edition
3.0
The subject matter of this book is a touchy one: stay at home moms. This book intrigued me exactly because of this emotionally charged topic. In the spirit of full disclosure I am a working mom who is very confident in the choices I have made for myself and for my family and for how I raise my children and I am not open to debate on this matter.
I was very pleased that although not much happens in this book as far as plot-line, I was fascinated glimpsing into the minds of women in a similar stage of life as myself. The character development was spectacular (some more than others-Amy and Jill's story-lines being the most developed as opposed to Karen etc.) making the characters very real to me. Although the similarities between myself and these women stop at age and motherhood, a lot of the emotions involved in being women, wives, friends and mothers resonated.
The take-away message is that you need to do what is best for yourself and your family. Being happy is a huge part of taking care of yourself which is ultimately what is best for your family. Most of the women in this book were not happy and some made little effort to change it, this again, is very real, but sad.
I was very pleased that although not much happens in this book as far as plot-line, I was fascinated glimpsing into the minds of women in a similar stage of life as myself. The character development was spectacular (some more than others-Amy and Jill's story-lines being the most developed as opposed to Karen etc.) making the characters very real to me. Although the similarities between myself and these women stop at age and motherhood, a lot of the emotions involved in being women, wives, friends and mothers resonated.
The take-away message is that you need to do what is best for yourself and your family. Being happy is a huge part of taking care of yourself which is ultimately what is best for your family. Most of the women in this book were not happy and some made little effort to change it, this again, is very real, but sad.
zarahzoe's review against another edition
2.0
Ich weiß nicht, warum cih das Buch nicht weggelegt hab.
Reiche weiße Frauen, die mit ihren Familien in New York leben, die alle nicht arbeiten, weil die Männer arbeiten gehen, die ihre Kin der auf Privatschulen schicken... Und trotzdem rumheulen, dass ihr Leben so schrecklich ist, dass sie kein Geld (!) haben, dass ihnen so langweilig ist... Irgendwie nicht ganz die Perspektive die mich interessiert.
Reiche weiße Frauen, die mit ihren Familien in New York leben, die alle nicht arbeiten, weil die Männer arbeiten gehen, die ihre Kin der auf Privatschulen schicken... Und trotzdem rumheulen, dass ihr Leben so schrecklich ist, dass sie kein Geld (!) haben, dass ihnen so langweilig ist... Irgendwie nicht ganz die Perspektive die mich interessiert.
rebbemcc's review against another edition
4.0
Although I thought a couple of characters weren't as fleshed out as they could have been, I actually dog-eared several pages where conversations between the mothers seemed so profound, I wished I was the character speaking. The friendship between Jill and Amy seemed especially well thought out and nicely realistic.
cat_manders's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.75
enidkeaner's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bambiilisa's review
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
dllh's review against another edition
3.0
Like the other of her books I've read, this one is perceptive and occasionally offers just the absolute most perfect way of describing something. It kept me engaged, though really there's not a big huge engaging plot. Wolitzer writes about an art project one of the characters has begun in which she depicts in their old age women who died young. This book itself feels a bit like a gallery of portraits, though rather than dying young I suppose they've settled young on losing their momentum in the world as their own beings (rather than as mothers). This one didn't knock my socks off, but I liked it, and this makes three by Wolitzer in rapid succession for me, and all of them very solid books.
agjuba's review against another edition
5.0
Not a ton of action in this book, but boy are Wolitzer's observations spot on!
Here are just a few passages that really stood out to me:
"It seemed that everywhere you went, people quickly adapted to the way they had to live, and called it Life." (p. 363)
"Memory is snobby, a magnet picking up only the choicest filings..." (p. 365)
"But love did not have to be the thing that everyone at work aimed toward, arrows poised." (p. 377)
Here are just a few passages that really stood out to me:
"It seemed that everywhere you went, people quickly adapted to the way they had to live, and called it Life." (p. 363)
"Memory is snobby, a magnet picking up only the choicest filings..." (p. 365)
"But love did not have to be the thing that everyone at work aimed toward, arrows poised." (p. 377)