kristennd's review against another edition
4.0
This felt more negative than the men's version. Interestingly, although these writers were also more angry than their husbands, they were also accepting more blame for their situations. Like Pamela Stone's [Book:Opting Out?], this collection made me kinda glad I'm not a Type-A and thus have no grand ambitions to worry about giving up. Because they always have to give them up. At the same time, there seemed to be a thread of unrealistic expectations. Most of the writers grew up with mothers who did all the housework. So no wonder that they're frustrated at doing it now. They don't want to do any housework, shared or otherwise. As someone with a long list of childhood chores, that made me less than sympathetic. Living together didn't come out looking like a great option, surprisingly. There was one piece explaining why the author and her partner will never marry, which was interesting and entertaining but I never figured out her reason. A few observations I particularly liked: Kate Christensen: "Like most of the girls I knew when I was growing up, I'd always assumed I'd marry the perfect man. But for me, the man himself wasn't an important element in my fantasies of the future; he existed in my imagination as a flawless but shadowy alter ego, a male version of myself who would read my mind, meet all my needs, and have none of his own." Cynthia Kling (on relationship advice from well-meaning friends): "Women complain that men boss them around and tell them what to do, but what about all that female coercion? The oppressive solidarity of the smart-girl set?" Ellen Gilchrist: "I think older women probably make better mothers in many ways. But young women are more selfish and you have to be selfish to demand time for yourself when you have children. Young women are closer to the time when they were manipulative and childish and they don't let their babies manipulate them as much as older mothers do. These are only my conclusions from watching children in grocery stores."
monenahall's review against another edition
2.0
I'm not in love with this book. Some of the stories are interesting, some less so. I have a huge pile to read. Not sure this is worth finishing.
toniobarton's review against another edition
5.0
Collection of short stories about marriage, work, children, divorce, affairs and dress sizes. . . So blunt, truthful, wonderful.
travelinkiki's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn't sure how I'd feel about this book since the reviews are all over the place. I went in with an open mind, and I'm so glad I did. I loved the stories, and I actually want more. Each of the women shared their story - whatever story that happened to be. They opened themselves up for judgment and share very uncomfortable truths from their lives.
Although I do agree with other reviewers that it would be better to have a more diverse set of authors for the essays, I was still able to identify with something from everyone's essay. There is something universal about the things these women wrote that I felt was powerful and touching.
I didn't see the stories as whiny or bitchy at all. They were personal stories and feelings, and I think there is a lot of overlap in how women are made to feel about our choices. Why those hardships are perceived as whiny, I'm not entirely sure - I just viewed it as the stories for each of those women.
Speaking of which, an unexpected finding of this book was the relief I felt in my own choice to be childfree. The trials and tribulations of motherhood became clear in ways that most other writers won't discuss (probably because they'd be accused of being bitchy). I appreciated this open honest viewing of life with kids, and it just solidified for me that I made the right choice.
I don't think for a second that everyone will walk away from the book with this feeling. In fact, I would expect that some women will want a child even more. But, that's the beauty of a personal story - everyone can take from it what they want or need. There is no one truth to fit us all.
Although I do agree with other reviewers that it would be better to have a more diverse set of authors for the essays, I was still able to identify with something from everyone's essay. There is something universal about the things these women wrote that I felt was powerful and touching.
I didn't see the stories as whiny or bitchy at all. They were personal stories and feelings, and I think there is a lot of overlap in how women are made to feel about our choices. Why those hardships are perceived as whiny, I'm not entirely sure - I just viewed it as the stories for each of those women.
Speaking of which, an unexpected finding of this book was the relief I felt in my own choice to be childfree. The trials and tribulations of motherhood became clear in ways that most other writers won't discuss (probably because they'd be accused of being bitchy). I appreciated this open honest viewing of life with kids, and it just solidified for me that I made the right choice.
I don't think for a second that everyone will walk away from the book with this feeling. In fact, I would expect that some women will want a child even more. But, that's the beauty of a personal story - everyone can take from it what they want or need. There is no one truth to fit us all.
melloves2read's review against another edition
5.0
Some essays spoke to me more than others, but overall I was entranced by these women and their stories. Their honest sharing of their lives and doubts, dreams, mistakes, choices felt like a gift. I would love to meet some of them and talk to them over coffee.
krazyk8y's review against another edition
3.0
It wasn't bad but I felt like there was a level of diversity missing in these stories. Not just diversity of race but also class and career. The book is still true of women experience and are definitely honest but coming from lower class experience it felt less relatable
misscbingley's review against another edition
2.0
I thought I would sympathize with the essayists in this book; instead, I found myself wondering how their children and spouses cope. Lots of misplaced rage, lots of blueprints for how I hope my life never looks.