Reviews

Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by Lorna Landvik

carlybins's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

kimreadz's review against another edition

4.0

This is the 2nd time I've read this book. It was originally recommended to me by several friends in my 'girls group' at church a few years ago. This time it was 'assigned' as a book club reading. I loved it both times! Strangely, as I read it this time, I realized I remembered nothing about the book, except that I'd loved it! I'd give it 4-1/2 stars if that were a possibility. The only reason I don't give it 5 is that towards the end, it seemed to have lost it's energy as the story wound down. Now that is not necessarily a bad thing, as the book traces the 'life' of a bookclub over 30 years. These woman also lost a bit of energy near the end, which is not unexpected as they are into their 50's and 60's.

The story is that of a group of neighbors who form a bookclub in the 60's. At times. the book ALMOST crosses into historical fiction, as events of the 60's, and later the 70's and 80's are worked into the story. It made the book kind of fun to read. If you are an older reader it will cause you to remember and reminisce. If you are a younger woman, it will provide some insight into what life was like before women had choices and opportunities. And if you are in between, you will get both!

As a group, the women face many crises as they confront spousal abuse, infidelity,infertility, illness and accidents. As a group, though they are tested, they manage to stick together and to support each other. Makes you wish you had a group of friends like that. The book is very readable. It took may only a few days to read it (both times) even though it is close to 500 pages! Enjoy!

lilylanie's review against another edition

3.0

Loved this book! All of the characters were interesting and compelling. I loved how it spanned their 40-year friendship and how each character took turns narrating. The biggest downfall was its predictability - it was almost too thorough in covering the "hot issues" as they moved through the years, as though she was ticking off on a checklist - racism, homosexuality, Vietnam, women's rights, tick tick tick tick. But overall extremely enjoyable and engrossing.

the_bookcase's review against another edition

4.0

This was one of the first books I added to my "to read" list when I joined Goodreads 11 years ago. I don't know why it took me so long to get to, but I think I appreciated it much more now than I would have 11 years ago. I joined my bookclub around then and truly appreciate the bond of the women in this book as they grew through their adult life.

jenthebest's review against another edition

My work started a book club so I thought I’d give the first book a try. DNF at page 74. It’s not terrible but not the right vibe for me right now. For a book about a book club, they really don’t talk much about the books (they pick good books generally and I was interested to read what they thought about them). And the 1960s bad husbands and all the talking about babies... I’m out.

becky1207's review against another edition

3.0

This was an enjoyable book, but way too long at nearly 500 pages! I could relate, on some level, to the characters, and I liked the idea of a book about a book club. I would have enjoyed it more if it had been shorter; while the plot wasn't drawn out (the story spans several decades and a few generations of the book club members' families), the same story could have been told in fewer pages.

jmarchek's review against another edition

4.0

Our book club is not as interesting as these people, but there are many likeable characters and a lot of drama. Not too deep, but plently to talk about.

jmkummer's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

anjanettew13's review against another edition

3.0

The book was fine. I think it tried to accomplish a lot with so many characters (that fit every stereotype) and did not always succeed. There were times where I wondered what the point of this passage is. I was tempted to skim it but since we're reading it for our book club I soldiered on. I was most satisfied with Faith's story even though it irritated me for most of the book, the payoff was there. Honestly though I only cared about Audrey when her son had the accident. I think perhaps this is one of those book that they could make into a movie because it's the whole feel good thing. Faith, in my opinion, is the only true protagonist of the story. She gets the fullest scope of change and development.

I can't write worth a darn so obviously this book was better than anything I can write but if I could, I would have given 2.5.

kennedyar's review against another edition

5.0

Lorna Landvik . . I’ve never been able to give her less than 5 stars. Having grown up on the MN/WI border near the Twin Cities, her books make me feel completely at home.