spiderfelt's review against another edition
5.0
Finally, a thoughtful book written about motherhood, the school years, that embraces the complexity and diversity of our experience. The characters are nuanced, troubled, and working to resolve the question: what is the right thing for me to do? For every person there is a different answer, obviously.
The story jumps around between characters, bringing in various points of view and ultimately examining the way that similar circumstances can be satisfying for one person and inadequate for another. Meg Wolitzer belongs on the shelf with Jonathan Franzen, authors who write about ordinary people well.
The story jumps around between characters, bringing in various points of view and ultimately examining the way that similar circumstances can be satisfying for one person and inadequate for another. Meg Wolitzer belongs on the shelf with Jonathan Franzen, authors who write about ordinary people well.
huncamuncamouse's review against another edition
4.0
I think this is really more of a 3 star book, but I just love Meg Wolitzer's style and voice so much that it makes me want to tack on an extra star.
Reading this while also watching Hulu's Mrs. America miniseries was interesting because there is a natural dialogue about gender roles, women in the workplace, and motherhood between both texts. Published in early 2008, aspects of this book seems to eerily predict the great recession later that year. I do think the book is a little dated in terms of how it handles--or more accurately, doesn't--the issue of white privilege. While there is a Jewish character and an Asian American character, both are flatly drawn compared to Amy and to a lesser extent, Jill. I don't require that characters be likable, but Amy was so deeply selfish and helpless that I struggled to sympathize with her situation. I think that was the kind of the point, but then I'm not sure what message we're supposed to take away from her struggles.
In general, I found the POV of this book a little confusing and sloppy. While it seems like Wolitzer wants to present this as an ensemble book, it feels like it's ultimately Amy's story. After her, Jill--whom I actually found much more interesting--is given the most space in the novel. The other two women who once made up their group, Roberta and Karen, are treated like complete after thoughts by comparison.
I also struggled with the structure; for most of the book, the chapters alternate between the novel's present day and then short flashbacks focusing on women in the past. With the exception of the flashbacks focused on Amy and Jill's respective mothers, I didn't think these added anything substantive to the novel. In some ways, I wound up wishing that the novel was more a split between Amy and her mother.
As a whole, this was a technically flawed novel, but I still really enjoyed reading it because I'm just such a fan of Wolitzer. I wouldn't recommend this as an introduction to her work, but if you're already a fan, this will satisfy.
Reading this while also watching Hulu's Mrs. America miniseries was interesting because there is a natural dialogue about gender roles, women in the workplace, and motherhood between both texts. Published in early 2008, aspects of this book seems to eerily predict the great recession later that year. I do think the book is a little dated in terms of how it handles--or more accurately, doesn't--the issue of white privilege. While there is a Jewish character and an Asian American character, both are flatly drawn compared to Amy and to a lesser extent, Jill. I don't require that characters be likable, but Amy was so deeply selfish and helpless that I struggled to sympathize with her situation. I think that was the kind of the point, but then I'm not sure what message we're supposed to take away from her struggles.
In general, I found the POV of this book a little confusing and sloppy. While it seems like Wolitzer wants to present this as an ensemble book, it feels like it's ultimately Amy's story. After her, Jill--whom I actually found much more interesting--is given the most space in the novel. The other two women who once made up their group, Roberta and Karen, are treated like complete after thoughts by comparison.
I also struggled with the structure; for most of the book, the chapters alternate between the novel's present day and then short flashbacks focusing on women in the past. With the exception of the flashbacks focused on Amy and Jill's respective mothers, I didn't think these added anything substantive to the novel. In some ways, I wound up wishing that the novel was more a split between Amy and her mother.
As a whole, this was a technically flawed novel, but I still really enjoyed reading it because I'm just such a fan of Wolitzer. I wouldn't recommend this as an introduction to her work, but if you're already a fan, this will satisfy.
rachel_reece's review against another edition
2.0
OH my gosh Meg Wolitzer is my hero. She's amazing.
But in retrospect, I kept thinking some plot was about to take off, and it never did. Nothing really happens in this book!
But in retrospect, I kept thinking some plot was about to take off, and it never did. Nothing really happens in this book!
inthecommonhours's review against another edition
2.0
I didn't like it, but I couldn't give it one star. It wasn't painful to read. And I realize it's not really fair to judge a book for not being the book you wanted it to be.
Ironically, I put down The Emperor's Children last month because I was so tired of NYC characters. Little did I know this one would be even more of that world.
I enjoyed Jill's story, her struggle of making her way in a new community, and judging herself so harshly as she bonds with her daughter. Most of the others seemed like stereotypes. And in the case of these women, perhaps "nap" was the right term. One character constantly jokes about others wondering what she does all day (most of these women have only one child, who has been in school full-time for 5 years). The author appears not to know either---we see the women drop the kids off, go to breakfast with each other, and then picking the kids up again.
I wanted a book that would reflect the world I'm discovering, of families that are sacrificing income because they value home, of women attempting to create community and be creative and smart while raising their children, and to learn more about how they reenter the world of paid work once their children are in school.
This isn't that book. That's not its fault. By the look of ratings below, others enjoyed the "Great Gatsby" storyline of Amy's disillusionment. I found it unrealistic and depressing. I'm glad it was a library check-out.
Ironically, I put down The Emperor's Children last month because I was so tired of NYC characters. Little did I know this one would be even more of that world.
I enjoyed Jill's story, her struggle of making her way in a new community, and judging herself so harshly as she bonds with her daughter. Most of the others seemed like stereotypes. And in the case of these women, perhaps "nap" was the right term. One character constantly jokes about others wondering what she does all day (most of these women have only one child, who has been in school full-time for 5 years). The author appears not to know either---we see the women drop the kids off, go to breakfast with each other, and then picking the kids up again.
I wanted a book that would reflect the world I'm discovering, of families that are sacrificing income because they value home, of women attempting to create community and be creative and smart while raising their children, and to learn more about how they reenter the world of paid work once their children are in school.
This isn't that book. That's not its fault. By the look of ratings below, others enjoyed the "Great Gatsby" storyline of Amy's disillusionment. I found it unrealistic and depressing. I'm glad it was a library check-out.
cricketlou's review against another edition
3.0
I actually would give this 3.5. After reading, I found the title to be appropos since these four women were in a limbo state trying to decide what their purpose in life was. It was interesting to see how their lives intersected and then went their own ways.
It also offered an interesting perspective on the role of feminism in not only a woman's right to choose to work or be at-home but a man's as well!
It also offered an interesting perspective on the role of feminism in not only a woman's right to choose to work or be at-home but a man's as well!
kristennd's review against another edition
3.0
Complicated reading experience all round. I was enthusiastic about the pre-release information and professional reviews, but then the early reader reviews were all so negative. It showed up on a remainder table at B&N so I decided to take a chance after all, and am very glad of it. But now rating the book is its own dilemma -- the writing style was very enjoyable, but the plot and characterization were rather weak. And major caveat: I don't have kids. Again, I loved *how* she writes. Some wonderful phrases, clear descriptions, distinctive voices, and the clever flashbacks to the prior generation of female characters. I think she also had a really good ear for women's friendships, both good and bad elements. But there were three big annoyances. First, I still have no idea what any of those women do all day. Well, meet for breakfast and sometimes do yoga. But that still leaves an amazing amount of blank space. Maybe that's supposed to be symbolic -- nothing they do is significant enough to mention. Fits the title. But it was still frustrating because it made it impossible for me to develop my own opinion on the choices they were making, which I'd think was supposed to be a major goal of the book. Second, the way three of the main characters got a dramatic twist ending was annoyingly unrealistic. The television show, the musical prodigy, and the falling-apart-for-years marriage resolved with a five minute conversation. All ridiculous. Finally, the stereotyping of the fourth main character bothered me too -- both the over-the-top Asian cliches and the fact that the one minority character was also basically perfect. I was also uneasy about message in the non-biological mother being the one who couldn't bond. There were some interesting hints about the 'villain' husband being not nearly as bad as his wife claimed but that sadly didn't go anywhere. I did really enjoy the jealous references to the upcoming generation of involved fathers because although I'm the same age as the women in the story, I have a 20-something fiance who wants to stay home with the kids. Let's hope that was one of the realistic bits.
herlifewithbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This is my second Meg Wolitzer book, and I'm still a fan. Like The Interestings, she writes this large cast of characters that really reel me in - even the most minor of side characters seem fleshed out and... uh... interesting.
The Ten-Year Nap is mostly about modern womanhood and motherhood - specifically, what happens when women who are trained in ambition end up staying at home to raise children. There's no right answer, obviously, and having multiple POV characters lets us see just how many right/wrong/in the middle answers there are. Just as many choices are there are women on the planet. Wolitzer uses some clever narrative tricks along the way to further broaden the book's scope, too.
Good stuff! I really wanted to listen to Sleepwalking, but it wasn't available on Overdrive. This was a completely pleasing alternative.
The Ten-Year Nap is mostly about modern womanhood and motherhood - specifically, what happens when women who are trained in ambition end up staying at home to raise children. There's no right answer, obviously, and having multiple POV characters lets us see just how many right/wrong/in the middle answers there are. Just as many choices are there are women on the planet. Wolitzer uses some clever narrative tricks along the way to further broaden the book's scope, too.
Good stuff! I really wanted to listen to Sleepwalking, but it wasn't available on Overdrive. This was a completely pleasing alternative.
briamide's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyable, but a slow burn. Took awhile to get to know the characters and a sense of the plot.
ruthlemon08's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book but not as much as the Interestings - perhaps i, as someone who hasn’t had children, was unable to relate to the characters. Still enjoyable and interesting portrayals of lives in New York but if you’re only going to read one Wolitzer, make it the Interestings!!
mafesoga's review against another edition
2.0
I found this book reading hard to finish, I was bored. The last 50 pages made it a little better