nd2712's review against another edition
5.0
Is it weird that I pictured Charlotte Walsh as looking exactly like Samantha Bee?
Honestly, this book could have been taken right out of the headlines of today's news, about a woman deciding to run for political office and facing the horrors of being in the public eye in the process. Wonderfully, you read this book and feel empowered just by reading it, regardless of what Charlotte does. Whether she's dodging questions about her crumbling marriage, taking care of her three daughters, giving campaign speeches or spending time on the internet with pages dedicated to checking out her shoes, Charlotte Walsh is a damn hero.
The one thing I am undecided on is the ending. Without giving away too many spoilers, it is entirely unfulfilling, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing. You spend the whole book leading up to one event, hoping to hear the conclusion, but you don't get it. It makes you consider the journey that this book takes you on, rather than the ending. It makes you think about what female candidates have to go through just to be considered adequate.
It's a brilliantly vibrant and funny novel, perfect for anyone feeling a bit shitty about the current political climate.
Honestly, this book could have been taken right out of the headlines of today's news, about a woman deciding to run for political office and facing the horrors of being in the public eye in the process. Wonderfully, you read this book and feel empowered just by reading it, regardless of what Charlotte does. Whether she's dodging questions about her crumbling marriage, taking care of her three daughters, giving campaign speeches or spending time on the internet with pages dedicated to checking out her shoes, Charlotte Walsh is a damn hero.
The one thing I am undecided on is the ending. Without giving away too many spoilers, it is entirely unfulfilling, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing. You spend the whole book leading up to one event, hoping to hear the conclusion, but you don't get it. It makes you consider the journey that this book takes you on, rather than the ending. It makes you think about what female candidates have to go through just to be considered adequate.
It's a brilliantly vibrant and funny novel, perfect for anyone feeling a bit shitty about the current political climate.
kld2128's review against another edition
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use and Infidelity
jfbfsf's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
This was better than I expected. The writing was good - it was smooth, straightforward, and didn't stand in the way of the story or cause me to roll my eyes (which lots of writing does). While Charlotte's life couldn't be more different from mine, so much of her experiences as a working mother resonated with me. The (jaded) look at politics was interesting, albeit familiar. I think my biggest complaint about the book was that it made Charlotte's life seem kind of grim. It was hard to see that she had ever been happy - as a millionaire tech executive, as a wife, as a mom, as a candidate... she seemed tired and unhappy all the time, now and in the past. Given that, it didn't feel like the book made a strong enough argument for her to work so hard towards something so misery-inducing, and something which was so damaging to the rest of her life. One other small complaint was that while her role as a working mother felt fleshed out and authentic, her kids themselves seemed like afterthoughts to the story, without much personality.
But overall it was definitely an enjoyable read.
This was better than I expected. The writing was good - it was smooth, straightforward, and didn't stand in the way of the story or cause me to roll my eyes (which lots of writing does). While Charlotte's life couldn't be more different from mine, so much of her experiences as a working mother resonated with me. The (jaded) look at politics was interesting, albeit familiar. I think my biggest complaint about the book was that it made Charlotte's life seem kind of grim. It was hard to see that she had ever been happy - as a millionaire tech executive, as a wife, as a mom, as a candidate... she seemed tired and unhappy all the time, now and in the past. Given that, it didn't feel like the book made a strong enough argument for her to work so hard towards something so misery-inducing, and something which was so damaging to the rest of her life. One other small complaint was that while her role as a working mother felt fleshed out and authentic, her kids themselves seemed like afterthoughts to the story, without much personality.
But overall it was definitely an enjoyable read.
aaavia's review against another edition
nothing bad the moment in which I wanted to read it just passed
beccamfreeman's review against another edition
5.0
This book is excellent. I finished it five minutes ago and immediately fired off texts to 3 of my friends telling them THEY NEED TO READ THIS BOOK. The book follows Charlotte Walsh, a Sheryl Sandburg-esque tech executive, who decides to leave her Silicon Valley job and run for Senate in her home state of Pennsylvania. The book manages to be smart while still being addictively readable — think The West Wing — and illustrates important issues of female representation in politics and the struggle to "have it all".
Most importantly, I didn't realize until I read the editor's note that this is the first book to depict a woman running for national political office. It's amazing and important that Jo Piazza brought this fictional depiction into existence so we can start to think about and discuss the challenges women face in deciding to run for office, the scrutiny they encounter for doing so, and the hard road, both politically and personally, to election.
Most importantly, I didn't realize until I read the editor's note that this is the first book to depict a woman running for national political office. It's amazing and important that Jo Piazza brought this fictional depiction into existence so we can start to think about and discuss the challenges women face in deciding to run for office, the scrutiny they encounter for doing so, and the hard road, both politically and personally, to election.
southernbellebooks's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. Wow. Wow. I loved this book. As someone who works in politics, this entire book is very accurate as to what it is like to run a campaign. Maybe not the extreme stories of cover ups like the very elaborate one in this book but definitely the manipulation and pettiness. This was everything I needed it to be and while I wanted a clear ending, I think I loved the book more because of the ending Jo Piazza chose.
pikasqueaks's review against another edition
i was really into the first 2/3 of this book. i am so mad about the ending -- ambiguity, even with the author's note, bums me out as a reader.
tavia gilbert is an outstanding, amazingly talented audiobook narrator. she's one of the best out there, imo. she completely transformed this listening experience for me.
tavia gilbert is an outstanding, amazingly talented audiobook narrator. she's one of the best out there, imo. she completely transformed this listening experience for me.
librarianjennifer's review against another edition
4.0
This book perfectly illustrates the stresses faced by women running for office.
One sentence synopsis: Charlotte Walsh must be everything - wife, mother, leader, all-women - while running for Senate in Pennsylvania.
I very much enjoyed this book, even though it took me a while to finish. Part of that was that the structure of the book, chapters with milestones along the campaign, allowed me to pick up the story whenever I found it convenient. I think that every woman in America can find something to connect to within the character of Charlotte Walsh.
Recommended for women who enjoy intelligent political narratives.
One sentence synopsis: Charlotte Walsh must be everything - wife, mother, leader, all-women - while running for Senate in Pennsylvania.
I very much enjoyed this book, even though it took me a while to finish. Part of that was that the structure of the book, chapters with milestones along the campaign, allowed me to pick up the story whenever I found it convenient. I think that every woman in America can find something to connect to within the character of Charlotte Walsh.
Recommended for women who enjoy intelligent political narratives.
tahyvalero's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I read this book because Charlotte right off the bat reminded me of myself, and I loved it. It’s a book about life as a woman, as an ambitious woman. It’s a story about what women go through and what we sacrifice.