A review by reggiewoods
Two Serious Ladies by Jane Bowles

adventurous dark emotional funny lighthearted sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This story follows two American ladies of society who have grown bored of their lives and seek adventure with some bizarre choices. The book is basically plotless, relying instead on these ladies’ willingness to say yes to some, frankly, stupid situations. Bowles uses a wry humor, not all that different from Candide, telling a tale that does not make all that much sense. Any motivation behind the characters’ choices could only be answered with, “because they can,” and that is very intentional. Though scandalous in its time, it is quite tame by today’s standards, though the humor stands strong. If you like the idea of a wealthy lady saying, “fuck it,” to go slum it with a hobo for a week or go home with the first guy that talks to her at the bar, then this is the novel for you.