Your rating:
Do we change or does the world change us? Jo and Bethie Kaufman were born into a world full of promise. Growing up in 1950s Detroit, they live in a perfect “Dick and Jane” house, where their roles in the family are clearly defined. Jo is the tomboy, the bookish rebel with a passion to make the world more fair; Bethie is the pretty, feminine good girl, a would-be star who enjoys the power her beauty confers and dreams of a traditional life. But the truth ends up looking different from what the girls imagined. Jo and Bethie survive traumas and tragedies. As their lives unfold against the background of free love and Vietnam, Woodstock and women’s lib, Bethie becomes an adventure-loving wild child who dives headlong into the counterculture and is up for anything (except settling down). Meanwhile, Jo becomes a proper young mother in Connecticut, a witness to the changing world instead of a participant. Neither woman inhabits the world she dreams of, nor has a life that feels authentic or brings her joy. Is it too late for the women to finally stake a claim on happily ever after?
No posts yet
Kick off the convo with a theory, question, musing, or update
Your rating:
0Thank you to Netgalley & Atria for an ARC of this book in exchange for a honest review.
I am a huge fan of Jennifer Wieners so when I was offered the ARC I had high expectations. This book did not disappoint although it did make me cry at certain times.
The book is set in Detroit Michigan and as a Michigander I can tell you She really did her research. Many of the places she referenced are real places/businesses that are still thriving today. The fact that she kept the setting so true to the real Detroit lent this book a more memoir feel instead of fiction.
In addition to a strong setting Wiener has built these incredible female characters, Jo and Bethie, for us to follow. What I loved about these characters is that Wiener designed them to be relatable to virtually every woman regardless of motherhood status/career status/sexual orientation/whatever.
The story line in this book is also very strong. It’s billed as a coming of age story but to me it was more of a social commentary on how far women have come and how far we still have to go.
This book will easily satisfy most readers. I think this would be a great Book Club pick since there is a little bit of everything in it but really this is just a book you have to put on your TBR because it really was an incredible read.
0
© 2024 Pagebound