In 1960s New England Ted & Abigail live a seemingly perfect life. Childhood sweethearts, they are now married with a baby. Ted works as a tyre salesmaIn 1960s New England Ted & Abigail live a seemingly perfect life. Childhood sweethearts, they are now married with a baby. Ted works as a tyre salesman and is successful whereas Abigail is home with baby, attending women's groups and feeling unfulfilled.
As part of Ted's work he's invited to attend a meal in Boston, where there are fancy restaurants and big city thrills. There he meets Penny who is quite unlike his wife with her carefree manner. Abigail (suffering most likely from PND) isn't as carefree and is more serious a character, and a lover of books who misses her education. Ted sets out to be friends with Penny but the friendship quickly blossoms. Meanwhile Ted has agreed that Abigail can return to get studies and she grows in confidence. Ted and Abigail get lost in their own worlds and Ted begins to stretch the truth with both Abigail and Penny. When Ted and Penny relationship takes a more serious turn decisions have to be taken that impact on everyone's lives.
I found this an enjoyable read, and found myself very much sympathizing with Abigail and understanding her character.
I read I know why the caged bird sings a long while ago, and Maya Angelou told her remarkable life story. This follows on and it's equally well writteI read I know why the caged bird sings a long while ago, and Maya Angelou told her remarkable life story. This follows on and it's equally well written.
In this book she's a teen mum living initially in SFO. She finds work as a cook, falls in love and it doesn't work out, and heads for LA before a diversion to San Diego and Oklahoma. She takes short term jobs cooking and waitressing to help her raise her son. Somewhere in this story she, at 18, runs a brothel.
The blurb tells you she dabbles in drugs and in Oakland she dabbled in prostitution before her brother brings her to her senses. She also falls in love left, right, and centre but all are bad news.
The story is again remarkable and very well written. If anything shocked me it was her leaving her son with virtual strangers for long periods of time whilst she worked. I guess times and communities have changed, at least they have in my experience, and now we don't have "mamas" who take in people's kids and virtually raise them, with the mother visiting on her day off. I liked seeing this reflection back to the past....more
I received this book from Netgalley in return for an honest review.
I liked this book and thought it was funny but being from the UK I didn't get many I received this book from Netgalley in return for an honest review.
I liked this book and thought it was funny but being from the UK I didn't get many of the cultural references that I think an American reader might get. It didn't detract from the comedy but I was left wondering occasionally. The book was arranged in short chapters and covered a range of parenting issues, from zoo trips, to mealtimes and motherhood dress code (which being a mother of young kids I could relate to). This is an entertaining read for any mothers, recent or not so recent, and I'd recommend it to others. ...more
I was attracted to this book because I like reading stories about relationships between parents and children; this is a Norwegian novella which has beI was attracted to this book because I like reading stories about relationships between parents and children; this is a Norwegian novella which has been beautifully written and then translated. The story is narrated by the daughter, and this is one odd relationship though, with the mother locking the twenty-something university student daughter in her room to prevent her from taking a holiday with her new boyfriend. Whilst I might not wish my daughter to go on holiday with a man she's known for 2 weeks, I wouldn't think that locking her all day in her room was the best way of dealing with the situation. The daughter / narrator seemed more adult than the mother, who needed both looking after, and who also seemed to have no awareness of boundaries, particularly emotional and social.
The blurb suggested to me that it might be related to psychology, and although I was not expecting to read a psychological thriller I was also not expecting to be wading through psychological theory, which, admittedly, was cleverly weaved through the story. Fortunately I have both an interest and (some) knowledge of psychological theory and found the narrator's frequent references to theory interesting, but the heavy emphasis on psychological theory (used as a means for the narrator to understand her situations) might be off-putting for some.
I was also slightly surprised by the references to God throughout, and initially I thought I'd stumbled unaware into Christian fiction. The narrator appeared to have a close relationship to God but as her relationship to her man grows the relationship with God is questioned. Again, like the references to psychological theory, it is used as a mechanism to allow the narrator to make sense of her world.
Finally, this novella does contain infrequent sexually graphic references so please be aware of this if you prefer not to read this type of material. The sexual references are related to the story, although sometimes I struggled to understand whether she was fantasising whilst locked in the room, or it was experiences the narrator was actually going through.
Overall I enjoyed this novella and thought it beautifully written. I didn't award it 5 stars because I sometimes struggled to understand whether it was present, past, or future that was being referred to within the narration. ...more
When I saw this book was released I immediately added it to my To Be Read list. I loved Brooklyn where I discovered Toibin as an author, and when I reWhen I saw this book was released I immediately added it to my To Be Read list. I loved Brooklyn where I discovered Toibin as an author, and when I read the synopsis for this I knew I wanted to read it.
This is a story of grief and motherhood, set in 1960s Ireland. Nora has lost her husband Maurice and she is left to bring up her 4 children; the younger two are still at home whereas the elder two are away at college or university in Dublin. One of the younger children has a stammer which only seems to have come since the death of his father, and the other young child seems withdrawn. The elder two live their lives, with one daughter increasingly drawn into politics as there are disturbances over the border in N. Ireland. I found this politics dialogue interesting as I wasn't that aware of the impact of the troubles in N.Ireland on Eire.
It's beautifully written, easy to read and has a lovely flow. And the book isn't miserable, despite the subject matter. It is reflective, and Nora is portrayed as a feisty woman finding her way in the world, and finding a way for her children. ...more
I'd read the blurb and reviews for this book and was really pleased when Netgalley and the published selected me to review it. And I am glad I have reI'd read the blurb and reviews for this book and was really pleased when Netgalley and the published selected me to review it. And I am glad I have read it. This review is my own opinion of the book and I have not been paid to review it.
Where to begin? Well this is on the face of it a story of an American woman, Anna, living as an ex-pat in Switzerland. She's married to a Swiss man called Bruno and has 3 children, Victor, Charles, and Polly-Jean. At one level this is an explanation of life in Switzerland and the behaviours of the Swiss, from the eyes of an ex-pat. I've visited and the descriptions of the country and the towns is very accurate. I don't necessarily know a lot about Swiss demeanour or language but I am aware they speak a different dialect of German - Swiss German - which can be difficult to understand. Anna struggles - she takes German lessons to try and fit in better and recounts very visits to grocers and attempts to speak the language, but doesn't feel accepted.
She is generally unhappy with her lot in life. And her husband and his mother, Ursuala, have noticed and she's told to get psychoanalysis. I understand this was an important aspect of the novel but it didn't quite mesh with me and I skim read the dream analysis bit, especially after half-way through the novel. She's not necessarily that happy in her marriage either, and frequently leaves her children with the MIL whilst she ponders her life.
We are also told of ex-pat parties and get a glimpse of a different life. Anna and Bruno are particularly likeable characters and each appear to exist in their own bubbles, especially where these parties are concerned. In her German lessons she actually finds she is capable of speaking German and also finds friendship in the form of Mary, another ex-pat, but who is happier with being in Switzerland and the family life she has there. In the class is also Archie, a Scot. Knowing looks are exchanged between Anna and Archie and an affair quickly ensues.
We find that this isn't the first affair for Anna, and maybe this is partly the reason for her unhappiness? It's not necessarily clear. We, the reader, are left to decide, and decide, I suppose, if we think this is appropriate behaviour.
One thing after another happens and when tragedy strikes Anna's world unravels. The end of the book is rather abrupt and we are left to decide what happens next. I enjoyed this read, it's very well written, but I think there are unanswered questions.
I've browsed through this and tried a number of the recipes and I'm impressed. The recipes are suitable for all the family and the book doesn't preachI've browsed through this and tried a number of the recipes and I'm impressed. The recipes are suitable for all the family and the book doesn't preach either the BLW way or the spoon feeding way as best. Trying a mix of both so it's the perfect book....more
will have to return to this. has promise but wasn't in right mood to read.will have to return to this. has promise but wasn't in right mood to read....more
This is the tale of 2 women - Beth, a writer, who is experiencing marriage difficulties, and Olivia, the mother oProbably would rate this closer to 4*
This is the tale of 2 women - Beth, a writer, who is experiencing marriage difficulties, and Olivia, the mother of a recently deceased child. Olivia's son, Anthony, had autism and was non-verbal, and died on an epileptic seizure. The women meet on Nantucket when Olivia photographs Beth's family. Beth has decided to try writing again and the story of a boy with autism who collects white rocks is what she writes. She writes the book from the viewpoint of nonverbal Anthony, and in a sense uses it as therapy for her own marriage problems.
Much of this book I liked but the slightly mystical 'Anthony speaking / voicing his life to Beth' and the sheer coincidences of the stories (which enabled the novel to be written by Beth) were a little far-fetched for me. I appreciate someone might see a character and write a story based on them but to be so accurate as to depict and entire life, I'm not so sure. I realize that the author, Genova, was using this as a means to connect the characters but......more
this short story took me about half an hour to read but I was completely riveted by it. it is the account of one woman's battle with PND and her battlthis short story took me about half an hour to read but I was completely riveted by it. it is the account of one woman's battle with PND and her battle with her well meaning but completely misunderstanding doctor husband. it was a very raw story and considering it was written in 1892 felt quite modern and up to date....more
This fictional account of a woman's experience of post-natal depression was an interesting read, although perhaps not as heart-wrenching as I expectedThis fictional account of a woman's experience of post-natal depression was an interesting read, although perhaps not as heart-wrenching as I expected it to be. Set in Liverpool (and covering areas I know well from my time at university there) this was the story of a single mother coming to terms with becoming a mother, over a period of 3 months or so. At times it was hard reading, especially as I'm due to have my first baby in a month, but the story was still worth reading. ...more
**spoiler alert** This is quite a difficult book to review. I read it was about motherhood and family life and marriage so I was intrigued. I'd assume**spoiler alert** This is quite a difficult book to review. I read it was about motherhood and family life and marriage so I was intrigued. I'd assumed from the blurb that this was more a story of PND but I didn't get that impression (unless I just read it straight rather than interpreting it). It's a brutal, hard read, but well written and keeps you interested and hooked.
The story is of a couple, who are both socially awkward, and in the 1960s they meet at a works do and are instantly attracted. They both have the same desire to have a large family and marry quickly and the first baby arrives soon after. They move into a large house, a family house where the whole extended family descend for holidays, and everyone is in a state of bliss. Baby two arrives then three and four. There's not much space between and Granny steps in to help Harriet over the pregnancies and births.
All is well until Harriet falls pregnant with the fifth child. By this point the family have warned them against any more babies. Granny Dorothy is as exhausted as Harriet, the mother. This fifth pregnancy is much harder and is described as horror story of pains, anguish etc. After a very difficult pregnancy the baby is born and is immediately rejected by the family. Baby Ben is "Neanderthal" in his looks (Lessing's description) and so physically he doesn't fit with what a baby should look like. Lessing describes how the family reject him and instead turn to his cousin with Down's Syndrome (who they had previously insisted was hid under a cover) and offer her affection. Ben is unusually physical able and strong and scares the other child and consequently spends his days locked in his bedroom. At one point the family decide they can't cope and he's sent away to an institution where there is every chance he will be drugged to sleep and eventually die. Harriet rescues him and brings him home.
What happens next is an implausible story of him being "rescued" by a group of drop-out teens who take Ben, as a 3 year old, for rides on the back of a motorbike. Ben has no real language skills but looks up to these older boys. He goes to school at 5 and makes it through primary without causing any problems but without learning anything either.
For me there are unanswered questions about Ben's condition - his mother's over-medicating during pregnancy makes me question what effect the drugs had, and the description of his behaviour makes me think that Lessing is describing the behaviour of a child with autism, but this is never alluded to, despite the book being written in the 80s when knowledge of autism spectrum conditions was greater than in years previously.
Lessing herself found this a hard book to write, and it makes me wonder why she wrote it to be honest. The descriptions of the institution and the treatment generally of Ben were very hard to read, and made me feel uncomfortable. I didn't really want to believe that this was based on true and real experiences, and if it was, that parents would really just abandon their child to be looked after by some kids they admit to being scared of themselves....more
March 2012 - not yet bought this but think I ought. Ok it's chick-lit but my baby is due in September (like these characters so it kind of feels worthMarch 2012 - not yet bought this but think I ought. Ok it's chick-lit but my baby is due in September (like these characters so it kind of feels worth reading, if only for that reason!)
March 2012 - My mum bought me this as a Mother's Day present (well I am a mother-to-be!)...
April 2012 - Took this away with me to read on our Babymoon in Spain.
This is British chick-lit and I suspect it would appeal most to women who are either pregnant or have been pregnant. A lot of the references are very relevant to me in my current situation.
I found certain aspects of the story predictable but I thought the three characters were relevant enough. Each had their "issues" with their pregnancy - one being a young but posh mother, another being mid-20s, happily married but finding her eggs were getting passed their sell-by date, and the last being late 30s and pregnant by accident. I could sympathise with different aspects of the individual characters. There were part of the story that made me laugh, parts that made me cringe, and parts that made me go "oh yes, agree with that."
I don't know on what basis the author wrote this story but I suspect there might have been some influence from (a British website with forums, popular for discussing everything pregnancy and family related. The fact there was a September births group made me smile - I joined the similar group in real life!)
Overall I enjoyed the story - I'm not a massive fan of chick-lit so whilst I liked it I didn't love it. I'd be interested in a sequel though to see how the characters might develop and faces the challenges of toddlers and pre-schoolers....more
Have read and re-read this over the first 3 months and will read and re-read it over the coming 6 months. Really excellent. Full of useful advice. EveHave read and re-read this over the first 3 months and will read and re-read it over the coming 6 months. Really excellent. Full of useful advice. Even my husband has read it. We have the physical copy rather than an ebook. UK edition - I was worried when I bought it online that it would be a US version and therefore irrelevant in terms of health care advice etc but this is adapted to UK audience and NHS and midwifery services available.
Will be buying What to Expect in the First Year and What to Expect in the Toddler Years as and when relevant. ...more
Have been reading a variety of books recently on the topic of motherhood, pregnancy, families with children etc. I was made aware of this book after rHave been reading a variety of books recently on the topic of motherhood, pregnancy, families with children etc. I was made aware of this book after reading We Need to Talk About Kevin - it was listed on Amazon as a similar book and the subject matter seemed an interesting, if slightly disturbing, take on child rearing.
In one respect it is similar to "Kevin" in that it is a psychological thriller (perhaps thriller is too strong a description) about motherhood/parenthood and the raising of children, but it is quite different as the child is the innocent party and the parents the (definitely) guilty party. I won't be giving anything away when I say that this is a story (not true, although the author is a psychiatrist with experience in these matters) of child neglect and infanticide, and whilst not graphic and explicit, is an unpleasant reading matter for most individuals. What sold it to me (and intrigued me) is that it is also a "love-story" of the two parents who are so in love with each other that their child means so little.
Despite the gruesome subject matter I actually enjoyed this read, and what I enjoyed most about it was the way it was written. The author has chosen to write the story from the perspective of different adults who were in some way connected to the parents who neglected their child. So we have the next door neighbour, work colleagues, the policeman who discovered the child's body as the initial story tellers. The story then proceeds onto the court case (this isn't a dull "lawyer said this", "lawyer said that" legal drama though) so we hear the perspective of barristers, jurors and eventual prison guards. Altogether these stories build together the before, during and after of the child neglect and infanticide. There is a "twist" at the end but to be honest I saw it coming. I could envision what the result would be and how the book would end. ...more
If I were able to give this 5 stars plus I would. It was wow, wow, wow for me.
I don't suppose I really ever had any intention of reading this book wheIf I were able to give this 5 stars plus I would. It was wow, wow, wow for me.
I don't suppose I really ever had any intention of reading this book when it was first published. Sort of passed me by and I forgot about it and didn't really know or care about the subject matter. Then last year the film was released and I thought wow. Fab film. Dark, powerful subject matter, psychological, and it appealed on a number of levels.
I decided to ask for the book for Christmas after reading reviews on GR and Amazon. Many were saying how good so I thought it worth a read. I decided I'd finally read it a week or so ago when I was searching for something to take my mind of work I need to do. I was gripped instantly. The other appeal was probably the blurb which described the novel as motherhood gone awry. Reading the first few chapters where Eva decides whether or not motherhood is something she wants to embark on really hit a chord. I'm 12 weeks and I too have been through all the anguish of whether I am cut out to be a mother.
I like the format of the novel - written in letters to her husband. I like how reflective it is - on both what Kevin has done, on their relationship, on Kevin now. The book is certainly more detailed that the film - according to an article in the back, to have filmed the entire book would have resulted in a 10 hour film. Yes the subject matter is very dark but I think the way Shriver deals with issues such as Eva's identity as a non-American in America is fascinating, as is how motherhood and families changes a couple's life.
I'd definitely recommend reading the book and watching the film. ...more
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