I am almost done with Carlene Bauer's book -- the friends just had a rupture in a bar and this could be it for them, though perhaps there's one more showdown in store. We'll see. Decided to reread your review because I have many thoughts. Here they are, at 75% done with the novel: I absolutely loved the beginning, the early years, the buoyancy of their friendship. And the writing! Such great writing. Then it curdled for me when the women got into their 30s. Yeah, it curdled for them too so that's sort of the point, but I soured on the narrator in a big way and also on Rose (though less so.) Part of this is good to read -- bracing -- because the consequences of their mistakes are big and real and enduring and the unpleasant people they become largely stems from their choices. Bauer doesn't sweeten it. But I've started reading "against" the narrator. There's so much bitter generalization about wives, women, moms, yoga teachers and I know part of that is the narrator's sorrow and jadedness -- and while she knows this too, it's tough when you turn on a narrator you initially liked. I've stopped extending her the benefit of the doubt. I'm resisting the generalized portrait of a mass of shallow wine moms with thin-lipped smiles. I'm resisting her resentful depiction of non-artist Brooklyn couples (admittedly, probably because I'm half of one.) I think, no, all these people around you can't really be stick figure jackasses. It's you, Charlotte. I'm fascinated to see how -- or if -- Bauer manages to resolve this. A super stimulating, thought-provoking read and I haven't been bored for a minute.
I got Girls They Write Songs About for Patrick for Christmas. I keep hearing how good it is, and he loves stories about female friendship (!?), youth, music, etc. And I know he got me the Catherine Newman--the bookstore was sold out when I tried to get it a few weeks ago, so I'm excited to finally get my paws on it. Happy new year, friend!
I am almost done with Carlene Bauer's book -- the friends just had a rupture in a bar and this could be it for them, though perhaps there's one more showdown in store. We'll see. Decided to reread your review because I have many thoughts. Here they are, at 75% done with the novel: I absolutely loved the beginning, the early years, the buoyancy of their friendship. And the writing! Such great writing. Then it curdled for me when the women got into their 30s. Yeah, it curdled for them too so that's sort of the point, but I soured on the narrator in a big way and also on Rose (though less so.) Part of this is good to read -- bracing -- because the consequences of their mistakes are big and real and enduring and the unpleasant people they become largely stems from their choices. Bauer doesn't sweeten it. But I've started reading "against" the narrator. There's so much bitter generalization about wives, women, moms, yoga teachers and I know part of that is the narrator's sorrow and jadedness -- and while she knows this too, it's tough when you turn on a narrator you initially liked. I've stopped extending her the benefit of the doubt. I'm resisting the generalized portrait of a mass of shallow wine moms with thin-lipped smiles. I'm resisting her resentful depiction of non-artist Brooklyn couples (admittedly, probably because I'm half of one.) I think, no, all these people around you can't really be stick figure jackasses. It's you, Charlotte. I'm fascinated to see how -- or if -- Bauer manages to resolve this. A super stimulating, thought-provoking read and I haven't been bored for a minute.
I got Girls They Write Songs About for Patrick for Christmas. I keep hearing how good it is, and he loves stories about female friendship (!?), youth, music, etc. And I know he got me the Catherine Newman--the bookstore was sold out when I tried to get it a few weeks ago, so I'm excited to finally get my paws on it. Happy new year, friend!
Putting all those books on hold at the library ASAP - always great recommendations <3