Women Fiction Club Book Reviews

Even when we do not actively participate in our destiny, we are still on a chosen path. Life has a way of making decisions for us.
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In Diana Estill's women's fiction title When Horses Had Wings, lead character Renee Goodchild understands the important lesson of gaining control of one's life more than most. Her unplanned teenage pregnancy prompts a premature wedding to her high school boyfriend, and now Renee must submit to the responsibility of adulthood without the benefit of actually being an adult.

Set in 1970's rural Texas, the author manages to convey the impoverished lives of the town's inhabitants in a way that allows the readers to nearly feel their hopelessness first hand. Simply getting a job and permission from her young husband to drive are big dreams for the undereducated, pregnant Renee. However, through the joys of motherhood and the difficulties of an unhappy marriage, or perhaps because of these things, Renee is able to find the courage to change her life.

When Horses Had Wings is a literary drama and may prove to be worth reading for those who like character driven stories. A good quality of this book is that no one character is all good or all bad. They are just people who are products of their environment. In moments in this story even Kenny, Renee's abusive husband, escapes the all consuming villain label. While Granny, Renee's next door neighbor, provides an especially entertaining and necessary element in Renee's journey. Granny has the type of wisdom, honesty and orneriness that only experience can cultivate and only time can perfect.

Another positive factor of the novel is that taken as a whole, it has a good message, especially for women. Through Renee's interactions with other women, including her mother, she learns a thing or two about relationships. She realizes that if she chooses to do nothing about her unhappy life, she will remain unhappy. When discussing the limitations Kenny imposes on Renee, Granny tells her, "'Anybody that don't drive gets driven....Let somebody else drive you, you never know where you'll end up.'"

Good advice, Granny. We should all think about that one.

Twelve year old Nicky Dillon knows that if one thing was different, one little thing, the new born baby would have died cold and alone in the woods. She thought about how one change in their behavior could have been the difference between life and death for the baby. Just like one change in the family's activities on the day her mother and baby sister were killed in a car accident would have made the same life and death difference. Nicky takes their discovery as a sign. Her father, Robert Dillon, who saves the baby during their daily walk in the snowy woods, does not.

Nicky wants to keep the baby, not as a replacement for her lost baby sister, but to help heal them as a family. After the accident, her father hastily moved them from New York to Shepherd, a remote town in New Hampshire. He does so to find peace and personal solace. Yet, Nicky, who had to leave everything familiar behind, has to cope with the loss of her mother and baby sister and in many ways, the loss of her father as well. While Nicky still hurts over their deaths, she wants to move forward with life, but her father only wants to stay buried in the past. She believes the addition of another family member who needs them, like the baby they rescued, may help their impasse.

Things become more emotionally complicated for both of them when Charlotte, the teenage mother of the abandon baby, shows up on their doorstep. Because of unexpected circumstances, she must stay with them for a few days and during this time they find out more about Charlotte and the conditions leading up to the child's abandonment. However, Nicky and Robert must also contend with the police detective that is investigating the case. He is looking for the parents of the abandoned child in order to bring criminal charges. Nicky can tell that her father is softening his stance towards Charlotte, but he must also do what's right in the eyes of the law.

As Nicky realizes that she, her father, Charlotte and the newborn will always be connected, she also believes that somehow they can stay together as a family. She is willing to try anything in order to feel like she has a real family again and because of her attempts, her father comes to understand that she can't do it alone.

This title, Light on Snow by Anita Shreve, is a true character driven drama. The story is slow-paced, a statement that does not necessarily translate negatively, but readers who love plot driven stories should still take note. It is also told in first person by adult Nicky, so the voice of the character fluctuates between a twelve year old and her adult counterpart.

The author does a good job conveying the loneliness of the father and daughter, as well as their difficulty coping in their new life. However, she does it in a way that does not solicit pity for the characters, but elicits understanding and perhaps a quiet reflection of issues of life, death and family. In addition, the simplicity of the story alleviates the heaviness of the storyline, making it easier to keep turning the pages. Hopefully, invested readers will get all the way to the end because it truly is an interesting read.

What if you had a chance to experience life on the "road not taken"? In Ellen Meister's novel, The Other Life, Quinn Braverman, pregnant housewife and mother of six year old Isaac, has the unique ability to do just that. In Quinn's other life she is childless and living a fast pace life in a luxury Manhattan apartment with her semi-famous, live-in boyfriend Eugene. Crossing over through a "portal" between her two lives, Quinn does not have to imagine if the grass is greener on the other side, she is able to live her parallel life and see for herself.

At first Quinn visits her single life out of curiosity. However, as Quinn's family life with her husband Lewis gets more stressful, it pushes her to a breaking point. Maybe leaving suburbia behind and staying in her other life, at least for awhile, would not be such a bad idea. Parting with her children would be excruciating, but her single life with Eugene had one very important thing for Quinn - her mother was alive in that life. She desperately needs to have more time with her mother, but Quinn soon discovers that she can't continue to straddle both lives. The portal is closing and she has to choose one path and leave the other life forever.

Quinn's ability to cross over into her other life, had she made different choices, is the kind of thing explored in countless sci-fi books, films and television shows. However, the author uses a more emotional vehicle, especially for women, to highlight the significance of the premise. It's not just a choice between Eugene and Lewis or the single life verses the married family life. It's maternal - your mother or your child. Some women may view this as an easy choice, but for Quinn, who had not yet healed from her mother's suicide, having the chance to spend time with her mother again was priceless.

While the book is an interesting read, there is a missing element to this story. The "why?" There is fuzziness as to why Quinn, and her mother before her, has this ability. In the back story, the author makes a small attempt to explain, but it only brings to mind more questions. The story is also a little confusing as to how many parallel lives are out there for Quinn. Besides the main two, there was at least one more life path which ended abruptly and tragically. Perhaps it would have been best to ignore the back story all together. Sometimes, like in the novel The Road by Cormac McCarthy, "the why" is not the story and so it is simply ignored.

Overall, The Other Life, is well written, easy to read and relatable to every one of us that has ever wondered about the "what ifs." In the end, Quinn Braverman makes her choice and must learn to face life as it comes, just like everyone else.

At age twenty-two, Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan goes back home after graduating from college to live with her parents. Even though she's a recent graduate of Ole Miss, a woman's place in 1962 Mississippi is to get married, have children and busy herself with "womanly things" such as shopping, taking care of the house and social clubs.

Although Skeeter's mother is preoccupied with finding her daughter a husband, Skeeter wants more. She wants to have a real job as a writer - husband or not -and she has outgrown the belief that life can only be as it has always been. When her frustration leads way to a prank that makes her an outcast within her social circles, rather than back away from her principles, she starts a secret project to reinforce them.

Taking note, perhaps for the first time, of the lives black maids in her town lead, Skeeter wondered what they thought about their forced station in life. What was it like working within the racial boundaries and amongst the ignorant beliefs of some of her very best friends who employed them? Skeeter decides to find out.

In an effort to make the "colored" maids of her Mississippi town be heard, Skeeter enlists the help of maids Aibileen and Minnie. To do what they need to do, they are all taking a big risk. However, what they have to loose in not nearly as valuable as what they all stand to gain.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett is an entertaining story with solid and believable characters. The author surprises us with a few laughs, poignant or relatable moments as well as curious happenings to keep readers engaged until the end. (What was the "Terrible, Awful" thing Minnie did?) In addition, if readers are open to it, the book also has a message. The story and characters make a subtle social comment about our willingness to live peacefully (or not) within the societal box for which each individual has been fitted. Whether the confines are created and sustained by race, gender, class, region, beauty or politics, the flaws of most of the characters originate from within their "box". The beauty is that sometimes, if we are willing to look past the walls, we can see others for who they really are on the inside.

A bonus that is included in the book, is a first person essay written by the author. She explains her reasons and inspirations for the book. For readers who have just finished the book, it's an insight that can add to the story.

The Women's Fiction Club definitely recommends it!

A few questions for book club discussions:

Could the way the dialect was written be offensive to black readers?
Who are you most like: Minnie, Skeeter, Celia, Elizabeth or Hilly?
What do you think about the "Terrible Awful" thing Minnie did?

UPDATE: The movie is worth seeing. There may be some film nominations and awards for this one!
Bridget from WFC writes:

"I loved the movie and thought it stayed pretty true to the book but the one thing I missed in the movie was the relationship between Aibileen and Mae Mobley. Other than Aibileen telling Mae Mobley that she's a smart girl, a kind girl and that she's important, we didn't see a lot of interaction. I loved the lessons in the book that Aibileen taught Mae Mobley by wrapping candy in different color paper to show her that what's on the outside doesn't matter. I thought this was a very big part of the book and it was missing from the movie. Otherwise, an excellent movie - very touching and thought provoking."

Eat Pray Love the movie was adapted from Elizabeth Gilbert's the bestselling book of the same name. There are lots of things to like about this movie. For instance the acting of Julia Roberts, Javier Bardem, Viola Davis and Richard Jenkins is impressively convincing, the message of the movie is on point and the visual landscape is breath taking. However, there is one big thing to dislike about this movie - it is slow, to the point of dragging at times. Although for this type of movie, one where the only action is that of internal growth, the slow pace is not completely unexpected. Fortunately, if the movie is considered in its entirety, the positives win out, but it's not the type of film many movie-goers will be eager to sit through again. Once is quite enough.

Julia Roberts plays Sara Gilbert a travel writer who suddenly realizes she is unhappy in the life she has built with her husband. The gnawing doubts, unfulfilled wishes and unanswered questions are suffocating her, a little bit each day. She knows she is missing something. She just doesn't know what. So she embarks on a year long journey of soul searching to find out. Her trip is inspired by a spiritually gifted man she visits in Bali who tells her of her future. Sara then sets out on a self fulfilling prophecy. She is not sure what she will find, but is sure she has to leave.

She spends time in Italy, India and finally returns to Bali. In each destination she learns a little bit more about herself, but the very first lesson she learns is that she has lost herself somewhere between being a daughter, always being someone's girlfriend and finally being someone's wife.

After traveling, learning and experiencing life in different parts of the world, she finds herself.
It's all a bit of the "man behind the curtain" from the Wizard of Oz because the happiness, strength and Love (Eat Pray Love) she needed to live her life was on the inside of her all the time - she just didn't know it. Her journey of self-discovery is complete. Old message. New twist.

As usually, most would confirm that the book was better than the movie. Perhaps. However, there was both laughter and tears in the mostly women theater audience. Viewers nudged each other during some scenes or made knowing eye contact during others. Sometimes the audience members just smiled while watching the movie. For some reason, we could relate. Maybe because at some point in our life we all feel just a little lost and confused.

We get it, Dorothy. We're clicking our heels, too.

See it theatres or better yet, watch it on DVD with food and wine!

The book chosen for April's book club meeting was A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick. The heavily reviewed novel promised the story would be "A thrilling, juicy read...", "Engrossing and addictive...", "Intoxicating" and "Good to the riveting end." However, did the WFC readers agree with the accolades or discover it was all hype?

In the fall of 1907, Ralph Truitt waits impatiently for a train that is late, while the promise of another Wisconsin snowstorm looms ahead. He is the richest man in town and his irritation grows as he rubs the picture in his pocket, believing others are fully aware that the untimely train is meant to mock him. You see, the train is carrying his new wife. A woman he has not met nor has ever seen, except for the frayed picture sent in her letter; the same picture that he fingers in his pocket. He believes he can make amends with his past, one way or the other. A new wife is only the first step in setting things right, so he will marry a stranger. That is his plan.

His new bride, Catherine Land is coming to marry Ralph Truitt and afterwards she will kill him and become a wealthy widow. She will pretend to be everything she is not in order to please him. Even the picture she sent him, which is of another woman, is a calculated move to gain his confidence. After her new husband is dead, Catherine will have everything she has ever wanted, including the man she really loves. For a new life she will marry and kill a stranger. That is her plan.

However, as we all know, even the best laid plans can change, intensify and spin out of control. Neither Ralph nor Catherine know what to do when things go awry.

The book, A Reliable Wife, encompasses all of the above and it sounds like a real page turner. Unfortunately, that was not the case when reading the actual book instead of the synopsis. This book is a literary novel which is a different read for those who prefer commercial fiction. In addition, the author's style is very distinct and the reader will either really love the way the story is written or they will really hate it.

In addition to the awkward writing style, sexual behavior is an integral part of each of the character's personality. Sex is used as a motivator, as a flaw, as a tormentor, as a punishment, as a reward and eventually, sex is what weighs the story down. As a matter of fact, sex is used so heavily in this story that it practically becomes another character. More importantly, to the reader it becomes an unnecessary distraction. (The novel, however, is not written with the titillating details of an erotic novel.)

Here are some quotes from the WFC members:

"I tried, but I couldn't really get into it."

"Where was the twist? Did I miss it?"

"It wasn't very suspenseful. In fact it was predictable."

"Did anybody notice the similar storyline to the movie Original Sin?"
"I wouldn't read another one of his books."

"The author was obsessed with sex. I wonder about his personal life."

"Odd writing style."

"A lot of things didn't make sense. Their behaviors weren't logical."

"How did this become a bestseller?"

"I was told there would be a twist! What was the twist was supposed to be?"

A Reliable Wife is a New York Times Bestseller and it has the reviews to prove what a good read it is for those who like "A rousing historical potboiler." However, the WFC gives this novel a "read at your own risk, but don't believe the hype" rating.

Unfortunately, for the serious readers of the WFC, this book club selection was very disappointing.

*Quotes were from the following reviews: NPR's Morning Edition, The Boston Globe, Today show, USA Today and The Washington Post.

In keeping with the true meaning of women's fiction, A Thousand Splendid Suns was selected and read by Women Fiction Club members because it actually fits the genre. This title 1) focuses on a woman (in this case women), 2) the women learn, change and grow because of a journey detailed within the pages of the book and 3) the book has a satisfying but not necessarily tidy and happy ending. There may also be an added benefit for readers of this book. When following Miriam and Laila, the two heroines in the novel, readers may discover that they have also learned, changed and grown in knowledge and perspective by the end of this book.

The setting for the book is Afghanistan from 1959 to April 2003. The very volatile happenings in the country are such an intricate part of the book that the history could be considered another character. Those who are not familiar with Afghanistan's past may be intrigued enough to do their own historical research for a better understanding and clarification. It would be an interesting side project, especially for book club discussions, but it's certainly not necessary to enjoy the book or respond to its characters.

Miriam, the illegitimate daughter of a very rich married man, lives in exile with her mother Nana, who is a very bitter, unhappy and angry woman. Nana teeters between blaming her predicament on Jalil, the man who fathered her child and Miriam, the child born from their illicit affair. Although Jalil already has three wives and multiple children, Miriam and her mother are an embarrassment for the family. Not only is Miriam a harami (bastard) but her mother worked as a maid in Jalil's home when she became pregnant. The book gives life to Miriam's story of her solitary upbringing until age fifteen when she is married off under stressful circumstances to Rasheed, a man well into his forties.

Laila, is born years after Miriam's marriage takes place. The contrast between the two women is more than the generation that separates them. Their childhood beginnings have stark differences which molds their personalities and outlooks. Laila has valuable relationships with her parents, friends and the community which allows her to blossom into a very proud and independent teenager. However, Laila, at age fourteen, also marries Rasheed. Like Miriam, the circumstances surrounding the marriage are very difficult and Laila feels as if she has no choice.

The two women, who come from very different experiences, have nothing in common but the one man that they both marry. Once neighbors, Miriam and Laila must share a life together under the same roof with the same abusive husband. In their roles as wives they start out as adversaries but eventually they create an important bond. They discover that the difficulties they endure living with a violent husband, under the Taliban's rule and in the midst of war is about more than learning how to be family or friends - it's about how to survive.

The general consensus from The Women's Fiction Club members is that this book is a WFC favorite!

Title - A Thousand Splendid Suns
Author - Khaled Hosseini author of The Kite Runner

This review is also in Women's Fiction Club Lens