Thoughts 
The Wednesday Sisters by Meg Waite Clayton, Ballantine Books 2008, 284 pages.
MOTIVATION for READING: This is the official selection for November’s In-Real-Life Book Club aka The Bookies. We are also to read The Help (which I liked better.) I had this book on my tbr wishlist since I read Trish’s review at Hey Lady! She gave it a 99/100 rating.
Where there is great love,
there are always miracles.
- Willa Cather, Death Comes for the Archbishop
WHAT IT’s ABOUT: Four young ladies meet at the park in the neighborhood, begin a friendship and start a writing club. Despite being from varied backgrounds, their loves and lives and writing careers are intertwined for many years with a strong enduring friendship.
WHAT’s GOOD: I thought it was fun to read about these very different women and all they went through. I loved all the cultural references from the 70’s and seeing how much times have changed. I enjoyed living vicariously through the struggling writer life.
WHAT’s NOT so GOOD: I know that a few of my Bookie friends did not much care for this and have complained about changes in viewpoint and style? voice? I look forward to hearing more of these issues at the club meeting in a few weeks. This book was fine, I enjoyed it but I doubt it will turn into one of those memorable-over-time books for me. Also, though I’m hesitant to bring it up, I don’t have any friendships like the ones described in this book. Probably since I’ve moved so often in my life…
I tried to find some dissenting not-quite-so positive reviews in blogosphere but it seems like everyone just loved it dearly. I do think this is a safe book to recommend to my friends if they ever ask for a recommendation. (At least the ones that don’t teach English in High School. ha! kind of a private joke. You know who you are.)
FINAL THOUGHTS: I liked it just fine. I’m giving it four pie slices. But I think I might have to just give it three – which does NOT mean it sucked! Two pie slices means ‘only OK’, so three pies mean “I liked it.” It’s just that it’s already been a few weeks since I read this and I’m not remembering much. I didn’t take any notes on it, and so yes: THREE PIE SLICES, it is.
*snort* I know who I am! LOL
I cannot wait for our discussion next week. I think this will be a very spirited discussion as TWS allows for a critique of writing style and TH will spark a “is it a ‘classic’” debate. YAY!!!
Just read your October recap. Could I borrow the Jennie Nash? You’ve got me hooked on her now.
Three slices seems just right for those books that are all around good, but don’t have anything super spectacular to set them apart.
I enjoyed reading this book while I was reading it – i.e., I found it very absorbing – but in the end I thought the same as you. Enjoyable, but not spectacular.
Exactly!
This one’s been in my TBR pile for a while and I’m anxious to read it since it does seem everyone loves it. I’ve moved around a lot too, so I wonder if I’ll relate to the friendships.
I really enjoyed following the writing struggles and the support they gave each other. I have some great friendships but not many in the ’support my dreams’ area of life. maybe I just needs some new dreams?
I think I might enjoy this book. I have an amazing circle of girl friends and although we all live so far apart we still manage to share everything. It’s a blessing, really
Sorry you didn’t like it as much as me! But I’m glad you really liked THE HELP!
So not to rush it to the top of Mt. TBR but definitely worth reading at some point, eh?