DNF not for me

I was bored and annoyed and bored by this. I slogged thru first 4 chapters & then acted on my NEw Years resolution to DNF books that aren't for me . No more dutiful death marches to end of an unfulfilling book.
Took too long to get going. I didn't want to spend another second with the character who narrated the early chapters. It wasn't funny or charming or endearing. So I bailed.

4 people found this helpful

"she said, she said, she said, she said....."

Would you try another book from Gabrielle Zevin and/or Karen White?

Maybe, from Gabrielle Zevin, I'm still not finished yet, but if the writing is a little more creative, it's possible. Karen White, however, is fantastic! Her narration is the main thing that has kept me from giving in on this novel.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

I haven't been able to make it to the end yet. I go back to it, and listen to the repeated "she said, she said" for every single character, for every single time they speak. One reviewer stated that she thought it was "lazy writing" and I really have to agree. My 1st grade nephew knows more ways to describe when someone is speaking or has spoken. I listen for as long as I possibly can, but each "she said" grows more and more grating, and when I can't take it anymore, I stop listening for a few weeks, then go back again.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Karen White's narration saved it!

Any additional comments?

The use of a thesaurus would be a game changer!

2 people found this helpful

Poignant in a today's deluge of sexual misconduct

Any additional comments?

It always blows my mind when novels that were likely written a while ago are so prophetic. A story about an intern who sleeps with a married congressman could not be more relevant in today's deluge of sexual misconduct cases, and how it destroys the lives of women while their predator's careers remain relatively untarnished. Aviva/Jane is a wonderful sympathetic character and love the way the author so brilliantly captured Jewish culture in South Florida and the complicated mother/daughter dynamic that exists within that. A story that was over a little too soon ... I could have used a little more time with these characters.

2 people found this helpful

A quick, fun read/listen.

I really liked this book. I first thought it was going to be a mostly humorous book, but found it to have a much deeper story, more guts. Don’t get me wrong.. I laughed out loud or chuckled to myself plenty of times throughout, but it also held my interest because of what Aviva went through and rose above. Plus, Ruby was an enjoyable character. I know it’s fiction, but I applaud a side story of a smart, young person being raised correctly by a single mom! A quick, fun read/listen.

2 people found this helpful

An alternative look at political sex scandals

Although this book is fictional, there are many parallels to the Bill Clinton/Monica Lewinsky story. The news stories surrounding that scandal painted only one picture - the lying politician, the innocent, stupid intern, and the wife who stayed only for political reasons. This story offers perspective on each of the players that is far different than what the news media portrays to the public, and is far more believable. The performance was outstanding - she was able to capture the personality of each of the characters.

1 person found this helpful

Funny, charming...

...thoughtful and so true. Not for one second boring and narration is excellent. What a treat.

1 person found this helpful

Humor + social commentary

There are some acute and uncomfortable social observations in this story, specifically how the online media can damage and / or destroy a person's life. For those who loved "The Storied Life of AJ Fikry", this is not that book. There is humor and great characters; the author uses a different storytelling style for each section. I did prefer the first chapters which were first third person narratives; the e-mails of the third section and the "choose your adventure" of the final section weren't as successful IMHO. Still, an entertaining and thought-provoking story. ( FYI, check out Monica Lewinsky's TED talk on cyber-bullying. You will never see the Clinton debacle in the same way). Narrator was good, especially when voicing Rachel Shapiro / chapter one.

2 people found this helpful

Best book of the summer!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

YES (see below)

What did you like best about this story?

My mother and grandmother are elected officials and I'm currently volunteering on a congressional campaign (for a woman) and this was just so emotionally accurate. Although there were parts where you had to suspend your disbelief for sure, the writing was so able to capture the emotion of mother/daughter relationships, elections, public perceptions, and just what it's like to be a woman. i literally could not stop listening to this book and finished it in about two days. the ending made me cry, and i can't remember the last time that happened.

Which scene was your favorite?

any number of ruby's emails, but my favorite line was probably "i don't know if it's normal in my country for event planners to run for mayor."

i also LOVED the chapter in which ruby forges an extremely unlikely friendship.

If you could rename Young Jane Young, what would you call it?

"i don't know if it's normal in my country for event planners to fur mayor" :)

1 person found this helpful

A wonderful read. Loved listening and might listen again

I loved the characters. Very well done. Each had faults and good qualities. Just like real life. Book was funny. And believable. Living in DC I can see this playing out in real life. I sure many readers have regrets from the past. Or wish to have a re-do from some aspect of life. While not possible the book showed the possibility of a deciding to keep moving forward no matter what. Loved Jane!

1 person found this helpful

Predictable and Cliched

Wasn't a fan of the literary structure, didn't really engage with the characters, author didn't have anything especially insightful to say.