This short story was written in 1892, so even though pared down, I anticipated florid prose and descriptions. Instead, this was the author’s semi-autoThis short story was written in 1892, so even though pared down, I anticipated florid prose and descriptions. Instead, this was the author’s semi-autobiographical short story written after likely postpartum depression.
I found the author’s biography fascinating and more interesting than this story. I understand the underlying meaning of this tale, but John, the repressive husband, and that claustrophobic room would have driven me mad as well.
For me, the biggest takeaway from this short novella is that the repression of women has been a feature of history and a fact even today. Consider the implications of overturning Roe v. Wade.
My sister’s husband was career military and I was always curious about their life as a family within military communities at home and abroad. This autMy sister’s husband was career military and I was always curious about their life as a family within military communities at home and abroad. This author’s husband was an officer in the U.S. Army and she drew on her own experiences for this novel, which contributes to its credibility for me. As such, this novel was a compelling glimpse into the life of an expat as it examines the friendship and tensions between two American military wives in Jordan.
The novel’s setting is within a military community in Jordan during the rise of the Arab Spring in May 2011. Cassie Hugo and Margaret Brickshaw are two wives of Army officers stationed at the U.S. Embassy. Cassie has lived abroad for years and rarely breaks any rules of protocol within a foreign military community. She is delegated to introduce newly married Margaret to the locale and the culture of this Middle Eastern community.
Margaret is away from home for the first time. She’s well-intentioned but foolishly ethnocentric. Rather than allow Cassie to show her the ropes, she decides to throw caution to the wind and explore on her own. The story details the consequences of Margaret’s ill-advised decision.
Siobhan Fallon has lived in Jordan which adds to the authenticity of this story about American soldiers and their families stationed in the Middle East. It’s an impressive debut novel and I recommend it highly....more
The only information that I had about Joyce Maynard before reading this novel was that she previously had an affair with J. D. Salinger. I’m glad thatThe only information that I had about Joyce Maynard before reading this novel was that she previously had an affair with J. D. Salinger. I’m glad that I decided to see if she could also write because I thoroughly enjoyed this novel.
The story unspools slowly in the beginning; and, I became a bit impatient waiting for an epiphany moment from Helen that should cause her to rethink her choice of friends.
It was a great audio…an immersive, all consuming read. I plan to check out other novels by this author....more
A single mother of a 6-year old, likely dying soon with stage-4 ovarian cancer, reflects on her life in the form of a memoir-style book written to givA single mother of a 6-year old, likely dying soon with stage-4 ovarian cancer, reflects on her life in the form of a memoir-style book written to give to her son after she has gone. Her gradual process of letting go as her health deteriorates was honest and believable. I empathized as she struggles with her fear of losing her son to his newly discovered birth father; and, also as her high-powered career as a political campaign manager gradually diminishes with her declining health. Coming to terms with all of her losses reminded me of the 5 stages of grief defined by author, Elisabeth Kubler Ross.
This was an audio that I finished on a drive home from Denver late yesterday. I was glad to be alone in the car because I shed some tears in the end. Good story…...more
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