Synopsis: Betty Weissman is stunned when her husband, Joseph, of 48 years announced that he would like a divorce sitting “irreconcilable difference”. When Betty is forced to leave her and Joseph’s apartment in New York and flee to Westport she is joined by her daughter Miranda, who’s career as a successful literary agent crashed after yet another one of her clients is found guilty of lying about their book. Annie, Betty and Joseph’s other daughter, moves to Westport to keep an eye on her mother, sister and manage the finance
My thoughts: This book was a huge disappointment. I bought the book as a result of seeing a glowing review in the New York Times. Other reviews I read suggested this was going to be a funny book about a mother and her daughters exiled in Westport. Either Schine forgot to bring the funny or these reviewers have a wildly different definition of what is funny compared to me.
I found myself struggling to finish the book. After about 100 pages I thought about giving it up but since I actually bought the book I felt like I should see it to the end. I also kept thinking that it would improve. It did not.
The women in the book were annoying and weak. I wanted to care about Betty, Annie and Miranda and their plights but I couldn’t be bothered because I never felt any sort of connection to them or any of the other characters. The only character I did enjoy was that of a young child, Harry, who ends up being cared for by Miranda.
Lastly, I think if Jane Austen were to read this book I really don’t think she would be happy with the comparisons to Sense and Sensibility. That book is a classic. This is not.
2/5 stars.
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