The Book Club for Troublesome Women: A Novel

This book gives a good look into the challenges women face in balancing home, career, and purpose. I could really relate to the characters wanting to have It all, and have It all included different things for each character, but that underlying desire was the same.

Fair read not spectacular maybe 3 stars

The Book Club for Troublesome Women really resonated with me on a deeper level. The way literature becomes a bridge between these women—and between the past and present—is such a powerful theme. Books like this not only entertain but also offer a lens into how much progress has been made, and how much of that was built on the courage and quiet defiance of women who dared to ask for more. Thank you @netgalley for the copy in exchange for my honest review.

The title alone grabbed me. 1960’s suburban housewives, essentially strangers, from very different backgrounds form a bookclub, and the first book the read is Betty Friedan’s “The Feminine Mystique.” It’s almost impossible to go into much more detail without giving away spoilers. But each of the women will respond to this first book a little differently, and each of them will have life changing events that are not necessarily a result of a direct result of reading the book. But there is definitely relevance to the time period. A great read for anyone interested in women’s history, group dynamics, or just wanting a somewhat lighthearted read that will cause social reflection. Many of the issues women faced in the 1960’s still exist today. I enjoyed the characters in this story, and found each of them believable. I could certainly see them in a present day setting. I also appreciated Bostwick’s cursory coverage of events in the 1960’s. Having lived through that period, but being too young to really remember the events, I believe her coverage was credible.

Not much depth and character development was lacking. More of an “easy” read. If you like books with a historical bent that focuses on relationships (particularly among women), I highly recommend The Briar Club.