Young Jane Young
Ratings15
Average rating4
15
Ratings15
Average rating4
From the author of the international bestseller The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry comes another novel that will have everyone talking. Aviva Grossman, an ambitious congressional intern in Florida, makes the mistake of having an affair with her (married) boss. When the affair comes to light, the popular congressman doesn’t take the fall. But Aviva does, and her life is over before it hardly begins: slut-shamed, she becomes a late-night talk show punch line, anathema to politics. She sees no way out but to change her name and move to a remote town in Maine. This time, she tries to be smarter about her life and strives to raise her daughter, Ruby, to be strong and confident. But when, at the urging of others, Aviva decides to run for public office, that long-ago mistake trails her via the Internet and catches up—an inescapable scarlet A. In the digital age, the past is never, ever, truly past. And it’s only a matter of time until Ruby finds out who her mother was and is forced to reconcile that person with the one she knows. Young Jane Young is a smart, funny, serious, and moving novel about the myriad ways in which roles are still circumscribed for women, whether they are young and ambitious interns; mothers attempting to steer their daughters through a male-dominated world; political wives facing an age-old knowledge that fidelity isn’t always honored; or young girls feeling bold about their many choices before they realize the gender restrictions all around them. Gabrielle Zevin captures not only the double standards alive and well in every aspect of life for women but also the mood of our recent highly charged political season.
Reviews with the most likes.
I enjoyed this book very much. I liked hearing from the different people, and the different views of the same events. Each person could have had a book written about them - I'd actually love to read more about Embeth, much to my surprise. It has definitely left me wanting more!
Disclosure: I received an e-galley of this book from NetGallery.
I received a galley of this book from NetGalley. It in no way impacts my thoughts or opinions of this book.
4.5 stars. I started and finished this book in almost one sitting, and this book definitely exceeded any expectation I had. To be honest, I didn't know that much going into it; I loved The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry and I knew this book was going to have a plot inspired by Monica Lewinsky, but that was about it.
There are three, perhaps four, narrators to this book with some switching formats and styles, but it flows very naturally. (I won't tell you who all the narrators are, because that would spoil the fun of discovery.) Everything is told primarily from today, looking back on events past and how Jane Young became Jane Young.
All I have to say is that Zevin did an amazing job with the voices of these strong women. It's a complicated book looking at women and feminism, and I can't wait to talk about this with friends. I wish I could share some of my favorite sections and paragraphs but it'll have to wait until I have a copy of the final book. There were so many great parts to this book, ranging from hilarious dialogue and witty remarks to thoughtful commentary on women and society. Zevin is also wonderful at writing frank, self-possessed young people and I think those who enjoyed The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry will really love this book too.
I do feel like the last 20% of the book seemed to wrap up fast while it started off more slowly and more in-depth, feeling a bit like there were things left unsaid. But perhaps that's the hallmark of a very good read – it leaves you wanting just a little something more.
4.5 (Goodreads, create a half scale, because 4 just won't do!)
Honest + Vulnerable Feminism is told right and proud. Zeplin's brilliant wit in her writing a multi-voice view of Avivagate fortified + humbled me as a reader and a woman. This book is important.
READ :: If you want the woman in you or women around you to learn of genuine strength and softness of feminism.
SKIP :: If you + your ignorance are content and cozy in your misogynistic cave.
A great story well told. I was immediately sucked in, and coming off an Outlander high so I feel like this book had higher hurdles to jump for me than the average person but it totally cleared the hurdles. Finished the book and immediately had to call my mom and tell her to read it. The characters were well-defined and I loved the view into the thought process of the betrayed wife and “slutty” intern. Also a great story about the bonds between moms and daughters.
