Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “Mrs. Eveything” by Jennifer Weiner, Atria Books, June 11, 2019

Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “Mrs. Everything” by Jennifer Weiner, Atria Books, June 11, 2019

Jennifer Weiner has written an amazing, intriguing, riveting, page-turning, emotional, intense, and thought-provoking novel. The Genres for this Novel are Women’s Fiction, Fiction, and Domestic Fiction. The timeline for this novel starts in the 1950s to the present in Detroit. I love the way the author describes her characters, events, and landscape in the story. The author describes her dramatic characters as complex, complicated and dysfunctional.

Several questions and themes can be seen in this novel.  What exactly is a woman’s role in society?  As the timeline progresses, do women have more choices and decisions to make? Can one be a better mother than their mother was to them?  Will women ever be considered equal to men, in education, salary, the workplace, and the family?

I appreciate that Jennifer Weiner discusses the relationships between mothers and daughters, sisters, and domestic partnerships.  Also discussed are the importance of family, love, emotional support, forgiveness, acceptance, second chances, and hope.

Jo and Beth Kaufman are brought up in the 1950s and are very different. One is considered “different” and acting too “boyish” for a girl, and the other feels that being pretty is about power.  One challenges the fairness in the world, and the other is more concerned with what other people think of her.  Their mother shows her disappointment and favoritism. This is a traditional time when father’s work, mother’s stay at home, and everything seems to be in black and white, with little room for areas of gray.

As the years pass, and things seem to get “more” modern, there are more confusing choices and decisions for women. That area that was black and white, has expanded with more gray.  Do women have to get married and have children if they don’t want to? Can women work and have a family? I highly recommend and reflect on this amazing book. I still have a book-hangover and am deep in thought!! Kudos, Jennifer Weiner for such a well-written and descriptive book!