Customer Reviews

Bachelor Girls

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is a very fast read because it is a collection of twenty-nine short episodes from a "bachelor girl's" life. Wasserstein speculates on these episodes in an informal manner, as if she's writing in her journal, but her language carries a somewhat academic tone.

This book is intellectually amusing in some places because of Wasserstein's clever insights, but it certainly isn't laugh-out-loud funny. Most "bachelor girls" will probably be able to relate to a couple of her experiences, but I found a lot of the episodes and insights to be unique to Wasserstein's life and not exactly universal in their appeal.

"Bridget Jones's Diary" is a much more humorous and satisfying read, but "Bachelor Girls" does have its virtues. Brevity is one of them. Also, "Bachelor Girls" does tend to inspire a reading "bachelor girl" to think about her own experiences and bounce them off the insights provided by Wasserstein.

Overall, this is a good read to pass the time with, but it is about 2 stars short of my desirable standard. I expected it to contain more humor, more universal appeal, and more cohesive chapters.

There were certainly some insightful essays in this book. The problem was I expected more humor, and it just wasn't there. As a result, the book doesn't have alot of value as something I'd reread over again. With the exception of two essays - one about a bar mitzvah she attended, and one about the Balkans, most of the book just wasn't all that interesting. Well written, technically, but somewhat dull. And I got tired of some of the self-congratulatory remarks and stories about her plays.

I enjoyed this novel. The chapters are very humerous and honest - Ms. Wasserstein clearly enjoys laughing at herself. My best friend read my copy, as did my sister, mother, and grandmother. Everyone reported rave reviews for Wasserstein's talent. My copy of Bachelor Girks was last seen with my college professor, and I hope that it continues to circulate.