Customer Reviews

Holding Out: A Novel

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I read this book on loan from a local library. I checked out three books and this was, at the time, the least compelling I had in my stack. I ended up reading it first and I am glad that I did.

The book is about a sex strike imposed by American women until a wife-beating Chief Justice is extracted from the Supreme Court. So that is the plot. But what I think the book is really about is why we, and I mean all of us, don't stand up for what we think are our base set of morals more often.

Lauren Fontaine, the protragonist and my new hero, stands up and winds up in prison, chastised by men and women alike, and celibate with only her convictions to accompany her. In other words, OUCH!!!

Once one sets aside the sex strike--and by which I mean accepts it as a protest to gain power (as if it were a boycott of a product for example), I believe that the book appeals to any person who loves reading about a courageous, dedicated person who you can't help but root for. The scene in the church made me cry. Those who have read the book know what I'm talking about. The scene is not more than 40 words long but it snaps you into the world that not only Fontaine lives in but one that we all live in: A world that often punishes those who try to make it better and rewards those who contribute to the denegration of society. If you were not a fan of Lauren Fontaine by that point, you would be afterward.

This book is about a woman, written by a woman, and probably for women but I feel that anybody who puts fourth the effort to read this fast moving, witty, and excellent work will be happy they did. It is time well spent.

Excellent work Ms. Faulk.

Anne Faulk's HOLDING OUT is a great read-- thoroughly enjoyable. It is an excellent beach book -- I wish I had waited. Even though you have to pay attention to the various characters' roles, you don't have to have total quiet to read it. The story moves quickly, and, believe me, you want it to so you can find out how and why Lauren ended up where she is, to write this "memoir".

The subtle --and not-so-subtle-- wit keep it moving. And, while it may fall into the genre of a "woman's book", I think even men would enjoy it and should read it -- the story line bears repeating for every generation.

The character development for the central characters was well done. When I finished the book, I really felt like I actually knew some of the characters, particularly Lauren and her family. Witty, charming, sexy, fun and funny. In all, a good book!

Yes, the characters are a little extreme, but this IS fiction after all. What good is it to write a book without a little spice? They all have their fair share of problems that any person can relate to: a fiance that died, falling in love with a married man, and getting a divorce. I think the point of making Lauren so successful was to show women that they too can be. I read this book last summer, and it took me around two days. I couldn't put it down. I am re-reading it, and discussing the book with people is slightly difficult. I have found that the word feminist is like a dirty word; no one wants to hear it nor try to understand it. This book is great for anyone that is just getting into feminism. It blends romance, straight and gay people, feminism, and women coming together among other things. The one thing that really stood out for me was the way the women were tense around each other. That seems to be incredibly true. Any feminist that loves to read needs to buy this book.

i bought this book 3 years ago as a bargain book to read on a trip. i read about 5 pages and promptly forgot about it. a year later i was rummaging through my carry-on luggage (which was still packed from that trip a year ago) and found it. i started reading it and couldn't put it down. i've since purchased it for most of my girlfriends. i loved lauren and wanted to fight right with her. maybe it's the democrat in me that's too willing to march in dc, but i think this book is a must read for any intelligent woman who cares about social issues.

I picked this book up because of the synopsis on the cover flaps. I must say that I enjoyed this book. It is not the best book that I have ever read, but it was an interesting concept. The characters were a little one-dimensional, but the strike that the women proposed was by far more interesting. If you need a book for the beach, this is the one to take. If you have just been dumped, this is the book to make you feel better.

This book probes feminist theory in a way that is more accessible and engaging than Camille Paglia's diatribes. It's witty, heartfelt, and honest in its depiction of an tragi-comic heroine and her political exploits. Truly thought-provoking and entertaining.

Ms. Faulk has a wonderful talent to paint a story with words and she sure captured my attention! What a sexy, witty and rollicking read. I could not wait to get back to Holding Out when made to put it down. It was one of those books that I hated to finish. I felt that I WAS part of the story it was so much fun. Ms. Faulk, where is the next one? I am waiting.

As a young feminist, I was really hoping to love this book. However, the character of Lauren Fontaine, as others have mentioned, is simply someone to whom the average woman cannot relate. She is gorgeous, sexy, a brilliant financial wizard respected by all in her field, and is worth millions. On top of this, she has a wonderful "housekeeper" who is her best friend and a loving teenage son. She suddenly becomes the leader of the feminist movement in the U.S. due to her charisma and wonderful speaking skills. I found her to be annoying and too good to be true. A Mary Sue type of character.
The plotline held my interest, but I have to admit to skimming some parts. As another reviewer mentioned, the lack of concern during the sex strike over the high incidence of rapes and domestic violence struck me as insanely selfish on Lauren and her friends' parts. The way Lauren got out of her securities trading trial was over the top. And then of course, to top it all off, the man she has idolized and had a crush on since she was a teenage falls madly in love with her and the two share a strong sexual attraction. If only :)
I think Anne Faulk had a great idea and it seems as though other reviewers have enjoyed the book. But it was the character of Lauren which kept me from truly enjoying Holding Out. Perhaps a character who wasn't so perfect would have held more resonance for me--a woman who is not perfect, not blonde, and most certainly not a financial wizard.

Now my review will really reflect my taste in books. Jackie Collins, Olivia GOldsmith (etc) have never been my favorite reads. While I can admit that they may be a fun guilty pleasure as you lay by the pool the time it takes to read for the minimal plot is not a fair trade. Such style we read in Holding Out. Before buying be prepared for some explicit scenes (not exactly romantic but definitely HOT) and for a main character who is so stuck on herself I was actually embarassed for her. The dialog is a bit elementary and I felt idealistic to portray the cool,rich characters in a smooth way, but for me it didn't work. Maybe you might feel differently if you like a more "light" read, but this is not really book club material. I did get a laugh out of flipping to the Author photo in the back cover, who surprise surprise looks amazingly like the "heroine" of the book with their lives played out so much the same.

I stayed up until 4:00 a.m. to finish this book. Words cannot describe it. I'm going to buy copies and send them to my friends. It's an experience that all women should have.