Customer Reviews

Spinsters (High Risk Books)

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

 

 

At the risk of sounding too Forrest Gump-ish, I would have to say that "Spinsters" is like a box of chocolates. Each chapter is a perfect little world, and when you finish one you stop and say to yourself "Oh, I think I'll have just one more." Before you know it the book is finished, and you sit there, completely satisfied, but unsure as to exactly what you have just consumed. So you stop for a moment, and like remembering a particularly yummy nougat or macadadamia nut center, you recall wonderfully realized moments, and smile as each new memory of these characters, who have become a part of your life, plays across the pleasure centers of your brain. This book, like a box of chocolates, is deceptively simple. As you bite into each chapter the chocolate is only a facade covering the creamy, sweet inviting centers that await with each page turn. But best of all reading this book is an absolutely fat-free experience. All of the pleasure, none of the guilt.

I'd heard the buzz about Pagan Kennedy, so I figured I'd grab this and see what the fuss was all about. Set in 1968, the book is about two 30-something sisters who embark on a cross-country road trip following the death of their father, who've they've been caring for. It's more or less a belated coming of age tale for Frannie, the virgin of the two, as she gradually sheds her safe life and appearance. Although there are a couple of nice lines ("My mother understood longing better than love.") it didn't strike me as anything special and didn't enthuse me to pursue anything else by Kennedy.

I liked this book more than I can say. I found the prose so overwhelmingly, sometime excruciatingly, lovely that I forced myself to read slower, to make it last, not end so soon. Then I read it again.

This book is absolutely lovely, witty, and insightful. At first I was drawn into by the dead-on descriptions of New England -- houses, people, places -- which made me homesick; then I was utterly absorbed in the story -- simple (in the way only really well-crafted writing can be), subtle, and a great read. I recommended it to my book club (which means I happily got to reread it) and all eight members agreed it was the best pick of the year! (I was kind of surprised, because we never agree on anything, but apparently this book's wonderful story and writing have universal appeal.) Truly a gem.

I read Kennedy's The Exes and expected a witty and engrossing book similar in style when I picked up Spinsters. The premise about two single woman on the road looking for something out of life seemed promising. I was very, very wrong. The book falls very flat. It reels you only to end when things start to get interesting. Don't read this book, read Kennedy's The Exes.

Three-and-a-half stars, actually.

I had read Pagan Kennedy's non-fiction "Zine" years ago and it was one of my favorite books at the time, one I've re-read a couple of times since. I resolved then to try her fiction, but I didn't get around to it until now.

I enjoyed Spinsters, I liked the short, simple story revolving around the two sisters who embark on a road trip after their father's death inadvertantly frees them from the sheltered life they had known. This book didn't take many risks, and thus wasn't the kind of work that bowls you over, but it was still quite a nice read.

Kennedy's use of the book's time frame, 1968, was pulled off nicely, as she didn't overdo it. Instead of an exaggerated, tv-esque view of the 60s, I thought her portrayal was more quiet and well-stated. I also thought her characters were a good metaphor for the country at large breaking out of its personal repressions and taking a fresh look at their lives and the world. (I also liked the father having been a conscientious objector during WWII-and the experiments he experienced as a result; I like little nods to lesser-known history.)

I will admit to being a little disappointed by the plot curve and the ending of the story, but that didn't detract from my fondness for the book. I emphasized and had a soft spot for the sisters, and I look forward to reading more of Pagan Kennedy.

My book group picked it because it sounded great from the synopsis and reviews. We were (9/10 of us) disappointed. It was short, superficial, and the plot just kept plodding forward with few connections. We debated whether it was believable...more thought no than yes. Luckily it only took about 3-5 hours to read, cover to cover. Save your money; you can do better.