This is the first book of Jennifer Gold’s that I have read, and now I intend to read as many books by her that she has written or will write in the future. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and wonder why I’ve never heard of this author before.
Polite Calamities is beautifully written, transporting the reader to “polite society” in the 1960s, where manners, propriety, and decorum rule. One’s image is EVERYTHING! Women in this society are raised to be good mothers, good housewives, and good homemakers. They exist to support the husbands they are destined to marry, and they are bred to “marry well.”
The three main characters in this drama, however, do not fit the mold, although June strives mightily to do so. June has had excruciating, debilitating pain that began at puberty and resulted in difficulties becoming pregnant. Thus, her daughter is far younger than her peers’ children, and she’s been unable to have a second child. Her pain is dismissed and disregarded by everyone in her life, including her doctors and husband, and has led her to a life of secret drinking and pain relievers to get by, eventually causing her faithless husband to leave her for his mistress and to take her daughter from her. Nevertheless, she goes to great lengths to keep up appearances, condemning anyone who doesn’t meet her high standards, including Winifred, a newcomer to June’s world by virtue of marrying into it.
Winifred was raised in a middle class home, mostly by her erudite, professor father after her mother is gone. She always has had difficulty making friends and strived to “fit in.” When she meets and falls in love with her husband, Bruce, she suddenly is thrust into his life of privilege and high society. She does her best to fit in with his friends, but she has no idea how to do it. The women in his circle shun and ridicule her but put on a good show to placate Bruce. When Bruce dies suddenly, the women no longer have incentive to hide their disdain and dislike for Winifred.
During her loving, supportive, close marriage, Winifred became an art patron, supporting up and coming female artists. After Bruce dies, she meets Marie, who obviously is living in her car and barely eating enough to sustain herself. Out of sympathy for Marie, and not wanting to be alone anymore, Winifred invites Marie to live with her, no strings attached. Marie also has had a difficult time throughout her life making friends or fitting in, ever since a tragic happening involving her best friend when they were 10 years old. She’s lived with enormous grief and guilt since that fateful time.
Marie and Winifred have an instant connection, but they both struggle with believing in a true friendship between them. Ultimately, after false starts and through time, they mostly give in to their shared feelings, until a devastating secret is revealed. When the three women are thrust together during an especially devastating event, their true natures finally shine through.
Although the ultimate betrayal of Marie by Winifred easily is foreseen early in the story, there are so many twists and turns to the story that my interest was held throughout the book. And although it is obvious that the women all have more in common than they are willing to admit to themselves, the ending comes as quite a surprise.
I’m thankful to Ms. Gold, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for giving me an advanced reader’s copy of this book. I can’t wait to read more of Ms. Gold’s works. I’m leaving this review VOLUNTARILY.
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Best Summer Read of the Year
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ReviewᑭOᒪITE ᑕᗩᒪᗩᗰITIEᔕ𝔹𝕪 𝕁𝕖𝕟𝕟𝕚𝕗𝕖𝕣 𝔾𝕠𝕝𝕕.Once the characters in this book were introduced I held on for the ride and didn't want to let them go. From their real, relatable personalities and experiences, down to their names, I loved them from page one. I enjoyed every page of this book and couldn't put it down. The short chapters were a nice touch, moving the story along in the best way without skipping a beat. It added to the book's charm because I could read chapters in-between tasks or sit down for an hour and settle into the story each time. This is the summer read you have been waiting for. Perfect to enjoy with friends, family and book clubs. I'll be buying many copies to gift this season. You can't write fast enough for your biggest fans. I was so delighted and impressed when I found out you were releasing this book in 2024. Just barely a year after the release of your last book Half Way to You! Half Way to You was my top favorite read of 2023. I can't wait to see what 2025 brings, your a true talent.
