Certain Girls: A Novel by Jennifer Weiner Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Certain Girls: A Novel
Book Review: A Time Waster
Summary: 2 Stars
Good in Bed was a total delight but this book would be better left under the covers. I was so excited to see that Jennifer Weiner had written another book but I failed to see what her message was. I kept reading hoping to arrive at it but it never came. It was the summer and I wanted something light but with meaning. This was not particularly well written nor did it provide a deep message to the reader. I felt that I had wasted my time I was sorry to say.Book Review: A follow-up novel that doesn't disappoint
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm usually not a big fan of follow-up stories about somebody's
life . . . but I made an exception with CERTAIN GIRLS by
Jennifer Weiner, and I'm glad that I did.
The novel, Weiner's sixth, picks up from GOOD IN BED--her
2001 debut novel . . . heroine Cannie Shapiro is now
the mother of a thirteen year-old daughter, Joy, who takes it
upon herself to find out the true story of her life.
I liked about their respective lives unfolded, told in a
first-person narrative in alternating chapters by both
women . . . the dialogue, in particular, was
quite realistic--and often hilarious in spots . . . such
as this one passage that described a special presentation
they were attending entitled "B'nai Mitzvah and
the Blended Family:"
* The small man snatched at his yarmulke before it
slid off his bald head and onto the floor. "Well, my
youngest son is nineteen. He's undergoing gender
reassignment surgery. You know, a sex change?"
Deidre's smile wobbled. I guess maybe this was
something she hadn't heard before.
"He's been taking the hormones and had the laser
treatments, but he hasn't had the, um . . . " He raised
two fingers in a snipping gesture. Bruce winced and crossed
his legs. "He dresses as a woman. He considers himself
female now. He--well, she--she'll have an aliyah at my daughter's
bat mitzvah, but she wants to be called by her new name.
Naomi bat Peninah." He fumbled with his yarmulke again. "Naomi,
daughter of Peninah. And our rabbi won't do it because
technically she's still a he."
Deidre's bracelet jingled as she raked one hand through her
hair. "Well," she said, "Have you considered a role where your,
um, child's name wouldn't come into question? Maybe dressing
the Torah?"
Right, I thought. Because she'll be so good with clothes now.
"But even though that gets us out of using the Hebrew name,
what's the rabbi supposed to say? That Maddy's sibling will
come to help dress the Torah. He won't say 'sister.' "
"Maybe if the rabbi won't say it, your daughter can."
The small man thought this over. "Maybe," he agreed.
Though some of the difficulties that the women encountered
were a bit over the top, I found myself relating to them . . . for
example, the matter of rationalizing when to check up on
a child:
* "You're her mother. Invading your kid's privacy is part of the job
description. Besides, it's not invading her privacy if we just decided
that it was time to flip her mattress over, which you're actually
supposed to do every six months."
Or attempting to explain a lack of interest, in this instance a
parent who wants nothing to do with his child:
* "The allure of the unknown," my mother said. "It's like with junk
food or Disney princesses. The more you tell a kid she can't have
something, the more she wants it."
CERTAIN GIRLS will make you smile, but you'll also be moved
by much of it . . . there's also a touching love story between
Cannie and her husband, as well as an ending that's guaranteed
to want you to have some tissues nearby.
Book Review: A good book, but not nearly as good as Good in Bed was
Summary: 3 Stars
Actually would rate this 3.5***
Eight years ago Jennifer Weiner introduced us to Cannie Shapiro-single, over-weight and recovering from a very bad break-up. She writes a book about her relationship that becomes an overnight sensation and changes her life completely. This was the premise of Good in Bed.
Fast forward 13 years and Cannie is married and the mother of a 12 year old- Joy. Joy is a typical teenager- fighting with and embarrassed by her mom. Cannie is an overprotective Mom just trying to make the world a safe place for her daughter. When Joy learns that Cannie's book is a very sexual retelling of her life she reads it and begins questioning everything she knows about herself, her mom and her family.
Humorous as always - this is a very different book than Good in Bed. It wasn't quite what I thought it was going to be, but I did enjoy it - although some of the twists were completely unexpected.
Book Review: A more "serious' book from author of "Good in Bed."
Summary: 4 Stars
Jennifer Weiner's latest installment, "Certain Girls" centered around the mother-daughter relationship of Cannie, a writer and Joy. Cannie published a best-selling novel "Big Girls Don't Cry" years ago, as a response to her then-boyfriend, Bruce who had made fun of Cannie in a magazine. Cannie was also pregnant with their child and she eventually raised their daughter alone. Because Joy was born prematurely, Cannie was very protective of her. Now, as a thirteen years old teenager about to experience her bat mitzvah, Joy was resentful about her mother being too overprotective and she soon learned about her family background by reading Cannie's novel. On the other hand, Cannie was having a hard time thinking of Joy as a young adult and basically, was unwilling to let go.
The book was written from both Cannie and Joy's perspectives and one can see how misunderstandings happened in a mother-daughter relationship. "Certain Girls" was a more "serious" read compared to Jennifer Weiner's other novels. Overall, 'Certain Girls" has all the ingredients to make this a memorable read--great writing, good plot, and likeable characters.
Book Review: A terrific sequel
Summary: 5 Stars
Weiner has crafted a terrific sequel to her 2001 novel Good In Bed. Certain Girls picks up the story of Candice Shapiro, slightly overweight writer who had been mocked in print by her former journalist boyfriend, underachiever Bruce. Twelve years have past since we last saw Candice, and she is now a happily married woman with a twelve-year old daughter looking forward to her Bat Mitzvah.
The story is told alternately from Candice and Joy's point of view regarding body image, culture clash, past relationships that won't go away, blended families, and a rebirth of both mother and daughter. Candice has overcome her body issues and hopes the same monsters won't plague her daughter. Joy is coming of age, her selfishness knows no bounds, and she is struggling not only at home and with an extended family, but also among her peer group.
Weiner grows Candice's character and her portrayal of Joy is not as a mini-Cannie. The characters are well developed, and the last one hundred pages are worthy of an entire box of tissues. The novel is definitely a beach read for anyone who enjoys women's fiction.