Certain Girls: A Novel by Jennifer Weiner Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Certain Girls: A Novel
Book Review: Cannie's All Grown Up
Summary: 4 Stars
Certain Girls picks up almost a decade and a half post Good in Bed with the lovably large protagonist Cannie Shapiro. In this continuation of her life, Cannie is married and learning to raise her pre-pubescent daughter Joy. Together, Joy and Cannie learn the difficulties and strains of a mother-daughter relationship.
The planning of Joy's upcoming Bat Mitzvah becomes one of the main sources of conflict between Joy and her mother. As Joy deals with the pressures of fitting in with the popular crowd at school, Cannie tries to keep her daughter young, innocent, and safe from the cruelties experienced during her own childhood. For example, Joy wants a big pink dress with with thin straps and lots of sparkles. Cannie thinks this ensemble is too "adult" for her daughter as well as innappriate for such a relgious rite of passage. As expected from a 'tween', Joy becomes infuriated with her mother and begins to rebel out of her perfect daughter role.
What I enjoyed most about this book was the alternating view points from chapter to chapter. We get to see into both Joy's head and her mother's at different times. I was especially impressed with Weiner's ability to write Joy's character who thinks and acts just like a pre-teen ought to. It was also fun to watch as Joy got away with things her mother never even found out about, because they're telling the same story.
Though Good in Bed was, in many ways, much more trivial, emotional, and enchanting, I was satisfied with the second coming of Cannie in Certain Girls. As readers its important to understand that Cannie is not only older, but in a better place than she was in her first story. As a result, Cannie's character is much more mature, and most of the novels' themes are different.
The ending is the most controversial thing about the book. I was both in shock and disbelief until the very last chapter when it finally ended. In a way, though, I feel that it added some level of realtiy to Cannie's story -- and I loved that it didn't tie in with the stereotypical "happy ending" carried by all chic lit novels. I'd recommend this to mothers or those who want to be mothers some day.
Book Review: Cannie, I missed you!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been waiting for this book for so long! But as soon as I opened to the first page, it was like seeing an old friend. I will admit that at first, I was disappointed that Cannie & Joy's relationship was so tense... but Joy IS 13 & I guess it's par for the course. And the rest of the book far made up for some of my discomfort at the beginning! I finished it in a marathon session last night and I still can't shake it! Way to go, Jennifer.. you've done it again. So... what's next?!Book Review: Certain Girls
Summary: 5 Stars
This is an excellent sequel to In the Bedroom. It is a fast read and a book you will not be able to put down until you complete it.Book Review: Certain Girls
Summary: 1 Stars
I, like so many others loved Good in Bed. I could not beleive the difference in these two books. I could not stand Canny she was the most overbearing, smothering neurotic mother and wife. She complained and whined about her life, body and family. She never seemed happy even though she ended up with such a wonderful husband, who put up with way more than I ever would in a spouse. Joy was anything but joyous, she was spoiled rude and self centered yet Canny continued to ignore her behavior and guess at what might be wrong. I did not like either character and was even less interested in the bat mitzvah drama that went on far to long. The end of the book was so depressing and unnecessary. I read for pleasure and to take my mind off of the everyday drama's and tragedies that we all deal with, I don't need to feel that way in my spare moments of reading escape. I hate when I feel depressed after I finish a book rather than renewed and happy. So very disappointed in this author.Book Review: Certain Girls
Summary: 4 Stars
Fun and entertaining. You will laugh and cry in the same chapter. Thoroughly enjoyed.