This new, very popular novel centers around Greer Kadetsky, who begins as a young freshman at what she considers a mediocre college in western Massachusetts. If her disappointing parents had filled out the financial aid forms appropriately, she would have been at Yale, where she was really meant to be. But then she wouldn’t have met her best friend, Zee, who then wouldn’t have dragged her along to hear Faith Frank, the feminist, speak. And then she wouldn’t have had that moment with Faith Frank that sparked, really, the trajectory for the rest of her life.
This novel encompasses two stories in one. On one level, it tells the story of Greer, a smart, ambitious young woman who is seeking love and approval from others because she doesn’t feel it from her nebulous parents. She has it from her boyfriend, Cory, who is steadfast, but has his own life and stressors, and she has it from her friend, Zee, but she seeks it from an adult, in the form of Faith Frank. And as she goes through her journey, she learns that no one is perfect, even those who appear to be.
On the second level, it is also a story of the women’s movement. In the telling of the story of Faith Frank, the author essentially recounts the story of the fractions of women and the various perspectives, both forward and backward (at least in my opinion) as it is going these days, particularly with regard to availability of women’s choice and control over our bodies. Faith Frank, in her early days, helps a friend through a life-threatening, almost-botched illegal abortion and it drives her friend in a totally opposite direction from Faith (which is very hard to believe, but I imagine is true of some women). Faith is empowered by this experience to push hard for women’s access to safe, legal abortion. In this, I think the author opens up the debate where we stand very precariously now – where women are arguing over the rights over our bodies. (As an aside, I have to say that I believe that no woman likes the idea of abortion. On the other hand, I believe that the majority of women in our country do believe that this should be a matter decided by the woman herself and perhaps her doctor, as it is a physical and medical and emotional decision for a woman – NOT a decision to be made by mostly MEN in a back room somewhere having nothing to do with the woman herself. THIS is what “choice” means.) And this depressing backlash that we are experiencing here in our country is discussed in the book and lamented. It’s hard to see it in a book and not just in the news – it gives it so much more permanence, in a way.
What is somewhat disappointing about this book is how it sort of fizzles at the end. Most of the book is engaging and there are a few twists and major events that turn the plot around on its head. Most of it grabbed me. But as it wound down, it really wound down and sort of fell. Maybe even fell flat.
Otherwise, I think this is an interesting story of a woman’s struggle with finding her place and meaning in the world through the lens of the women’s movement. An interesting read…
kindread spirits 