The Ten-Year Nap by Meg Wolitzer
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Book Reviews of The Ten-Year Nap
Book Review: Felt like ten years, alright
Summary: 2 Stars
What a disappointment. I pre-ordered "The Ten-Year Nap," and was delighted to settle down for what I was certain would be another great novel from Meg Wolitzer, a writer with a knack for a finely-turned phrase, coupled with a wonderfully observant eye for human behavior and motivations. Instead, what I found was a meandering book filled with poorly realized characters and a near-nonexistent plot that centered on the vague ennui of several self-pitying, spoiled women with all the depth and meaning of motel-room art. This novel is to writing as bologna is to steak.
Potential buyers will be better served to read "The Wife," or "The Position." If you've already read those, I suggest re-reading them; you'll get more enjoyment from revisiting either of these two fine novels than you will from "The Ten-Year Nap."
If you're still not convinced, you might consider visiting one of your fine local bookstores to read the first chapter. If you don't find it interesting, save your time - it doesn't improve.
Book Review: Bo-ring
Summary: 2 Stars
I too expected and wanted to love this book but found it unbearably dull. It's the book I would have written if I were a writer. That's why I'm a lawyer.Book Review: Fascinating...
Summary: 4 Stars
It's not often for a novel to surprise me as pleasantly as The Ten Year Nap. I was interested in reading it because of the subject matter, stay-at-home mothers. A lifestyle choice so near and dear to my heart.
The story follows a handful of educated mothers living in the NYC and surrounding areas. Some of them are at-home mothers and one of them is a working mother. The story focuses on the trials and tribulations of their relationships with one another, as well as the many people who fill out their lives--their children (duh, of course), their husbands, their parents, and, ooh, their extramarital lovers (gasp!).
The various dynamics are each treated with such individualized attention, it's impressive that Wolitzer was able to fit it all into this relatively short book. She also captures so many feelings that mothers experience - some I am familiar with, others I am not yet ready for, like when my son is too old to sit on my lap ;(
The Ten Year Nap may very well upset you. It may piss you off. It may make you roll your eyes. But when you are done with your gut reaction, ask yourself why it made you feel that way. This book removed me from my comfort zone a number of times because it forced me to recognize that some truths are ugly. You could toss off a few snide remarks that this book deals with stereotypes, but if you dig a little deeper, you'll see that Wolitzer has fleshed out her characters with raw emotional needs, tender backstories and interesting personality quirks--in short, she has made them real people. And I always have room to read books about real people.
Book Review: Worst book I've read in a long time
Summary: 2 Stars
I had such high hopes for this book given the reviews and the description. In my opinion, it fell flat. I couldn't have cared less about the characters and their journey. I think it's a poor representation of "stay at home moms" (I dislike that term because it's a bit degrading). These are the type of women where I would say "If you don't like your situtation, then do something about it". I can't stand people who complain all the time and don't do anything about it.
I will probably not read another book by Meg Wolitzer.
Book Review: Take a Nap Instead of Reading this Book
Summary: 2 Stars
This book had so many different story lines it was hard to keep up. Some of them were very interesting but then the story would switch to another character/story line that was painfully boring. It is a nice story of motherhood and I can see how some people would find this enjoyable. I found it daunting to get through and didn't relate to many of the characters.