The Ten-Year Nap by Meg Wolitzer
|
List Price: Our Price: $2.04 You Save: $22.91 (92%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of The Ten-Year Nap
Book Review: Yes. Read it.
Summary: 4 Stars
I find it sad that this book is a "bargain book." I have wanted to read it since hearing the author interviewed on NPR, and finally did. Worth the time! It is not as over the top as the book "I Don't Know How She Does It," but made me laugh out loud almost as much. This is a book of observations--reading yourself, those you know, and those you don't. It is not overly dramatic, overly woe-is-me for the Manhattanite women it features, or overly preachy about women needing to rule the world. It opens one eyes to the choices and traps, fears and joys, of women unlike yourself. It is not just for women, and it is not just for any particular 'kind' of women. I had to read portions out loud to my husband to explain why I was laughing while reading, and he was disappointed that I immediately lent it to a co-worker instead of to him.Book Review: A good read
Summary: 3 Stars
I owned this book for a long time before I read it. I thought it would be harsh towards stay-at-home moms, as the title "the Ten-year nap" has a negative connotation. I have been a stay-at-home mom for 11 years, but I have recently been hired for a full time postion, so I thought maybe it was time to read the book. I'm glad I did. Although, I don't love the book and won't re-read it, I will pass it along to somebody who may enjoy it. I felt the author was kind to her characters, she didn't judge them but let them be themselves.
I'm not sure this is a book everyone will be able to relate to. Most of the characters were upper middle class, and although there were a few who were not, they were very minor characters, although their point of view did add to the book. There was very little from the male perspective, although there was a part written from the point of view of Amy's father that was very enlightening and made me understand her a bit more (she was like her dad in some ways).
I do think that this book sheds some light on the so called "mommy wars". Although her characters sometimes are unkind and judge each other, by dealing with her characters in a mostly kind and non-judgemental way and by presenting each person as a unique individual Wolitzer does take a stand. We should deal with each other in a kind and non-judgemental and individual way.
I still dislike the title, although perhaps it is meant to be ironic. Although sometimes it seems as if staying home to raise one's kids is like taking a nap from the real world, it really isn't. Caring for children is meaningful work. And speaking for myself, I have developed skills and expertise in a variety of areas (child and non-child related) during the time I've been a stay-at-home mom. I would have liked to have seen some of the characters have interests and hobbies that they'd developed over the years. Work and child-raising aren't the only things in life and a person who has a career for a decade who has not developed in any area besides work would have a "10 year nap" too, I would think!
Book Review: A sleeper...in a good way,
Summary: 3 Stars
I heard the author on NPR and bought the book as soon as it hit the bookstores. I did not really like it that much while I was reading it - it seemed to meander and I had a difficult time getting into it. But, almost a year later, I find myself thinking of points that were made in the book and I must admit it has stayed with me. What do you do when your child isn't so needy anymore? How do you re-define your role? I suppose it could be likened to a career change, but motherhood is a forever thing, so changing direction but still maintaining that self-perceived role is not as easy as it sounds (for some). I thought it was an interesting exploration of a woman at a crossroads in her life.Book Review: Stay at Home Cliches
Summary: 3 Stars
This subject area is one that is close to my heart. I left a career in publishing to stay at home with my children and recreated a new career for myself as a freelance artist and writer to give myself more flexibility. But now that my children are older, I am questioning my identity and future goals. Because of that, my expectations for this story were huge.
And while I enjoyed the book, there were times in the middle where it lagged and/or became formulaic. Most of the characters were cliches. But maybe that was the point. I think many women who have chosen to give up their careers to stay at home with their children will find this book an interesting read.
Book Review: Realistic..almost too much so
Summary: 3 Stars
This is a well written book and I liked as well as disliked the fact that the characters and story are so realistically portrayed, almost to a depressing degree. The men in the main women's lives are certainly not heroes but they are not villains either, just normal men. It makes me not want to take a 10 year nap, that's for sure, or have their lives for that matter.