OVERVIEW
What a unique and incredible historical fiction novel NOT about WWII!!! But about 1963, The Feminine Mystique, and the Bettys book club. I absolutely LOVED this book!
Although this book was fictional, it took place primarily from March through November 1963 with a final wrap-up chapter set in 2006. The historical characters sprinkled throughout the novel add depth and realism.
I must confess that I have not read The Feminine Mystique or any other books mentioned in this novel. I have a lot of books to add to my TBR list!
OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars
Writing: 5.0 stars
Marie writes beautifully and brilliantly captures what I remember of the 1960s. I was a toddler during the book timeframe. Marie really brought the subjugation of women to life with believable stories for each of the four main characters. The 1960's were not groovy underneath it all.
The author was able to delve into the thoughts and psyches of the women and write about them realistically, yet powerfully. The writing was so well done with some funny and serious moments!
Character development: 5.0 stars
The four main characters and members of the Bettys book club are: Margaret (wife, mom, and want-to-be writer), Charlotte (wife, mom, and aspiring painter), Bitsy (wife and equine lover), and Viv (wife, mom, and former Army nurse). Margaret starts the book club and a lot of life happens in the nine months highlighted in these women's lives!
The secondary characters are the husbands: Walter (Margaret's husband), Howard (Charlotte's husband), King (Bitsy's husband), and Tony (Viv's husband). The women's children are integral to many subplots and stories in this book.
The tertiary characters are Babcock's Books and Concordia (the planned fictional community outside Washington DC).
Many other characters help the story but are really throw-aways that add depth and interest.
Storyline: 5.0 stars
The story is about the four women in the Bettys book club who become friends over food, alcohol, life stories, ups and downs, and reading/not reading books!
The women experience so many difficulties: Margaret cannot open a savings account without her husband's signature; Charlotte wants a divorce, but will lose her children; Bitsy cannot get a letter of recommendation to apply to veterinary school; Viv wants to go on the birth control pill, but needs her husband at the appointment. These stories only occurred about sixty years ago. We still have a long way to go to equality for women!
The locations were: Virginia, Washington, DC, Philadelphia, and New York City.
Memorable/Informative: 5.0 stars
Each of the women has stories that made my blood boil. It was a ridiculous and silly time with rules that made no sense. Even when the characters tried to reason with the person turning them down, they wouldn't listen or indicate that it was how things were!
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Beautiful!
Book title: 5.0 stars
Perfect
HIGHLY recommend
NetGalley eARC/eBOOK
The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick
384 pages
Harper Muse
FUTURE release date: 4/22/2025
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
TRIGGER WARNING: Death of a parent, suicide, pregnancy, infertility, infidelity, divorce, sexual situations, alcohol, drug use
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
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