Status
Available
Genres
Publication
Simon & Schuster UK (2004), 432 pages
Description
In a tale of romance, forgiveness, and extreme sleep deprivation, four very different women navigate one of life's most wonderful and perilous transitions: the journey of new motherhood.
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User reviews
LibraryThing member puckrobin
If you have ever known anyone who was pregnant or been pregnant yourself, this book will have you laughing in no time. A slice-of-life with a gaggle of mothers-to-be, Weiner takes aim at all of the predictable opportunities for humour in one of humankind's most awkward and beautiful condition, and
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finds some new crannies to examine under the light of honesty and compassion. Note: if you are pregnant this book might make you pee a little (laughing so hard, you see). Show Less
LibraryThing member Deesirings
One of the most important strengths of this book is that Weiner has created four distinct primary characters and has had the wisdom and foresight to introduce them individually rather than opening with a group scene in which they are all together and, within three pages or so, the reader is
Weiner writes from the third person perspective for three of these women, but from the first person for one. In this sense, Lia (Lisa) is the heroine. But I question whether that is really the case. I actually wonder about the author's choice in this respect. Not that I don't think it worked but I don't quite understand why she did it. It's also interesting that Weiner chooses the first person "I" for Lia rather than Becky. Becky, the big,tongue-in-cheek Jewish woman, is likely the character most like Weiner and most like Weiner's previous heroine's, yet in this novel, Becky, like Ayinde and Kelly, is a "she" rather than an "I". Lia, on the other hand, has had success as a Hollywood actress and her baby boy has died (traits which as far as I know, Jennifer Weiner does not share [N.B. I am far from an expert on Weiner and know nothing about her beyond her Wikipedia bio]. Though I am curious about this choice of perspective, I am not claiming that it doesn't work.
If I had to identify a one-word theme for this book, I would say "understanding". We see this particularly in the closing chapters where Becky comes to greater understanding of her mother-in-law, Kelly and her husband gain greater mutual understanding of each other and Ayinde gains greater understanding of the woman with whom her husband cheated. Lia, perhaps standing a little apart (and maybe this is why she is different and written from the first person perspective) in turn seems to gain greater understanding not of someone else but simply of events, of life. And perhaps in her case the better word would be "acceptance" than understanding.
In any case, we see definite growth and some sort of resolution on the case of each of the four women. Which is one of the major strengths of the novel.
Is this book chick lit? Weiner is linked to the genre and I definitely felt as though "Good in Bed" qualified as chick lit, though I might not feel the same way about now that there has been such an explosion of the genre and the category seems to be epitomized by lighter reads that are primarily intended to be enjoyed during the act of reading but have little staying power.
This book reminds me more of reads like Divine Secrets of Ya-Ya Sisterhood and Olivia Goldsmith's Young Wives, which I suppose are more "contemporary women's fiction" than chick lit, per se.
I think some of the elements I discussed above are those that take a book beyond chick lit and into something with a little more staying power: multiple main characters who are well-defined; a third person perspective; an overriding theme; a demonstrating of true growth in the characters; a cast of secondary characters who are also rich and multi-layered.
A well-done novel.
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expected to take in the names, appearances and major character traits of each one. The way Weiner does it, it's easy to keep track of whose who throughout and care about each of the four main characters. She doesn't stop there, either. She manages to introduce the right number of secondary characters at the right time, as well. I don't think I was confused even once about who was who and what their relationships to each other were. That's saying a lot. (I'm easily confused.)Weiner writes from the third person perspective for three of these women, but from the first person for one. In this sense, Lia (Lisa) is the heroine. But I question whether that is really the case. I actually wonder about the author's choice in this respect. Not that I don't think it worked but I don't quite understand why she did it. It's also interesting that Weiner chooses the first person "I" for Lia rather than Becky. Becky, the big,tongue-in-cheek Jewish woman, is likely the character most like Weiner and most like Weiner's previous heroine's, yet in this novel, Becky, like Ayinde and Kelly, is a "she" rather than an "I". Lia, on the other hand, has had success as a Hollywood actress and her baby boy has died (traits which as far as I know, Jennifer Weiner does not share [N.B. I am far from an expert on Weiner and know nothing about her beyond her Wikipedia bio]. Though I am curious about this choice of perspective, I am not claiming that it doesn't work.
If I had to identify a one-word theme for this book, I would say "understanding". We see this particularly in the closing chapters where Becky comes to greater understanding of her mother-in-law, Kelly and her husband gain greater mutual understanding of each other and Ayinde gains greater understanding of the woman with whom her husband cheated. Lia, perhaps standing a little apart (and maybe this is why she is different and written from the first person perspective) in turn seems to gain greater understanding not of someone else but simply of events, of life. And perhaps in her case the better word would be "acceptance" than understanding.
In any case, we see definite growth and some sort of resolution on the case of each of the four women. Which is one of the major strengths of the novel.
Is this book chick lit? Weiner is linked to the genre and I definitely felt as though "Good in Bed" qualified as chick lit, though I might not feel the same way about now that there has been such an explosion of the genre and the category seems to be epitomized by lighter reads that are primarily intended to be enjoyed during the act of reading but have little staying power.
This book reminds me more of reads like Divine Secrets of Ya-Ya Sisterhood and Olivia Goldsmith's Young Wives, which I suppose are more "contemporary women's fiction" than chick lit, per se.
I think some of the elements I discussed above are those that take a book beyond chick lit and into something with a little more staying power: multiple main characters who are well-defined; a third person perspective; an overriding theme; a demonstrating of true growth in the characters; a cast of secondary characters who are also rich and multi-layered.
A well-done novel.
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LibraryThing member tinas37
Totally awesome! Jennifer Weiner writes what is in a woman's mind! I really enjoyed reading this, often laughing out loud at her quips
LibraryThing member mighteq
A must read chick book. It tells a great, and often time humorous, story about 4 very different pregnant woman and how their lives intertwine as the birth of their children nears.
LibraryThing member ktptcruisin
I have yet to find a Jennifer Weiner book that I do not like...read Good in Bed then Little Earthquakes...follow it up with a dessert of In her shoes....
LibraryThing member seka760
Another Jennifer Weiner title, although I didn't like it as much as "Good In Bed" or "In Her Shoes." Still a good read, I wanted more about the single life and was not ready to move into motherhood just yet (both in books and real life). Enjoyable just the same though.
LibraryThing member Wuzzlicious
I really loved this book. So much so, that i immediatly went out and bought a 2nd copy of it and handed it over to my then-pregnant friend.
I think it's a very good and accurate, without being frightening, view of in-laws, pregnancy, and life after childbirth.
I think it's a very good and accurate, without being frightening, view of in-laws, pregnancy, and life after childbirth.
LibraryThing member alanna1122
I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book. Weiner does a good job of weaving the stories of 4 friends all whose lives have changed by motherhood. I thought the characters were well drawn and the story was really engaging. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will definitely look out for another Jennifer
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Weiner book to read. Show Less
LibraryThing member bibliophile26
One of those books where the story unwraps from the perspective of different characters, who are connected, but each have their own story. This book was about pregnancy, childbirth, raising an infant and losing an infant to SIDS. As a breeding woman in my 20s, I was entralled.
LibraryThing member Flamika
This is one of those "heart-warming" novels. You know, the ones that make good movies? It's about four women and the troubles they go through during their pregnancies. Not my type of genre, but the book was still good.
LibraryThing member tripicia2
Good break from the more serious books I read. Laugh out loud funny, enjoyable read.
LibraryThing member blondestranger
Easy story to get into but at times too "fiction". Touching message on the importance of girlfriends and the challenges of life.
LibraryThing member sleepydumpling
I'm always pleasantly surprised by Jennifer Weiner's books. I go into them expecting a light read, but I get real food for thought. Wonderful characters and a realistic reflection of life.
LibraryThing member mthom07
I really enjoy this book. I think it's really clever how Jennifer Weiner ties each character together. Each character's story has something to do with eachother and motherhood. It's a very interesting book.
LibraryThing member cindyloumn
Story of a group of women that meet in a prenatal yoga class, and their lives, husbands, and babies, and how a womanthat lost her baby comes to join tehm. Loved all their personalities and those of the husbands,mothers, and MILs.
8/19/05
8/19/05
LibraryThing member cefeick
My favorite Jennifer Weiner book. It features the most diverse cast of characters and most realistic situations.
LibraryThing member Fantasma
I have had this book for so long, and why didn't I read it sooner!? I loved it. It was funny, it was sensitive, it brings a tear to our eyes, it's "unputdownable".
At first I didn't like Kelly, and 2 of the husbands, but as the story unravels we understand what's happening and the feeling changes.
At first I didn't like Kelly, and 2 of the husbands, but as the story unravels we understand what's happening and the feeling changes.
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All the events surrounding the babies felt real (and it didn't make me change about having one myself so soon!! ;op) but the story is much more than that, and in the end I felt I was gonna miss Becky, Kelly and Ayinde. We want to know more about them... Show Less
LibraryThing member whiting
An entertaining and humorous fictional account of the experiences of four 'new moms' over the first 6+ months of their babies' lives. An honest account with a great amount of humor and perspective, this is a good read even for those of us relatively new moms who are tired of reading and thinking
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about the issues associated with being a new mom. The main characters are likeable, and the perspective the author brings to their experiences, choices and luck (or lack thereof) encourages all women to be more forgiving of ourselves and others. This was a thoroughly enjoyable read! Show Less
LibraryThing member sammimag
About 4 women and becoming mothers for the first time. When I picked it up the first time I had to put it down because the book started out really sad. I wasn't in the right headspace for it.
LibraryThing member diananagy
I really loved this book-First Jennifer Weiner book I have read and I couldn't put it down! So true to real life. This is a book about love, friendship and forgiveness. Don't miss out on this great read!
LibraryThing member jlouise77
I really, really liked this book. I love that Jennifer Weiner always has a chubby "heroine". It really helps me identify with the book a lot more than the typical, 22" waisted, busty maidens, lol. I identified a lot with the moms and all of their situations. This is a GREAT read for anyone who has
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just had/has a baby. The characters are all so lovable and fun. This was really a great read, I couldn't put it down. Show Less
LibraryThing member MsNick
I feel as though it's safe to assume that motherhood is a challenging endeavor. Having said that, I felt that this book focused on the negative aspects of becoming a new mother. The characters were one-dimensional, clichéd stereotypes and weren't particularly likable.
LibraryThing member Sunflower6_Cris
Little Earthquakes is another great Jennifer Weiner read!
True to Jennifer Weiner's writing style this is another book that you will enjoy from start to finish! A must read for Mommies but it can be enjoyed by anyone! I read bits and pieces to my husband when he would find me laughing out loud. A
True to Jennifer Weiner's writing style this is another book that you will enjoy from start to finish! A must read for Mommies but it can be enjoyed by anyone! I read bits and pieces to my husband when he would find me laughing out loud. A
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quick and easy read for a rainy day, even with kids at home. Show Less
LibraryThing member melydia
(unabridged audiobook read by Johanna Parker): Though stories of multiple people all experiencing different variations on the same theme are far from uncommon, this one is reasonably fresh and enjoyable. Here we have four mothers (current, former, and soon-to-be) from four different backgrounds,
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each dealing with issues with her marriage and with her mother (or mother-in-law). The target audience is definitely mothers and mothers-to-be (and I think fathers could benefit from such an honest account of what their wives and girlfriends are going through), but I found myself sympathizing with the characters and wanting to know how things turned out. I especially empathized with Kelly. No, this book has not made me want children of my own, but it was a good story nonetheless. And it certainly didn't hurt that it was read by a actress with amazing subtleties in her voice. Most of the men sounded alike, but she had an amazing range in her female voices. Show Less
LibraryThing member jdy
Wasn't a big fan of this book. A quick read, but found myself bored.
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
ISBN
0743468937 / 9780743468930