oy vey, Erica. ( )

I read the book with low expectations given its low rating here and Goodreads. Turns out to be better than expected though the book could be tighter with less fantasizing and philosophizing. I had identified with Vanessa as she struggled with her parents' imminent death. How do you pull the plug on your parent even when he is old and ill? You can't. ( )

I didn't expect great things, but this book grated on my nerves! Vanessa kept asking "What was wrong with my generation of women?" "How did my generation of feminism get so wrong?" What really is the question here? In what context is she really asking? What did it had to do with wanting to get laid as she did throughout the story? What did it have to do with her parents dying or her older husband becoming seriously ill? While she spins the life questions we all ask well, she seems to wring her hands throughout about nearly everything. The answer to some of those questions was simply herself: I wanted to respond that it was perhaps herself who had happened to feminism. Could it have been as Vanessa let her career sink after she married her wealthy husband…."I married Asher, my acting career had gone to that place women's acting careers used to go…" Yes, the cliche of women actors whose sell-by date is shorter than their male counterparts. But I don't necessarily buy that here. I think she married and let go of her career and her own feistiness. ( )

As a 60ish woman, it was great to read a novel where the main character is faced with many of the same problems that my friends and I have - being caught in the struggle between problems with children. problems with parents and problems with what aging does to our bodies. The author handled all of this and more in her book. This is more of a series of vignettes than it is a novel but it was amusing and sad and enjoyable. It might be difficult for someone young to understand some of the problems that the author discusses in this book but its a must read for anyone who is 60 or over. ( )

Eloquently written story of life- one woman's life, loves, fears, happiness, wants and reality. It's a poignant look into the later stages of life, and all that it takes to get there. Jong, and ultimately Vanessa too, get it as she writes "Going on is the ultimate test." So true! This is a story of going on, facing trials and living through life experiences that shape who we are and who we become. Fabulous book!
*I received an arc from NetGalley for an honest review ( )