This book is strong in
character and story.
Summary:
Narrator Kate Reddy is employed full time in a demanding London
financial firm and the mother of two small children. The exhausting story of
her daily juggling act speaks to the grueling lives of many mothers. The book
opens with a symbolic scene as Kate "distresses" a store-bought pie to make it
appear homemade for her daughter's school party. She doesn't want to face the
scorn of the stay-at-home mothers she calls the "Muffia." Her days are measured
in increments of minutes which she likens to "triage;" her fund stays
organized but her house and family are falling apart. She is intoxicated by her
jet-setting, high-profile job, but also is desperately aware of what it takes
out of her life as a mother and wife, and scrutinizes just how far women have
really come in the work world.
I would recommend this book!
Why?
More intelligent than Bridget Jones but just as humorous, this book really
tells the truth about many of our lives. It gets wrapped up a little too tidily
at the end, but that can be forgiven. I liked Kate's strong friendships, and
even her dismay that she neglects her friends as she does her husband. I liked
that there were honorable men as characters. She says important things about
the internal and external pressures placed on women, and on families.
Other interesting information about this book:
Word-of-mouth pushed this to the top of the charts, and Miramax picked
up the film rights. Read the book first!
Employee Initials: SB
Review Date: November 2002
Read other reviews by this staff member.
