By early 1960s standards, Margaret Ryan, Viv Buschetti, and Bitsy Cobb, suburban housewives in a brand-new "planned community" in Northern Virginia, appear to have it all. The fact that "all" doesn't feel like enough leaves them feeling confused and guilty, certain the fault must lie with them. Things begin to change when they form a book club with Charlotte Gustafson--the eccentric and artsy "new neighbor" from Manhattan--and read Betty Friedan's just-released book, The Feminine Mystique.
Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free audiobook was provided for an honest review.
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| April 2025; Harper Muse; 9781400344765 audio (11h 10m), ebook, print; historical fiction |
I love historical fiction, but I don't read many books set during the 1960s. I usually pass those on to Susan, but since this one had a book club in the title, I thought I would give it a try. (I've been on this kick of reading books about books, libraries, book stores, and book clubs lately.)
There wasn't anything groundbreaking about this novel. The characters are stereotypical of housewives in the 1960s. They want more from life than just being wives and mothers. I liked that they aren't extremely radical. They aren't burning their bras. But at the same time, they don't just accept that this is their fate.
This book is definitely all about the characters, and I liked the characters. Whenever Charlotte appeared in the story, I pictured Phryne Fisher from the British detective television show Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. The book is equally about the 4 women, but I think it focuses a little more on Margaret. It could be because she is seen as the leader of the Bettys (that is what they call their book club).
I thought their lives were a little easier than what many of the women in their position experienced. Margaret's and Viv's husbands are pretty progressive for the 1960s. While it seemed like Margaret's husband would be difficult in the beginning, he recognized and voiced what he was feeling, and they worked through it. Viv's husband was always on the same page with her - whatever made her happy, he was supportive of. Charlotte's and Bitsy's husbands are largely off the page, so we really only know what Charlotte and Bitsy tell us about them. If you've seen the television show Mad Men, I think Charlotte's husband would fit right in with them. I felt like Bitsy's husband was there just because she needed a husband (which I guess is true for Bitsy in that she married him because she needed the security of a husband after her father died, and King was willing to marry her).
In a world where women are often competitive with one another, it was nice to see four women form a true friendship where they are supportive of one another.
This is an easy book to listen to as an audiobook. Lisa Flanagan did a great job with the voices. Bitsy is from Kentucky, and she had a bit of a southern twang. Viv had a bit of a Brooklyn accent. It helped to distinguish the characters but also fleshed them out a little more.
This is the first book I've read by Marie Bostwick, and I will definitely keep an eye out for more historical fiction from her.
I think this would be a great book to read with friends or to take on a vacation with you - maybe a girls' weekend!
Buy The Book Club for Troublesome Women at Amazon
Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.
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