"Motherland" Book Review

Motherland by Amy Sohn
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

"With her trademark blend of “social satire, interpersonal drama, and urban glamour” (The New York Times), Amy Sohn delivers a candid, unsentimental look at modern marriage. In her acclaimed novels, Amy Sohn has beguiled us with her pinpoint observations of how we live and love, giving voice to our innermost thoughts and everyday anxieties. Now, in Motherland, her most diverting book to date, she introduces us to five mothers and fathers in Cape Cod, Park Slope, and Greenwich Village who find themselves adrift professionally and personally.

"Rebecca Rose, whose husband has been acting aloof, is tempted by the attentions of a former celebrity flame; Marco Goldstein, saddled with two kids when his husband, Todd, is away on business, turns to anonymous sex for comfort; Danny Gottlieb, a screenwriter on the cusp of a big break, leaves his wife and children to pitch a film (and meet young women) in Los Angeles; fallen sanctimommy Karen Bryan Shapiro, devastated by her husband’s infidelity and abandonment, attempts a fresh start with a hot single dad; and former A-list actress Melora Leigh plots a star turn on Broadway to revive her Hollywood career. As their stories intersect in surprising ways and their deceptions spiral out of control, they begin to question their beliefs about family, happiness, and themselves.

"Equal parts moving and richly entertaining, Motherland is a fresh take on modern marriage that confirms Amy Sohn as one of our most insightful commentators on relationships and parenting in America today."

I would like to start this review by saying thank you to Goodreads for allowing giveaways, as I won this book from one of them. Also, they may wish they had picked someone else. Also, I am going to be really picky when choosing which giveaways to participate in from now on.

Anyway, I put this book down and am loathe to bring myself to pick it up again. So, I am giving up on it, which I don't like to do, but life is short and there are a ton of other books I'd rather be reading right now.

There were too many characters in this book and I couldn't give a damn about nearly every one of them. There was one I almost liked (the one that almost started a restaurant?), but she was kind of passive. I hated that there were so many points of view with so many names, but it didn't matter because they were all basically the same character rehashed over and over again. Just soulless, uninteresting rich people with stupid problems that they tried fixing with unenjoyable and forced sex.

The author tried really hard being clever and interesting with all of the slang and stuff, but that was the problem: she tried too hard and it was pathetic to read. She could be an excellent author, or editor, but she should start by making up people that might have growth potential or the ability to have mental catharsis.

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"Jersey Boys" Musical Review

Almost there....

I had a super-sweet time in New York City on May 12th! My friends and I had lunch at Applebee's and there was even a fair we had no idea was going to be there and I got some really awesome stuff!

'Jersey Boys' played in the
beautiful August Wilson Theatre.

We usually go to New York City once a year to see a show and this year it was 'Jersey Boys'. I didn't know too much before hand about this show, only that it was about a popular group from the 1960's. I didn't know much about them, or so I thought, until I borrowed a friend's cd. It turns out I already knew most of the music and what I didn't know I liked anyway!

The musical follows the story of the members of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons:

Frankie Valli, played by Jarrod Spector, the lead vocalist of the pop group,

Bob Gaudio, played by Quinn VanAntwerp, the keyboardist and main songwriter of the group,

Tommy DeVito, played by Andy Karl, the troublesome lead guitarist,

and Nick Massi, played by Matt Bogart, the bass guitarist.

I thought it was very well done. It had great music already, so that was good. The actors were very handsome as well as extremely talented. The story was compelling and funny and sad. It was a very good show. Tommy DeVito was the most funny and most 'Jersey' of all the characters. And I found Nick Massi's awkward stoicalness hilarious. It even has an actor in it that plays a young Joe Pesci, (yeah, that Joe Pesci - the actor), that was spot-on. I tried finding out who it was, but stupid Playbill doesn't update their website only but once a year. But he was adorable and I would take him home in a heartbeat!

So much praise!

I had a grand time, but I don't think it was the best musical I have seen. I still can't decide which one that would be though - toss-up between 'WICKED' and 'Les Mis' probably. 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying' (starring Daniel Radcliffe and John Larroquette) was also pretty awesome. And I can't forget my first love and the first show I saw on Broadway, 'The Phantom of the Opera'.

The only problem I had with the production, doesn't involve the musical at all. The audience..... was from New Jersey. That should say everything.

I must say, I was very happy overall though! It was a great time!