Kate's review
The Guy Not Taken: Stories
by Jennifer Weiner (Goodreads author!)
Kate, I'm currently reading this and I feel much the same. I enjoy her writing, but I feel like her story lines are becoming repetitive.
I have to keep reminding myself that these stories weren't written as a collection, but that they were each written separately and then compiled into this book. I think they're a little better when you consider that aspect of things.
My mom just bought me this book, I am planning to read some of it this weekend. I think I might like the short story aspect because then I don't have to finish the book! I don't have time to read an entire book, so it might be good... We shall see!
Kate's review
The Guy Not Taken: Stories by Jennifer Weiner (Goodreads author!)
Kate's review
rating:
bookshelves:
chick-lit,
fiction,
short-stories
recommended for: women, mothers, divorcees (and children thereof)
I enjoy Jennifer Weiner's writing normally, but I was disappointed with this collection of short stories. Many of them have the same set-up: we meet a single career girl, flash back to the guy who hurt her (and the supportive family/friends who warned her not to get involved), then flash back to the current situation with the new guy who might be the one. I enjoyed seeing Cannie and her dog Nifkin reappear in one of the stories.
My favorite story was the one from which the book gets its title: "The Guy Not Taken." It features a stay-at-home mom who finds her college boyfriend's wedding registry, who then obsesses over the "one who got away." The magic of said wedding registry allows her to see what life with him might have been like, and I thought it was well-written. Many of the other stories, though, were trite. How many times can you write about divorce?!
My favorite story was the one from which the book gets its title: "The Guy Not Taken." It features a stay-at-home mom who finds her college boyfriend's wedding registry, who then obsesses over the "one who got away." The magic of said wedding registry allows her to see what life with him might have been like, and I thought it was well-written. Many of the other stories, though, were trite. How many times can you write about divorce?!
Kate, I'm currently reading this and I feel much the same. I enjoy her writing, but I feel like her story lines are becoming repetitive.
I have to keep reminding myself that these stories weren't written as a collection, but that they were each written separately and then compiled into this book. I think they're a little better when you consider that aspect of things.
My mom just bought me this book, I am planning to read some of it this weekend. I think I might like the short story aspect because then I don't have to finish the book! I don't have time to read an entire book, so it might be good... We shall see!