Mrs. Beneker

by Violet Weingarten

"Mrs. daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother is, although she would be the last to realize it, the heroine of this very charming & funny & serious novel. She has always known that life is good and all's for the best, however, she is facing the distinct possibility that her husband is having an affair."

Mass Market Paperback

First published December 1, 1970

Reviews

[Jim Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

My copy of this book belonged to my mother-in-law. She was a lovely lady and I enjoyed being with her. While reading this book, I occasionally considered whether she identified with Mrs. Beneker. I haven’t made up my mind. She did go back to Purdue University after having retired from teaching school, so I can easily see her in Professor Serota’s class. The book is a pleasant read.

[Bonnie Fazio · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in the '70s while in college (copy from the library), and recently re-read it in a hardbound (book club) edition I found in a thrift store).

It holds up well, considering it was written in the late '60s and many societal attitudes have changed greatly since then.

Mrs. Beneker is trying to adjust to various conditions and changes in her life. Like many (even most) married women of her age and time (especially those with children of any age), she doesn't work outside the home. This gives her leisure to ponder some of the great and small issues of life. Is her husband having an affair? Why does her son (college age, if I remember; I'm writing this a few months after reading) seem to hate her? Can analysis be worthwhile? Is the theater really dead? (j/k)

Guessing I read in early 2018. 222 pages.

[Susan Crutchfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mrs Beneker was a woman trying to find herself in the 60s - as life happened around her. Some was interesting to me - but lots of it really wasn’t. I think they tried to take on too many subjects in a very short book - religion, Viet Nan war, fidelity, abortion, children and their choices, racism, family dynamics, and more…..

[Debbie Whetstone Collinge · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very interesting read. I volunteer at a thrift store and one slow afternoon I picked up this older donated book. I am glad I did. It was fun to read and I was quite surprised that so many of the concerns when it was written are still concerns today.

[Paula Galvan]

This book belonged to my mother. I enjoyed it immensely. Mrs. Beneker covers most of the hot topics of women as they age, deal with their adult children, and have all those doubts regarding "what if." This was an entertaining read written with a humorous, witty outlook on life.

[Lisa Leonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

[Lynn Pribus · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pretty old book, but one I have reread on occasion. There's a wonderful line about her picturing her mind like a silver bicycle, sailing on ahead of her -- something like that. One of my all-time favorites.