reaction to Commencement

[[deleted user]]

As I had a hard time finding a copy of Commencement, I first reread Mary McCarthy's The Group. I had seen that some reviewers had compared the two books. I was probably not "old" enough to really "understand" The Group when I first read it, but I really enjoyed it now. It was published in 1963 and plays during the 1930s. It is the story of 7 graduates of Vassar and the parallels with the lives of the 4 Smith graduates, despite the many intervening years, are amazing. Women are still grappling with some of the very same issues that they were grappling with all of those years ago. The choices that the women in these two books face continue right down to the present. Particularly how to combine marriage and children and a career. Or how friends and family deal with someone who is gay. Or how to go out there and change the world after graduating from college. In addition, both books are clearly about women's friendships and how strong these bonds are over the years even though the friends may go in entirely different directions. I think the characters in Commencement are well-drawn, and I felt as if I got to know them as I read the book. The story of April was perhaps the least believable section of the book. On the other hand, one only has to consider the number of reality shows on TV to see how a documentary filmmaker would want to do whatever she could to keep her cause and her name in the media. April seems to believe so strongly in the cause that she fails to consider how it is achieved. It was interesting to see how the women and their friendships changed (or didn't) after graduation. I enjoyed reading this book and now look for the author's articles in the New York Times.

[Joleen]

Are we commenting on this book? I see Nancy's but no one elses. I agree with Nancy but I guess what stood out to me the most was the Smith College experience. I had no idea - thought that was a straight-laced institution. I do thing school friendships are some of the strongest we build & I'm happy we are still keeping up with each other.

I also think it's interesting that 2 of the 3 books we've read so far are built around college friendships. Which brings me to the question of when we are talking about "Art of Fielding". I'm done.

[sue]

Joleen wrote: "Are we commenting on this book? I see Nancy's but no one elses. I agree with Nancy but I guess what stood out to me the most was the Smith College experience. I had no idea - thought that was a ..."

I will probably finish The Art of Fielding tonight...are we aiming for the end of this month?

[Bev]

I'm just finishing "Commencement" and have yet to begin "The Art of Fielding" so it looks like I may always be a book 'behind'. Sorry....