Do You like book A Most Uncommon Degree Of Popularity (2007)?
I read this book on pure whim - plucked it off a shelf in the library. For a light, airy read, it was good. Tells the story of the trials of "tween"-ism through the eyes of the mom. Makes you realize you may not have gotten away with as much as you think you did. I think most of the reason I enjoyed this book was it's location - DC and vicinity. Seidel details many popular locations and it's fun for a local to follow the journey through the city and nod knowingly everytime she makes an accurate assessment of DC life. The story has a good base but loses a bit in the complicated rise to the climax. When Seidel mentions in her acknowledgements that she repeatedly went back to the story, the choppy nature becomes a bit more understood. I can not tell if it is a statement about the life path of motherhood or simply distracted storytelling.If you're just looking for something to kick back with and not think too hard - this is your book.
—Jenny
Hadn't heard of this book therefore no expectations, just found it on the new books in at the library. Surprisingly I was so impressed with Seidel's fictional story which read as a sociological study of girls and mothers. Sure there were stereotypes, but that was so affirming in recognizing how to "cope" with similar personalities and situations as the mother of a girl. Seidel's descriptions observations were stinging, humorous and poignant in a non-sappy way. I will recommend this book to friends.
—Laura Thompson
When I was half-way through this novel, I loved it. By the end, I was kind of disappointed and a little bewildered. This is a story about a mother, Lydia, who has to learn to maintain relationships with her friends when said friend's children begin to mistreat her daughter at school. I was intrigued by this dynamic - mostly the reality that somehow, all women, at heart, still want to be "popular", no matter what their age. The mothers in the story become too wrapped up in their daughter's social status, something I have experienced all too vividly in my own life :) This dilemna, in my opinion, was the real strength and heart of the novel.Unfortunately, about 3/4 of the way through the book, the author dropped this storyline almost completely and instead focused on new issues that appeared to come out of left field to me. Where did my interesting novel go?In the end, it feels as though neither storyline is really resolved and I was left wanting more. One other problem for me was the very honest, and yet often harsh, descriptions of the secondary characters' personality flaws and the almost detached assessment of marriage. I couldn't tell if the author was letting off steam about her own life, or what.In the end, I would probably pick up another book by this author, and cross my fingers for a more focused storyline.
—Erin