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mbkarapcik's review against another edition
4.0
During the college acceptance/rejection/deferral season, what better way to come to terms with whatever decision your child makes than to read The Admissions by Meg Mitchell Moore. Angela Hawthorne, practically from birth, has been gunning for Harvard admission. Although her successful father went there, it takes more than an alumni nod to get in.
While Harvard absorbs her focus, the other Hawthorne members face their own dilemmas: what dirt does the new intern have on Dad? Did Mom make a mountain out of a real estate molehill? Why can't Maya read yet, and does Cecily have what it takes to get her Irish dance team into a big competition? All these questions will be answered in the pages of this book.
If you are a parent of a senior-year student, now or in the past, you will relate to all the machinations it takes to help your child get into college. I've been chest-deep into this and cannot wait until it's over. These parents knew the daughter's potential from the beginning, and they have only a few more hurdles to go. You can sense the tension that exacerbates any other problem that arises within families when one high-achiever puts it all on the line for their dream school.
Meg Mitchell Moore may be a great substitute for Elin Hilderbrand. She writes just as well and actually seems to put even more thought into family dynamics and her characters. At times, this was a funny book; at others, it was relatable to the hectic nature of raising kids in this harried world where kids are overscheduled, and there's barely a minute to take a breath or sit down to a family meal.
A few situations get a little hairy and feel somewhat unrealistic, but they heighten what is already a stressful time. I caught on to some of the reveals early on, but they're not cookie-cutter. The author devises some lesser known plot snags, and you may not notice them until they're right in front of you.
I'm really enjoying Moore's books because the characters are relatable and she describes everything so well. I think she's an expert in characterizing children without stereotyping them. I'm assuming some of her own parenting and observations of her own kids come into play when dramatizing situations for her novels.
After you read this, you may be relieved that your coping with your child's senior year may be less fraught with peril than this somewhat cautionary tale. A lot happens within the pages and may make you pause and think twice about stressing out over your child's choices for the future.
While Harvard absorbs her focus, the other Hawthorne members face their own dilemmas: what dirt does the new intern have on Dad? Did Mom make a mountain out of a real estate molehill? Why can't Maya read yet, and does Cecily have what it takes to get her Irish dance team into a big competition? All these questions will be answered in the pages of this book.
If you are a parent of a senior-year student, now or in the past, you will relate to all the machinations it takes to help your child get into college. I've been chest-deep into this and cannot wait until it's over. These parents knew the daughter's potential from the beginning, and they have only a few more hurdles to go. You can sense the tension that exacerbates any other problem that arises within families when one high-achiever puts it all on the line for their dream school.
Meg Mitchell Moore may be a great substitute for Elin Hilderbrand. She writes just as well and actually seems to put even more thought into family dynamics and her characters. At times, this was a funny book; at others, it was relatable to the hectic nature of raising kids in this harried world where kids are overscheduled, and there's barely a minute to take a breath or sit down to a family meal.
A few situations get a little hairy and feel somewhat unrealistic, but they heighten what is already a stressful time. I caught on to some of the reveals early on, but they're not cookie-cutter. The author devises some lesser known plot snags, and you may not notice them until they're right in front of you.
I'm really enjoying Moore's books because the characters are relatable and she describes everything so well. I think she's an expert in characterizing children without stereotyping them. I'm assuming some of her own parenting and observations of her own kids come into play when dramatizing situations for her novels.
After you read this, you may be relieved that your coping with your child's senior year may be less fraught with peril than this somewhat cautionary tale. A lot happens within the pages and may make you pause and think twice about stressing out over your child's choices for the future.
vegprincess's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars. It's predictable and there are some eye roll-worthy moments but the rest of it was OK. I read it mainly for distraction and it worked.
libwinnie's review against another edition
4.0
Suprising plot twists. Statement about society, well-written, well-developed characters.
vfigurka's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
rmarcin's review against another edition
3.0
The pressures of everyday life come to a head in this novel about a family with 3 daughters. Angela Hawthorne feels like she has to excel at everything to get into Harvard, following in her father's footsteps. She has been preparing for this for years, studying, taking AP courses, participating in varsity sports, etc. But it is exhausting. Her sister, Cecily, is worrying too much, and the youngest, Maya, is having trouble learning to read. Parents Nora and Gabe are in high pressure jobs trying to fit into the Bay Area scene.
It all comes to a head when some secrets are revealed, and their livelihood and expectations are challenged.
I thought it was good, but a bit too long.
It all comes to a head when some secrets are revealed, and their livelihood and expectations are challenged.
I thought it was good, but a bit too long.
smallafterall's review against another edition
3.0
I stopped reading this at one point because all of the tensions that drive the characters in this book felt way to close to the ones that drive my days. I picked it back up and admit that I was sucked into the high stakes, high achievement world that Moore describes. I think I was supposed to like the characters a little more than I did. I fear some will read this book and think "oh my. what an exaggerated look at the race to success" when really this felt truly close to the expectations many of us find ourselves either trying to navigate, either by struggling to take part or sorting out how one opts out without dropping out of the culture altogether. I for one, don't want my children to be searching for sources of amphetamines simply to get through a week of school, am not interested in spending $2300 dollars for a dance costume, and hope I don't consume myself with worry that my second grader isn't reading yet (oops. too late for that one!). However, I do want them to be able to be successful contributing members of society who are proud of their own accomplishments. This book and the family depicted in it point out just how very difficult it is to have one without veering towards the other.
caseysilk's review against another edition
4.0
Warning if you have a child who is about to apply to college read with caution. This was a good novel about a family and their all consuming passion of getting their first born into Harvard. The story is told from a few different perspectives and I found myself getting stressed just reading the book. But that being said the author does a good job of showing just how nuts this whole process has become.
emeck's review against another edition
3.0
I liked it, but boy did it drag on for way too long. At like 75% through I just didn’t care anymore. Not entirely bad though. It was funny and relatable and the characters were fine.
kdurham2's review against another edition
4.0
A family drama, but told through almost all of the family members! Mom, Dad, one daughter and some other outer characters took turns narrating this story and I enjoyed reading from different points of view.
The main storyline is based around their first born as she is applying to college and hoping to get into her only choice that her dad attended - Harvard. She has spent years and years prepping her grades and resume to get into this school. I loved this story because this felt home to me. Angela was definitely held to a high standard in her house and was expected to make certain grades and compete things at a certain level and I felt like my parents definitely expected a certain level out of me and I could feel for Angela with all the weight on her shoulders.
I loved that this was a family drama but it had a focus. The other family members had things going on as well, but having the story focus on the first born and this certain time in her life made this book feel different.
The main storyline is based around their first born as she is applying to college and hoping to get into her only choice that her dad attended - Harvard. She has spent years and years prepping her grades and resume to get into this school. I loved this story because this felt home to me. Angela was definitely held to a high standard in her house and was expected to make certain grades and compete things at a certain level and I felt like my parents definitely expected a certain level out of me and I could feel for Angela with all the weight on her shoulders.
I loved that this was a family drama but it had a focus. The other family members had things going on as well, but having the story focus on the first born and this certain time in her life made this book feel different.