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trmtss's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
we_are_all_mad_here26's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
Somehow both suspenseful and delightful, not to mention funny. I have not wanted to hug a book upon finishing it this much since A Gentleman in Moscow.
paperbacksandpines's review against another edition
4.0
he didn’t love her at all. And she smiled because, if he had, she wouldn’t now be free, for love, she judged, must be a great imprisoner, a great cutter-off of liberty.
Father is an early twentieth century story of a 33 year old woman who has been tasked with taking care of her father ever since her mother died 12 years before. Jennifer has watched her life pass her by as she has helped her cold and undemonstrative father write his books. She has experienced no love since her mother passed away and made Jennifer promise to take care of her father and infrequent to no social calls at her home.
Out of the blue, Jennifer's father returns home one day presenting his new wife, who is younger than Jennifer! Jennifer is elated because a stepmother represents freedom for herself, freedom from endless drudgery and the invitation to start a new life. Her father is astounded and angry because he thought she would have to stay, being a single woman raised to be a gentlewoman and single women stayed with their families until they married or died. Her father sets off on his honeymoon immediately and Jennifer begins looking for a home of her own at once. Thereupon, she meets several characters that have definite opinions about her unmarried status and how a proper woman in her position should behave.
This book addresses spinsterhood and a single woman's worth at a time where wifedom and motherhood reigned supreme.
Father is an early twentieth century story of a 33 year old woman who has been tasked with taking care of her father ever since her mother died 12 years before. Jennifer has watched her life pass her by as she has helped her cold and undemonstrative father write his books. She has experienced no love since her mother passed away and made Jennifer promise to take care of her father and infrequent to no social calls at her home.
Out of the blue, Jennifer's father returns home one day presenting his new wife, who is younger than Jennifer! Jennifer is elated because a stepmother represents freedom for herself, freedom from endless drudgery and the invitation to start a new life. Her father is astounded and angry because he thought she would have to stay, being a single woman raised to be a gentlewoman and single women stayed with their families until they married or died. Her father sets off on his honeymoon immediately and Jennifer begins looking for a home of her own at once. Thereupon, she meets several characters that have definite opinions about her unmarried status and how a proper woman in her position should behave.
This book addresses spinsterhood and a single woman's worth at a time where wifedom and motherhood reigned supreme.
peterp3's review
4.0
Superb opening page! “Mother said, dying, ‘You’ll take care of Father, won’t you?’” This sets up a fascinating story of a woman who finds herself tied to her controlling father, and the question, will she escape? Will she find her own identity?
The book is well-written with lots of wry humour, despite the subject matter. But the first half is better than the second half, and in the end I’m left feeling sad that von Arnim seems to think that ‘freedom’ has to be entirely selfish, or a temporary illusion (or even both!)
The book is well-written with lots of wry humour, despite the subject matter. But the first half is better than the second half, and in the end I’m left feeling sad that von Arnim seems to think that ‘freedom’ has to be entirely selfish, or a temporary illusion (or even both!)
caitlancole's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ruth's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
your_true_shelf's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0