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em_murrell's review against another edition
4.0
This book caught my attention because I participated in rush at Ole Miss when I was in college. I wondered the direction it would take, and I was definitely curious about the light it would shine on Ole Miss/the recruitment process. I didn’t expect it to be as deep and important as it was. Unfortunately, generational racism is very much alive in Mississippi and much of the south. This book addresses this issue from different perspectives, and I think it could open some people’s eyes to prejudices they didn’t even know they had. Definitely enjoyed this one.
clgreads's review against another edition
3.0
I loved this at the beginning because I grew up in the south and went to a state school with a large Greek population. I wasn't Greek, but everyone heard the stories. There really are people like this. However, it got very preachy towards the end and became too white savior/self praising/redemption story (without doing anything to earn said redemption) for me. There were also so many unnecessary details in the story that made it longer than it needed to be.
bookslifeandeverythingnice's review against another edition
4.0
I won this book for free in a Goodreads Giveaway. Thanks to Goodreads, St. Martin's Press and Lisa Patton for an ARC copy of the book. As always, an honest review.
With sorority and fraternity life as popular as it is in this country, I'm surprised there aren't more books surrounding Greek life. Rush perfectly fits this niche. We start off right before the school year begins following Ellie, Cali and Annie Laurie. They're all college freshman from different walks of life hoping to pledge a sorority at Ole Miss. The chapters alternate points of view, which I really liked. It gave so much added perspective, and different stories were able to be told. The chapters' POV include Cali, Wilda (Ellie's mom) and Miss Pearl (a fabulous woman who works for a sorority on campus).
I like all of the main characters, which for me, is essential to enjoying a book. There are also a few love to hate, but redeemable characters, to keep things interesting. I really enjoyed Rush, because it's fun, sweet, and poignant. Beyond just the fun process of sorority life, the author gets into tough topics such as living wages, health insurance, legacies, family money, racism, and micro aggressions in southern culture. We learn with the girls the unfairness that can be in the Greek life system. It certainly opened my eyes to things I really hadn't thought about before.
However, without giving away any spoilers, the girls' revelations are just the beginning of a fix to a much larger problem. The start of a conversation, not the end of one. I think the author does want it to truly be the start of larger discussions and change. Also, some of the behavior by the adults is appalling but contextually appropriate.
Rush seems like a fun, sweet, slightly catty book, but the depth of important topics makes it an important read. A great book for a book club or anyone looking to get a discussion going in a light hearted manner.
With sorority and fraternity life as popular as it is in this country, I'm surprised there aren't more books surrounding Greek life. Rush perfectly fits this niche. We start off right before the school year begins following Ellie, Cali and Annie Laurie. They're all college freshman from different walks of life hoping to pledge a sorority at Ole Miss. The chapters alternate points of view, which I really liked. It gave so much added perspective, and different stories were able to be told. The chapters' POV include Cali, Wilda (Ellie's mom) and Miss Pearl (a fabulous woman who works for a sorority on campus).
I like all of the main characters, which for me, is essential to enjoying a book. There are also a few love to hate, but redeemable characters, to keep things interesting. I really enjoyed Rush, because it's fun, sweet, and poignant. Beyond just the fun process of sorority life, the author gets into tough topics such as living wages, health insurance, legacies, family money, racism, and micro aggressions in southern culture. We learn with the girls the unfairness that can be in the Greek life system. It certainly opened my eyes to things I really hadn't thought about before.
However, without giving away any spoilers, the girls' revelations are just the beginning of a fix to a much larger problem. The start of a conversation, not the end of one. I think the author does want it to truly be the start of larger discussions and change. Also, some of the behavior by the adults is appalling but contextually appropriate.
Rush seems like a fun, sweet, slightly catty book, but the depth of important topics makes it an important read. A great book for a book club or anyone looking to get a discussion going in a light hearted manner.
tobyyy's review against another edition
1.0
DNF at 65% or so.
I just couldn’t. I’m not sure why — I think there was a combination of factors... let’s just make a handy dandy list.
1.) I was never interested in sororities and never saw the point when I was in university. That sentiment continues to this day. And for those who may ask why I picked up a book that’s solely about sororities then — this is why. It was a blind pick from my library’s online catalogue, when my library was only doing curbside pickup. I tried to maintain the mystery of being able to choose books without knowing much at all about them.
2.) I hated the portrayal of white versus black people in this book. I.e., mainly the stereotype of a black woman who is a mother figure to white women. Reminds me too much of the racist “mammy” trope, and if I’m tired of seeing this being one of the sole ways that Black women are represented in fiction, I can’t imagine how Black women feel.
3.) I honestly didn’t like anyone in this book EXCEPT for Pearl.
4.) I may have enjoyed this at some other time but right now with racial tensions being high plus other real life stress hitting, this was not a relaxing book for me to read and so I opted out of forcing myself to finish it.
I just couldn’t. I’m not sure why — I think there was a combination of factors... let’s just make a handy dandy list.
1.) I was never interested in sororities and never saw the point when I was in university. That sentiment continues to this day. And for those who may ask why I picked up a book that’s solely about sororities then — this is why. It was a blind pick from my library’s online catalogue, when my library was only doing curbside pickup. I tried to maintain the mystery of being able to choose books without knowing much at all about them.
2.) I hated the portrayal of white versus black people in this book. I.e., mainly the stereotype of a black woman who is a mother figure to white women. Reminds me too much of the racist “mammy” trope, and if I’m tired of seeing this being one of the sole ways that Black women are represented in fiction, I can’t imagine how Black women feel.
3.) I honestly didn’t like anyone in this book EXCEPT for Pearl.
4.) I may have enjoyed this at some other time but right now with racial tensions being high plus other real life stress hitting, this was not a relaxing book for me to read and so I opted out of forcing myself to finish it.
purrfectpages's review against another edition
3.0
***3.5stars***
When I was in college I admittedly didn’t get the whole sorority thing. Why would anyone want to succumb themselves to ridiculous rituals and ridicule, all the while paying to be “friends” with someone? Although, to be fair, another part of me has always been somewhat intrigued by the process. I mean something that could lead to lifelong friendships and connections has to have some worth, right? This viewpoint occurred to me more as I got older, especially as an only child.
While I didn’t learn a ton about the super secret rush process from reading this book, I did gleam that the process seems to be on a whole other level in Southern sororities. However, I will say this story isn’t more about sororities in a secondary sense. Instead the focus is more in human decency and equality than quality Greek life.
While things tied up a bit too nicely for the deep issues presented, I did appreciate the author’s explanation of why she took on such subject matter and how some of the inconsistencies that are discussed in the story are still taking place today. Although I’ve never been a part of Greek organizations myself, I would think amending any antiquated ways would be in the best interest of an organization that prides itself on being about belonging.
When I was in college I admittedly didn’t get the whole sorority thing. Why would anyone want to succumb themselves to ridiculous rituals and ridicule, all the while paying to be “friends” with someone? Although, to be fair, another part of me has always been somewhat intrigued by the process. I mean something that could lead to lifelong friendships and connections has to have some worth, right? This viewpoint occurred to me more as I got older, especially as an only child.
While I didn’t learn a ton about the super secret rush process from reading this book, I did gleam that the process seems to be on a whole other level in Southern sororities. However, I will say this story isn’t more about sororities in a secondary sense. Instead the focus is more in human decency and equality than quality Greek life.
While things tied up a bit too nicely for the deep issues presented, I did appreciate the author’s explanation of why she took on such subject matter and how some of the inconsistencies that are discussed in the story are still taking place today. Although I’ve never been a part of Greek organizations myself, I would think amending any antiquated ways would be in the best interest of an organization that prides itself on being about belonging.
meldav4's review against another edition
5.0
This book was absolutely glorious! I just finished it and am very emotional. I know that this story, and the messages, will forever stay with me. I have a feeling this novel will get the attention that The Help did, and I’m hoping it will open eyes, hearts, and minds. Part of me wants to comment that it is a cruel world, but it isn’t. There are a lot of cruel people who live in this world, but there are also amazing people living in it, too. People who love each other, regardless of skin color, and who will stand up to those cruel people and help them see things a different way, and guide them to also live a life where people are treated with respect, with equality, and with love. That is exactly what happened in Rush. Lisa Patton portrayed such an important story with beautiful characters and outstanding writing style. Her personal note at the end describing how and why she chose to write this novel was just as inspiring as the book was. What an amazing person she is! This is the first novel of hers that I have read, and I am so glad I did! I’m a fan, of her, and her writing!
ashleebmoss's review against another edition
5.0
I was in a sorority in college and Rush brought back a lot of memories for me. It reminded of what sisterhood is about. When I first started reading this book I wasn’t sure how it was going to go and it sure did surprise me. The different perspectives of the characters it made it more interesting. Rush is set at Ole Miss and follows a fictional sorority Alpha Delta Beta. It’s more than your stereotypical sorority book and worth checking out. Highly recommend!
katieproctorbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I liked the story and the message behind it- that you never know someone’s story until you do. I cared a great deal about the characters and what happened to them, it was entertaining!