I really enjoyed Zoe Whittall's 2017 novel The Best Kind of People and though I wasn't totally sold on the description of her new book The Spectacular, I loved how she tackled difficult topics. As I'm behind on reading my review copies, and MK has already reviewed the book, I got the audiobook from the library.

The book's description states, "The Spectacular is a multi-generational story exploring sexuality, gender and the weight of reproductive freedoms". So the novel is pretty timely, but the story starts in 1997 and then shifts back and forth, going back as far as the 1920s, before fast-forwarding to 2013 in the second part. It is also told from the perspective of 3 women: Missy is the main female character, but the story often shifts to her mother Carola in alternating titles. Then there are 7 chapters at the end of part 1 that features Ruth, Missy's paternal grandmother. Their stories intersect and diverge in the various issues facing women no matter the time period and the choices available to them given their time period. Some of the issues trickle down the generations because of the choices made by each of the women.

The shifting time periods and character POVs were a little difficult to follow with the audiobook. I think it was more the shifting time periods as each character has her own voice actress making it easy to distinguish between the women.

I felt there was too much time spent on the past, and I struggled to get through part 1. Missy's chapters were a bit too much "sex, drugs, and rock'n'roll" (in Missy's case it is Indie Rock). The book opens with her at a planned parenthood type clinic seeking a tubal ligation (she wants her tubes tied). She wants to party as hard as her male bandmates and doesn't want to be hindered by the possible consequences that her bandmates don't face. However, she is only 21 and all the doctors think she will change her mind later in life about wanting children.

To tell you the truth, I didn't connect with any of the characters and that made it more difficult to enthusiastically embrace the novel. I did start to like them more in part 2 and wish that section had been longer and more of the focus of the story. I think that I could have appreciated where life led them without so many of the details and I enjoyed how they dealt with the choices they had made.

As MK said in her review, Missy and Carola do experience a great deal of character growth. As someone who prefers character-driven novels, I appreciated the amount of growth and being able to see the entire arc.

Though I don't think it was really my type of story, Whittall does another great job of exploring issues of motherhood and being a woman in general. Whittal doesn't shy away from the complexities and messiness of these issues. Instead, she fully embraces it. I think this would make an excellent book for discussion so if you are in a book club make sure this book is on your recommendation list.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Saturday, Oct. 16 - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2021/10/the-spectacular-by-zoe-whittall.html

The Spectacular by Zoe Whittall is a very interesting story about what it means to be a mother, a daughter and a partner. The main characters all have a lot of depth and the writing is very fluid. Sometimes, the transitions between the different time periods and the different characters were difficult to follow. However, the story was worth the effort. It was refreshing to see characters who were not "good" or "bad", who struggled with their morality (or didn't) and who were able to gain perspective with age (or not). Well done and highly recommended.

The Spectacular by Zoe Whittall is a literary fiction novel following the complicated web between three generations of strong women, from cello concerts in the U.S. to the shores of Turkey. The absolute best part of this novel was Whithall's writing, which sung from the page and kept my attention at every turn.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this title. Overall, I enjoyed this story of three generations of women facing the choice of motherhood in very different circumstances. Perhaps due to my age, I found Missy's story to be the most compelling and at times I felt like I was forcing myself through Carola's sections to get back to Missy's story. That resolved in the latter half of the book, where I enjoyed them equally.

I was invited by Netgalley and the publisher to read an advanced copy of this new release, and I downloaded it immediately. The cover alone made me want to read it, and then I read the description. With one quick skim, I knew that I would enjoy it. The first sentence started with, “Three generations of women…” and that instantly grabbed my attention. I fully believe that The Spectacular will be one of those books with extremely mixed reviews. This is definitely a “love or hate” novel. I adored it to pieces, but I’m not surprised as it includes so many components that I appreciate in a novel:
- complex mother/daughter relationships
- realistic main characters full of flaws and grit
- memorable supporting characters
- themes of motherhood, family, friendship, sexuality, gender, illness, and toxic relationships
- shocking surprises along the way
Let me tell you, this book was jam-packed. Between the three women, there was a lot going on, and so much to unpack. I definitely recommend it, but with caution because I know that this book won’t work for everyone. If you and I have aligned with multiple books in the past, then please give it a go, and be sure to report back! 4/5 intriguing stars for The Spectacular!

This is the story about the lives of three women, each in different stages of their lives. As Missy, Carola, and Ruth tell their life stories I found I related to and could see parts of myself in each of them. The book was a fast read and I did not want to put the book down. These women are not perfect and they have plenty of flaws and make plenty of mistakes. In other words, they are human! Their honest thoughts and actions were so refreshing! Women so rarely live the life they want to live, but instead they live what is expected of them by society. To hear voices that were not afraid to choose the path they wanted was motivating! We can choose this at any time in our life, it doesn't matter what has happened in our past.

I would have liked to hear more about Ruth, but I understand this story is primarily about Carola and Missy. While it isn't necessarily a mother-daughter relationship book, their relationship is a big part of the story and I appreciated their maturity and journey together.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

A gorgeous plot, beautifully rendered by Zoe Whittall. Reminded me ever so slightly of Daisy Jones & the Six, in the best ways. Thought-provoking and page-turning....I loved it!

This is a story about three generations of women, each with their own ideas about life and motherhood. Missy, a musician lives life on her own terms. She spent her early life with her parents on a commune. Her mother Carola, aka Juniper left her when she was twelve. Her paternal grandmother fled Turkey with her husband and his mistress for a safer life in Canada. Each of these women struggle with motherhood, and the author goes into a lot of depth on how their backgrounds and generations affected their life decisions.

Also reviewed on Kobo under the name IrishEyes430

In 1997, 22-year-old Missy Alamo is living the dream as an up-and-coming performer in a rock band, but she is struggling to find meaning in what she’s doing. Raised in a commune, deserted by her mother Carola, also known as Juniper, Missy has been living in the moment when she decides she wants to have a baby.

Carola is stunned when the guru at her yoga retreat turns out to be a predator, and she takes off, following a pattern of behavior that has worked well for her throughout her life. Her young life was marked by an alcoholic and threatening father, a mother who tried to be the buffer, and a sister who was their father’s staunchest defender.

I had a hard time with this book. I felt the switching back and forth, with the first person perspective, kept breaking up any continuity with the storyline, although the chapters are labeled with the character’s name. I couldn’t really relate to anyone, and that made for a difficult read. There was a lot of sadness and tragedy in the book, and I found The Spectacular to be a depressing read.

The Spectacular follows three generations of women and is told through their points of view. We follow Ruth, a woman who emigrates to Canada during the Occupation of Smyrna, her daughter-in-law, Carola, who trades married life and motherhood on a hippie compound for an ashram, and the daughter Carola left behind, Missy, who tours the country as a punk rock cellist . Themes of gender and sexuality, strong women, and challenging family dynamics prevail throughout. All three women strive to live their lives according to what they know to be true rather than measure themselves against society's yardstick. This novel dares to tackle maternal ambivalence and the full spectrum of maternal emotion through its headstrong characters. I'd like to have dinner with all of them (no maybe not all at once)!

Told from multiple POV this book certainly hits a chord with its readers. The whole idea behind feelings other than joy and happiness as it pertains to motherhood is definitely going to ruffle a lot of feathers in a society that deems those feeling unacceptable and not ones that should be shared ... even in a fictional novel. As a mom to three kids myself I was off put with some aspects of the this novel, but I did sincerely enjoy her writing and flow. Thanks so much for the chance to read this book!

In 1997, Missy is the 21-year-old cellist for an indie rock band. She parties hard every night and plays the song about being abandoned by her mother that helped make the band famous. That mother, Carola, was recovering from a sex scandal at the yoga center where she lives when she sees Missy on the cover of a magazine. Carola's 83-year-old mother-in-law Ruth wants all the stubborn women of her family to reconnect.

We meet Missy asking for a tubal ligation, which no doctor is willing to give her because she's 21. They cite her youth and the potential to change her mind and want children if she meets the right man, never mind that she's into casual sex and drugs as part of the rock and roll scene. Carola was in one community after another, seeking escape from herself and release from the responsibility that giving herself over to a cult leader can bring. Carola's mother excused a volatile husband, secretly looked into feminist ideas, and hid everything behind a veneer of cleanliness, religion, and traditional feminine values. Missy's paternal grandmother did the same to a point, but took her future into her own hands, and wanted to get the women to speak to each other again before she died.

Years later, Missy is married and in an emotional seesaw as she contemplates motherhood, a failing marriage, and her career. She isn't doing drugs or interested in the party scene anymore. Carola's still involved in retreats and doubts her ability to be a mother even though she can give great advice to people. It feels like they're recycling the same problems and issues that they had when younger, and are stuck in the same groove. The emotional seesaw is different as they've aged, however.

Time has a way of smoothing things out a bit, and that gives distance from the intensity of youth. The love, relationships, emotional walls, and self-actualization occur when they open themselves up to the risk of getting hurt. Losses, whether from deaths, others committing suicide, or emotional distance, still occur; life is like that more often than not. But leaning on people for help isn't a weakness, and setting boundaries is just as important as the connections that people make. All of it is a choice, and this novel shows how the choices women make can have resounding effects not just for themselves, but for others around them. Embracing those choices and the people in their lives is the point in life, and I feel proud of Missy and Carola for their growth throughout this book.

Though it was a slow start for me, as the book progressed I became more and more interested in the characters and I looked forward to discovering how their stories unfolded and overlapped. I always love multigenerational stories and this one did not disappoint, revolving around the themes of motherhood and acceptance. It was messy and complicated, just like real life. I loved the way Missy evolved throughout the story, a complex and flawed character who was easy to connect with. I wanted to forgive Carola, but I never was able to fully get there. And I really enjoyed Ruth’s story but it felt unfinished to me and I would have liked to have gotten to know her younger self more in-depth.

Whittall is a talented writer. I found myself highlighting sentences throughout the book as they were so beautifully crafted. I look forward to reading more of Whittall’s books.

My thanks to NetGalley for an Advanced Readers Copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in any way.

Through the lives of three generations of women, the story of a woman's rights to her own body are explored. Each generation faced different issues about their own sexuality and reproductive rights. My guess would be that Texas legislators will not like this book at all. I'll admit I wasn't a super fan of any of the characters in the book. I felt they were all drawn with too sharp of edges. Where there was warmth of character it was fleeting and hard to uncover. But, I did like the overall story and perhaps we need characters like this to present stories like these? Women don't have to be liked to respect their decisions. And that is the central theme of the story. Thankfully, Whittall expresses all this in a much more palatable way than I feel like I am doing in my review.

A multigenerational story of three women that focuses on motherhood, specifically that motherhood is not for every woman. Missy, a free spirit in a touring band, whose own mother left her, wants to have her tubes tied as a young woman. Carola, her mother, lives in an ashram, seems to be seeking personal happiness. Ruth, Missy’s father’s mother, steps in to help raise Missy. All three tell their own story.
Although I enjoyed reading this book I could not connect with any of the three women. The one I was most drawn to was Missy. She had the strongest personality, and I could sympathize with the path she took, seemingly trying to fill the hole in her life caused by her mother’s absence. The strongest part of the book for me were the depictions of the band’s touring and the interplay between the members of the band. I loved Tom’s perceived role as Missy’s emotional support friend. I had such hopes for them both. Carola never came to life for me. I could not connect with her on any level.
I have to admit that once the band stopped touring my interest waned. I struggled with Missy’s tortured relationships and Carola’s efforts to reconnect with Missy. The sparkle was gone for me.
Many thanks to Zoe Whittall, Harper Avenue, and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to read an arc of this recently published book.

This was a very unique take on a generational novel. The main characters that tell the story are Missy, her mother Carola, & the grandmother (which is Carola's mother-in-law) Ruth. It starts in 1997 with each chapter told through Missy & Carola. Then the middle is a brief telling by Ruth which leads to the leap to 2013. Then we are back to being told the story through Missy & Carola. I thought this was well done & not confusing in the least. The connections were pretty smooth & easy to follow the timeline. This is a great read but be forewarned that there are some possible trigger topics in this novel (drug use, alcohol, abortion, abandonment).

Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for advanced copy in exchange for honest review

Should You Have Children?

This novel uses the lives of three generations of related women to explore the important idea of whether you should have children. Missy is the only female member of a band. At twenty-two she’s partying as hard as any of the men until she finds herself alone in a hotel room in Vancouver and pregnant.

Carola is Missy’s mother. She left the family when Missy was a child to live her own life of free love. She sees Missy’s picture on a music magazine. Being involved in a sex scandal at the ashram where she’s been living gives her an impetus to think about her daughter.

Ruth is the grandmother. When Missy crashes with her, she decides that it’s time for the women in the family to get to know and hopefully begin to understand each other.

The novel is divided into two parts: the first in 1997 when Missy and her mother meet after ten years. An obvious discussion arises about the desire to have children and what is owed to the children you bring into the world. The second half takes place in 2013. Now Missy wants to have a child, but she’s looking a her biological clock and worrying.

I found the characters in this book hard to connect with. Missy seemed too childish and brash. Carola is not a character I could sympathize with although I grew up in her generation. She didn’t seem that real. Ruth was more likable, but hers wasn’t the main story. I think the question posed by the novel is important, but the characters didn’t carry it for me.

I received this book from Ballantine Books for this review.

This review is a bit different than most! As part of my First Line Frenzy series, I parsed the first line of The Spectacular, using that as a jumping-off point to share my thoughts on the book in general.

The Spectacular follows three generations of women in a wholly unique, unconventional family. Themes of motherhood, sexual empowerment, complex family dynamics, and self-realization are threaded throughout. Line 1 ("I fought my way through the group of protesters, my eyes liquefied from the cold wind.") introduces Missy, the youngest narrator at twenty-two. Far from the vapid, sassy voice you might expect from a twentysomething musician touring with her indie rock band, Missy's voice is provocative, ambitious, and seeking; she's full of desire and fear and bravery and fire -- and somehow, Whittall distills a lot of that characterization in the very first line. How? I'm glad you asked.
...
Strong verbs. Missy doesn't move through the crowd, whispering "excuse me" and waiting for people to get out of her way. She "fights her way" through -- Missy vs The World. This won't be the last time you see Missy relying on aggression to forge her path.
...
"...eyes liquefied from the cold wind" is startling and evocative, yes -- but it also activates a key theme in the story. These women are battling not only society (i.e., moving through the crowd of protesters), but the very fabric of culture. Culture, like wind, is often felt before it's seen; in The Spectacular, misogyny, heteronormativity, patriarchy... these ideas are buffeting our narrators from all sides. Missy, her mother and grandmother are constantly leaning into the wind, fighting for every step forward. It starts in line 1, which is damn impressive writing craft.
...
Thank you to Ballantine Books for the gifted copy.

The evolution and change of these real people was fluid and what life really looks like at least to me.

We orbit through three generations of women's lives, through their choices, needs, wants, mistakes, hopes, dreams, pain, misery, growth and evolution to the next steps on their path.

How to even describe Ruth, Carola, and Melissa (Ruth, Juniper and Missy). They each struggled in their relationships and marriages and were taken advantage of or taken care of going into the next relationships. They were each strong independent women until they were not. They each had such strong ideas of the world and their path, then life experiences and change made those ideas different.

The decisions that these women could and could not make with their own lives and bodies because they are women is an ongoing struggle and fight in this country (I am looking at you Texas!) and the world.

I enjoyed the relationships in this book though some were heartbreaking, some found their love the second time around, it's ok to not work together, it isn't a failure. People change there is only one life you can move on and be friends but cmon dont cheat!

I loved Missy's timeline for how strong she was and her encounter with Andie and how that changed her outlook on her sexuality. How she started off wanting an abortion than in her 40's wanting a baby. I will tell you hormones are crazy. (I thought breastfeeding sounded gross in a new mom class one weekend, then a few days later my 1st came a month early and I got a rush of new hormones and mama bear deep voice whipped my boob out and said give her to me, my tiny 3 pd baby). Not every woman can be or wants to be a mother. Sometimes it's overwhelming emotionally or financially.

I felt these 3 women's pain across their timelines, their need for connection, their need to run away but want to be found, I wanted to slap all the men they chose to be with.

Thank you randomhouse and netgalley for the e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.

“That was why it was so weird when she left, out of all the adults. Most of them taking off wouldn’t have been that strange in the grand scheme of things. But my mom, Juniper, she was the one who knew about the world and seemed to care about our well-being the most. Why would the one who was the most invested drop off the face of the earth and never come back, or call, or write, or somehow check in to see if we were okay? Didn’t she ever wonder how we turned out?

Sometimes I fantasized that she had hit her head and had amnesia, like on the soaps I watched with Granny after school in grade eight. Or she had a brain worm and it made her crazy and she thought her name was Brenda and she worked in a shoe store somewhere in Alabama. Maybe she got lost in the woods and became feral.

Then one day in my first year of university I was on the subway, and a kid was screaming and throwing his food on everyone and the mom was shushing uselessly at him, and I thought Oh, oh, this is why. Being a parent is actually a black hole of never-ending sorrow and boredom and maybe that’s why she left.“
Forthcoming release “The Spectacular” by Zoe Whittall is a brutal, rock and roll kind of a book. Missy, born on a commune and abandoned by her mother when she is a tween, is a bit of a dirt-bag rockstar, unable to truly connect or commit to anyone or anything in her life. She is a Riot Grrrl, a Carrie Brownstein-esque character who is simultaneously hard to love and hard to resist.

Summed up in one word, “The Spectacular” is a novel about wanting. In fact, want is likely the most ubiquitous word in the book. Missy bares her wanting shamelessly, achingly, and with a rawness that almost hurts.

“At twenty-one, I wanted the richness of the present moment, and that was all. Why not be loud about it? Being demure is for suckers.”

“I want to cross the country with the freedom of any man my age. I want to experience every spectacular, vivid detail of life on the road, to play our best songs, to jump out into the crowds, to fly on top of their outstretched fingers, to kick one leg in the air during the endless final solos, to be grabbed and kissed by the life of it all, to have a great time.”

“I want to look like a girl, but I want the freedom to act like a guy. This makes me unlikable, but have you ever remembered a likable person? Especially likable, easygoing women. Women who say things like whatever you want is fine and agree with everything men say. They’re a dime a faceless dozen. They blur together.”

Zoe Whittall writes with a brutal rawness and a simplicity of language that pulls no punches and has little patience for poetic embellishments or rose-colored glasses. If the punk scene, struggles with identity, or the rockstar life are motifs that call your name, this book is for you.

Thank you to Ballantine, an imprint of Random House, for providing an Advanced Readers Copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.