It seemed a bit strange to read things I remember from my past as a historical novel. Although McCarthyism and its blacklisting of writers, actors and movie people was something I recall living through it did not have the same impact on my life that it does on the characters in The Trouble with You.

Fanny Fabricant is happily married to Max, a newly minted doctor. She is the mother of five-year-old Chloe. Max returns safely after the war but dies unexpectedly from a brain aneurism. Fanny is unprepared to earn a living to support herself and her child. With help from her left-leaning seamstress Aunt Rose, she gets a job as secretary to a soap opera writer. What is so interesting is the hide-bound nature of feminine and masculine roles in this era. Women may work until they are married, then must be housewives and mothers. Although McCarthyism and its blacklisting of writers, actors and movie people was something I remember, it did not have the same impact on my life that it does on the characters in The Trouble with You. (My mother worked outside the home and it was not considered unusual.)

There are two men in Fanny’s life: Dr. Ezra and writer Charlie. The Doc has “traditional” values while the writer is more open minded. Who will Fanny choose? Lives are upended in the Congressional hunt for “Commies” and drastic methods must be undertaken for economic survival after blacklisting by the HUAC cause loss of careers.

This is a very well written book, as you would expect of Ellen Feldman. It’s an almost Five Star review except for the peripheral character, who are wooden and two dimensional. Not so Fanny Fabricant. She is real and relatable.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC copy.

I appreciate the ARC of The Trouble with You. Although I think the title is unfortunate. It's the story of a war widow/single mom who is stuck in the age when a woman's place is in her home (even though she went to Barnard for her education)...and being an independent women striking out on her own. Like--I have a job.
She works for a woman soap writer as a secretary and soon gets caught up in the world of blacklisted artists/writers and a potential romance with a Doctor. He's old-fashioned and her world is exciting.

It's a very fast read but it's as if Fanny is two different women. Which I didn't care for.

I love WW2 fiction, but haven’t read too many books focused on the post-war period. I enjoyed reading Fanny’s transition from a traditional stay at home mom to finding her voice and purpose in her personal and work life. It captured the changing times in an engaging way — kept me coming back for more!

With "The Trouble With You," Ellen Feldman returns to the Cold War terrain of what to me is her best novel, "The Unwitting." And just as in that earlier novel, in which much of the trouble for the female protagonist arises from her husband, Charlie, an editor for a literary magazine, here too much of the trouble for the chief female character, a typist for an agency producing scripts for daytime serials who has aspirations to write scripts herself, arises from a scriptwriter named Charlie who for all his skill at what he does comes to be blacklisted. A solution, though, that he comes up with is for her to “front” for him, submitting scripts under her name that were actually written by him, something which, for all her reservations at first, she finally goes along with despite the obvious risks for her.
All to the good for me, with how as I say was taken enough with the similarly-themed “The Unwitting” to have read it three times, but something about this one, perhaps the less-immediate third-person point-of-view or perhaps the harder edge of the earlier novel, made it less compelling for me than the earlier one. Still, this one was interesting enough and, as with the earlier novel, especially relevant for me, child of the ‘50s as I am, particularly with its images of rows and rows of children in iron lungs struck down by polio before the arrival of the Salk vaccine, a much-celebrated-victory-over-disease at the time which informs much of my current intense antipathy toward anti-vaxxers. So by all means check out Feldman’s latest if you have any interest in that period, particularly with the writing trade, but if you want to get a real feel for the insidious ways in which the Red Scare affected the publishing industry (Ian McEwan’s “Sweet Tooth” also addressed this) check out “The Unwitting,” which reading "The Trouble With You" made me want to read for still a fourth time. It's that good.

Set in NYC after WWII, this talented author has written a page turner. If I could give this story five stars, I would. Likable characters and unforgettable details keep this story moving. I really liked this book. Fanny starts over with a new life. It is not easy, but she moves on. This is great historical fiction. I could not stop reading until the end. The period after WWII is a common subject, especially set in England. This story set in America is unique in that we join Fanny on her journey during a difficult time in our own nation. This book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review. Thanks to the publisher and gifted author.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's for the opportunity to read The Trouble with You by Ellen Feldman. One of the best books I've read this year. A deft look at women during the 1950’s. Young women of today, without stories like this, may have no idea how much things have changed. We still have a long way to go, but reading this rejuvenates hope.

McCarthyism was an ugly time in our history. We should have learned a lot, but I'm afraid we didn't and fear the ignorance and hatefulness of that period is on the rise once again.

I adored the Trouble with You. Fanny was a woman ahead of her time and her story was inspiring. Chloe, Charlie, and all the characters were believable and were so well written. I am a fan of Ellen Feldman's books and this one is my favorite so far. A great read!

Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy of this book This is my honest opinion.

I have read previous novels by the author, Paris Never Leaves you and the Living and the Lost. Since I liked both of those novels, I was looking forward to her newest. The story takes place just after WWII in NY City. Men are returning from the war to join their families and pick up their lives. Fanny’s Husband returns, but suddenly dies soon after. Fanny is left as a single mother to raise her daughter Chloe. She first gets a job at a department store cosmetics counter, then as an assistant at a radio station that airs soap operas, just don’t call it that. Her support system is her aunt Rose and her prim cousin Mimi. Fanny faces different people at the radio station at the time when everyone is suspected of communism, including a black listed writer.
I couldn’t really get into this novel, found it slow moving, did not hold my interest. I can only rate it 3 stars.

I really enjoyed The Trouble with You by Ellen Feldman. Taking place in post WWII NYC, Fanny is thrilled that her husband has returned safely from the war, until he dies suddenly of an aneurysm and she's left alone to raise their daughter. Realizing she'll need to work she finds a rather unsatisfactory position at a cosmetic counter ina department store which she is fired from, then lands a job as an assistant to a woman who produces radio soap operas. As her career progresses, she has to decide what is right and wrong, not only for herself, but for those she knows who are caught up in McCarthyism and blacklisted. Will supporting them get her blacklisted too? And intriguing look at the world at the time.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

When I got this ARC I was so pleased to have a book by Ellen Feldman to savor on July 4th, but here I am writing this review on July 3rd. I made the mistake of looking at the book and I could not put it down until I finished it! Such a lovely novel and so timely now.

It is the story of Fanny Fabricant who triumphs during a period when everything was stacked against her. “Poor Fanny” lost her husband after he returned from WW II, and left her with a six year old to raise. With the support of her remarkable Aunt Rose, she manages to rebuild her life and become a success as a writer.

Fanny managed to meet men, as well. But, Fanny was ahead of her times and made many brave choices, and became a truly independent woman. I’m so tempted to go into more details, but I want every reader to enjoy the book as I did. I must admit to visualizing a cast for this story when it becomes a film or miniseries. (Okay, Luke Kirby should be Charlie!)

Feldman did her research about the social and political climate of America was during the 1950’s. I must admit to loving the connection to the HUAC and McCarthyism. Obviously, I loved this novel and I can’t wait to share it with book groups. It really has a place in a woman’s studies seminar since it will lead to many fascinating discussions about the roles of wives, mothers and career women.

Thank you Netgalley for this wonderful novel. I highly recommend it and predict it will enthrall many readers.

Thank you to netGalley and St Martin's Griffin for providing me a copy of this book for my honest review.

The book is written during a period after WWII. The main character is Fanny Fabricant, who has a proper up bringing and even went to college and studied English. However, life doesn't always go according to plan. Fanny finds herself a widow and has a girl named Chloe.

Fanny starts to work as a secretary to the Queen radio of soap operas, Alice. Charles Berlin works there as well, and writes the script for the radio program serials. However, politics at place blacklist him.

Fanny is not alone and has friends and family Mimi, also a widow, marries Howard, with daughter Belle, provides advice and Chloe has a close friend. There is Rose, who is always there to provide the proper guidance. Charles likes Fanny but friends tell her be careful..

Fanny, starts getting her life together and starts to move up in the job. She meets a doctor and goes on a date.But starts working closer to Charles.

Fanny is faced with many decisions as she moves forward. The question is does she do as expected, or does she build a life she wants according to her heart.

I found this an excellent book. It moves quickly and you can follow the story. I enjoyed it, so give it a read!I