⋙ [PDF] Gratis The Hopefuls A novel Jennifer Close 9781101875612 Books

The Hopefuls A novel Jennifer Close 9781101875612 Books

Download As PDF : The Hopefuls A novel Jennifer Close 9781101875612 Books

The Hopefuls A novel Jennifer Close 9781101875612 Books

Like many, I bought this book after reading the feature in EW magazine. As a 37-year-old academic professional the description sounded right up my alley. Here's the thing: I vacillated during the quick reading between whether I was going to give this 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1 stars. I can't remember a book evoking such a gambit of feelings in me before and that's why, ultimately, I had to choose 5 stars. I could not put this book down; I was hooked from the first page. That, for me, is sign number one of a great read. The second sign is if I have slightly bleary eyes on the last page; I did.

During my reading I came to Amazon to read reviews in all five star categories, and found that I found things I agreed with at each gradient. Yeah, it's essentially true that this book has no real plot. Really, it doesn't. It's a slice of life novel about a few years in the lives of a few couples. At one point I asked myself, "Why am I reading this thing? It has no plot!" And yet I still could not put it down! And then it occurred to me: this is meta voyeurism of the first rate, and I love it! The author herself weaves a lot about reality TV and schlock celeb websites into the narrative and in the end, the reader really is gazing ravenously at the lives of the Dillons and the Kellys. Why I loved that so much, I can't exactly say. I loathe reality programming and I detest celeb gossip. But it's more than that: these people, with all their faults and neuroses, are average people. Maybe that's why I loved (and hated) them.

As to Close's prose, it's top notch. She's just an excellent writer and her characterizations are mundane but realistic. Not every book can be about a Howard Roark or an Agatha Christie. Ayn Rand's Roark is a great character, but I don't identify with him. I don't see myself and my friends in him; I see them in the characters in this novel, for better or worse.


Tags : The Hopefuls: A novel [Jennifer Close] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. A brilliantly funny novel about ambition and marriage from the best-selling author of  Girls in White Dresses,Jennifer Close,The Hopefuls: A novel,Knopf,1101875615,Contemporary Women,Literary,Political,Domestic fiction,FICTION Contemporary Women,Humorous fiction,Married people - Washington (D.C.),Married people;Washington (D.C.);Fiction.,Political culture - Washington (D.C.),Political culture;Washington (D.C.);Fiction.,Political fiction,Washington (D.C.) - Social life and customs - 21st century,Washington (D.C.);Social life and customs;21st century;Fiction.,FICTION Literary,FICTION Political,FICTION Women,Fiction,Fiction - General,FictionPolitical,FictionWomen,Popular American Fiction

The Hopefuls A novel Jennifer Close 9781101875612 Books Reviews

This book was quite a disappointment. The characters were whiny and shallow. Not much of interest happens, and I didn't care about any of the characters. Without giving away the plot, the only reason I gave it two stars was because three quarters of the way through the book, there was some insightful writing. Too bad the author did not work to craft the rest of the book as well as those two chapters. The author has the ability to write well, but unfortunately that does not happen here. Give it a miss.
The Hopefuls is an ok beach read, especially for those who can identify with the neighborhoods where it is set (upper east side Manhattan and Dupont Circle, DC) Although I wasn’t able to identify with any of the characters, I did walk away with one significant line I’ve shared with others - You are a person who let’s things happen to you.
And that sort of sums up the plot. The main character really lacks initiative. She follows her man wherever he goes and is always waiting for things to change.
This book has some serious moments, but overall was a fairly light and quick read, told in a pretty authentic first-person style that was easy to engage with.

This book had a lot that I could identify with I interned in DC around the time the book begins, and I found the book to reasonably capture the environment of young strivers working to make it there (it also reinforced my distaste for endless networking, which is a big reason why i don't work there today). It also contains a reasonably accurate portrayal of the ups and downs of a relatively young marriage, and the impacts of uncertainty about careers and family and how that affects such a marriage.

On the downside, some of the characters were a little one-dimensional, and the treatments of locations (DC, New York, Texas, and Wisconsin) all seemed a little stereotypical. This book instead depends on plot, and in the ways that situations impact people.
While The Hopefuls is set in the political world, it’s not a book about politics. Rather, it’s a book about marriage and friendship set against the backdrop of politics. Beth finds D.C. an odd and unwelcoming place until she and Matt meet the Dillons, another couple who will become their best friends. Beth is an accessible and relatable narrator and her witty commentary about the douche-y D.C. politicos had me chuckling. Maybe it was her pop culture references (including one about Friday Night Lights!) or her propensity to point out D.C. traits I would also find annoying or the fact that she and Matt’s time in NYC coincided with mine, but I felt like she was speaking my language. The Hopefuls also tackles themes that resonated with me making new friends as adults (and navigating the boundaries of said friendships), the nosiness of small towns, and trying to find your footing in a new place.

"Here’s what I still hate about DC the way that nothing is permanent, the feeling that everything and everyone you know, could (and does) wash away every four or eight years. All of these important people, so ingrained in the city—you can’t imagine that this place could exist without them. But one day they’re gone and everything keeps moving just the same. Who can get their footing in a place like this? It feels like quicksand to me."

My only complaint was that the ending wrapped things up a little too nicely, yet didn’t. The question of where the characters end up was answered, but some large issues that figured prominently in the storyline and certainly should have impacted the outcome of the book were left unexplored. Despite the unsatisfying ending, I thoroughly enjoyed the ride (which, as I discussed here, is generally more important to me anyway) and highly recommend The Hopefuls as a light, relatable summer read.

Check out my blog, Sarah's Book Shelves, for more reviews.
Like many, I bought this book after reading the feature in EW magazine. As a 37-year-old academic professional the description sounded right up my alley. Here's the thing I vacillated during the quick reading between whether I was going to give this 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1 stars. I can't remember a book evoking such a gambit of feelings in me before and that's why, ultimately, I had to choose 5 stars. I could not put this book down; I was hooked from the first page. That, for me, is sign number one of a great read. The second sign is if I have slightly bleary eyes on the last page; I did.

During my reading I came to to read reviews in all five star categories, and found that I found things I agreed with at each gradient. Yeah, it's essentially true that this book has no real plot. Really, it doesn't. It's a slice of life novel about a few years in the lives of a few couples. At one point I asked myself, "Why am I reading this thing? It has no plot!" And yet I still could not put it down! And then it occurred to me this is meta voyeurism of the first rate, and I love it! The author herself weaves a lot about reality TV and schlock celeb websites into the narrative and in the end, the reader really is gazing ravenously at the lives of the Dillons and the Kellys. Why I loved that so much, I can't exactly say. I loathe reality programming and I detest celeb gossip. But it's more than that these people, with all their faults and neuroses, are average people. Maybe that's why I loved (and hated) them.

As to Close's prose, it's top notch. She's just an excellent writer and her characterizations are mundane but realistic. Not every book can be about a Howard Roark or an Agatha Christie. Ayn Rand's Roark is a great character, but I don't identify with him. I don't see myself and my friends in him; I see them in the characters in this novel, for better or worse.