Why, why, why was Kate so negative about being a stay-at-home mom? She made it sound like drudgery. Where were the happy times? The loving times? Marah was a screaming colicky baby who turned into a selfish brat. The boys were always described as wild and unruly. This book is NOT a good one to read if you are considering staying home with your baby! My experience as a stay-at-home mom was nothing like Kate's. If I had been as unhappy as Kate appeared to be, I would have just gotten a job. She didn't seem to enjoy anything - even as she was trying to do everything. Yes, it is a busy and hectic life, but there is the joy of being able to spend every day with your kids that is not evident in this book.
That being said, I liked the book. I'm not sure why the loving mother always has to die in the end, while the selfish best friend gets a ready-made family that she doesn't deserve (think Beaches), but I cried along with everyone else. The characters were well described and always acted within the scope of their personality. I wasn't a huge fan of Tully, but I was able to understand why she was so important to Kate. I actually disliked her whenever she stood with Marah against Kate, and one of my favorite paragraphs in the book was when Mrs. M told her she needed to make things right with Kate.
So, some questions to ponder:
1) Would you have forgiven Tully for her live show about domineering/controlling mothers and the daughters who hate them?
2) Do you believe that Kate was Johnny's "second choice" - or do you think that Johnny truly loved Kate more than Tully when he married Kate?
3) Do you think that Tully will end up with Johnny? Do you think that Johnny would ever allow that to happen?
I really like that his was a novel with an important message about breast cancer. It's good to spread the word any way you can.
My thoughts on the above questions:
1) I would have had a difficult time forgiving Tully. I mean how many times does one person have to put themselves out there for another - with minimal in return? You can excuse Tully and her actions for only so long. She had a horrible mother, BUT she had a loving, supportive grandmother and a loving, supportive family who took her in and treated her like part of the family. She had good role models! Maybe she had a good reason for not understanding the mother/daughter relationship, but that doesn't excuse her for every other type of relationship. Even Luke truly loved her! I would have probably reached out to Tully one more time (like Kate did) if I was on my death bed though. I would want to say goodbye. I liked how Kate was not shy about telling Tully what a selfish bitch she was at the end too. That makes Kate less of a doormat.
2) I believe that Johnny loved Kate, although I certainly understood Kate's insecurities. It would be hard to have a friend like Tully: beautiful, vivacious, fearless, rich. Anyone would feel like a dumpy housewife compare to her. But, to Johnny's credit, he never gave Kate a reason to doubt him.
3) I don't think Johnny would allow anything to happen between himself and Tully after Kate's death - out of love and respect for Kate, and simply because of who Tully was as a person. It annoys me that Tully will be Marah's primary female role model though.
Wendy's Rating: ****
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