It's just barely possible that people who bought Judy Blume's "Smart Women" might have a case if they sued for false advertising.
Because none of the women in this supposedly grown-up love story is particularly smart. There's BB, whose epic temper tantrum on receiving the news that her ex-husband is moving to Boulder to be closer to their pre-teen daughter sets up her response to virtually every bump in the road. BB is capricious, controlling, and bitchy. She inexplicably asks her acquaintance, Margo, to help find a suitable apartment for him. (Okay, there's an explanation -- Blume needs to set up the emotional triangle, and to do it quickly, because there's not much else going on up to that point except mother-daughter sniping.) And when Mr. Ex comes over one evening to find Margo soaking in her hot tub, he promptly drops trou and climbs in. At which point a truly Smart Woman would have called 911.
There's also Clare, whose mutual friendship with Margo and BB sort of sets things into motion. Clare has her own marital oddity -- a wealthy husband from whom she is not quite divorced ("when you have lots of money, it's complicated") and a daughter named Puffin. Seriously. Puffin. No wonder the kid makes a monumental, life-altering mistake -- but don't worry, it's dealt with in three pages and never really mentioned again. The not-quite-ex husband also proves useful, plugging up a minor plot hole near the end.
The whole thing is tedious and overwrought and can't decide whether it wants to be about the adults' let's-change-partners-and-dance antics or about the assorted teen and pre-teen children, trying to deal with the emotional fall-out of adults acting childishly and children trying to be adults too soon.
Because none of the women in this supposedly grown-up love story is particularly smart. There's BB, whose epic temper tantrum on receiving the news that her ex-husband is moving to Boulder to be closer to their pre-teen daughter sets up her response to virtually every bump in the road. BB is capricious, controlling, and bitchy. She inexplicably asks her acquaintance, Margo, to help find a suitable apartment for him. (Okay, there's an explanation -- Blume needs to set up the emotional triangle, and to do it quickly, because there's not much else going on up to that point except mother-daughter sniping.) And when Mr. Ex comes over one evening to find Margo soaking in her hot tub, he promptly drops trou and climbs in. At which point a truly Smart Woman would have called 911.
There's also Clare, whose mutual friendship with Margo and BB sort of sets things into motion. Clare has her own marital oddity -- a wealthy husband from whom she is not quite divorced ("when you have lots of money, it's complicated") and a daughter named Puffin. Seriously. Puffin. No wonder the kid makes a monumental, life-altering mistake -- but don't worry, it's dealt with in three pages and never really mentioned again. The not-quite-ex husband also proves useful, plugging up a minor plot hole near the end.
The whole thing is tedious and overwrought and can't decide whether it wants to be about the adults' let's-change-partners-and-dance antics or about the assorted teen and pre-teen children, trying to deal with the emotional fall-out of adults acting childishly and children trying to be adults too soon.
Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details
