30-something womanhood represented and examined

30-something womanhood represented and examined, hits a nerve. At least, it hit a nerve with me. Though I'm a mum, Olive really did strike a chord. Olive herself - a successful career in the writing she loves, with lifelong close friends, the story picks up just after Olive's relationship of nine years breaks down - Jacob wants children, Olive has always been adamant that they are not for her. Olive proceeds to examine her own motivations, history and reasons for this, all the while attempting to move on and keep her friendship going with the old schoolfriends navigating their own life changes and problems - pregnancies, motherhood, relationship worries. It's all very convincingly portrayed - I don't personally have a close-knit circle of female friends that I turn to in times of need, but I recognised the 'sisterhood' and connection, as well as the obstacles and emotional traumas they each reveal to us. This shows the contemporary lives of women as what they really are: messy, complicated, a veneer of perfection smoothing over the undercurrent of strain, boredom and human frailty. Olive is never less than empathetic, she isn't perfect herself, sometimes too self-centred, rude or liable to wallow in self-pity. So who doesn't find themselves in this role sometimes? The group of friends will contain someone that you find reminds you of of yourself and your own lives and issues. I liked the snippets and reminders of Olive's younger self, as she and friends finish University, begin to explore the world of work, worry about pregnancy scares, and slowly start to show the signs of growing up and becoming the women we see in new roles a decade later. Olive explores the issues of childfree living, both for herself but also for her readers (meaning us as well as those of her publication), in some both funny and quite affecting scenes - attitudes and characters will amuse, annoy, even outrage in their turn. Personally, it's an issue I was rather interested in, having children, seeing the decision from Olive's perspective reminded me very strongly of how different life was, and could be... and I very much liked how Gannon concluded with her protagonist at the close. Perfect for audiobook, I'm really glad I listened to this, having Olive talking to me was a perfect choice for a story with a narrator sharing so much of her thought process with her readers. The narrator excelled at her voice as well, I slipped straight into her voice and it seamlessly swept from friend to friend. I didn't expect this to hit home the way it did. And I might even go as far to say I'd read it again, which I don't say very often at all. Recommended, for those who would call Olive a contemporary especially, both for younger women looking ahead at choices they still have time to consider, and for older readers who might want to step inside the shoes still finding their path to contentment with life. With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.

5 people found this helpful

Brilliant book

Enjoyed Olive from start to end. Such a delicate topic so thoughtfully and well written. Very much recommend!

2 people found this helpful

Thank you

In an increasingly modern world where pretty much anything goes, with people at last beginning to be able to openly live, love and identify in which ever way feels natural to them, this subject matter continues to be a stubborn taboo. Thank you Emma Gannon for taking a leap of faith and writing an entire book about it, I loved it.

2 people found this helpful

Modern day tale of the tribulations of adulthood

It is safe to say that, as a mid 50s male, I am probably not in the target demographic for this first novel by multi talented journalist / speaker / blogger / selg help guru Emma Gannon. In this book, Gannon tells the story of a group of 30 something woman who have stuck together through thick and thin and have now reached crossroads in their lives. There are some interesting themes explored here including motherhood, relationships and friendship. The characters are strong and there are some interesting story lines and issues are tackled sensitively. This book would also be an excellent basis for a film adaptation. I really enjoyed this. 5 stars.

2 people found this helpful

Repetitive and dull

I gave up before the end. The narrator did a reasonable job with a poor script. I just couldn't bear listening to all the ways life is unfair to women who choose not to have children. I get it but as the main theme it was boring. It did focus on her friends issues with children and fertility but yet again was another area to compare her choices with theirs and justify her position. Could have written the whole thing in 1000 words.

1 person found this helpful

Just fabulous

Bravo Emma Gannon What a wonderful read. Thanks for dealing with this subject it’s something very close to my heart. I can’t wait to read your future work.

1 person found this helpful

Wow

Ive never read a book that deals with this subject before. It was stunning! I’m so impressed! I’m pregnant and found the points of view so interesting particularly the different choices that friends can make. The ending was also perfect!

1 person found this helpful

I absolutely loved this book

This book spoke to me and I am grateful to Emma for writing it. Thank you.

1 person found this helpful

A heart warming read.

Loved every word! A story with a difference and a great narrator as well. listened to the entire book in 3 days and couldn't put it away!

1 person found this helpful

Just Perfectly Olive.

This book really touched me. Something I really wasn’t expecting. I’m uncertain about whether I will decide to have children or end up child free, but feel like this is definitely a conversation and decision more people are considering rather than just doing due to societal norms. It’s confirmed all my own thoughts and personal feelings on the pressures women face around having children. Something I’ve already experienced my self and so felt so connected to some of Olive’s experiences, and I was eye rolling away. The grooming side in my childhood made me think throughout that she would end up finding the right man, and settle down and have children eventually. I was thinking what I hate others for saying to me! Because that’s what’s ingrained in us all. I was desperate for her to just be herself and to hold true to her own beliefs of not wanting kids and holding onto what she wanted and not what everyone else thought she should want. She of course ended up being the superhero I didn’t know I needed. Olive is an inspiration, as is Emma the author behind her.