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The Book Club for Troublesome Women

A Novel

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The Book Club for Troublesome Women

By: Marie Bostwick
Narrated by: Lisa Flanagan
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USA TODAY BESTSELLER · SOUTHERN INDIE BESTSELLER · A BRENDA NOVAK BOOK GROUP PICK · GLOSS BOOK CLUB PICK · THE GIRLFRIEND BOOK CLUB PICK · A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF 2025 (SheReads) · Margaret never really meant to start a book club . . . or a feminist revolution, for that matter in this bold and plucky novel from New York Times bestselling author Marie Bostwick.

"Ideal for fans of historical fiction and those who enjoyed Bonnie Garmus's Lessons in Chemistry." --Library Journal, starred review

"Readers will cheer." --Kirkus

"Perfect for those who love book club, nostalgia for the 1960s, and stories of female friendship." --Booklist

"A feel-good beach read with . . . elements that spark a revolution." --Southern Review of Books

By 1960s standards, Margaret Ryan is living the American woman's dream. She has a husband, three children, a station wagon, and a home in Concordia--one of Northern Virginia's most exclusive and picturesque suburbs. She has a standing invitation to the neighborhood coffee klatch, and now, thanks to her husband, a new subscription to A Woman's Place--a magazine that tells housewives like Margaret exactly who to be and what to buy. On paper, she has it all. So why doesn't that feel like enough?

Margaret is thrown for a loop when she first meets Charlotte Gustafson, Concordia's newest and most intriguing resident. As an excuse to be in the mysterious Charlotte's orbit, Margaret concocts a book club get-together and invites two other neighborhood women--Bitsy and Viv--to the inaugural meeting. As the women share secrets, cocktails, and their honest reactions to the controversial bestseller The Feminine Mystique, they begin to discover that the American dream they'd been sold isn't all roses and sunshine--and that their secret longing for more is something they share. Nicknaming themselves the Bettys, after Betty Friedan, these four friends have no idea their impromptu club and the books they read together will become the glue that helps them hold fast through tears, triumphs, angst, and arguments--and what will prove to be the most consequential and freeing year of their lives.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women is a humorous, thought provoking, and nostalgic romp through one pivotal and tumultuous American year--as well as an ode to self-discovery, persistence, and the power of sisterhood.

 20th Century Friendship Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Women's Fiction Inspiring Witty Marriage Dream

Critic Reviews

'Bostwick (ESME CAHILL FAILS SPECTACULARLY, 2023) has written another charming, winning novel, perfect for those who love book club, nostalgia for the 1960s, and stories of female friendship.'
'Bostwick's latest is ideal for fans of historical fiction and those who enjoyed Bonnie Garmus's LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY, Kristin Hannah's THE WOMEN, or Kate Quinn's THE BRIAR CLUB, which explore the historical roles of women and the challenges they faced within a society structured to define and limit their roles in and out of the home.'
'In THE BOOK CLUB FOR TROUBLESOME WOMEN, the talented Marie Bostwick says this, 'Acquaintances abound, but true friendships are rare and worth waiting for,' capturing the essence, and the heart, of this story. If you love stories about friendships, strong women, the 60s, and the power of the written word, this is the book for you.'
'Marie Bostwick's latest novel, THE BOOK CLUB FOR TROUBLESOME WOMEN, comes at a time when escape is needed without detaching from reality . . . a feel-good beach read with substance, a sweet, tangy, and smooth complement to the strong, briny elements that spark a revolution.'
'No one writes female friendship like the luminous Marie Bostwick. When a group of friends decide to read Betty Friedan's blockbuster, THE FEMININE MYSTIQUE, the words on the page serve as a rally cry to action for Margaret, Viv, Bitsy, and Charlotte. Long before women were recognized for their contributions and talents, Bostwick carves an unforgettable path for her characters in THE BOOK CLUB FOR TROUBLESOME WOMEN. At its heart, this is a novel about ambitious women and the mentors that inspired them to excellence. This story is a time capsule of what was, which shows us who we are today.'
All stars
Most relevant
Really enjoyed this book. When you look at where we are today it’s hard to believe the way women were treated not that long ago.

Great Read

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I know a lot of people loved The Bookclub for Troublesome Women and there’s no doubt it’s well-written and I enjoyed a lot of it, the historical context, the ambition of the narrative, and the attempt to explore women’s lives during a time of significant social and cultural change. I found myself struggling to connect. The characters never quite came alive for me, they felt more like sketches than fully realised people. Their inner worlds, motivations, and struggles, particularly as women navigating the 1960s, weren’t explored with the depth I was hoping for. Even when the author shifted focus to portray the perspectives of men during that time, it still felt surface-level, more told than shown.

I didn’t feel emotionally pulled into their experiences, nor did their friendships or relationships resonate. There was a sense of distance. The ending tied everything up too neatly where things just fell into place and worked out a little too conveniently. This book had all the ingredients for something powerful, but for me, it just didn’t deliver the depth or resonance I was hoping for.

I wanted to love this book

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