Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick is an historical fiction about women in the 60s, housewives who are finding their way. I loved the four main characters and how they found their way to each other and their book club. They all lived in the newest suburb, a planned community outside Washington DC.
Margaret Ryan, Viv Buschetti, Bitsy Cobb and Charlotte Gustafson all choose to join a book club with each other. They agree that they are going to read The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan. The book is controversial for the time and each of the women feel like they need something more even though according to the popular sentiment – they should be happy. Each magazine, commercial, shared information suggests the women only need more “house things” preferable the newest and best.
Charlotte wants to be a painter; she loves modern art. She can become consumed by her work. Her house is a mess, half unpacked and she has four children and a mostly absent husband.
Viv is a nurse and really wants to work again.. She is married to the nicest man Walt and they have six children. Viv’s gynecologist refuses to give her access to the pill unless her husband comes in and meets with the doctor. However Viv just realizes she is pregnant again.
Bitsy grew up with horses and wants to be a vet; she keeps being turned down to even apply.. Her father helped run a barn in Kentucky and after his sudden death, Bitsy realises she is not going to be able to keep going to school. She marries an older man who is a vet and needs a wife to help him look mature and settled while he starts his new clinic. Meanwhile, Bitsy is working at a local barn with the horses.
Margaret Ryan is a writer. That is all she thinks about, her desire to write. Margaret starts the “book club” that they dub “The Four Bettys” She manages to get a column in a local woman’s magazine only as long as she stays within specific lanes (women, humor, daily life). After she gets her first check, she discovers that she can not open an account without her husband. I have to tell you I was SHOCKED when I found out that women needed their husband to open a bank account!
The book is fabulous. I have to admit I would have been a youngster growing up at the same time, which may have helped that fascination. I so wanted to talk with my mom about it (no longer with us). The connections the women make and the power they realize they can have because of each other is remarkable. I loved how well the book was written and found myself wanting to slow down my reading to enjoy the characters. I really feel Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick is a top read.
