Admission

By: Jean Hanff Korelitz

Narrated by: Colleen Werthmann

From the New York Times bestselling author of You Should Have Known (adapted as The Undoing on HBO), comes a page-turner about a college admissions officer with a secret—now a major motion picture starring Tina Fey and Paul Rudd.

For years, 38-year-old Portia Nathan has avoided the past, hiding behind her busy (and sometimes punishing) career as a Princeton University admissions officer and her dependable domestic life. Her reluctance to confront the truth is suddenly overwhelmed by the resurfacing of a life-altering decision, and Portia is faced with an extraordinary test. Just as thousands of the nation's brightest students await her decision regarding their academic admission, so too must Portia decide whether to make her own ultimate admission.

Admission is a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the complex college admissions process and an emotional examination of what happens when the secrets of the past shake a woman's life to its core.

A good story

Lots of potential and an interesting plot but ultimately the main character remains underdeveloped and there story doesn’t have any sort of satisfying climax or resolution.

Another surprise

I love all of these Korelitz books which hold
A twist and are thoroughly engaging. Bravo
Having lived in Princeton it is also a walk
Down memory lane

Admissions Officer faced with a conflict.

38-year-old Portia Nathan has avoided the past, hiding behind her busy (and sometimes punishing) career as a Princeton University admissions officer and
her dependable domestic life. Her reluctance to confront the truth is suddenly overwhelmed by the resurfacing of a life-altering decision, and Portia is
faced with an extraordinary test. Just as thousands of the nation's brightest students await her decision regarding their academic admission, so too must
Portia decide whether to make her own ultimate admission. Admission is at once a fascinating look at the complex college admissions process and an emotional
examination of what happens when the secrets of the past return and shake a woman's life to its core.

Beautifully written

The author is skilled at developing characters and enticing the reader into the story. A wonderful read. The narrator’s voice is appealing.

Entertaining listen, a bit slow in parts

What did you love best about Admission?

The insight into college admissions -- it was an interesting hook for the book and gave a real sense for the pressures experienced by admissions officers. It's interesting to watch Portia Nathan grow from an "adult" who had cut off so much of her emotional life into a person who is ready for a more rewarding chapter, even though her actions may not be morally defensible. It's amazing how much a person can repress.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Admission?

Portia's decision at the end turned her into a "parent" who was more extreme than any of the parents she criticized.

What does Colleen Werthmann bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I wish the narrator would have correctly pronounced Bryn Mawr!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It was a tear jerker, for sure.