Mrs. Everything

A Novel

By: Jennifer Weiner

Narrated by: Ari Graynor, Beth Malone

Length: 16 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

In this instant New York Times best seller and “multigenerational narrative that’s nothing short of brilliant” (People), two sisters’ lives from the 1950s to the present are explored as they struggle to find their places - and be true to themselves - in a rapidly evolving world from number one New York Times best-selling author Jennifer Weiner.

Jo and Bethie Kaufman were born into a world full of promise.

Growing up in 1950s Detroit, they live in a perfect “Dick and Jane” house, where their roles in the family are clearly defined. Jo is the tomboy, the bookish rebel with a passion to make the world more fair; Bethie is the pretty, feminine good girl, a would-be star who enjoys the power her beauty confers and dreams of a traditional life.

But the truth ends up looking different from what the girls imagined. Jo and Bethie survive traumas and tragedies. As their lives unfold against the background of free love and Vietnam, Woodstock and women’s lib, Bethie becomes an adventure-loving wild child who dives headlong into the counterculture and is up for anything (except settling down). Meanwhile, Jo becomes a proper young mother in Connecticut, a witness to the changing world instead of a participant. Neither woman inhabits the world she dreams of, nor has a life that feels authentic or brings her joy. Is it too late for the women to finally stake a claim on happily ever after?

In “her most sprawling and intensely personal novel to date” (Entertainment Weekly), Jennifer Weiner tells a “simply unputdownable” (Good Housekeeping) story of two sisters who, with their different dreams and different paths, offer answers to the question: How should a woman be in the world?

©2019 Jennifer Weiner (P)2019 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"Listeners hear about the lives of two sisters through a whimsical performance by Ari Graynor and Beth Malone.... Malone and Graynor put the listener in a dreamlike trance during the story's long flashbacks. The sisters' reflections are engaging, with clear expression of the emotions they felt during disappointing situations." (AudioFile Magazine)

Great walk through modern history.

This story follows the lives of a family from childhood through death. The characters walk us through modern American history with equality issues - sex, race, sexual orientation. It's a witty, entertaining and heart felt story of overcoming adversity and life's trials. I loved it. It was also well performed.

The ending

The ending Is sappy, sentimental and saccharine. It was disappointing. Otherwise it was well done.

Interesting perspectives

A bit tedious at times but I was engaged enough in the characters to want to see where their journeys ended.

Just OK

Too many bad things happening to basically good people...I guess it had a happy ending but not really sure.

An incredible story of women’s relationships!

This book is a gift for the souls of all of the women in my life past, present, and future. This story of two sisters spans over 70 years alternating between each of their perspectives and voices. It’s about how daughters disappoint mothers, how mothers disappoint daughters, how sisters can alternately love and hate each other, ask for and offer forgiveness. It is also about the nature of women’s friendships, betrayals, and romantic feelings for each other. It is about the evolving role of women in our society and the expectations men and other women have for that role and our choices.

I recommend this book as a must read for all of fierce and fabulous women in my life. I was sobbing by the end as I finished this morning and I know this story will stay with me for a ver long time.

Not what I was expecting

Very long, not my favorite book of Jennifer Weiner’s. Very well written, just not my cup of tea.

Enjoy the ride-

This is a story about a family about hard times and good times. It sounds cliché but it’s very well done. This is not the type of book that you want to sit down and read in two days. You want to enjoy it and become immersed in these peoples lives. Very well done! Also I felt like the book up better and better as you kept reading

Excellent

The story covers different generations, many important topics, VERY important women/family topics.
I did research on women and work/career. Super interesting book. Loved it. Such a good book. I am picky about books- this is great.
Enjoyed the topics covered in a funny, real way.
A must read.
Take away:
Everyone has to be true to themselves and love who they really love. Do what they love whether its working on a career, stay at home mom, or a combo of it. Or no kids at all.
True to yourself.

very good read

enjoyed this book very much. have never been disappointed with her books. good story line.

A retrospective of the times

Struggled with parts of the book, but interesting story of women's roles and what has changed and what has not!