The Reunion

Secret Mother's Business #2

by JOANNE FEDLER

It's been ages since Jo, Helen, Ereka and CJ first became friends through their mothers' group-back then, life revolved around their small children. Now their kids are pre-teens and teenagers with attitudes, iPods and raging hormones, and life is feeling emptier for some mothers, more liberating for others.While away together in an old country house with a couple of new friends and plenty of wine and food, it's not long before the women are discussing men, marriage and parenting, sharing intimacies and confiding vulnerabilities. Friendships are put on the line as the bonds between them are tested and the weekend takes some unexpected turns.Picking up where the international bestseller Secret Mothers' Business left off, The Reunion is an insightful, funny and often biting novel about the challenges women face as their bodies change, dreams fade and kids grow up. Ultimately it explores what it means to be a good friend, a good person and a good mother-and suggests that all love is about learning to let go.

Paperback

First published April 26, 2012

About the author

Joanne Fedler is an internationally bestselling author and witing mentor. She studied law at Yale and now lives in Australia.

Reviews

[Shelleyrae at Book'd Out · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been six years since the women introduced in Secret Mothers' Business: One Night, Eight Women, No Kids, No Holding Back have managed to get away for a weekend. Not everyone from the original group has been able to make it but Jo, Helen, Ereka and CJ are joined by friends, Maeve, Summer and Virginia in the large rented country house. Over the course of the weekend, the seven women share wine, food, laughter, tears, secrets and truths, as they candidly discuss men, marriage, children, sex, motherhood and growing older and rediscover the value of friendship.

It's Jo who is our hostess on this weekend away though it was her best friend, Helen, who took care of the details. Jo is in her forties, a wife and mother to a 13 year old daughter and 11 year old and has been struggling with her changing role as a parent as her children begin to make a bid for their own independence. A bit of a control freak, evidenced by her strict eating regime, and suffering insomnia from the self induced stress, she is looking forward to a relaxing weekend but her anxieties are never far from her mind.
Jo introduces us to the other woman joining her on the retreat, six of them are escaping children and/or partners for the weekend. Easygoing Helen is the mother of four who while mainly content with her life is also a little wistful for the wild freedom of her youth. The first thing Jo notices about Ereka is her weight, but as a mother to a brain injured teenager, the women tend to cut Ereka some slack. CJ is a lawyer, divorced from the father of her three children, but enjoying a new live in relationship. Jo doesn't know much about Summer, who CJ has invited, but she is pretty quick to judge the pretty blonde Zumba instructor who is on her third marriage, only to find that there is much more to the woman than meets the eye. Jo invited Maeve, a Susan Boyle look a like, thinking she would add something interesting to the group. Though the mother of an adult son, Maeve, a professor in social anthropology, is interested in much more than men and children. Only Virgina has been unmarried and childless, enjoying a glamorous career as a location scout for film and television, she has been friends with Helen since kindergarten though and Jo can't help be a little jealous.
As the champagne flows, the diverse group chat freely and despite the best of intentions, the topic of conversation soon veers towards family, and children in particular. Each of the women have had very different experiences of motherhood, and I love the honesty with which Fedler allows her character to talk about their experiences. Motherhood, for all the joy it offers, is a tough job and requires sacrifices, both small and large. Each woman is doing the best they can but they all secretly wonder is they are doing it 'right'. Virgina may be the only childless one in the group but her own mother, with whom she had a complicated relationship, is dying which offers a different perspective to the discussion.
The Reunion is about more than just a exploration of mothering though, is about women reclaiming their identity as individuals, coming to terms with the choices they have made and looking towards a future when motherhood will not define them. For Jo this is the biggest challenge, figuring out how to be a good mother, a good wife, a good friend, and a good person.

The Reunion is a great, entertaining read. If you are a mother, then you will recognise yourself in these characters, in their hopes and fears and regrets. As a mother of four (aged 6 to 15) I wish I could have joined these women, to become part of their candid conversation and share my own stories. Obviously, a girls weekend away is long overdue with my own group of friends.

[Sami · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one took me on an interesting ride. At times I got so irritated with the 1st person narrator of this (Jo) because she was so incredibly judgmental. In her mind she was critiquing her friends'; wardrobes, eating habits, intelligence, life choices & parenting methods, while herself being a complete control freak about her own diet and her kids, who she seemed to be helicoptering. I felt like she was a complete hypocrite, on the one hand railing at her friend for having botox and on the other lamenting every single wrinkle and line she saw in the mirror and wishing men other than her husband were attracted to her. I just couldn't relate to her thought patterns. With friends like Jo, who needs enemies?

But then there were the moments of beautiful insight that brought me up short and made me reread sentences, things that had me nodding along. The author's depth of understanding about what it means to be a mother showed through in those moments and made me keep reading. Yes, I was annoyed at times but never bored, which, considering the book is pretty much made up of only observations and conversations, was no mean feat. I enjoyed the author's writing style, and some of the characters really shone for me for eg Maeve and Virginia. I really liked them but Jo's judgy thoughts about Virginia and how sad she was 'supposed' to be about her mother, her petty jealously about her relationship with Helen.. ugh. And don't get me started on how she picked on poor Summer, jeez. I felt so sorry for her. Just because someone is young, blonde and bubbly with fake boobs, doesn't mean she doesn't have a meaningful story or that those things alone make her worthy of scorn. Jo just hated her and it left a bad taste in my mouth, at least until the end where she seemed to finally have some sympathy, and only after she'd discovered 'evidence' that Summer wasn't as shallow as she seemed, as though that was required in order for Jo to treat her like a human being (BTW the shoe thing was really NOT A BIG DEAL and Jo's obsession with Summer borrowing her shoes was a little weird). I also thought she was kinda mean to the dog. And you're on a weekend away FORGET THE OBSESSIVE DIETING OK? It's obnoxious to expect others to fall into your line while they are having a break from their own lives. Eat the damn pizza, Jo.

Gah. Overall a good, insightful, well written book that was marred by a truly unlikeable main character that I just couldn't get behind.

[Msdot · Rating 5 out of 5]

There were so many interesting and beautiful quotes about motherhood in the book. The author put words into feelings and experience of motherhood like no other author had done. I really enjoyed reading the book, and often find myself scrambled for pen and paper to jott down what i read, so i can reflect on it and share it later.

It was funny and beautifully written, and i bet any mothers who read this book can identify with some or most of the things written in this book about what motherhood was like.

The story was about a whole weekend of reunion. And the book finished when the weekend was over. Like most people on weekend away, I too didnt want to weekend to finish... I didnt want the book to finish and wish that i could make it longer or go home with some of the characters.

[May · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't have much expectation when I started but changed my mind pretty quickly. The story was easy to read yet with many interesting and thought-provoking ideas to consider. As mothers, we all look forward to the days when our lives become our own again, yet for some of us, that day may never come. What then? Author had a way with words which means many quotable moments in the book. Will definitely be on a look out for more of her books.

[Adine Abrams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Das Buch reicht nicht an die Genialität des ersten Buches heran, aber lässt sich wunderbar lesen. Empfehle es auf jeden Fall auch weiter!

[Karen Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a nice read.

[Kathryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn't get into this and abandoned it before I could really write a decent review.

[Domika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hlavními hrdinkami této povedené knihy je sedm žen, které už mají nejlepší léta za sebou. První příznaky stárnutí se objevují a naše hrdinky se bojí, že už nikdy nebudou vypadat jako za svých mladých let. Jejich děti jim přece neustále připomínají, že jsou už důchodci, naprostí staříci, kteří nemají páru o moderním světě.
A tak se Jo, Helena, Erika, CJ se rozhodly, že pozvou své další kamarádky - Maeve, Summer a Virginii, a udělají si pořádnou dámskou jízdu bez otravných dětí a manželů.

"Koukni na nás," říkám.
"Jo, koukni na nás,"
"Vypadáme dobře."
"Mluv za sebe."
(str. 20)

Helena pronajme obrovský dům, kde si budou naše ženy na tahu užívat. Každý den bude vařit někdo jiný a u večeře se probírají citlivá témata jako například děti. Většina z nich jde právě do puberty, což je označováno za jedno z nejhorších období. Dozvídáme se tak spoustu zajímavých a vtipných historek ohledně dospívání. Čtenář nahlédne i do největších zákoutí a obav každého rodiče. Všechny matky se totiž bojí, že je jednou jejich děti opustí. A co manželé? Jsou pro ně pořád přitažlivé, i když mají svěšená prsa a větší břicho? Dojde tak na spoustu debat, hádek i rad.

"To se máš," vzdychá. "Po čtyřech přirozených porodech ji mám jak Velkej kaňon."
(str.48)

Hlavní vypravěčkou celé knihy byla čtyřiceti čtyř letá Jo, která už šestnáct let žije s Frankem. Společně mají dvě děti Aarona a Jamie, která jí dává nejvíce zabrat. Jo mi byla vcelku sympatická a chovala se jako každá normální máma. Bála se o své děti, a proto nechtěla svou malou třináctiletou Jamie pustit na Borneo. Vůbec se jí nedivím. I když Jamie tvrdí, jak je ve třinácti dospělá, na Borneo bych ji rozhodně nepustila.
Nejsympatičtější mi byla Helena, chrlící jeden vtip za druhým. Díky ní jsem dostávala neustále záchvaty smíchu. Helena se ke svým dětem chová jinak než Jo a nechává jim více prostoru. Také udává Jo rady, jak by se ke svým dětem měla správně chovat. Podle mě byla Helena jednou z nejlepších postav v celé knize, ať už kvůli svým vtipům, vaření, flirtování se správcem domu nebo radami ohledně správné výchovy.
Třetí ženou na tahu byla Erika, které mi bylo ze všech nejvíce líto. Celý život se totiž stará o svou postiženou dceru Olivii a bojí se, co se stane, až tu jednou nebude.
Další matkou je Summer připomínající svým chováním spíše náctiletou puberťačku. Je třikrát vdaná a s každým mužem má jedno dítě. Je nehorázně ukecaná, zamilovaná do Craiga a šílená do Zumby. Občas se mi zdálo, že Summer není čtyřicet jedna, ale patnáct. Svou hyperaktivitou a cool výrazy se velmi lišila od svých vrstevnic.
Maeve je dobrodružska a cestovatelka od pohledu. Všude chodí se svým velkým ruksakem a vypráví o svým dobrodružstvích, která zažila. Byla milá, ovšem moc se toho o ní nedozvíme. Maeve neustále sedí bokem s knihou v ruce a málokdy se zapojuje do konverzace.
Předposlední je CJ s několika plastikami. Její postava byla průměrná a nijak mě neoslnila.
Poslední je bezdětná Virgine, která mít děti nikdy nebude, protože má mrtvou dělohu. Dokonce se snažila sehnat i dárce vajíček, ovšem nikdo se neozval. Virginie mi bylo také líto.

Celý příběh me ohromil hned od prvních vět. Vůbec jsem nečekala, že kniha bude tak vtipná a čtivá! Autorka dokázala i ty největší problémy podat s nadhledem. A co teprve řešení, které některé postavy vymyslely! Celou knihu mi na tváři hrál jeden velký úsměv a já se od knihy prostě nedokázala odtrhnout. Tolik skvělých hlášek na různá témata jsem snad v žádné knize neviděla.

Frank - Bůh mu žehnej - mi říká, že "se mu pořád líbím." Jakkoliv mi to "pořád lichotí", pravda je taková, že Frank se nepočítá. Je to můj manžel. Já se mu líbit musím, ať chce nebo nechce.
(str. 112)

Kniha mě doslova pohltila a všem ji můžu jenom doporučit. Ženy na tahu jsou skvělá oddechovka u které se dobře pobavíte. Já sama dávám autorce i překladatelce jedno velké plus! Nemůžu se dočkat, až si přečtu další knihu od Joanne Fedlerové, protože jsem právě objevila svou novou oblíbenou autorku! :)

5/5

"Loučení je nevyhnutelnou součástí mateřství."
(str. 82)

[Butterblume · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meinung
Ein gutes Buch für die Generation ab 30.

Charaktere
In endlich "Endlich wieder Weiberabend" treffen verschiedene Frauen in einer Villa aufeinander um sich mal ein paar Tage Auszeit vom Ehe -und Mutteralltag zu gönnen.
Alle Frau haben sich im wesentlichen voneinander unterschieden, die eine hat ein paar mehr Kinder, die andere nur eins, die eine hat Figurprobleme die andere nicht usw.
Weiter werde ich die Charaktere nicht erläutern denn bevor die Handlung beginnt findet ihr von jeder Person einen kurzen Steckbrief.
Alles in allem gab es keine Frau die ich gar nicht mochte.

Schreibstil & Aufbau
Das Buch ist eine broschierte Ausgabe und in ganz normale Kapitel aufgebaut, wobei jedes Kapitel mit einer Überschrift eingeleitet wird, die erahnen lässt worum es in dem darauffolgenden Kapitel gehen wird.
Geschrieben wurde aus der Sichtweise einer Frau und zwar Jo, die auch meiner Meinung nach die sympathischte der 7 Frauen war.
Der Schreibstil ist dementsprechend locker und humorvoll, besonders einige Gedankengänge und die Art wie Jo einige Situation erörtert habt, mich ab und an zum Schmunzeln gebracht.

Fazit
Wie schon oben geschrieben, finde ich das dieses Buch sehr gut für Frauen über 30 geeignet ist. Einfach weil sie sich eventuell mit der Handlung, den Gedanken von Jo und den Unterhaltungen der Frau über Themen wie Ehe,Kinder usw. besser identifizieren könnten.
Ich bin 23, habe keinen Ehemann, keine Kinder und keine Wechseljahre und konnte aus dem Grund, leider nicht so viel mit dem Buch anfangen, wie erhofft.
Klar war es unterhaltsam, es hatte nette Protagonisten, eine schöne Aufmachung und einen guten Schreibstil aber ich wurde bis zum Ende nicht warm mit der Handlung bzw. dem Buch. Teilweise fand ich es auch langweilig. Es gibt noch einen ersten Teil "Weiberabend" den kann man vorher lesen, muss man aber nicht. Denn dadurch das zu Beginn jede Einzelne anhand eines Steckbriefes vorgestellt wird, kommt man gut zurecht.

[The Bookish Gardener · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've been wanting to read this book for ages, having seen it on the library shelves.
Finally, I got my chance. I thought, 'Great.' I liked the premise, the cover, the concept of a group of predominantly old friends (and some new) getting together for a weekend away without partners or kids.
And some of the writing in the early stages was so clever, touching. It was so full of promise.
And here's the but .. but the characters and their conversations and their nastiness and snide comments and lack of love just left me cold. I folded up the book and put it down, never reaching the point of the big reveal, of the turning point.
Now I realise this may have been Fedler's way of illustrating the dysfunction, but it was more than a slap in the face, it was a full blown assault on women by women and quite frankly, I've had enough of women bashing in books. The Girl On A Train, My Brilliant Friend .. it appears to be on trend. Yuck. On so many fronts.
So what would have kept me reading? .. more subtle interactions, some glimmer of hope. But there didn't seem to be any mid-book, when many authors and readers give up. Best friends that shouldn't even be acquaintances. It just made me sad and rather than sit around and watch bullying, just like in real life, I didn't. I did something. I closed the book.

[Linda Jaejoong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicht nur was für Frauen ab 40!!! Ich gebe zu ich konnte zwar keine der 7 Frauen leiden, Gott sie sind so schrecklich, aber die Handlung ist richtig gut!! Jede Frau hat ihre Probleme und natürlich versuchen die Anderen mit ihren Ratschlägen der jeweiligen Frau zu helfen!!

Jeder weiß es natürlich besser, vor allem Jo, ich konnte sie gar nicht leiden!! Sie ist so schlimm, sie kommt mit ihren Kinder gar nicht zu recht, aber muss allen anderen sagen was sie in ihrem Leben falsch machen!!

Die Frauen zeigen wie das Leben mit Kindern sein kann und das es auch Schattenseiten gibt!! Endlich mal ein Buch in dem es nicht nur darum geht wie schön es ist Kinder zu haben, sondern auch wie anstrengend es sein kann!!

[Trina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a VERY light read. More like reading a magazine. There is a book which precedes it by the same author called Secret Mother's Business which I haven't read but probably will as I also got it out of the library (but it arrived later hence reading out of order).

Not particularly well written but OK if you need a break from heavier books, which I did. Think it is best if you have kids of school age as you can relate to the subject matter.

I wouldn't pay for this book but would get it out of the library.

2.5 stars.

[Peta Chait · Rating 5 out of 5]

She writes like she is talking to you, loved this book, great for mothers with kids that are either teens or not needing you so much anymore or leaving home.
I could so relate and read late into the night.

[Deirdre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very much chick lit. Light & enjoyable. A few too many characters - hard to keep track of, so had to refer to the legend at the start of the book a few times. Saw much of myself in the narrator, Jo.

[Judith Yeabsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were some great lines in this book. It's a bunch of 40-ish women away for a weekend and was way too close to home on a lot of fronts. Really enjoyed it although it got a little preachy towards the end.

[Yali · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the way this book was written. The author is hilarious! Not exactly a book I'd recommend to single, young girls. Based a lot on marriage, kids and relationships. A slow story with no big fire works but an enjoyable read.

[Butterfly2507 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Meine Review:

http://butterflyyintheskyy.blogspot.c...

[Gailene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check out my review at www.peaseexchange.com

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could relate to some of the women in the book.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mothers' weekend away without the kids = an entertaining and easy to read book