Stepping

by Nancy Thayer

Now available for the first time as an eBook, the dynamic debut novel from beloved New York Times bestselling author Nancy Thayer explores the steep challenges of a woman trying to do what’s best—for her family and for herself.

Zelda Campbell was just a college student when she met and fell in love with her professor; they married before she graduated. Zelda’s love for Charlie was wonderfully passionate—though it came with extras: his daughters Caroline and Cathy. And so begins Zelda’s dramatic roller-coaster ride in step-parenting (aka “stepping”), marked by joyous highs and tear-stained lows. As Zelda struggles in her new role, the young girls are constant reminders of Charlie’s past life. Further, Charlie’s shrill ex-wife is a demanding presence Zelda cannot ignore.

Fast-forward thirteen years, and Zelda and Charlie now have two children of their own. A Fulbright scholarship sends the family to Finland, where Charlie lives out his academic dream and Zelda must once again put her own aspirations on hold. But then an attractive man from her past enters the picture, offering the enticing prospect of an entirely different life. Given the opportunity to choose the road not taken, Zelda must evaluate her life and at last decide where her heart truly lies.

Genres: Fiction, Womens Fiction

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Nancy Thayer has published 35 novels, including Family Reunion and Secrets in Summer. She has lived on Nantucket Island year-round for 38 years with her husband Charley Walters. They have two children and five grandchildren.

Reviews

[Winona · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love Nancy Thayer's books, but I'm glad I didn't read "Stepping" first, or I wouldn't have read any of her other books! It was depressing and unsatisfying, and made me know I will never have stepchildren!

[Julie Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stepping by Nancy Thayer
This story starts out with living in Finland. She is there with
her husband who is a professor. The two young children keep her busy and she's able to give them to another for an hour a day to keep her sanity.
Story goes back in time to when Charlie had married and had 2 girls, got divorced as met a studen he fell in love with. The farm belonged to her after her father had died.
Zelda tends to the girls that come to visit for the summer along with the letter of what they must eat every day.
Story follows her life as she steps through different phases, one is teaching English and the twists and turns that occur at that time...and is the stepmother of the 2 girls that come to visit.
Loved hearing about all the new places and their traditions. Relationships Zelda has with step girls is quite unique, roller coaster at times.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

[Sarah Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very smart & cuts to the bone. This 1979 book about the stages a woman travels through is better written and less frantic than most of the feminist writers I’ve read today. Something is slow & deliberate about her inner-voice. Possibly it’s the difference between waking up to one’s freedoms and being born with so much expectation of freedom. So much to think about in this book!

[LInda L · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book about the trials and tribulations of stepparenting -- amazing how the woman survived 2 obnoxious stepdaughters for many years. Especially after she had 2 children of her own. Interesting, and probably a lot of truth between these covers.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Woman writes about the positives and negatives of being a stepmother (and then a mother herself).

[Sandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure why I bothered to finish this book - it sure was hard going at times! Being Nancy Thayer's first book, it was nowhere near as good as her others, it was rather ponderous, and being written in the 70s it felt quite dated. I did enjoy the parts where Zelda interacted with her step-daughters, more than the whiny, annoying life she was leading in Helsinki. I wouldn't say it was a terrible book, but it was quite slow and I have to say I'm glad it's finished!

[Anjali · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. The emotions are so real. The writing is warm, it reaches out to you. I pick it up every couple of years for a re-read and it's still good. Zelda's feelings towards her step children, her children, the huge ups and downs of mum hood, being torn between her sense of self and having to give that up. It resonates, not least because I live in India- which is very much like that for a woman in terms of being expected to be there for everyone , you come last.

[Carol Nummy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A long journey

Yes, a.long long journey and I went every mile with them. Lots of insight of course but it took a long time to get to the final understanding. A good read for a long winter time.

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

struggled to get through :/

[*Weebles* · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay. Definitely has some old school thinking about stuff. If you're interested in a quick read, this is a good one.

[B.Louise Threlfall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard to be a step mom This novel tells of the pitfalls and the joys of blended family life

[False · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to tackle two female writers who have been on my “to read” list for some time: Laurie Colwin and Nancy Thayer. Thayer is the stronger of the two in terms of writing skills, and she has a long list of published work. Colwin wrote a great deal for food magazines at the start of her career, like “Gourmet” and “Food and Wine.”

She wrote two quirky cookbooks: “Home Cooking: A Writer in the Kitchen,” and “More Home Cooking: A Writer Returns to the Kitchen.” I say “quirky” because she developed odd food passions over time—brussel sprouts, beets, odd potato salads with very specific instructions, weird fish dishes like eel pie and bitter greens. I will be going back through those two books looking for a few recipes to try, but not “black cake” as in “burnt cake.”
Colwin died of a heart attack in 1992 and she only produced two cookbooks, three books of short stories (which may be her greatest strength) and five novels. “Happy All the Time” is her first novel and it centers on two male cousins who find true love with two oddball women with very specific tastes. I am sensing a theme here. I am reading through most of the Colwin books first since I prefer Thayer’s work, and her later books are set on Nantucket—a guaranteed money maker of a place for the perfect beach read.

This was Nancy Thayer's first novel, 30 years ago. I would recommend it to any woman and to any man who wants to understand women. The story begins when Zelda has 2 young children & is living in Finland due to her husband's work, He's a bit older than she & well-known in his profession, while she had been teaching part-time at the same college in New England. So, of course, she quit her job & moved them to Finland. She fills the time, when the kids aren't tugging at her by filling little notebooks with the details of her married life.

She'd begun her marriage with no desire to have children, but after a while got to the point where she insisted upon motherhood, so her husband agreed. They both love the kids, but she needs some relief, hard to get when they're in a country where they don't speak the language & her income has stopped. Her husband puts in long hours & has numerous lecture tours throughout Europe that she'd want to join if it weren't for the children,

Added to the mix is the fact that her former boss wants them to end their marriages to be together, She's flattered,but isn't sure which man she prefers. Her thoughts about the choice don't include much at all about how her children would be affected, though she has seen how her husband's previous divorce has affected his 2 children from that marriage. The first wife had been out to get him, no matter the cost to her children but even a civilized divorce leaves a child divided at times,

We know, since she's looking back, that the relationship she has with her step-children is pretty good. So when we read about the bad times, we know it gets better. Another reviewer has mentioned some of the initial problems. Then after a lull when things are relatively ok, the girls become teenagers. To add to that, Zelda gets pregnant & the girls don't learn of it until they arrive for a long stay. Not surprisingly [except to Zelda & her husband] they feel threatened. If you're ever in her position, make sure your husband talks with his daughters before they see you. Ultimately, she works through it all. Doesn't every woman?

[HediBähren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eine junge amerikanische Studentin hat ihren Professor geheiratet, der geschieden und zwei junge Töchter hat. Die Beziehung der jungen Frau zu den Stieftöchtern gestaltet sich als schwierig. Mehr noch als das Paar selbst noch 2 Kinder bekommt. Die junge Frau würde gerne alles unter einen Hut bekommen. Lehrtätigkeit, Erziehung und Haushalt.

[Nicole Meneses · Rating 5 out of 5]

uma das narrativas mais sinceras e reais sobre a vida de uma mulher comum que já li na minha vida. tão cruel, passional e fiel que o final parece apenas mais um dia em sua vida. belo trabalho de nancy thayer

[Paige Kilian · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

First of her books, wanting to read more about Nantucket, however this was about step children. Didn't finish it. Will try another one about Nantucket.

[Kathy Zorn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not impressed

[Ria Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stepping is an emotional book about how a woman gets about to begin loving her step children.
well, not so much of my choice but still a good read.

[Samantha Parker]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/7396834

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

My note says only thought this book was "OK?"

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful writing but depressing and frustrating.

[Laura]

Quit reading this about half way through, will go back and finish-- just could not face her whining at being alone in a foreign country with 2 small kids.

[Betty]

I didn't finish this book - would have been an excellent book on the journey of raising step children.

[Um mar de fogueirinhas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Li esse livro pela primeira vez há mais de vinte anos. Achava a narrativa boa e as emoções bem descritas, e foi interessante reler e descobrir o que era real e o que era pela minha pouca idade.