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A Window Opens
In A Window Opens, beloved books editor at Glamour magazine, Elisabeth Egan, brings us Alice Pearse, a compulsively honest, longing-to-have-it-all, sandwich generation heroine for our social-media-obsessed, lean in (or opt out) age.
Like her fictional forebears Kate Reddy and Bridget Jones, Alice plays many roles (which she never refers to as “wearing many hats” and wishes you wouldn’t, either). She is a mostly-happily married mother of three, an attentive daughter, an ambivalent dog-owner, a part-time editor, a loyal neighbor and a Zen commuter. She is not: a cook, a craftswoman, a decorator, an active PTA member, a natural caretaker or the breadwinner. But when her husband makes a radical career change, Alice is ready to lean in—and she knows exactly how lucky she is to land a job at Scroll, a hip young start-up which promises to be the future of reading, with its chain of chic literary lounges and dedication to beloved classics. The Holy Grail of working mothers―an intellectually satisfying job and a happy personal life―seems suddenly within reach.
Despite the disapproval of her best friend, who owns the local bookstore, Alice is proud of her new “balancing act” (which is more like a three-ring circus) until her dad gets sick, her marriage flounders, her babysitter gets fed up, her kids start to grow up and her work takes an unexpected turn. Readers will cheer as Alice realizes the question is not whether it’s possible to have it all, but what does she―Alice Pearse―really want?
Like her fictional forebears Kate Reddy and Bridget Jones, Alice plays many roles (which she never refers to as “wearing many hats” and wishes you wouldn’t, either). She is a mostly-happily married mother of three, an attentive daughter, an ambivalent dog-owner, a part-time editor, a loyal neighbor and a Zen commuter. She is not: a cook, a craftswoman, a decorator, an active PTA member, a natural caretaker or the breadwinner. But when her husband makes a radical career change, Alice is ready to lean in—and she knows exactly how lucky she is to land a job at Scroll, a hip young start-up which promises to be the future of reading, with its chain of chic literary lounges and dedication to beloved classics. The Holy Grail of working mothers―an intellectually satisfying job and a happy personal life―seems suddenly within reach.
Despite the disapproval of her best friend, who owns the local bookstore, Alice is proud of her new “balancing act” (which is more like a three-ring circus) until her dad gets sick, her marriage flounders, her babysitter gets fed up, her kids start to grow up and her work takes an unexpected turn. Readers will cheer as Alice realizes the question is not whether it’s possible to have it all, but what does she―Alice Pearse―really want?
384 pages, Hardcover
First published August 25, 2015
294 people are currently reading
17096 people want to read
About the author
Elisabeth Egan
1 book287 followersElisabeth Egan is the books editor at Glamour. Her essays and book reviews have appeared in Self, Glamour, O, The Oprah Magazine, People, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, the Huffington Post, the New York Times Book Review, the Los Angeles Times Book Review, The Washington Post, the Chicago Sun-Times and The Newark Star-Ledger. She lives in New Jersey with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,708 reviews
July 20, 2015
3.5 Alice Pearse is a likable character, a character many of us can identify with. She is a mother to three young children, married and works three days a week at a magazine, reviewing books. That is until her husband finds out he did not make partner and wants to open his own law office, which means Alice must find a full time job until his own office is up and running.
She is offered what she thinks is a dream job, a new type of book store that offers first editions, e-books and other things in awesome setting. Until things change and her dream job morphs into something different.
This is a novel about books vs. e-books, her friend's independent bookstore versus a whole new reading experience. There are humorous bits, usually coming from the mouths of babes, (we all know kids say the darndest things),. A novel that asks the question, Is it ever possible to really have it all? To find out what Alice decides you need to read the novel. A lighter read, but one that deals with some important issues, issues relating to what is called the sandwich generation among others.
ARC from publisher.
She is offered what she thinks is a dream job, a new type of book store that offers first editions, e-books and other things in awesome setting. Until things change and her dream job morphs into something different.
This is a novel about books vs. e-books, her friend's independent bookstore versus a whole new reading experience. There are humorous bits, usually coming from the mouths of babes, (we all know kids say the darndest things),. A novel that asks the question, Is it ever possible to really have it all? To find out what Alice decides you need to read the novel. A lighter read, but one that deals with some important issues, issues relating to what is called the sandwich generation among others.
ARC from publisher.
August 30, 2015
3 + stars .
A contemporary story on multiple levels, dealing with women juggling their roles and coping with the challenges of every day life. There's an interesting focus for book lovers on e-books vs book stores. Add in an ailing parent , marital issues and drinking problems , questionable corporate intentions, and it sounds like this might not be a fun book to read . And it isn't funny per se , but there's humor and family and the literary references that make this an enjoyable read . I also loved the text messages between Alice and her father and her memory of herself as a little girl as "the Booklady" selling books to her father .
Alice ,wife and mother, with a part time job , feeling as if she had the best of both worlds is suddenly forced to get a full time job when her husband doesn't make partner at his law firm. Alice is a character that many women will be able to connect with and her discoveries about herself and what's important in life will reach home for many . My favorite quote is from Alice's little girl Georgie - "What do you daydream about? "
A predictable ending but that was fine with me .
Thanks to Simon and Schuster and NetGalley.
July 24, 2015
There's nothing new about the theme or story of A Window Opens. Alice lives in the suburbs with her three kids, husband and dog, and works part time for a magazine. Alice's husband loses his job, and Alice gets a job in New York with a new company that is developing an in store digital book concept. And then Alice spends most of the book struggling to do it all -- including coping with her ill father. I say that this common theme is done well because Alice is likeable and recognizable, and the book doesn't preach a solution -- it just really provides an acute reminder that it can be awfully hard to balance all these obligations and remain sane. There's a light tone to the book, but it does highlight some difficult realities for many families -- long work days, long commutes, dissatisfying jobs, a sense of never spending enough time with one's children and spouse, and aging parents can make for an awful lot of stress. That stress comes through loud and clear in Open a Window. So depending on how much you can identify with Alice, this may seem entertaining, irrelevant and boring, validating or just a stressful reminder of everything you should be doing but are not doing while you're reading about Alice trying to do it all. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read an advance copy.
February 17, 2017
4 solid stars. Thoroughly enjoyed this book!
Alice Pearse made me feel better about my role as a mom, almost making my crazy paced life look easy. I adored her character, flaws and all, and felt strangely comforted by reading this. I have never been a full-time working mom but could still relate to so much of this story. The part about her dying father was especially moving, and although I could not relate to losing a father, I could relate to the loss of a close loved one and the language felt somehow comforting also. Overall the story was charming and light, but also sad and enlightening. I learned a few lessons with Alice along the way and it made me think about the way my kids see me through their eyes. Even though parts were sad, she didn't take it to a point that made me cry, just to where my eyes would burn, before adding just a touch of humor to lighten it. I listened to the audiobook on the go and the narration was fantastic. The story felt so real I kept thinking I was listening to the author herself telling her life story.
Sidenote: If I had read the blurb before reading this book I might have passed on it since I was not a fan of “Where’d You Go Bernadette?”. For some reason I just couldn’t get into that one and was unable to finish it.
Alice Pearse made me feel better about my role as a mom, almost making my crazy paced life look easy. I adored her character, flaws and all, and felt strangely comforted by reading this. I have never been a full-time working mom but could still relate to so much of this story. The part about her dying father was especially moving, and although I could not relate to losing a father, I could relate to the loss of a close loved one and the language felt somehow comforting also. Overall the story was charming and light, but also sad and enlightening. I learned a few lessons with Alice along the way and it made me think about the way my kids see me through their eyes. Even though parts were sad, she didn't take it to a point that made me cry, just to where my eyes would burn, before adding just a touch of humor to lighten it. I listened to the audiobook on the go and the narration was fantastic. The story felt so real I kept thinking I was listening to the author herself telling her life story.
Sidenote: If I had read the blurb before reading this book I might have passed on it since I was not a fan of “Where’d You Go Bernadette?”. For some reason I just couldn’t get into that one and was unable to finish it.
May 9, 2015
Contemporary modern life for Nicholas - Alice- their three young children - and dog has its challenges.
At the beginning of this story, Alice was only working part time- but when her husband didn't make partner with his law firm--- and throws his laptop across the room--- he no longer has a job. His plans are to start his own business... But in the meantime... He has no immediate income coming in.
It doesn't take long until Alice takes a dream - job- demanding job- working full time.... Commuting on the train each way approximately 40 minutes.
As it becomes more challenging to balance work, marriage, kids, ....her husband has started increasing his drinking from 2 beers a day to more... Switching to vodka and tonic...so as not to see piles of brown beer bottles in The recycle each day.
Alice and her best friend are beginning to show tension in their friendship....due to conflicting values. Her friend owns a book store--- and is sick and tired of people using her store as a showroom... then buying their books online.
Well ... The job Alice takes is more 'high tech' reading. The mission of the company is to re-invent reading the way Starbucks reinvented coffee..... Creating a peaceful, uninterrupted time at the past and future. There will be membership opportunities... a flat monthly fee...for four titles of their choice each month...special sustained silent reading rooms ....( pick choice downloading)... While sitting in a comfy leather armchair for serious readers...with waitress service ..foot massages, complimentary biscotti, cup holders with mini hot plates to keep their coffee warm.....and unlimited gummy bears. It's a business that wants to deliver first class experience to their literary lounges.
Alice's best friend... ( the bookshop owner), feels like she just got stabbed in the heart by the person she was closest to. She joined the evil - devil team...
So...
Family tensions... Work tensions... Friendship tension...
Then add Alice's very sick father...
It's enough to throw a few more laptops across the room
I didn't find this book haha funny, yet.... It warmed my heart. It's an honest look at look at a family's hectic busy life......working, paying bills, taking care of the children, the dog, attending school functions, caring for sick parents, dealing with painful personal loss, etc. I felt exhausted, sad, and sometimes very inspired.
Alice and Nicholas had their problems... Kids were not always happy campers either...
But this is a useful book to read... It's very realistic....it allows the reader to think about choices they might make ... Even observe one couple do the very best they can--with their blistering hearts... and watch how this family figures things out for themselves.
A PLUS..., For me: often many books are mentioned in this novel. The author has great taste... I too, loved almost every book she mentioned....,
"My Antonia", by Willa Cather, "To Kill A Mockingbird", Jonathan Trooperbooks, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, and Zeitoun to name a few.
.... I'm left with wanting to kiss my husband, hug my kids, turn the music up, and smell the roses! ..... love each other!!!! Life can get - complicated- but we can always STOP... to experience what we are grateful for.
Happy Mothers Day ...tomorrow
Thank you to the publisher - Netgalley- and this charming-warm author... for this reading gift!
At the beginning of this story, Alice was only working part time- but when her husband didn't make partner with his law firm--- and throws his laptop across the room--- he no longer has a job. His plans are to start his own business... But in the meantime... He has no immediate income coming in.
It doesn't take long until Alice takes a dream - job- demanding job- working full time.... Commuting on the train each way approximately 40 minutes.
As it becomes more challenging to balance work, marriage, kids, ....her husband has started increasing his drinking from 2 beers a day to more... Switching to vodka and tonic...so as not to see piles of brown beer bottles in The recycle each day.
Alice and her best friend are beginning to show tension in their friendship....due to conflicting values. Her friend owns a book store--- and is sick and tired of people using her store as a showroom... then buying their books online.
Well ... The job Alice takes is more 'high tech' reading. The mission of the company is to re-invent reading the way Starbucks reinvented coffee..... Creating a peaceful, uninterrupted time at the past and future. There will be membership opportunities... a flat monthly fee...for four titles of their choice each month...special sustained silent reading rooms ....( pick choice downloading)... While sitting in a comfy leather armchair for serious readers...with waitress service ..foot massages, complimentary biscotti, cup holders with mini hot plates to keep their coffee warm.....and unlimited gummy bears. It's a business that wants to deliver first class experience to their literary lounges.
Alice's best friend... ( the bookshop owner), feels like she just got stabbed in the heart by the person she was closest to. She joined the evil - devil team...
So...
Family tensions... Work tensions... Friendship tension...
Then add Alice's very sick father...
It's enough to throw a few more laptops across the room
I didn't find this book haha funny, yet.... It warmed my heart. It's an honest look at look at a family's hectic busy life......working, paying bills, taking care of the children, the dog, attending school functions, caring for sick parents, dealing with painful personal loss, etc. I felt exhausted, sad, and sometimes very inspired.
Alice and Nicholas had their problems... Kids were not always happy campers either...
But this is a useful book to read... It's very realistic....it allows the reader to think about choices they might make ... Even observe one couple do the very best they can--with their blistering hearts... and watch how this family figures things out for themselves.
A PLUS..., For me: often many books are mentioned in this novel. The author has great taste... I too, loved almost every book she mentioned....,
"My Antonia", by Willa Cather, "To Kill A Mockingbird", Jonathan Trooperbooks, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, and Zeitoun to name a few.
.... I'm left with wanting to kiss my husband, hug my kids, turn the music up, and smell the roses! ..... love each other!!!! Life can get - complicated- but we can always STOP... to experience what we are grateful for.
Happy Mothers Day ...tomorrow
Thank you to the publisher - Netgalley- and this charming-warm author... for this reading gift!
October 21, 2015
I’m more than a few years past the stressful – but joyful – years of raising small children. This book is about the stresses of marriage and parenting while holding down a soul-sucking full-time job, and dealing with a parent’s serious illness. You would think I’m the wrong reader for this book but I loved it! None of the issues presented are new, and have been written about many times. But Ms Egan puts a fresh new spin on it and I loved her voice. Well done!
When Alice’s lawyer husband doesn’t make partner he throws his laptop across the room and quits his job. The plan is to open his own law practice, but until it's up and running Alice must leave her part-time job reviewing books for a magazine and find full-time work. She finds her “dream job” at Scroll, a start-up that plans to open a new type of bookstore with e-book reading lounges for the well-heeled customer. But the dream job turns into a nightmare when the focus changes to something she’s avidly against. Her hipster co-workers and boss, plus the corporate culture and verbiage added humor. Putting the communication in e-mails was entertaining. (Although not if you're living it).
Soon Alice is juggling work, a long commute, 3 young kids who need her, a husband who is developing problems and doesn’t seem to be working all that hard, and a sick parent who needs her. She’s stretched thin and not performing well in any of her roles. Add in her best friend who owns a small indie bookstore and thinks Alice has sold her soul to the devil.
This is an easy, humorous read, but with issues that have depth and poignancy. That’s a hard line to walk and I think Ms Egan does it very well. I thought she handled the chapters on were so accurate I suspect the author has walked that walk.
One of my favorite parts of the novel were the literary references and quotes. How could I not like a book that celebrates books and reading?
This was an excellent debut and I look forward to seeing what the author writes next!
When Alice’s lawyer husband doesn’t make partner he throws his laptop across the room and quits his job. The plan is to open his own law practice, but until it's up and running Alice must leave her part-time job reviewing books for a magazine and find full-time work. She finds her “dream job” at Scroll, a start-up that plans to open a new type of bookstore with e-book reading lounges for the well-heeled customer. But the dream job turns into a nightmare when the focus changes to something she’s avidly against. Her hipster co-workers and boss, plus the corporate culture and verbiage added humor. Putting the communication in e-mails was entertaining. (Although not if you're living it).
Soon Alice is juggling work, a long commute, 3 young kids who need her, a husband who is developing problems and doesn’t seem to be working all that hard, and a sick parent who needs her. She’s stretched thin and not performing well in any of her roles. Add in her best friend who owns a small indie bookstore and thinks Alice has sold her soul to the devil.
This is an easy, humorous read, but with issues that have depth and poignancy. That’s a hard line to walk and I think Ms Egan does it very well. I thought she handled the chapters on were so accurate I suspect the author has walked that walk.
One of my favorite parts of the novel were the literary references and quotes. How could I not like a book that celebrates books and reading?
This was an excellent debut and I look forward to seeing what the author writes next!
December 21, 2016
I REALLY liked this book.
For some reason, I seem to be reading more books like this one, even though I'm pretty much always young enough to be the main characters' daughter. I don't even care about that fact, because there are so many life lessons in them and I can still find ways to relate to their lives, which always makes my reading experience amazing.
From the very first page, I loved this book. It mentions a book from my favourite author on its very first page, so I knew the main character and I would get along very well. Then, I discovered so many things about Alice's love for books, bookshops and publishing companies that I felt like I was reading an encyclopedia about my passion... In a good way. Sharing such an important part of my life, my love for books, with a MC is an amazing thing!
When I continued reading, I started falling in love with Alice's family, from her adorable kids to her incredible husband. She has one of the best relationships I've read about in a long time, because she and Nicholas are (at least initially) honest, loving and patient with each other. I loved how supportive they are for each other and how their love is still so strong, even after all these years and three kids. I started to fear for their relationship in the middle of the story, but deep down, I always knew that they'd find a way to get through everything life throws at them, because they're just that kind of a couple (the OTP kind, to be honest). Alice's relationship with her parents made me smile and broke my heart, too, because this is the part where I could relate a lot. I think her feelings are very well described and I have to admit I cried more than once while I was reading (which always happened to be in public, of course).
I think everyone would enjoy this lovely novel, because it's bittersweet and full of life lessons that we should all remember.
(Thank you Netgalley for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
For some reason, I seem to be reading more books like this one, even though I'm pretty much always young enough to be the main characters' daughter. I don't even care about that fact, because there are so many life lessons in them and I can still find ways to relate to their lives, which always makes my reading experience amazing.
From the very first page, I loved this book. It mentions a book from my favourite author on its very first page, so I knew the main character and I would get along very well. Then, I discovered so many things about Alice's love for books, bookshops and publishing companies that I felt like I was reading an encyclopedia about my passion... In a good way. Sharing such an important part of my life, my love for books, with a MC is an amazing thing!
When I continued reading, I started falling in love with Alice's family, from her adorable kids to her incredible husband. She has one of the best relationships I've read about in a long time, because she and Nicholas are (at least initially) honest, loving and patient with each other. I loved how supportive they are for each other and how their love is still so strong, even after all these years and three kids. I started to fear for their relationship in the middle of the story, but deep down, I always knew that they'd find a way to get through everything life throws at them, because they're just that kind of a couple (the OTP kind, to be honest). Alice's relationship with her parents made me smile and broke my heart, too, because this is the part where I could relate a lot. I think her feelings are very well described and I have to admit I cried more than once while I was reading (which always happened to be in public, of course).
I think everyone would enjoy this lovely novel, because it's bittersweet and full of life lessons that we should all remember.
(Thank you Netgalley for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
August 18, 2015
Smart, funny, and heartfelt, I loved Elisabeth Eagan’s new book “A Window Opens.” While the overall plot has been done before – Mom goes back to work full-time (to a job that wasn’t quite what she thought it would be) and struggles to manage it all – Eagan scores originality points for incorporating main character Claire’s struggles with aging/ill parents; creating real, likeable characters; and writing a book for book lovers.
Some of my favorite parts of the book were all of the literary references ranging from the classics to contemporary novels. Some are included to move the story along, others are included strictly for the enjoyment of the audience – sort of like all those cameos in Muppet movies (For example, a bookstore owner is overheard telling a customer, “No, Jonathan *Tropper*. Trust me, he’s a lot more fun than Jonathan Franzen.)
Claire also reminisces about dressing up as The Book Lady as a little girl, filling her rolling suitcase with books and walking around the house trying to sell books to her family members. It brought back memories of my own, when as a child I organized all the books on our shelves and created my own version of the Dewey Decimal system. My siblings weren’t allowed to take a book from the shelf without first “checking it out” with me!
4.5 enthusiastic stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for a galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Some of my favorite parts of the book were all of the literary references ranging from the classics to contemporary novels. Some are included to move the story along, others are included strictly for the enjoyment of the audience – sort of like all those cameos in Muppet movies (For example, a bookstore owner is overheard telling a customer, “No, Jonathan *Tropper*. Trust me, he’s a lot more fun than Jonathan Franzen.)
Claire also reminisces about dressing up as The Book Lady as a little girl, filling her rolling suitcase with books and walking around the house trying to sell books to her family members. It brought back memories of my own, when as a child I organized all the books on our shelves and created my own version of the Dewey Decimal system. My siblings weren’t allowed to take a book from the shelf without first “checking it out” with me!
4.5 enthusiastic stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for a galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 8, 2016
Nicholas, feeling he is going nowhere in his current job quits and decides to set up his own business. His wife, Alice, worried about future money problems applies for a full time job.
Initially Alice feels let down by Nicholas. She enjoyed her part time job and bringing up their three children. However when she finds a dream job and the freedom and importance that comes with it she starts to think maybe she really can have it all.
Egan’s “A Window Opens” is a story of women defined by their actions. The brands they wear, (brand naming plays an important roll in this story) the cars they drive, the restaurants they’re seen in and the spin class they attend. Behind it all is a woman trying to keep up, running from trains to airports, to homes with children already asleep, to school concerts and after school activities. Some women do this effortlessly and so it would seem to an outsider, did Alice. However Alice’s world was falling apart. Her husband was drinking too much and she somehow lost her best friend. Her father’s cancer had returned more aggressive than ever and she’d let her mother down when she needed her most. Something had to give!
Egan’s writing is emotional, meaningful and subtle but powerful. An ode to motherhood mothers everywhere, working or not, will resonate with Alice.
I really didn’t think this would be a “tissues required” read but yes, tissues required.
There were a lot of directions the story could have taken to sensationalise it and make it more dramatic but I was pleased that Egan stuck to a tamer plot making the story more realistic, almost like a memoir.
If you love bookish books with lots of book mentions this will delight you with over thirty mentions of other books throughout.
With my thanks to the publisher via Netgalley for my copy to read and review.
Initially Alice feels let down by Nicholas. She enjoyed her part time job and bringing up their three children. However when she finds a dream job and the freedom and importance that comes with it she starts to think maybe she really can have it all.
Egan’s “A Window Opens” is a story of women defined by their actions. The brands they wear, (brand naming plays an important roll in this story) the cars they drive, the restaurants they’re seen in and the spin class they attend. Behind it all is a woman trying to keep up, running from trains to airports, to homes with children already asleep, to school concerts and after school activities. Some women do this effortlessly and so it would seem to an outsider, did Alice. However Alice’s world was falling apart. Her husband was drinking too much and she somehow lost her best friend. Her father’s cancer had returned more aggressive than ever and she’d let her mother down when she needed her most. Something had to give!
Egan’s writing is emotional, meaningful and subtle but powerful. An ode to motherhood mothers everywhere, working or not, will resonate with Alice.
I really didn’t think this would be a “tissues required” read but yes, tissues required.
There were a lot of directions the story could have taken to sensationalise it and make it more dramatic but I was pleased that Egan stuck to a tamer plot making the story more realistic, almost like a memoir.
If you love bookish books with lots of book mentions this will delight you with over thirty mentions of other books throughout.
With my thanks to the publisher via Netgalley for my copy to read and review.
July 10, 2015
A sweet, funny debut novel about a woman who tries to juggle all the elements of a happy life: finding the perfect job for a modern book-lover…but also being a good mother to her three children, supporting her husband after he loses his job at a law firm, and helping her mother care for her father as he suffers a relapse of throat cancer.
New Jersey commuter Alice Pearse goes from writing about books for You magazine (I bet Egan doesn’t know that’s a real publication title in the UK, the Mail on Sunday’s women’s mag!) to working for the New York City office of Scroll, which plans to open hip, inviting book lounges where readers can experience all the latest e-books. From the get-go Alice has her doubts about a company that has the mantra “Paper Is Poison” and replaces first editions with video games. Is this really the right place for a bibliophile? Best friend Susanna, struggling to keep her independent bookshop open, thinks Alice has basically made a deal with the devil, but what choice does Alice have if she wants to keep the family afloat?
Like other books I’ve read recently that are set in the publishing world – Delicious! by Ruth Reichl, What Nora Knew by Linda Yellin, and Cinema Lumière by Hattie Holden Edmonds – A Window Opens succeeds because its female first-person voice is immediately engaging. You like Alice and root for her.
I suspect the story is highly autobiographical for Egan; it’s clear that she knows firsthand the difficulties of balancing a fulfilling career with marriage and motherhood, and sections on facing the loss of a parent are also particularly moving. I thought Alice’s hipster colleagues at Scroll were maybe a bit clichéd (Dave Eggers’s The Circle came to mind), but it’s easy to accept that their ideas about books are soulless.
I’ll keep an eye out for what Elisabeth Egan writes next.
New Jersey commuter Alice Pearse goes from writing about books for You magazine (I bet Egan doesn’t know that’s a real publication title in the UK, the Mail on Sunday’s women’s mag!) to working for the New York City office of Scroll, which plans to open hip, inviting book lounges where readers can experience all the latest e-books. From the get-go Alice has her doubts about a company that has the mantra “Paper Is Poison” and replaces first editions with video games. Is this really the right place for a bibliophile? Best friend Susanna, struggling to keep her independent bookshop open, thinks Alice has basically made a deal with the devil, but what choice does Alice have if she wants to keep the family afloat?
Like other books I’ve read recently that are set in the publishing world – Delicious! by Ruth Reichl, What Nora Knew by Linda Yellin, and Cinema Lumière by Hattie Holden Edmonds – A Window Opens succeeds because its female first-person voice is immediately engaging. You like Alice and root for her.
I suspect the story is highly autobiographical for Egan; it’s clear that she knows firsthand the difficulties of balancing a fulfilling career with marriage and motherhood, and sections on facing the loss of a parent are also particularly moving. I thought Alice’s hipster colleagues at Scroll were maybe a bit clichéd (Dave Eggers’s The Circle came to mind), but it’s easy to accept that their ideas about books are soulless.
I’ll keep an eye out for what Elisabeth Egan writes next.
October 14, 2015
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
This is such a light read. I was expecting it to be a little... more. Blurbs had said this book was funny but I didn't think it was. There was a few kind of funny parts but I felt like they were forced and didn't really belong. I thought the characters were likable enough even though I didn't really fall in love with them.
I didn't relate to Alice at all just because she seemed to lack ethics and she made some really wacky decisions.
But I did find her interesting. I liked the story line with her father a lot and I wished that would have been the sole story line of the book.
I think for the right reader, this book would be great. But for me personally, I found it to be okay. I didn't hate it but I wish somethings would have been different.
This is such a light read. I was expecting it to be a little... more. Blurbs had said this book was funny but I didn't think it was. There was a few kind of funny parts but I felt like they were forced and didn't really belong. I thought the characters were likable enough even though I didn't really fall in love with them.
I didn't relate to Alice at all just because she seemed to lack ethics and she made some really wacky decisions.
But I did find her interesting. I liked the story line with her father a lot and I wished that would have been the sole story line of the book.
I think for the right reader, this book would be great. But for me personally, I found it to be okay. I didn't hate it but I wish somethings would have been different.
July 24, 2016
Well, this has been read in tandem while I read another book and A Window Opens didn't suffer from my diverting attention.
I guess that I don't know who the target audience was meant to be for a this novel; young urban high income earners with children? Are there a large percentage of those in the population? On one hand, it was The Devil Wears Prada in the new world e-book phoney baloney cruel corporate culture for dear idealistic Alice Pearse, formerly part-time mommy, magazine editor forced to take a full time job with ridiculously high pay and long hours when her husband's job goes up in flames. Kinda funny. I liked that part. Pure chick lit.
Then it was seriously sad, with a dying father and bereaved mother, grief-wracked kids and a husband who found more joy in bottles of booze than he did in the new legal business he was supposedly setting up. The time impact caused by family needs created unreasonable corporate snits and great personal conflict for Alice. Dramatic fiction, but...
Alice got to buy great clothes and look like a grown up in her grown up job. However, she experienced the hardships of not keeping up with her growing children's needs for wardrobes which fit, socks from the laundry not coupled and matched and having her very responsible babysitter taking over all of the time with the kids which used to be hers. Tragic.
Loyal, responsible Alice realizes (we've already figured this out by the second day, so it isn't a spoiler), that she doesn't much like her job, the family doesn't much like her having this job which has her on the phone texting when she IS home, her best friend doesn't like her job because it is in competition with her stock of real books in the neighbourhood book shop but Alice is afraid of being unable to afford bread without it. Nicholas, her lawyer husband, tells her that his new firm is doing quite well. If they don't upgrade their kitchen with the inheritance from her dad, she should quit the job and figure out what she WOULD like to do. Which, you know, is convenient because the babysitter is quitting to take an office job. LOVE FINDS A WAY!
I like chick lit because it usually has a flagrant disregard for reality, a large element of "Cinderellaism" and is usually goofily self-disparaging. It's feel good fiction, with sass and doesn't take itself too seriously. Any message is delivered usually one with common sense, aside from the elegant or not froth.
But "A Window Opens" can't make its mind up about what kind of novel it would like to be. It isn't a bad novel; the writing is quite good. It ends up floating in the netherworld of "women's fiction", with cute kid one-liners but no particular purpose. As Alice bemoaned her job while her excellent babysitter provided fabulous care, I thought of the many women who would love to have that advantage. And finally, when Alice decided that she didn't like her job and she could quit, I couldn't help but think of all of the women who must work every day, support their families, tolerate less than self-actualizing working conditions with less than a wonderful salary and aren't in a novel that promotes the hogwash this one does.
It made me want to join her husband Nicholas and drink vodka in the basement.
I guess that I don't know who the target audience was meant to be for a this novel; young urban high income earners with children? Are there a large percentage of those in the population? On one hand, it was The Devil Wears Prada in the new world e-book phoney baloney cruel corporate culture for dear idealistic Alice Pearse, formerly part-time mommy, magazine editor forced to take a full time job with ridiculously high pay and long hours when her husband's job goes up in flames. Kinda funny. I liked that part. Pure chick lit.
Then it was seriously sad, with a dying father and bereaved mother, grief-wracked kids and a husband who found more joy in bottles of booze than he did in the new legal business he was supposedly setting up. The time impact caused by family needs created unreasonable corporate snits and great personal conflict for Alice. Dramatic fiction, but...
Alice got to buy great clothes and look like a grown up in her grown up job. However, she experienced the hardships of not keeping up with her growing children's needs for wardrobes which fit, socks from the laundry not coupled and matched and having her very responsible babysitter taking over all of the time with the kids which used to be hers. Tragic.
Loyal, responsible Alice realizes (we've already figured this out by the second day, so it isn't a spoiler), that she doesn't much like her job, the family doesn't much like her having this job which has her on the phone texting when she IS home, her best friend doesn't like her job because it is in competition with her stock of real books in the neighbourhood book shop but Alice is afraid of being unable to afford bread without it. Nicholas, her lawyer husband, tells her that his new firm is doing quite well. If they don't upgrade their kitchen with the inheritance from her dad, she should quit the job and figure out what she WOULD like to do. Which, you know, is convenient because the babysitter is quitting to take an office job. LOVE FINDS A WAY!
I like chick lit because it usually has a flagrant disregard for reality, a large element of "Cinderellaism" and is usually goofily self-disparaging. It's feel good fiction, with sass and doesn't take itself too seriously. Any message is delivered usually one with common sense, aside from the elegant or not froth.
But "A Window Opens" can't make its mind up about what kind of novel it would like to be. It isn't a bad novel; the writing is quite good. It ends up floating in the netherworld of "women's fiction", with cute kid one-liners but no particular purpose. As Alice bemoaned her job while her excellent babysitter provided fabulous care, I thought of the many women who would love to have that advantage. And finally, when Alice decided that she didn't like her job and she could quit, I couldn't help but think of all of the women who must work every day, support their families, tolerate less than self-actualizing working conditions with less than a wonderful salary and aren't in a novel that promotes the hogwash this one does.
It made me want to join her husband Nicholas and drink vodka in the basement.
April 17, 2017
Alice Pearse is a loving mother who loves her kids as well as a loving wife to her husband. She loves her job as a Book editor for You magazine where she reviews and acquires books from Publishers to read for the magazine. When her husband quits his dead-end job at his lawyer firm to start a new one, Alice must find something full-time to let them have food and stay in their house. She finds a new job but it quickly takes the place of her family. Can she handle her job and family life or will it all collapse? Read on and find out for yourself.
I was recently asked by Simon and Schuster to read this book to consider it as a Summer read for the fiction selection at the Reading for Pleasure book club which I nominated it for our August Fiction group read and is currently in the poll to vote for it which voting ends today and the winner selected tomorrow. I borrowed this book at my local library and it was a pretty good read. Thank you so much for the recommendation Simon and Schuster. I enjoyed this. If you love stories about reading, family, and trying to handle it all, then definitely check this book out. This book is currently available at your local library and wherever books and ebooks are sold.
I was recently asked by Simon and Schuster to read this book to consider it as a Summer read for the fiction selection at the Reading for Pleasure book club which I nominated it for our August Fiction group read and is currently in the poll to vote for it which voting ends today and the winner selected tomorrow. I borrowed this book at my local library and it was a pretty good read. Thank you so much for the recommendation Simon and Schuster. I enjoyed this. If you love stories about reading, family, and trying to handle it all, then definitely check this book out. This book is currently available at your local library and wherever books and ebooks are sold.
October 1, 2015
This book interrupted my life in the very best way. I got no work done and ignored my children for pretty much the whole day so that I could finish it. It deals wonderfully with the theme of work/life balance, but it is much more than that. It made me laugh out loud and burst into tears several times, but it is much more than that too. Elisabeth Egan's observations on motherhood and the loss of a parent were completely relatable and spot-on. But what I really hope people appreciate when they read this book is just how beautiful and soul-nourishing the writing is. The book is well-crafted and satisfying in a way that many books of this genre are not, and the author alternates between the humorous and the profound with tremendous skill. Some of my favorite parts were the conversations with Alice's children that are sprinkled throughout the chapters. A Window Opens is a must read.
November 24, 2015
I'm hard-pressed to think of a character in recent memory to whom I could relate less than Alice Pease, and so, to me, she ended up feeling like a giant cliche.
July 16, 2015
THIS ISN'T A FUNNY OR HUMOROUS BOOK. It's about a woman who's so busy with kids, parents, job, commute, husband that she has no time for a sense of humor. The couple lighthearted incidents are out of place amid the dying parent, husband struggling with addiction, and the serious ethical issues she struggles with at her job.
The most striking and heartbreaking part of the book chronicles the decline of her dad's health. That part of the book was so alive and sad. It also means comparisons to Bridget Jones' Diary don't work.
This reminded me of The Circle by Dave Eggers, in that it's a woman naively trying to fit in at an (evil) corporation and oh-so-graaaadualllllly realizing that maybe it's not great. Maybe your revolutionary chain store ebook reading cafe won't be great for your best friend's local book shop! It doesn't take a genius.
I also don't have kids and the part where the main character has banned all video games from her house and forbidden them for her tween children seemed completely out of touch to me and made me annoyed with the character. Likewise
The most striking and heartbreaking part of the book chronicles the decline of her dad's health. That part of the book was so alive and sad. It also means comparisons to Bridget Jones' Diary don't work.
This reminded me of The Circle by Dave Eggers, in that it's a woman naively trying to fit in at an (evil) corporation and oh-so-graaaadualllllly realizing that maybe it's not great. Maybe your revolutionary chain store ebook reading cafe won't be great for your best friend's local book shop! It doesn't take a genius.
I also don't have kids and the part where the main character has banned all video games from her house and forbidden them for her tween children seemed completely out of touch to me and made me annoyed with the character. Likewise
December 11, 2016
This book isn't something I would typically gravitate toward, but I found that I really enjoyed it. The novel was picked for me as part of the 25 Goals challenge in the Reading for Pleasure Group by one of our fantastic mods, Amber. Good pick - thank you for exposing me to something I wouldn't normally choose that I quite enjoyed!
Meet Alice Pearse: a mom of three, devoted wife, amazing daughter, and a part time editor. Then life changes for her, and she scores a BIG job with BIG responsibility. Everything changes. This is a realistic story that explores the sacrifices and pain that one woman experiences as she tries to "have it all." She explores the change of life and flounders her way through it as life continues to ebb and flow around her.
I found myself frustrated with Alice for not seeing some things sooner or how she would react to certain challenging situations. I put myself in her shoes. I cried with her.
This was a 4.5 star read that I opted to go with 4 stars based upon my gut. I have no complaints about it.
Meet Alice Pearse: a mom of three, devoted wife, amazing daughter, and a part time editor. Then life changes for her, and she scores a BIG job with BIG responsibility. Everything changes. This is a realistic story that explores the sacrifices and pain that one woman experiences as she tries to "have it all." She explores the change of life and flounders her way through it as life continues to ebb and flow around her.
I found myself frustrated with Alice for not seeing some things sooner or how she would react to certain challenging situations. I put myself in her shoes. I cried with her.
This was a 4.5 star read that I opted to go with 4 stars based upon my gut. I have no complaints about it.
October 29, 2016
4 Stars - NetGalley Give-Away
January 5, 2016
Special thanks to the author and publisher for a copy of this book.
"When a door closes, a window opens."
This is the story of Alice Pearse and her family (which includes her husband, 3 children, a dog, her children's baby-sitter, her parents, and her brother with his own family!).
When her husband makes a drastic career move, Alice is forced to leave her relaxed part-time job as a magazine editor and look for a full-time job opportunity, to shoulder the responsibility of running their household.
In an expected stroke of luck, Alice lands an offer with an upcoming startup "Scroll", which aims "to reinvent reading the way Starbucks reinvented coffee".
With its promises to open chic book lounges, it is the very definition of a dream job for any book lover.
But life does not always go according to plan.
With upheavals in her personal and professional life alike, Alice marches ahead on this journey, which ultimately teaches her that when a door closes, a window does open.
Though I had found the first quarter of the book a tad bit slow, I'm glad I hung on.
Filled with immensely likeable characters (esp Alice's husband and her parents, and of course Alice herself!), this bittersweet slice-of-life story made me smile, laugh out loud, moved me to tears and left me over-whelmed, so much so that I really did not want it to end! :)
"When a door closes, a window opens."
This is the story of Alice Pearse and her family (which includes her husband, 3 children, a dog, her children's baby-sitter, her parents, and her brother with his own family!).
When her husband makes a drastic career move, Alice is forced to leave her relaxed part-time job as a magazine editor and look for a full-time job opportunity, to shoulder the responsibility of running their household.
In an expected stroke of luck, Alice lands an offer with an upcoming startup "Scroll", which aims "to reinvent reading the way Starbucks reinvented coffee".
With its promises to open chic book lounges, it is the very definition of a dream job for any book lover.
But life does not always go according to plan.
With upheavals in her personal and professional life alike, Alice marches ahead on this journey, which ultimately teaches her that when a door closes, a window does open.
Though I had found the first quarter of the book a tad bit slow, I'm glad I hung on.
Filled with immensely likeable characters (esp Alice's husband and her parents, and of course Alice herself!), this bittersweet slice-of-life story made me smile, laugh out loud, moved me to tears and left me over-whelmed, so much so that I really did not want it to end! :)
Read
August 29, 2015An insiders look
I raced through this insiders look at working in big/new publishing. Sweet, funny and with some keen insights too, you'll enjoy this.
I raced through this insiders look at working in big/new publishing. Sweet, funny and with some keen insights too, you'll enjoy this.
November 2, 2015
Looks like a lot of my friends really liked this book, but I'm going to be super honest here: I didn't.
I didn't hate it, I just wasn't impressed at all, and could drum up no sympathy for the main character, Alice.
First thing: the blurbs on the back cover call it "laugh-out-loud funny" and I couldn't disagree with this more. Beware anyone who's looking for some light chick lit. Liane Moriarty starts her books out light and fluffy, then adds in a lot of dark heavy stuff - there is still a lot of humor left in her stories; Elisabeth Egan starts this book out on an even keel and then gets deep into a parent losing a battle with terminal cancer and an alcoholic spouse (whom Alice basically never deals with over the course of a year). Perhaps there is humor to be found in these subjects, but I didn't see that any humor was being attempted and these were main plot points. I didn't find the book funny, I found it sad and depressing.
And then we have Alice, who is having difficulties adjusting to working life even though she has a husband AND A NANNY helping her at home. She doesn't even have to worry about dinner, her mother comes over to make dinner on Tuesdays and the nanny takes care of the rest. Do you know what I would have done to have dinner ready for me when I got home from work? To have had ANY help at home? I'm not saying work life is easy, I'm saying Egan is going to have to try a lot harder to impress women who had to work and take care of their children without help of a husband, much less a NANNY. Not to get into a competition with a fictional character, but I was a single mom with a full time job, taking 14 college units, and dealing with my parents' estate and clearing out and selling their house when they both died suddenly within 4 months of each other. Call me when you've managed all of that, ALICE.
And she has the nerve to be pissed at her husband when he helps her dying father get his affairs in order, or helps out her widowed mother later on. What kind of daughter ARE you, Alice?
So okay, let's say Alice concedes the hard-life competition to me, and the author points out that she wasn't the one who declared the book to be humorous. I still say there wasn't enough of anything else in this book. It wasn't a comedy, it wasn't serious enough to be dark, it wasn't light and fluffy, it wasn't solid literature. To me, it was just the story of an average woman's life over the period of a year. I didn't get anything out of that. I didn't learn anything. Contrary to several other GR reviewers, I also did not find anything "to think about". Perhaps I'm just too old and already lived through that life and those decisions, and perhaps my own circumstances prevent me from empathizing with Alice. But what I saw in this book was a woman resentful of the needed attention her husband gave her own parents, and yet couldn't be bothered to text back the children she claimed to miss so badly.
Obviously not the book for me. It wasn't awful, I'm not going to go down to 2 stars. But I won't be picking up this book again, and I'll have serious considerations before reading another book by this author.
Edit to add: One more thing. I LOVE Where’d You Go, Bernadette? This book is NOTHING like Where’d You Go, Bernadette?. The statement that this book is for fans of Where’d You Go, Bernadette? needs to be vanquished from the description. >:-(
I didn't hate it, I just wasn't impressed at all, and could drum up no sympathy for the main character, Alice.
First thing: the blurbs on the back cover call it "laugh-out-loud funny" and I couldn't disagree with this more. Beware anyone who's looking for some light chick lit. Liane Moriarty starts her books out light and fluffy, then adds in a lot of dark heavy stuff - there is still a lot of humor left in her stories; Elisabeth Egan starts this book out on an even keel and then gets deep into a parent losing a battle with terminal cancer and an alcoholic spouse (whom Alice basically never deals with over the course of a year). Perhaps there is humor to be found in these subjects, but I didn't see that any humor was being attempted and these were main plot points. I didn't find the book funny, I found it sad and depressing.
And then we have Alice, who is having difficulties adjusting to working life even though she has a husband AND A NANNY helping her at home. She doesn't even have to worry about dinner, her mother comes over to make dinner on Tuesdays and the nanny takes care of the rest. Do you know what I would have done to have dinner ready for me when I got home from work? To have had ANY help at home? I'm not saying work life is easy, I'm saying Egan is going to have to try a lot harder to impress women who had to work and take care of their children without help of a husband, much less a NANNY. Not to get into a competition with a fictional character, but I was a single mom with a full time job, taking 14 college units, and dealing with my parents' estate and clearing out and selling their house when they both died suddenly within 4 months of each other. Call me when you've managed all of that, ALICE.
And she has the nerve to be pissed at her husband when he helps her dying father get his affairs in order, or helps out her widowed mother later on. What kind of daughter ARE you, Alice?
So okay, let's say Alice concedes the hard-life competition to me, and the author points out that she wasn't the one who declared the book to be humorous. I still say there wasn't enough of anything else in this book. It wasn't a comedy, it wasn't serious enough to be dark, it wasn't light and fluffy, it wasn't solid literature. To me, it was just the story of an average woman's life over the period of a year. I didn't get anything out of that. I didn't learn anything. Contrary to several other GR reviewers, I also did not find anything "to think about". Perhaps I'm just too old and already lived through that life and those decisions, and perhaps my own circumstances prevent me from empathizing with Alice. But what I saw in this book was a woman resentful of the needed attention her husband gave her own parents, and yet couldn't be bothered to text back the children she claimed to miss so badly.
Obviously not the book for me. It wasn't awful, I'm not going to go down to 2 stars. But I won't be picking up this book again, and I'll have serious considerations before reading another book by this author.
Edit to add: One more thing. I LOVE Where’d You Go, Bernadette? This book is NOTHING like Where’d You Go, Bernadette?. The statement that this book is for fans of Where’d You Go, Bernadette? needs to be vanquished from the description. >:-(
September 15, 2015
I hadn't even seen the blurb comparing it to Where'd you go, Bernadette but if I had I would have been even more disappointed. This book was okay- I hate complaining about a novel because just having written a publishable book is something to praise but because we want to know what each other thinks I'll say that it was not a great read. But it was good enough.
I have read some books that are about nothing yet the writing sucks you in, the author's perspective on life or the protagonist is clever and funny etc. The insights are something to regard when reading a book about nothing but this was a book about a mom going into work full time - something most moms can probably relate to (or ponder the idea of doing if your'e a SAHM)- but I never felt I got to know the main character, Alice well. It was her story but it was a blah blah blah story. I didn't even get to know the other characters, and she threw in a whole new world with Scroll. I felt like it was a good first draft but needed some heavy editing, possibly a re write. The reader thinks that there's a troubled marriage- with her husband Nick getting fired or quitting his job and then starting on his own as a lawyer- she adds that he's starting to drink during the day but we didn't get to know why or how it was handled. We learn about the three kids but they're just in the background. Maybe some trouble is going on with the eldest but again, nothing comes of it (which is fine but there's no great sentences, thoughts, interesting ideas..)
The author develops this company called Scroll- which is confusing at best but from what I read had to do with a new way of reading- think: barns&noble and starbucks and no real paper books combined along with this artificial "town" where all the arty farty people can hang out and talk about how rich they are... and you have Scroll- and Alice joins this company because she loves books but she's the oldest one there and is having trouble learning all the new age lingo and the protocol for everything. I'm thinking google is like this - but that's just me going on what I saw from that Internship movie with Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn. But we don't even get a clear idea of what it is because all of a sudden it's not there anymore-
So the whole story just ends. Friendships suddenly mend, marriage suddenly mends. Kids are happy - still. and i'm left thinking...that i have no idea when this book takes place because everything is technically advanced yet Gone Girl had just come out..or the reference to the book being new.
anyway, it's ok.
but just Okay.
I have read some books that are about nothing yet the writing sucks you in, the author's perspective on life or the protagonist is clever and funny etc. The insights are something to regard when reading a book about nothing but this was a book about a mom going into work full time - something most moms can probably relate to (or ponder the idea of doing if your'e a SAHM)- but I never felt I got to know the main character, Alice well. It was her story but it was a blah blah blah story. I didn't even get to know the other characters, and she threw in a whole new world with Scroll. I felt like it was a good first draft but needed some heavy editing, possibly a re write. The reader thinks that there's a troubled marriage- with her husband Nick getting fired or quitting his job and then starting on his own as a lawyer- she adds that he's starting to drink during the day but we didn't get to know why or how it was handled. We learn about the three kids but they're just in the background. Maybe some trouble is going on with the eldest but again, nothing comes of it (which is fine but there's no great sentences, thoughts, interesting ideas..)
The author develops this company called Scroll- which is confusing at best but from what I read had to do with a new way of reading- think: barns&noble and starbucks and no real paper books combined along with this artificial "town" where all the arty farty people can hang out and talk about how rich they are... and you have Scroll- and Alice joins this company because she loves books but she's the oldest one there and is having trouble learning all the new age lingo and the protocol for everything. I'm thinking google is like this - but that's just me going on what I saw from that Internship movie with Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn. But we don't even get a clear idea of what it is because all of a sudden it's not there anymore-
So the whole story just ends. Friendships suddenly mend, marriage suddenly mends. Kids are happy - still. and i'm left thinking...that i have no idea when this book takes place because everything is technically advanced yet Gone Girl had just come out..or the reference to the book being new.
anyway, it's ok.
but just Okay.
January 10, 2016
A Window Opens by Elisabeth Egan explores the myth that women can 'have it all'.
Alice Pearse has a part time job she loves, reviewing books for a magazine, which allows her to spend plenty of time with her three children but when her husband announces he has quit his job Alice is forced to find full time work. An exciting opportunity with a start up company seems to present the ideal solution but as the demands of her new job begin to overwhelm her family life, Alice is left off-balance.
Suddenly finding herself with a lot on her plate... a mercurial boss, tension in her marriage, and her father's harrowing ill-health, Alice struggles to cope with the stress. There were lots of things I could broadly relate to in regards to Alice's new challenges, however it's an upper middle class, and rather clichéd, perspective of the struggle to find a work/life balance.
The most affecting scenes in the novel involved Alice's father decline due to a recurrence of cancer. I enjoyed Egan's send up of 'Scroll', (though I have to admit I admired the original concept), I can't abide the idea of submitting to all that corporate craziness. Book lovers will enjoy the literary references sprinkled among the pages.
A Window Opens was a quick and easy read, well written, but not one I found particularly original or memorable in terms of plot or character.
July 9, 2015
“Alice Pearce has a pretty great life. She has a loving family and works part-time as an editor for a magazine. When her family’s financial situation takes a drastic turn, Alice finds that she needs to step up to the plate and contribute more, and she finds this comes at a cost. I think many women will see themselves in Alice’s character. I recommend this book to moms who need a little time to themselves; they might realize that maybe things aren’t so bad for them after all.”
Rosanna Johnson, Chandler Public Library, Chandler, AZ
Rosanna Johnson, Chandler Public Library, Chandler, AZ
March 17, 2019
Wonderful book about a reader/mom turned serious business woman - but at what expense? Very relatable to me and definitely makes me continue to think about our life choices and consequences. I thought the main character Alice was a brave woman and was rooting for her the whole time. Lovely book jacket design. Very recommendable book. I could totally relate.
Thanks to Simon & Schuster for a copy of this marvelous book & I gave an honest review.
Our greatest weakness lies in giving up.
When you're going through hell, keep going.
Do any human beings realize life while they live it - every, every minute? - Thornton Wilder, Our Town
I forced my memory to zoom out, like the long lens of a camera. You had to keep the picture at a wide angle-that was the trick. The devastation was in the details.
My mother was the making of me. -Thomas Edison
Remember, you are the making of your kids.
Funny has legs. (spending your life with someone)
A better question is What do you really Want? vs. if possible to having it all
Thanks to Simon & Schuster for a copy of this marvelous book & I gave an honest review.
Our greatest weakness lies in giving up.
When you're going through hell, keep going.
Do any human beings realize life while they live it - every, every minute? - Thornton Wilder, Our Town
I forced my memory to zoom out, like the long lens of a camera. You had to keep the picture at a wide angle-that was the trick. The devastation was in the details.
My mother was the making of me. -Thomas Edison
Remember, you are the making of your kids.
Funny has legs. (spending your life with someone)
A better question is What do you really Want? vs. if possible to having it all
August 5, 2015
Alice Pearse and Nicholas Bauer have been married for thirteen years. With three kids—Margo, Oliver, and Georgie—their plates are full. Alice works part-time for a magazine, and Nicholas works for a law firm.
They are managing fairly well until Nicholas is told he will not be promoted, so he loses his temper….then quits. Now he will be starting his own practice. But with the loss of his income, Alice must find full-time work.
Her quest leads her to a start-up company that will change the face of the bookish world. Those in charge of the company describe what they hope to accomplish as creating “retail lounges” for readers. And the concept sounds exciting.
Susanna owns a “board and brick” bookstore that will be impacted by this kind of venture. As Alice’s best friend, she feels betrayed and is less than supportive.
Meanwhile, Alice’s dad, who suffered the loss of his larynx due to cancer, has just had some devastating news. How will the family manage to deal with what lies ahead?
How will Alice find her way through the maelstrom of this new normal? Can her demanding new job provide enough extra money to make up for her hours away from the family? Will some new disappointing discoveries about the start-up change Alice’s life, going forward?
As the characters struggled, I found some of them more relatable than others. Yes, Alice had made the choice that would now lead to more new tasks in her life, but I couldn't help but root for her anyway, while disliking how Nicholas chose to handle his challenges. There were some disturbing signs of trouble that kept me turning pages in eager anticipation of solutions, even as I hoped that the characters would find a way to rise above their difficulties.
As usual, the kids were self-absorbed, acting out over the slightest obstacle in their lives. Margo, especially, on the cusp of adolescence, was annoying and unlikeable at times. I felt impatient with each outburst she displayed. Then there were moments when the kids expressed some understanding and growth. Like a real family struggling with real issues, in the end, I could not help but root for all of them…and I loved how the author brought A Window Opens to conclusion. 5 stars.
***This e-ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
They are managing fairly well until Nicholas is told he will not be promoted, so he loses his temper….then quits. Now he will be starting his own practice. But with the loss of his income, Alice must find full-time work.
Her quest leads her to a start-up company that will change the face of the bookish world. Those in charge of the company describe what they hope to accomplish as creating “retail lounges” for readers. And the concept sounds exciting.
Susanna owns a “board and brick” bookstore that will be impacted by this kind of venture. As Alice’s best friend, she feels betrayed and is less than supportive.
Meanwhile, Alice’s dad, who suffered the loss of his larynx due to cancer, has just had some devastating news. How will the family manage to deal with what lies ahead?
How will Alice find her way through the maelstrom of this new normal? Can her demanding new job provide enough extra money to make up for her hours away from the family? Will some new disappointing discoveries about the start-up change Alice’s life, going forward?
As the characters struggled, I found some of them more relatable than others. Yes, Alice had made the choice that would now lead to more new tasks in her life, but I couldn't help but root for her anyway, while disliking how Nicholas chose to handle his challenges. There were some disturbing signs of trouble that kept me turning pages in eager anticipation of solutions, even as I hoped that the characters would find a way to rise above their difficulties.
As usual, the kids were self-absorbed, acting out over the slightest obstacle in their lives. Margo, especially, on the cusp of adolescence, was annoying and unlikeable at times. I felt impatient with each outburst she displayed. Then there were moments when the kids expressed some understanding and growth. Like a real family struggling with real issues, in the end, I could not help but root for all of them…and I loved how the author brought A Window Opens to conclusion. 5 stars.
***This e-ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
October 16, 2015
I went into A Window Opens not really knowing what to expect, and came out on the other side pleasantly surprised. It's a story of a woman trying to find balance in her life between having a demanding job and raising three young children, as well as dealing with her father's health situation. Alice's job reminds me of something out of a Lauren Weisberger or Emma and Nicola novel. Her boss runs hot and cold on a daily basis. She's required to answer e-mails on weekends or vacation days. Her role changes from what she was expecting coming in to the company. In the meantime, even with her husband available to help with the kids more often, he tends to act like one at times and Alice also has to worry about him.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and found myself being able to relate to Alice in some ways and thankful to not have other things in common with her. In any case, she's a sympathetic character who seems genuine and real to me. Her flaws are out in plain sight. I had a hard time putting down the book each time I picked it up. The chapters are short and sweet but still manage to relay a lot of information.
Side note: I received an ARC of this novel at a book event earlier this year, so I can only hope that some of the time discrepancies were corrected since then. I also had to keep in mind that the story was meant to take place in 2012, but even then I was doing too much math in my head.
As far as casting, I thought Sutton Foster (http://imdb.to/1hJbbtw) would be good as Alice, based on her role in Younger, and Michelle Williams (http://imdb.to/1NMMsTr) could play Genevieve (Alice's boss), but I'd love to hear some other ideas.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and found myself being able to relate to Alice in some ways and thankful to not have other things in common with her. In any case, she's a sympathetic character who seems genuine and real to me. Her flaws are out in plain sight. I had a hard time putting down the book each time I picked it up. The chapters are short and sweet but still manage to relay a lot of information.
Side note: I received an ARC of this novel at a book event earlier this year, so I can only hope that some of the time discrepancies were corrected since then. I also had to keep in mind that the story was meant to take place in 2012, but even then I was doing too much math in my head.
As far as casting, I thought Sutton Foster (http://imdb.to/1hJbbtw) would be good as Alice, based on her role in Younger, and Michelle Williams (http://imdb.to/1NMMsTr) could play Genevieve (Alice's boss), but I'd love to hear some other ideas.
October 16, 2015
I like this. A lot. I really liked the main character, Alice and how she struggles to balance work and personal life admist a ailing parent, laid off husband, three kids etc. It sounds like a dark read but it was very humorous overall. If you are someone who likes books that aren't about extraordinary circumstances but mainly about people, just living their ordinary life you'd like this book. I'd read more by this author.
March 28, 2016
Sin dalle prime righe sono entrata in sintonia con Alice Pearse, la protagonista del romanzo. Alice è una donna nata e cresciuta in mezzo ai libri, nutre per loro un amore smisurato e di questa passione ha fatto anche un lavoro: si occupa infatti di leggere e recensire libri per una rivista, “You”, e questo impiego – seppure part time – la soddisfa molto e le lascia anche il tempo libero necessario per occuparsi della casa e dei tre figli.
Tutto finché per il marito Nicholas non inizia un periodo di crisi con il lavoro: l’ufficio legale presso cui lavora infatti decide di non promuoverlo a socio e l’uomo è dunque costretto a reinventarsi. Il suo sogno è quello di aprire uno studio legale tutto suo, ma per realizzare questa idea ci vogliono tempo e, soprattutto, soldi.
Alice decide così di dedicarsi ad un lavoro a tempo pieno, ma purtroppo non c’è un posto a disposizione nella redazione della rivista presso cui lavora. Il caso vuole che su Twitter venga contattata da Genevieve, una donna che sta cercando lettori appassionati per dare vita ad una catena di sale di lettura dedicata ai libri digitali. Per Alice inizia dunque una fase del tutto nuova – non sto qui a svelarvi tutti i dettagli per non rovinarvi il gusto della lettura.
Cosa mi è piaciuto di questo libro? Senz’altro la fluidità e la facilità con cui si fa leggere. Le pagine scorrono una dietro l’altra e si arriva alla fine senza neanche accorgersene. I libri sono ovunque, la protagonista scopre man mano la differenza tra lettura cartacea e lettura digitale e vengono analizzati anche i sottili equilibri che si instaurano tra librerie indipendenti e grandi società. Oltre alla componente librosa assistiamo al rapporto di Alice con i suoi figli, con suo marito e con i suoi genitori – in particolare con il padre, molto preparato dal punto di vista della tecnologia ( forse anche più di lei).
Ci sono stati anche dei punti che forse mi hanno convinta un pochino di meno: ad esempio ho trovato carente la parte legata alla questione “bookblogger”, che pensavo invece fosse sviluppata in maniera molto approfondita, ma di cui purtroppo non ci sono segni nel libro.
Alcuni punti poi sono stati piuttosto lenti rispetto al resto della storia e questo ha creato una disomogeneità tra la prima e la seconda parte in cui la storia si divide.
Nel complesso sono più i punti a favore che quelli a sfavore, per cui se amate le storie che parlano di libri e sono basate su di essi questo libro fa decisamente al caso vostro.
Tutto finché per il marito Nicholas non inizia un periodo di crisi con il lavoro: l’ufficio legale presso cui lavora infatti decide di non promuoverlo a socio e l’uomo è dunque costretto a reinventarsi. Il suo sogno è quello di aprire uno studio legale tutto suo, ma per realizzare questa idea ci vogliono tempo e, soprattutto, soldi.
Alice decide così di dedicarsi ad un lavoro a tempo pieno, ma purtroppo non c’è un posto a disposizione nella redazione della rivista presso cui lavora. Il caso vuole che su Twitter venga contattata da Genevieve, una donna che sta cercando lettori appassionati per dare vita ad una catena di sale di lettura dedicata ai libri digitali. Per Alice inizia dunque una fase del tutto nuova – non sto qui a svelarvi tutti i dettagli per non rovinarvi il gusto della lettura.
Cosa mi è piaciuto di questo libro? Senz’altro la fluidità e la facilità con cui si fa leggere. Le pagine scorrono una dietro l’altra e si arriva alla fine senza neanche accorgersene. I libri sono ovunque, la protagonista scopre man mano la differenza tra lettura cartacea e lettura digitale e vengono analizzati anche i sottili equilibri che si instaurano tra librerie indipendenti e grandi società. Oltre alla componente librosa assistiamo al rapporto di Alice con i suoi figli, con suo marito e con i suoi genitori – in particolare con il padre, molto preparato dal punto di vista della tecnologia ( forse anche più di lei).
Ci sono stati anche dei punti che forse mi hanno convinta un pochino di meno: ad esempio ho trovato carente la parte legata alla questione “bookblogger”, che pensavo invece fosse sviluppata in maniera molto approfondita, ma di cui purtroppo non ci sono segni nel libro.
Alcuni punti poi sono stati piuttosto lenti rispetto al resto della storia e questo ha creato una disomogeneità tra la prima e la seconda parte in cui la storia si divide.
Nel complesso sono più i punti a favore che quelli a sfavore, per cui se amate le storie che parlano di libri e sono basate su di essi questo libro fa decisamente al caso vostro.
March 31, 2021
This story brought me to tears. There is nothing in the synopsis that lead me to believe it would bring on the feels, but this story really spoke to me and made me cry big fat ugly tears. A Window Opens was such a nice surprise about career, child rearing, friendships, family ties, and love.
I give it 5 enthusiastic stars for being awesome!
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