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The Operator: A Witty Historical Debut – A Switchboard Operator Uncovers Gossip, Scandal, and Shocking Secrets in 1950s Ohio
"What if you could listen in on any phone conversation in town? With great humor and insight, The Operator by Gretchen Berg delivers a vivid look inside the heads and hearts of a group of housewives and pokes at the absurdities of 1950s America, a simpler time that was far from simple. Think The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel in the suburbs with delicious turns of jealousy, infidelity, bigotry, and embezzlement thrown in for good measure. The Operator is irresistible!" —Kathryn Stockett, author of the New York Times bestselling novel The Help
A clever, surprising, and ultimately moving debut novel, set in a small Midwestern town in the early 1950s, about a nosy switchboard operator who overhears gossip involving her own family, and the unraveling that discovery sets into motion.
In a small town, everyone knows everyone else’s business . . .
Nobody knows the people of Wooster, Ohio, better than switchboard operator Vivian Dalton, and she’d be the first to tell you that. She calls it intuition. Her teenage daughter, Charlotte, calls it eavesdropping.
Vivian and the other women who work at Bell on East Liberty Street connect lines and lives. They aren’t supposed to listen in on conversations, but they do, and they all have opinions on what they hear—especially Vivian. She knows that Mrs. Butler’s ungrateful daughter, Maxine, still hasn’t thanked her mother for the quilt she made, and that Ginny Frazier turned down yet another invitation to go to the A&W with Clyde Walsh.
Then, one cold December night, Vivian listens in on a call between that snob Betty Miller and someone whose voice she can’t quite place and hears something shocking. Betty Miller’s mystery friend has news that, if true, will shatter Vivian’s tidy life in Wooster, humiliating her and making her the laughingstock of the town.
Vivian may be mortified, but she isn’t going to take this lying down. She’s going to get to the bottom of that rumor—get into it, get under it, poke around in the corners. Find every last bit. Vivian wants the truth, no matter how painful it may be.
But as Vivian is about to be reminded, in a small town like Wooster, one secret usually leads to another. . . .
A clever, surprising, and ultimately moving debut novel, set in a small Midwestern town in the early 1950s, about a nosy switchboard operator who overhears gossip involving her own family, and the unraveling that discovery sets into motion.
In a small town, everyone knows everyone else’s business . . .
Nobody knows the people of Wooster, Ohio, better than switchboard operator Vivian Dalton, and she’d be the first to tell you that. She calls it intuition. Her teenage daughter, Charlotte, calls it eavesdropping.
Vivian and the other women who work at Bell on East Liberty Street connect lines and lives. They aren’t supposed to listen in on conversations, but they do, and they all have opinions on what they hear—especially Vivian. She knows that Mrs. Butler’s ungrateful daughter, Maxine, still hasn’t thanked her mother for the quilt she made, and that Ginny Frazier turned down yet another invitation to go to the A&W with Clyde Walsh.
Then, one cold December night, Vivian listens in on a call between that snob Betty Miller and someone whose voice she can’t quite place and hears something shocking. Betty Miller’s mystery friend has news that, if true, will shatter Vivian’s tidy life in Wooster, humiliating her and making her the laughingstock of the town.
Vivian may be mortified, but she isn’t going to take this lying down. She’s going to get to the bottom of that rumor—get into it, get under it, poke around in the corners. Find every last bit. Vivian wants the truth, no matter how painful it may be.
But as Vivian is about to be reminded, in a small town like Wooster, one secret usually leads to another. . . .
368 pages, Paperback
First published March 3, 2020
938 people are currently reading
19716 people want to read
About the author
Gretchen Berg
6 books297 followersGretchen is an internationally-published author who spent many years working in the fields of education and travel. Her parents had always encouraged her to write, but she waited until she heard “you are a writer" from more trustworthy advisors: a London psychic, and a taxicab driver in Athens, Greece. The taxicab driver also said they had been lovers in a previous life. She has traveled to over forty-five countries, and set foot on all seven continents. Her first foray into writing was the 2012 memoir I HAVE IRAQ IN MY SHOE, which was re-released in 2025. Also released in 2025 was her suspense/thriller ANTIGUA. Her 2020 novel THE OPERATOR has been translated into six languages, and was an Amazon “Editor’s Pick” for Best Literature & Fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,244 reviews
June 9, 2020
The Operator by Gretchen Berg is a 2020 William Morrow publication.
A bit of a mixed bag-
The premise for this book is certainly intriguing-
Set in a small town in Ohio, Vivien, a telephone operator with an unethical penchant for listening in on other people’s phone conversations, overhears a tantalizing piece of gossip that could upend her entire life. Therefore, she must hunt down the perpetrator of the rumor and investigate all ramifications no matter what painful truths she uncovers in the process….
The story hit a sour note for me almost from the start. Some inconsistencies regarding the Fifties era singled to me that the author or her editor didn’t dot all the I’s or cross all the T’s historically.
By the time I made it past the first quarter of the book, I seriously considered tossing in the towel. I struggled mightily with Vivien and her non-stop babbling, and with the intended humor that often fell flat. But I’m glad I forged ahead because once the big rumor Vivien overheard is finally revealed, the story starts to get pretty interesting.
Almost against my will I found myself highly invested Vivien’s amateur sleuthing and even became a little concerned for her at times- which is saying something, since she mostly got on my nerves up to that point.
Once the story got rolling good, I just had to find out how everything would turn out for Vivien and her family. I ended up grudgingly admitting to myself that the book turned out to be okay, after all.
The tone of the book is light, but does have some poignant moments hidden behind the swift, over talkative pacing. Despite missing the mark on some historical details, the author did do some research, adding details about a popular shade of lipstick, and I must concede she did capture the spirit of the fifties, overall.
Upon reflection, the book has a certain charm, even though it got off to a rocky start. Although, it was a bit of a mixed bag, it ended on a high note- so, I’ll give it a generous nudge up on the rating scale-
3 stars
A bit of a mixed bag-
The premise for this book is certainly intriguing-
Set in a small town in Ohio, Vivien, a telephone operator with an unethical penchant for listening in on other people’s phone conversations, overhears a tantalizing piece of gossip that could upend her entire life. Therefore, she must hunt down the perpetrator of the rumor and investigate all ramifications no matter what painful truths she uncovers in the process….
The story hit a sour note for me almost from the start. Some inconsistencies regarding the Fifties era singled to me that the author or her editor didn’t dot all the I’s or cross all the T’s historically.
By the time I made it past the first quarter of the book, I seriously considered tossing in the towel. I struggled mightily with Vivien and her non-stop babbling, and with the intended humor that often fell flat. But I’m glad I forged ahead because once the big rumor Vivien overheard is finally revealed, the story starts to get pretty interesting.
Almost against my will I found myself highly invested Vivien’s amateur sleuthing and even became a little concerned for her at times- which is saying something, since she mostly got on my nerves up to that point.
Once the story got rolling good, I just had to find out how everything would turn out for Vivien and her family. I ended up grudgingly admitting to myself that the book turned out to be okay, after all.
The tone of the book is light, but does have some poignant moments hidden behind the swift, over talkative pacing. Despite missing the mark on some historical details, the author did do some research, adding details about a popular shade of lipstick, and I must concede she did capture the spirit of the fifties, overall.
Upon reflection, the book has a certain charm, even though it got off to a rocky start. Although, it was a bit of a mixed bag, it ended on a high note- so, I’ll give it a generous nudge up on the rating scale-
3 stars
March 21, 2020
In the 1950s, small town telephone switchboard operator Vivian Dalton habitually listens in on calls. One day she hears a piece of gossip about her family that disrupts her life. Unfortunately, what she hears isn’t revealed in the book until about the 40% point. Once it was finally revealed, the secrets about the townsfolk just kept coming.
The backstories of some of the characters in this book turn out to be slightly deeper and more serious than they first appear from the simplistic manner in which the book is written. The problem is that the story is told from Vivian’s point of view and the author chose to make her unintelligent and naive just because she didn’t have a high school diploma. Uneducated isn’t the same as dumb. My other problem with the book was that the characters were so gossipy, snobbish, bigoted and horrid to each other that I really didn’t care what problems they might have in their lives. I was interested enough in the book to keep reading, but I thought it was just ok.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
The backstories of some of the characters in this book turn out to be slightly deeper and more serious than they first appear from the simplistic manner in which the book is written. The problem is that the story is told from Vivian’s point of view and the author chose to make her unintelligent and naive just because she didn’t have a high school diploma. Uneducated isn’t the same as dumb. My other problem with the book was that the characters were so gossipy, snobbish, bigoted and horrid to each other that I really didn’t care what problems they might have in their lives. I was interested enough in the book to keep reading, but I thought it was just ok.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
November 11, 2023
In 1952, 38-year-old Vivian Dalton is a telephone operator in Wooster, Ohio. Vivian connects and disconnects phone calls and - though it's strictly against the rules - often listens in.
Thus Vivian is privy to the town's latest news and gossip. Vivian is especially interested in Wooster's 'Queen Bee', Betty Miller, whose father is Wooster's mayor and bank manager.
Betty Miller had a privileged childhood, married well, and is now inordinately proud of her beautiful house, fashionable clothes, well-groomed children, and flair for entertaining.
Betty is always throwing parties, which is a convenient way for her to show off, spread gossip, and badmouth people she doesn't like.
Vivian and Betty don't run in the same circles, so Betty is horrified when Vivian, proudly wearing a new hat, happens to catch her eye and wave hello. The effrontery!!
Soon afterward Betty gets a phone call that relates embarrassing news about Vivian's family, which Vivian overhears. Vivian is shocked and horrified about the scuttlebutt and decides to investigate the matter herself.
As Vivian looks into the rumor there are flashbacks to the past, and we learn about Vivian growing up with her parents and two sisters; young Vivian eavesdropping at family gatherings;
Vivian getting a job at the phone company; Vivian getting married; Vivian giving birth to a daughter; and so on.
While Vivian is investigating the matter, Betty is insidiously - and happily - spreading the scandalous news about Vivian's family.
Betty is a self-centered, nasty piece of work and I hoped she'd get her comeuppance. In fact Betty does have SOME worries because two employees at her father's bank embezzled money and ran away, putting her dad in a financial bind.
Vivian is a flawed character as well, with her obsessive eavesdropping. However, Vivian has wiles and courage, and strives to better herself. Even though she didn't graduate from high school, Vivian likes to read women's magazines, learn new words and write poems.
The story is warm and funny in places but moves slowly and lacks sufficient drama (in my opinion). Still, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to fans of literary fiction.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....
May 28, 2020
I Was Connected!
I really liked this book although it wasn't the light read I’d anticipated. The Operator comprises humor yes, but also deeper life observations and sadder moments too.
I was expecting laughter and gossip as the switchboard operators listened to private conversations but much of the story takes place away from Vivian’s job. Her husband, sisters, daughter, neighbors, and friends compose portions of the book taking turns narrating and in different time periods.
There are mysteries to be solved in addition to the family and town drama. Although not always likable, I was cheering for Vivian and invested in the outcome of her story.
I can understand why the reviews are so varied. The unique writing style and formatting took me a minute to get used to. The story isn’t linear so I had to pay attention to not miss clues. However, I thought it was worth the effort because of the emotional and artistic dimension.
I would recommend this to those who like historical fiction and women’s stories.
Thank you DeAnn for buddy reading with me!
I really liked this book although it wasn't the light read I’d anticipated. The Operator comprises humor yes, but also deeper life observations and sadder moments too.
I was expecting laughter and gossip as the switchboard operators listened to private conversations but much of the story takes place away from Vivian’s job. Her husband, sisters, daughter, neighbors, and friends compose portions of the book taking turns narrating and in different time periods.
There are mysteries to be solved in addition to the family and town drama. Although not always likable, I was cheering for Vivian and invested in the outcome of her story.
I can understand why the reviews are so varied. The unique writing style and formatting took me a minute to get used to. The story isn’t linear so I had to pay attention to not miss clues. However, I thought it was worth the effort because of the emotional and artistic dimension.
I would recommend this to those who like historical fiction and women’s stories.
Thank you DeAnn for buddy reading with me!
April 13, 2020
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
2.5 Stars
Man, I have a disappoint. This book had so much potential. To sum things up briefly, The Operator is a story that takes place back in the 1950s in a little town called Wooster, Ohio. The main character of the story is a gal named Vivian, who makes a living working for Ma Bell . . . .
Like all of the other operators, occasionally Vivian likes to listen in on a call ortwelve two in order to keep up with the local gossip. But what happens when the gossip in question just so happens to be about her?????
This book is all about Vivian believing one dirty little secret from her past is going to become public domain, while eventually watching all of the skeletons fall out of some other townsfolks’ closets as well. As I said before, it had tons of potential (and that cover is the bees knees). Unfortunately, it fell flat for me.
Obviously YMMV, so if it’s on your to-read stack, give it a whirl.
2.5 Stars
Man, I have a disappoint. This book had so much potential. To sum things up briefly, The Operator is a story that takes place back in the 1950s in a little town called Wooster, Ohio. The main character of the story is a gal named Vivian, who makes a living working for Ma Bell . . . .
Like all of the other operators, occasionally Vivian likes to listen in on a call or
This book is all about Vivian believing one dirty little secret from her past is going to become public domain, while eventually watching all of the skeletons fall out of some other townsfolks’ closets as well. As I said before, it had tons of potential (and that cover is the bees knees). Unfortunately, it fell flat for me.
Obviously YMMV, so if it’s on your to-read stack, give it a whirl.
March 10, 2020
Operators listening in on conversations?
It’s the 1950’s, and that could be done with a simple "number please." The operators could also disconnect a call too.
What if you heard something in a conversation about you? Would you keep listening to conversations? Would you try to do something about what you heard?
Vivian was devastated when she listened to a conversation and found out she was the topic of some gossip and gossip she wanted to keep under wraps even though she knew it would spread like wildfire.
After hearing the gossip, Vivian tried to avoid everyone when she went out in case they would ask her any questions.
What could it be that she was so worried about? The reader was kept in suspense for many chapters.
There were other problems that the town thought were worth gossiping about too - and there was plenty of gossip to pass around.
Secrets and gossip kept the small town of Wooster buzzing.
THE OPERATOR is a light, comical, enjoyable read that should be enjoyed by readers of all genres. 5/5
This book was given to me by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
It’s the 1950’s, and that could be done with a simple "number please." The operators could also disconnect a call too.
What if you heard something in a conversation about you? Would you keep listening to conversations? Would you try to do something about what you heard?
Vivian was devastated when she listened to a conversation and found out she was the topic of some gossip and gossip she wanted to keep under wraps even though she knew it would spread like wildfire.
After hearing the gossip, Vivian tried to avoid everyone when she went out in case they would ask her any questions.
What could it be that she was so worried about? The reader was kept in suspense for many chapters.
There were other problems that the town thought were worth gossiping about too - and there was plenty of gossip to pass around.
Secrets and gossip kept the small town of Wooster buzzing.
THE OPERATOR is a light, comical, enjoyable read that should be enjoyed by readers of all genres. 5/5
This book was given to me by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 11, 2020
Even though they weren't supposed to, Vivian and the other girls who sat at the switchboards of Ohio Bell on East Liberty Street listened in on the telephone calls. Each and every day they plugged their cords into the jacks, flipped their switches, and leaned into their headsets to find out what was going on around Wooster. You might say they were the ears of the town.
I come from a long line gossipy women. In fact, I still maintain that my mother and aunt attended church religiously NOT to save their immortal souls, but to have something to talk about at Sunday dinner. "Can you believe what so-and-so was wearing?" were frequently the first words uttered after the "Amens" that followed Grandpa's standard meal prayer. (Bless us, Oh Lord, and these thy gifts which we are about to receive from thy bounty, through Christ, Our Lord.) But for all the slung mud, their gossip was not malicious: they were not out to wound.
The characters in this novel are harpies of a different color. Vivian, the main character, is bored with her marriage, and her life. She's hoping for a nice juicy scandal to liven things up, but when she finally overhears a terrific bit of dirt, it hits a little too close to home.
I must give the author credit for daring to write a book peopled with so many unlikable characters. It was a bold move that not many writers will try. Not knowing exactly who to root for can certainly keep things interesting. But, on the whole, this is not a very good book. Like many first time authors, Berg tries to cram a few too many plots into her pages. And, for some reason . . . there are recipes.
There's a lot of promise here, however, including a satisfying conclusion involving redemption for some, humble pie for others. I'm sure Berg's next effort will improve on what she's offered in this book, though I'm kind of hoping she'll stick to writing about unpleasant people. After all, there's nothing wrong with a little gossip now and then.
I come from a long line gossipy women. In fact, I still maintain that my mother and aunt attended church religiously NOT to save their immortal souls, but to have something to talk about at Sunday dinner. "Can you believe what so-and-so was wearing?" were frequently the first words uttered after the "Amens" that followed Grandpa's standard meal prayer. (Bless us, Oh Lord, and these thy gifts which we are about to receive from thy bounty, through Christ, Our Lord.) But for all the slung mud, their gossip was not malicious: they were not out to wound.
The characters in this novel are harpies of a different color. Vivian, the main character, is bored with her marriage, and her life. She's hoping for a nice juicy scandal to liven things up, but when she finally overhears a terrific bit of dirt, it hits a little too close to home.
I must give the author credit for daring to write a book peopled with so many unlikable characters. It was a bold move that not many writers will try. Not knowing exactly who to root for can certainly keep things interesting. But, on the whole, this is not a very good book. Like many first time authors, Berg tries to cram a few too many plots into her pages. And, for some reason . . . there are recipes.
There's a lot of promise here, however, including a satisfying conclusion involving redemption for some, humble pie for others. I'm sure Berg's next effort will improve on what she's offered in this book, though I'm kind of hoping she'll stick to writing about unpleasant people. After all, there's nothing wrong with a little gossip now and then.
March 13, 2020
Vivian Dalton is a switchboard operator in the small town of Wooster, Ohio. She knows the people of her town quite well--thanks in no small part to the eavesdropping she and the other women do while working at Bell. Usually it's pretty harmless, but that all changes one December night when Vivian listens in on a call between Betty Miller--a rich woman whom she despises--and someone else, whom she doesn't recognize. Their conversation reveals a shocking secret that affects Vivian personally and, if true, will change her life forever. Vivian is horrified, and she starts to investigate. In doing so, she begins to unearth even more secrets and lies.
"That was the thing about small towns. Everyone knew everyone else's business."
I don't often pick up historical fiction, but I won this book, and it sounded interesting. It certainly was. This is a fascinating look at small town relationships and the power of secrets and family. Vivian is quite a character; married to her husband, Edward, for fifteen years, with a daughter Charlotte, who is a sophomore in high school. Her life is small and mainly confined to Wooster. Vivian resents her siblings who finished high school, something she couldn't do as she had to help her family when money grew tight.
The book starts off a little slow, as I'm never a huge fan when we're told there's a huge secret (what Vivian overhears) but it isn't revealed. Once we finally find out what it was, things pick up. Vivian takes on more power, showing a tough and determined side, especially for what was expected of women in 1950s. The book does a good job of illustrating the limitations, but also strengths, of women in the time period. Berg also includes excerpts from Vivian's childhood and growing in the 1930s. I enjoyed seeing how different things were and watching Vivian overcome so much. Her daughter, Charlotte, was a great character, too. There are also a lot of side stories, too, involving a host of small town Wooster characters and even a bank robbery.
Overall, while this took a while to warm up, it was an intriguing look at lies and secrets and how they affected the Dalton family. It's easy to get invested in Vivian and Charlotte (her husband, Edward, seemed like a pretty one-dimensional character, though). It does a strong job of portraying women and all they endure. The book is witty and heartfelt as well. 3.75 stars, rounded to four here.
I won a copy of this book from William Morrow.
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"That was the thing about small towns. Everyone knew everyone else's business."
I don't often pick up historical fiction, but I won this book, and it sounded interesting. It certainly was. This is a fascinating look at small town relationships and the power of secrets and family. Vivian is quite a character; married to her husband, Edward, for fifteen years, with a daughter Charlotte, who is a sophomore in high school. Her life is small and mainly confined to Wooster. Vivian resents her siblings who finished high school, something she couldn't do as she had to help her family when money grew tight.
The book starts off a little slow, as I'm never a huge fan when we're told there's a huge secret (what Vivian overhears) but it isn't revealed. Once we finally find out what it was, things pick up. Vivian takes on more power, showing a tough and determined side, especially for what was expected of women in 1950s. The book does a good job of illustrating the limitations, but also strengths, of women in the time period. Berg also includes excerpts from Vivian's childhood and growing in the 1930s. I enjoyed seeing how different things were and watching Vivian overcome so much. Her daughter, Charlotte, was a great character, too. There are also a lot of side stories, too, involving a host of small town Wooster characters and even a bank robbery.
Overall, while this took a while to warm up, it was an intriguing look at lies and secrets and how they affected the Dalton family. It's easy to get invested in Vivian and Charlotte (her husband, Edward, seemed like a pretty one-dimensional character, though). It does a strong job of portraying women and all they endure. The book is witty and heartfelt as well. 3.75 stars, rounded to four here.
I won a copy of this book from William Morrow.
Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ PaperBackSwap ~ Smashbomb
February 13, 2020
Set in 1950s Wooster, Ohio,
The Operator
is a story about evesdropping and gossip—two of my favorite pasttimes! Vivian Dalton, a switchboard operator uses her job to "innocently" spy on callers and her peers in the neighborhood. Usually, the gossip is all just fodder, until one night where Vivian hears a call from her frenemy Betty Miller and finds out something that will change her life forever.
The Operator is a cute, lighter read (in my opinion) and a nice debut by Gretchen Berg. Although I am middle of the road about this book (I didn't love it nor did I hate it), I think readers will be polarized on how they enjoy the pacing of this novel. If you want something light and easy, but a non-bingeworthy book, I think The Operator will be a good choice.
The Operator is a cute, lighter read (in my opinion) and a nice debut by Gretchen Berg. Although I am middle of the road about this book (I didn't love it nor did I hate it), I think readers will be polarized on how they enjoy the pacing of this novel. If you want something light and easy, but a non-bingeworthy book, I think The Operator will be a good choice.
March 24, 2020
What a clever, witty, snarky little piece of fiction! I have always been fascinated with the 1950's, and this book pulls all of the best and worst of that era. Phone operators had the most exciting job, as the way one made a phone call then was to dial the operator and say "number please." Who wouldn't listen on calls?! That's a temptation I wouldn't be able to pass up either ...
In The Operator, there isn't anyone who knows the citizens of small town Wooster, Ohio, better than switchboard operator Vivian Dalton, and she’s not ashamed to tell you that, although when her teenage daughter calls it eavesdropping, she always says that she just "knows people." Vivian and her co-workers at Bell know that they are not supposed to listen in on conversations, but they do, and they all have opinions on what they hear. I loved the references Vivian makes in the first chapter - she knows that Mrs. Butler’s daughter, Maxine, still hasn’t thanked her mother for the quilt she made (so ungrateful), and that Ginny Frazier turned down yet another invitation to go to the A&W with Clyde Walsh (really her best hope for a man). The snarky sarcasm exudes off of every page, and I found myself laughing throughout every chapter!
Everything changes though, when right before Christmas, Vivian listens in on a call between pretentious, snobby, banker's daughter and frenemy, Betty Miller, and someone whose voice she doesn't recognize, and she hears something shocking - about her own family. Betty Miller is now in possession of news that will shatter Vivian’s life, humiliate her and make her the laughingstock of the town (although by today's standards the "news" is rather benign, but in the 50's, I can imagine it would have been devastating). Vivian is mortified, and her entire life is thrown for a loop. She determines that she is going to get to the bottom of the rumor, or as she so aptly puts it, "get into it, get under it, poke around in the corners." She sets out on a quest for the truth, which ultimately leads her in surprising directions.
There is also a subplot involving a bank heist, which ultimately ties in to the main storyline in a clever way. Although none of the characters are particularly likable, there is something rather endearing about Vivian, and you can't help but cheer her on. I thought the book started out a bit slow, but the snarkiness right from the get-go, helped to keep my interest until I got into the "meat" of the book. The ending is redeeming and even in the 1950's, karma is a bitch!
The Operator is a fun, light-hearted read that is resplendent with witty quotes, dictionary definitions, and recipes (although she omits the chocolate from all the recipes when she's trying to punish her husband, so if you use any of the recipes, don't forget to add it back in!). All in all, it is not a book for everyone, but I found it to be a nice respite from dark thrillers and for a debut work, it is a treasure! 4 quirky stars.
In The Operator, there isn't anyone who knows the citizens of small town Wooster, Ohio, better than switchboard operator Vivian Dalton, and she’s not ashamed to tell you that, although when her teenage daughter calls it eavesdropping, she always says that she just "knows people." Vivian and her co-workers at Bell know that they are not supposed to listen in on conversations, but they do, and they all have opinions on what they hear. I loved the references Vivian makes in the first chapter - she knows that Mrs. Butler’s daughter, Maxine, still hasn’t thanked her mother for the quilt she made (so ungrateful), and that Ginny Frazier turned down yet another invitation to go to the A&W with Clyde Walsh (really her best hope for a man). The snarky sarcasm exudes off of every page, and I found myself laughing throughout every chapter!
Everything changes though, when right before Christmas, Vivian listens in on a call between pretentious, snobby, banker's daughter and frenemy, Betty Miller, and someone whose voice she doesn't recognize, and she hears something shocking - about her own family. Betty Miller is now in possession of news that will shatter Vivian’s life, humiliate her and make her the laughingstock of the town (although by today's standards the "news" is rather benign, but in the 50's, I can imagine it would have been devastating). Vivian is mortified, and her entire life is thrown for a loop. She determines that she is going to get to the bottom of the rumor, or as she so aptly puts it, "get into it, get under it, poke around in the corners." She sets out on a quest for the truth, which ultimately leads her in surprising directions.
There is also a subplot involving a bank heist, which ultimately ties in to the main storyline in a clever way. Although none of the characters are particularly likable, there is something rather endearing about Vivian, and you can't help but cheer her on. I thought the book started out a bit slow, but the snarkiness right from the get-go, helped to keep my interest until I got into the "meat" of the book. The ending is redeeming and even in the 1950's, karma is a bitch!
The Operator is a fun, light-hearted read that is resplendent with witty quotes, dictionary definitions, and recipes (although she omits the chocolate from all the recipes when she's trying to punish her husband, so if you use any of the recipes, don't forget to add it back in!). All in all, it is not a book for everyone, but I found it to be a nice respite from dark thrillers and for a debut work, it is a treasure! 4 quirky stars.
October 6, 2020
Me ha decepcionado, esperaba más de esta lectura.
No he conseguido conectar con los personajes y se me ha hecho muy pesado.
Para mí... prescindible.
No he conseguido conectar con los personajes y se me ha hecho muy pesado.
Para mí... prescindible.
May 30, 2020
3.5 Small Town Eavesdropping Stars
Set in a small Ohio town in the 1950s we meet a telephone operator, Vivian, who gets more than she bargained for when she listens in to one of the calls that she has connected. Many of the operators listen in on conversations, but this one has huge implications for Vivian and her family.
I could resonate with this one since I grew up in a small town at it seemed like the whole town knew the gossip in a short amount of time. The local busybody in town seems to have it in for Vivian and just can’t wait to spread the scandal. There is also a side story involving an embezzlement at the local bank. I enjoyed the character of Vivian’s daughter too.
The writing in this was took a bit of time for me to adjust to, but I liked this clever tale that made me think a bit more about the gossip I hear and how it can travel like wildfire and hurt a lot of people along the way!
This was a fun buddy read with Susan.
Set in a small Ohio town in the 1950s we meet a telephone operator, Vivian, who gets more than she bargained for when she listens in to one of the calls that she has connected. Many of the operators listen in on conversations, but this one has huge implications for Vivian and her family.
I could resonate with this one since I grew up in a small town at it seemed like the whole town knew the gossip in a short amount of time. The local busybody in town seems to have it in for Vivian and just can’t wait to spread the scandal. There is also a side story involving an embezzlement at the local bank. I enjoyed the character of Vivian’s daughter too.
The writing in this was took a bit of time for me to adjust to, but I liked this clever tale that made me think a bit more about the gossip I hear and how it can travel like wildfire and hurt a lot of people along the way!
This was a fun buddy read with Susan.
January 1, 2020
Lesson learned: Eavesdropping and gossiping will only get you into trouble and karma is a b!tch.
May 8, 2020
You know, I simply wanted a fun, gossipy read. I wanted some mindless drama. I wanted something FUN. Instead, all I got was misery, rage, and bottomless disgust.
There is so much wrong with this story that I am genuinely AMAZED anyone can give it more than one star. From the basic, boring, and frankly annoying writing to the obnoxious and unlikable characters to the disgusting use of race as plot devices, I struggle to understand how ANYONE can glean ANY enjoyment out of this story.
I'm not going to elaborate on my thoughts on the writing because what I said is what you need to know, so instead we're going to start with the characters as I have the most to say about them. Vivian is our leading lady and HOLY FUCKING SHIT, IS SHE JUDGMENTAL! From the beginning of the book, all Vivian does is judge other people and put herself on a high pedestal because she's perfect, I guess. Oh no, wait, it's not that she's perfect, it's that everyone is worse than her and she feels superior because of it. Not only that, she's petty, rude, ignorant, AND racist! What a wonderful combo!
Vivian spends pretty much the whole book judging people, plotting revenge, hating others, only caring about herself, and effectively being a massive asshole. And before you ask, I'm gonna spoil this now, she NEVER takes responsibility for her actions. Everything is ALWAYS someone else's fault. Her character has one cheap "redeeming" moment, but it's not nearly enough to excuse her bullshit behavior. I knew she was a fucking atrocious human when she invites over an Italian couple (I forgot to mention, this book takes place in the 50's) for dinner to SPITE HER HUSBAND because he's racist against Italians. I'm going to let that sink in for you...and no, it doesn't get any better from there.
Some of the other things Vivian does throughout the book: lie to her husband about her whereabouts so she can confront someone, manipulates her way into a secured government facility so she can find more dirt AND ends up finding dirt on someone else (we'll discuss her in a bit) and plans to tell papers about said dirt, and consistently eavesdrops on peoples' conversations because she enjoys the power and control she has at her job. Yeah, needless to say she won't be winning any humanitarian awards any time soon.
Moving on from her for a bit, one of the biggest problems with this book is EVERYONE is unlikable, and not just mildly annoying or rude, but straight up disgusting human beings who dispel toxins from their mouths every time they breathe. Betty is definitely second worse next to Vivian (granted both of them are terrible, but whatevs) although she and Vivian show disturbing similarities. Both are vain, both think they're above others, and both are horribly racist. Betty's character is also infuriating because it becomes clear about halfway through the book that Vivian is never going to get any character development in terms of personality, rather her "redemption" is going to be exposing Betty and "taking down the villain" in lieu of, you know, becoming a better person. And, FUCKING SPOILER ALERT, Vivian doesn't end up exposing her, which makes this even worse because now Vivian's just a horrible person with no character development (at least any that matters) without redeeming herself.
Even more insulting, Vera, Vivian's older sister, is a terrible person from start to finish but oh no! She got a stroke and now she feels bad about her actions and wants to make things right before she dies! Now, is this realistic? Yes. Is it put in here purely to pull at your heartstrings, feel sorry for her, and forgive her when she realistically did absolutely nothing to change her bad behavior? HELL FUCKING YES, and that's why this moment fucking sucks and I refuse to feel sorry for her. It was a cheap ploy to get the readers so sympathize with a terrible person without doing anything to make that person sympathetic beforehand.
Speaking of cheap and disgusting ploys, Flora's reveal towards the end pissed me off so badly because it showed that even in 2020 authors are not immune to the good old "race reveal used as a plot device" trope and haven't figured out that that shit doesn't work even if your setting is in the 50's. Any reveal relying on a person's gender, race, sexuality, religion, ethnicity, or mental health is disgusting, cheap, and in incredibly poor taste. Authors, please, STOP FUCKING DOING THIS!
Finally, I mentioned that Vivian never receives any noteworthy character development or growth, but frankly no one does. Once Betty's big reveal happens, she effectively refuses to believe it and goes on pretending she's perfect. And for FUCK'S SAKE, I do NOT want to hear any, "oh well, it fits with her character and there are people like that in the world!" because I DON'T FUCKING CARE. All this reveal proves is that Betty's a fucking terrible person with no depth and exists to be an antagonistic asshat. In fact, NONE of these characters felt like real people, more like caricatures of everyone's greatest faults. Or, more specifically, each GENDER'S faults, because HOLY SHIT, Berg loves gender stereotypes! All men are either lazy, womanizers, cheats, or adult babies, and women are gossips, catty, judgmental, petty, and willing to put others down to make themselves feel better. Human beings at their absolute finest, folks!
In conclusion, I do not recommend this book to ANYONE, even if they want a simple read. The writing is boring, the characters are atrocious, and the story insults you by trying to make you feel sorry for characters who don't deserve any pity. If you still want to read it, fine, but don't go in with high expectations.
There is so much wrong with this story that I am genuinely AMAZED anyone can give it more than one star. From the basic, boring, and frankly annoying writing to the obnoxious and unlikable characters to the disgusting use of race as plot devices, I struggle to understand how ANYONE can glean ANY enjoyment out of this story.
I'm not going to elaborate on my thoughts on the writing because what I said is what you need to know, so instead we're going to start with the characters as I have the most to say about them. Vivian is our leading lady and HOLY FUCKING SHIT, IS SHE JUDGMENTAL! From the beginning of the book, all Vivian does is judge other people and put herself on a high pedestal because she's perfect, I guess. Oh no, wait, it's not that she's perfect, it's that everyone is worse than her and she feels superior because of it. Not only that, she's petty, rude, ignorant, AND racist! What a wonderful combo!
Vivian spends pretty much the whole book judging people, plotting revenge, hating others, only caring about herself, and effectively being a massive asshole. And before you ask, I'm gonna spoil this now, she NEVER takes responsibility for her actions. Everything is ALWAYS someone else's fault. Her character has one cheap "redeeming" moment, but it's not nearly enough to excuse her bullshit behavior. I knew she was a fucking atrocious human when she invites over an Italian couple (I forgot to mention, this book takes place in the 50's) for dinner to SPITE HER HUSBAND because he's racist against Italians. I'm going to let that sink in for you...and no, it doesn't get any better from there.
Some of the other things Vivian does throughout the book: lie to her husband about her whereabouts so she can confront someone, manipulates her way into a secured government facility so she can find more dirt AND ends up finding dirt on someone else (we'll discuss her in a bit) and plans to tell papers about said dirt, and consistently eavesdrops on peoples' conversations because she enjoys the power and control she has at her job. Yeah, needless to say she won't be winning any humanitarian awards any time soon.
Moving on from her for a bit, one of the biggest problems with this book is EVERYONE is unlikable, and not just mildly annoying or rude, but straight up disgusting human beings who dispel toxins from their mouths every time they breathe. Betty is definitely second worse next to Vivian (granted both of them are terrible, but whatevs) although she and Vivian show disturbing similarities. Both are vain, both think they're above others, and both are horribly racist. Betty's character is also infuriating because it becomes clear about halfway through the book that Vivian is never going to get any character development in terms of personality, rather her "redemption" is going to be exposing Betty and "taking down the villain" in lieu of, you know, becoming a better person. And, FUCKING SPOILER ALERT, Vivian doesn't end up exposing her, which makes this even worse because now Vivian's just a horrible person with no character development (at least any that matters) without redeeming herself.
Even more insulting, Vera, Vivian's older sister, is a terrible person from start to finish but oh no! She got a stroke and now she feels bad about her actions and wants to make things right before she dies! Now, is this realistic? Yes. Is it put in here purely to pull at your heartstrings, feel sorry for her, and forgive her when she realistically did absolutely nothing to change her bad behavior? HELL FUCKING YES, and that's why this moment fucking sucks and I refuse to feel sorry for her. It was a cheap ploy to get the readers so sympathize with a terrible person without doing anything to make that person sympathetic beforehand.
Speaking of cheap and disgusting ploys, Flora's reveal towards the end pissed me off so badly because it showed that even in 2020 authors are not immune to the good old "race reveal used as a plot device" trope and haven't figured out that that shit doesn't work even if your setting is in the 50's. Any reveal relying on a person's gender, race, sexuality, religion, ethnicity, or mental health is disgusting, cheap, and in incredibly poor taste. Authors, please, STOP FUCKING DOING THIS!
Finally, I mentioned that Vivian never receives any noteworthy character development or growth, but frankly no one does. Once Betty's big reveal happens, she effectively refuses to believe it and goes on pretending she's perfect. And for FUCK'S SAKE, I do NOT want to hear any, "oh well, it fits with her character and there are people like that in the world!" because I DON'T FUCKING CARE. All this reveal proves is that Betty's a fucking terrible person with no depth and exists to be an antagonistic asshat. In fact, NONE of these characters felt like real people, more like caricatures of everyone's greatest faults. Or, more specifically, each GENDER'S faults, because HOLY SHIT, Berg loves gender stereotypes! All men are either lazy, womanizers, cheats, or adult babies, and women are gossips, catty, judgmental, petty, and willing to put others down to make themselves feel better. Human beings at their absolute finest, folks!
In conclusion, I do not recommend this book to ANYONE, even if they want a simple read. The writing is boring, the characters are atrocious, and the story insults you by trying to make you feel sorry for characters who don't deserve any pity. If you still want to read it, fine, but don't go in with high expectations.
July 9, 2020
I was surprised by how much I loved this book.
Vivian Dalton likes a bit of gossip, why not after all. That way you can learn to "understand" your neighbours better. Purely for selfless reasons of course LOL. She is a telephone operator in the 1950s so she is well placed to accidently overhear something about her neighbours private life. Accidently on purpose that is.
But she a married woman with a daughter of course has her own private life and so there are things that could be found about her as well (things even she does not know) and so things begin to snowball pretty quickly from there on.
This is a very light read. On the one hand it is not this fast paced thriller, but on the other it is not entirely shallow either. You can see that Gretchen Berg based some of these characters on real people. Vivian for example was unusual because she was a working woman with a family. That mind you was before she found out the thing that I can't mention without spoiling it, that makes her even more unusual in her small town.
I also like that we get a view on what life was really like during that time and the many pitfalls that there were for women and people of colour. This is woven into the story so well that it makes it concrete. The whole thing with the bias against Maria and her husband for one and the mayors kids being another example, but again I won't give spoilers. It isn't sugarcoated and usually when I read about the 50s from todays perspective sometimes the reality of the times is toned down. Giving people a false view of the past. The good old days and all that jazz.
To give you an idea on how Vivian Dalton is modern by 50s standards but would seem ordinary today. Vivian thinks it is important to be married (I wouldn't tell you why this is important to the plot though) that was a perfect sign of the times. She also did not cut off her hair go find a job in politics or war reporting or something so fancy. Unlike in a modern take on the 50s you did not really see that sort of thing a lot. Instead Vivian wants to get her high school degree and be known as an educated woman. Might not seem like much today, but when both my grandparents were allowed to do 2 years of additional schooling in that same era so they could do office work their neighbours though they'd gotten too big for their boots. So what Vivian wants to do here is still very unusual.
And sure this book has its flaws, but all in all it is a good debut. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.
Vivian Dalton likes a bit of gossip, why not after all. That way you can learn to "understand" your neighbours better. Purely for selfless reasons of course LOL. She is a telephone operator in the 1950s so she is well placed to accidently overhear something about her neighbours private life. Accidently on purpose that is.
But she a married woman with a daughter of course has her own private life and so there are things that could be found about her as well (things even she does not know) and so things begin to snowball pretty quickly from there on.
This is a very light read. On the one hand it is not this fast paced thriller, but on the other it is not entirely shallow either. You can see that Gretchen Berg based some of these characters on real people. Vivian for example was unusual because she was a working woman with a family. That mind you was before she found out the thing that I can't mention without spoiling it, that makes her even more unusual in her small town.
I also like that we get a view on what life was really like during that time and the many pitfalls that there were for women and people of colour. This is woven into the story so well that it makes it concrete. The whole thing with the bias against Maria and her husband for one and the mayors kids being another example, but again I won't give spoilers. It isn't sugarcoated and usually when I read about the 50s from todays perspective sometimes the reality of the times is toned down. Giving people a false view of the past. The good old days and all that jazz.
To give you an idea on how Vivian Dalton is modern by 50s standards but would seem ordinary today. Vivian thinks it is important to be married (I wouldn't tell you why this is important to the plot though) that was a perfect sign of the times. She also did not cut off her hair go find a job in politics or war reporting or something so fancy. Unlike in a modern take on the 50s you did not really see that sort of thing a lot. Instead Vivian wants to get her high school degree and be known as an educated woman. Might not seem like much today, but when both my grandparents were allowed to do 2 years of additional schooling in that same era so they could do office work their neighbours though they'd gotten too big for their boots. So what Vivian wants to do here is still very unusual.
And sure this book has its flaws, but all in all it is a good debut. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.
April 21, 2020
RATING: 5 STARS
2020; William Morrow/HarperCollins
Wow, The Operator really blew me away. I have to admit I requested this book just based on the gorgeous cover. I love old telephones, and wallpaper...it's the history buff in me. This novel is set in a small town in America, in the 1950s, so I was sold! The music in the beginning of my audiobook, had me thinking this was a suspenseful novel...and it kind of was. The Operator is a lot like the novel, Olive Kitteridge in so many ways. Both are about the people in a small town revolving around a character that isn't entirely likeable, but is somehow still endearing as we see them in their most vulnerable moments. The Operator is different in that the secrets that are revealed are set in a different time and with another type of impact. This is a novel I would recommend to any reader that loves novels with realistic flawed characters. It is only April, but I have a feeling that this will make my top list at the end of the year, and for sure this month! I am looking forward to debut novelist, Gretchen Berg's next book.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through Edelweiss. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
2020; William Morrow/HarperCollins
Wow, The Operator really blew me away. I have to admit I requested this book just based on the gorgeous cover. I love old telephones, and wallpaper...it's the history buff in me. This novel is set in a small town in America, in the 1950s, so I was sold! The music in the beginning of my audiobook, had me thinking this was a suspenseful novel...and it kind of was. The Operator is a lot like the novel, Olive Kitteridge in so many ways. Both are about the people in a small town revolving around a character that isn't entirely likeable, but is somehow still endearing as we see them in their most vulnerable moments. The Operator is different in that the secrets that are revealed are set in a different time and with another type of impact. This is a novel I would recommend to any reader that loves novels with realistic flawed characters. It is only April, but I have a feeling that this will make my top list at the end of the year, and for sure this month! I am looking forward to debut novelist, Gretchen Berg's next book.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through Edelweiss. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
November 2, 2020
Seldom have I read a book filled with the most uninteresting, unappealing, unattractive cast of characters as this one. Set in a small town, early 1950's, Vivian, the MC is a telephone operator who listens in on conversations, thereby getting the 'scoop' or early gossip on what's going on where and when and with whom and what and how many times.
The whole book is a constant display of catty behavior among a group of woman who can't wait to one-up each other in terms of money, social status, what their children do (or don't do), or who their husbands are (or aren't), and so on. They complain and carp, compare and censure. And yes, when I was young I knew women just like this. (And still know a few who are.) Grew up with women who were always struggling to do one better than the woman next door, always ready to exclaim, 'she's better than she should be,' or similar, and talking about who's got the better car, yard, children, husband etc. etc. etc.
Another criticism: the way the story's presented. We're allowed to look inside Vivian's head - and some of the other women - in excruciating detail. Into their most intimate and private thoughts, and yet...
When a 'crucial' conversation is overheard - nope we don't get to hear it! What? You, dear patient reader, are entitled to know everything about the MC, and other subsidiary characters, but not that one huge detail. WHAT? If I am allowed to be in the MC's head, or on his or her or their shoulder for 99% of the time, I'm not allowed in on this HUGE secret? Well I suppose I will be at the climactic moment in the story, or possibly earlier just to keep me reading. Ummm, but no...
However, I suppose one could argue that this is where the suspense comes from, the draw or the reason to keep reading. Nah, not when so much else is revealed, and especially 'nah' when I don't like a single one of these characters.
So two stars. And that's generous.
The whole book is a constant display of catty behavior among a group of woman who can't wait to one-up each other in terms of money, social status, what their children do (or don't do), or who their husbands are (or aren't), and so on. They complain and carp, compare and censure. And yes, when I was young I knew women just like this. (And still know a few who are.) Grew up with women who were always struggling to do one better than the woman next door, always ready to exclaim, 'she's better than she should be,' or similar, and talking about who's got the better car, yard, children, husband etc. etc. etc.
Another criticism: the way the story's presented. We're allowed to look inside Vivian's head - and some of the other women - in excruciating detail. Into their most intimate and private thoughts, and yet...
When a 'crucial' conversation is overheard - nope we don't get to hear it! What? You, dear patient reader, are entitled to know everything about the MC, and other subsidiary characters, but not that one huge detail. WHAT? If I am allowed to be in the MC's head, or on his or her or their shoulder for 99% of the time, I'm not allowed in on this HUGE secret? Well I suppose I will be at the climactic moment in the story, or possibly earlier just to keep me reading. Ummm, but no...
However, I suppose one could argue that this is where the suspense comes from, the draw or the reason to keep reading. Nah, not when so much else is revealed, and especially 'nah' when I don't like a single one of these characters.
So two stars. And that's generous.
April 12, 2023
I am elderly and ran plug and cord switch boards with live wires when I was young* so I looked forward to reading a good book with a robust plot with switchboards as a central theme. I am college educated and many of my co workers as well as myself were working their way through school. My coworkers were intelligent, well spoken, moral and bright. There were the occasional crass and misfit types but I never knew an idiot like Vivien the character in this book.
Intrigue was not to be found in this very boring novel filled with garbage. There were inaccuracies regarding the Fifties era that kept me annoyed and I didn't like Vivien and her non-stop babbling, her stupidity, her racism, her catty attitude. Her intrigue with "big" words was down right stupid the way it was used in this story. She could have been portrayed as not having finished school without being so backward.
*And by the way, switchboards were still around until recently when electronics replaced them.
Intrigue was not to be found in this very boring novel filled with garbage. There were inaccuracies regarding the Fifties era that kept me annoyed and I didn't like Vivien and her non-stop babbling, her stupidity, her racism, her catty attitude. Her intrigue with "big" words was down right stupid the way it was used in this story. She could have been portrayed as not having finished school without being so backward.
*And by the way, switchboards were still around until recently when electronics replaced them.
December 19, 2020
Gretchen Berg provides an insightful story that really rang true to this reader. The setting of the story is an important element that initially drew me to the story. It takes place primarily in a small little mid-western town, of Wooster, Ohio. For those who haven't grown up in a small town, they often mirror the childhood game of telephone.
Gossip is the main entertainment and foundational to much of the interaction of the community. There are no secrets that won't be unearthed. Thus, the very apt title, since Vivian is one of the Wooster telephone operators working for Bell from the depression era and into the 1950's, when the majority of the story takes place. Additionally, in many ways, the story reflects how the activities a small community mirrors the relationships within a family, the good, the bad and the ugly.
When I was quite young, we lived about 20 miles from Wooster, OH, where the story is staged. My mother shopped at the grocery store mentioned. Ironically, she became a telephone operator when we relocated to a midsize city in PA. Her displeasure of small town living was the reason we left. It was uncanny how much Wooster sounded like the town we left and I remember the words she used to describe it.
When we left the cold climes of Pennsylvania, we moved to a tiny retirement community of 5,000 in FL at the beginning of the 1980's and I also experienced "Wooster". I worked at the only grocery store in town and the old men, gathered each morning to talk about the wars past and who was cheating at golf. I hated it, too. Part of that had to do with the fact, was based on the matter of my father being a central figure within the town and the limelight in which we were featured. I am not dissing anyone who likes a small town, it just isn't for me.
Vivian, the central character isn't particularly likable. We meet her spying on her older sister to learn all the gossip when she is pre-teen. Later, she is forced to quit school to get a job to help support the family of seven. She ends up as a telephone operator and meets an older man, Edward. They marry and immediately relocate to Syracuse, NY where he works as a prison guard. Things are sparse, there is barely enough money to survive. Additionally, there is little to do or people to interact with as they live in a cabin on the prison grounds that doesn't even have indoor plumbing! Soon after, their daughter, Charlotte is born. Eventually, they return to Wooster, where most of Vivian's family still lives. Vivian returns to working for Bell Telephone and they manage to get by.
One of the things prohibited by Ohio Bell is the eavesdropping on calls. Vivian doesn't follow these guidelines and one day, a secret regarding her husband changes her life.
We are not initially privy to this tidbit and we are observers as Vivian's thoughts spiral out of control. Her actions cause great stress on her teenage daughter and her husband is clueless. She begins a campaign to unearth details to see if there is any validity to what she over heard and in the process, someone who has always had great resentment toward her makes sure that everyone in the community knows Edward's secret. The dynamics to save face and alternately humiliate Vivian seem somewhat silly to those who know little about the mores and practices of the 1950's but having heard many reflections from my parents of this era, the tone and the behaviors are spot on!
Though some readers complain of not liking Vivian, the author is highlighting the power of the community's rules impact the thoughts and behaviors of people living in that era. I thought the writing was extremely accurate and true. Life in that time wasn't like "Leave it to Beaver" or "Father Knows Best". Those shows were fiction. Vivian's character manages to survive the repercussions and ultimately, she manages to unearth some secrets of the person, who had spread the gossip about her. Vivian starts to realize that she has been overly harsh and critical of her neighbors. She begins to mend fences and forgive those who have been unkind and in the process, she gains freedom in her heart and mind. So, she grows as a person through the struggles she has faced. For me, that was worth reading the story.
Interestingly, in the afterword, we are told this story reflects actual events, and Ms. Berg learned most of the details from her extended family. There were several subplots that also were true and intriguing.
I hope those who haven't read this, will consider the lessons learned to be worth considering this one.
Gossip is the main entertainment and foundational to much of the interaction of the community. There are no secrets that won't be unearthed. Thus, the very apt title, since Vivian is one of the Wooster telephone operators working for Bell from the depression era and into the 1950's, when the majority of the story takes place. Additionally, in many ways, the story reflects how the activities a small community mirrors the relationships within a family, the good, the bad and the ugly.
When I was quite young, we lived about 20 miles from Wooster, OH, where the story is staged. My mother shopped at the grocery store mentioned. Ironically, she became a telephone operator when we relocated to a midsize city in PA. Her displeasure of small town living was the reason we left. It was uncanny how much Wooster sounded like the town we left and I remember the words she used to describe it.
When we left the cold climes of Pennsylvania, we moved to a tiny retirement community of 5,000 in FL at the beginning of the 1980's and I also experienced "Wooster". I worked at the only grocery store in town and the old men, gathered each morning to talk about the wars past and who was cheating at golf. I hated it, too. Part of that had to do with the fact, was based on the matter of my father being a central figure within the town and the limelight in which we were featured. I am not dissing anyone who likes a small town, it just isn't for me.
Vivian, the central character isn't particularly likable. We meet her spying on her older sister to learn all the gossip when she is pre-teen. Later, she is forced to quit school to get a job to help support the family of seven. She ends up as a telephone operator and meets an older man, Edward. They marry and immediately relocate to Syracuse, NY where he works as a prison guard. Things are sparse, there is barely enough money to survive. Additionally, there is little to do or people to interact with as they live in a cabin on the prison grounds that doesn't even have indoor plumbing! Soon after, their daughter, Charlotte is born. Eventually, they return to Wooster, where most of Vivian's family still lives. Vivian returns to working for Bell Telephone and they manage to get by.
One of the things prohibited by Ohio Bell is the eavesdropping on calls. Vivian doesn't follow these guidelines and one day, a secret regarding her husband changes her life.
We are not initially privy to this tidbit and we are observers as Vivian's thoughts spiral out of control. Her actions cause great stress on her teenage daughter and her husband is clueless. She begins a campaign to unearth details to see if there is any validity to what she over heard and in the process, someone who has always had great resentment toward her makes sure that everyone in the community knows Edward's secret. The dynamics to save face and alternately humiliate Vivian seem somewhat silly to those who know little about the mores and practices of the 1950's but having heard many reflections from my parents of this era, the tone and the behaviors are spot on!
Though some readers complain of not liking Vivian, the author is highlighting the power of the community's rules impact the thoughts and behaviors of people living in that era. I thought the writing was extremely accurate and true. Life in that time wasn't like "Leave it to Beaver" or "Father Knows Best". Those shows were fiction. Vivian's character manages to survive the repercussions and ultimately, she manages to unearth some secrets of the person, who had spread the gossip about her. Vivian starts to realize that she has been overly harsh and critical of her neighbors. She begins to mend fences and forgive those who have been unkind and in the process, she gains freedom in her heart and mind. So, she grows as a person through the struggles she has faced. For me, that was worth reading the story.
Interestingly, in the afterword, we are told this story reflects actual events, and Ms. Berg learned most of the details from her extended family. There were several subplots that also were true and intriguing.
I hope those who haven't read this, will consider the lessons learned to be worth considering this one.
May 11, 2020
Y'all. I'm so sorry. But this book is utter garbage. It's not even fun garbage. I WISH it had just been fun fluffy garbage. That would have been the perfect thing to read in a pandemic! Instead, it's just awful.
The main plot of the story is drawn out in the most insufferable way, and every single character is the most hatable character you've ever encountered. I truly don't know whether Berg intentionally wrote her main character, Vivian, in such a way as to make us actually hate her. Vivian is small minded and mean, and it's just plain not fun to be in her head. The book switches between perspectives several times, yet each perspective is truly unpleasant. It's hard to tell who we should be rooting for. The only character I liked was Vivian's 16 year old daughter, Charlotte.
And then we get to the actual writing, which is truly awful. I like to give a book leeway on the writing if the plot is good, but that doesn't apply here. The writing was a struggle to read from the first page, and only got worse. I think Berg was trying to write in the style of an author in the 50s, but it just came off extremely cringe-worthy, and gave her the opportunity to use the n-word and other slurs a few times for no real reason.
Oh, and I did I mention that this book is full of dictionary definitions of words?? Because Vivian only got an 8th grade education and that apparently makes her have an extremely small vocabulary? Excuse me for being CRAZY, but I am fairly certain I knew most of the words that are defined in this book by the time I graduated the 5th or 6th grade. And if that wasn't bad enough, there are RECIPES sprinkled throughout the book. VIVIAN's recipes! VIVIAN, who, as we are repeatedly reminded throughout the book, is a terrible cook. Why would I want recipes from someone who makes her dinner guests gag???? Truly. I don't understand this book.
Save yourselves. Find some other fiction to read during these harrowing times.
The main plot of the story is drawn out in the most insufferable way, and every single character is the most hatable character you've ever encountered. I truly don't know whether Berg intentionally wrote her main character, Vivian, in such a way as to make us actually hate her. Vivian is small minded and mean, and it's just plain not fun to be in her head. The book switches between perspectives several times, yet each perspective is truly unpleasant. It's hard to tell who we should be rooting for. The only character I liked was Vivian's 16 year old daughter, Charlotte.
And then we get to the actual writing, which is truly awful. I like to give a book leeway on the writing if the plot is good, but that doesn't apply here. The writing was a struggle to read from the first page, and only got worse. I think Berg was trying to write in the style of an author in the 50s, but it just came off extremely cringe-worthy, and gave her the opportunity to use the n-word and other slurs a few times for no real reason.
Oh, and I did I mention that this book is full of dictionary definitions of words?? Because Vivian only got an 8th grade education and that apparently makes her have an extremely small vocabulary? Excuse me for being CRAZY, but I am fairly certain I knew most of the words that are defined in this book by the time I graduated the 5th or 6th grade. And if that wasn't bad enough, there are RECIPES sprinkled throughout the book. VIVIAN's recipes! VIVIAN, who, as we are repeatedly reminded throughout the book, is a terrible cook. Why would I want recipes from someone who makes her dinner guests gag???? Truly. I don't understand this book.
Save yourselves. Find some other fiction to read during these harrowing times.
November 20, 2020
No sabía que esperar cuando lo empecé ya que había leído reseñas muy negativas. Pero a mi me ha sorprendido!. Es cierto que es una historia pausada y lenta y que no hay acción a raudales pero el resto...a mi me ha parecido muy entretenido. Un pequeño pueblo, estatus social, secretos y como No, la valiosa reputación.
March 13, 2020
It isn't often that a debut novel will get 5/5 stars from me, but when it does, I know I've found a new favorite author. My #bookreview of this book is on my blog here. https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2020/03/1...
March 11, 2020
So you know when you are so excited for a book, you start smiling the second you sit down, and then you crack open to start reading. It’s such a great feeling when you know you are about to be taken on an amazing journey. The worst feeling is when that doesn’t end up happening and you have a hard time getting though the book you were super excited to read.
Unfortunately that happened to me when I went to read The Operator by Gretchen Berg. This book was kindly sent to me after I requested it exchange for an honest review. It had an amazing premise, which followed our main character Vivian. She’s a telephone operator who likes to listen in on the calls she connects. One day she’s eavesdropping like normal and she hears something that will flip her world upside down.
❤️Review❤️
This book had some great drama. I loved the idea behind the secrets and gossip that was being spread around, but it just felt poorly executed. It bounced around timelines for the first 100ish pages and then that stopped being an element. It was really confusing as it jumped timelines because when it went back to the 30s it never jumped back to the same time. It was also confusing because throughout the book it would switch character perspectives without notice or warning. The writing just didn’t help when it came to getting attached to these characters. It’s mostly a character driven story so if I couldn’t get attached to them it made getting through the book difficult. I can see why others have liked this book, but unfortunately I just couldn’t click with it. I would like to thank @williammorrowbooks for allowing me the opportunity to read this book.
2 stars ⭐️ ⭐️
What was the last book you couldn’t click with?
#booksforreview #williammorrow #newbooks #2020bookreleases #beautifulcovers #historicalfiction #bookswithdrama #bookstagram #booksofinstagram #project50books
Unfortunately that happened to me when I went to read The Operator by Gretchen Berg. This book was kindly sent to me after I requested it exchange for an honest review. It had an amazing premise, which followed our main character Vivian. She’s a telephone operator who likes to listen in on the calls she connects. One day she’s eavesdropping like normal and she hears something that will flip her world upside down.
❤️Review❤️
This book had some great drama. I loved the idea behind the secrets and gossip that was being spread around, but it just felt poorly executed. It bounced around timelines for the first 100ish pages and then that stopped being an element. It was really confusing as it jumped timelines because when it went back to the 30s it never jumped back to the same time. It was also confusing because throughout the book it would switch character perspectives without notice or warning. The writing just didn’t help when it came to getting attached to these characters. It’s mostly a character driven story so if I couldn’t get attached to them it made getting through the book difficult. I can see why others have liked this book, but unfortunately I just couldn’t click with it. I would like to thank @williammorrowbooks for allowing me the opportunity to read this book.
2 stars ⭐️ ⭐️
What was the last book you couldn’t click with?
#booksforreview #williammorrow #newbooks #2020bookreleases #beautifulcovers #historicalfiction #bookswithdrama #bookstagram #booksofinstagram #project50books
July 10, 2020
This was really a fun book. Loved all the convoluted trails of peoples lives winding and crossing and mixing in this little town in mid America. In the 1950s. You’d think nothing happens in a little town? You’d be surprised.
September 27, 2020
Me dejó una buena impresión,a pesar de no ser todo lo que esperaba. Me gustó sobre todo el principio,antes de que revelaran el secreto. El resto estuvo bastante bien,pero sin entusiasmo.
April 19, 2020
DNF 21%
* I don’t appreciate profanity that takes God’s name in vain ....very insensitive to Christians in my opinion.
* I was expecting likable and quirky characters and charming and cozy. It doesn’t come across that the author really likes her characters or the setting.
* Not the right read for me but others have loved it!
* I don’t appreciate profanity that takes God’s name in vain ....very insensitive to Christians in my opinion.
* I was expecting likable and quirky characters and charming and cozy. It doesn’t come across that the author really likes her characters or the setting.
* Not the right read for me but others have loved it!
March 19, 2021
I was not a fan of this book at all. Not the story line, the writing, the characters. nothing.
September 13, 2024
Well, I finished it. I guess I hoped it would get better. The story is loosely based on the a story about the author’s grandmother. It was very unflattering, as there were no likeable characters in the whole book. I suppose the big reveal would have been shocking in the 1950s but it was a fairly boring read for me. I thought something more interesting was going to happen but really, nothing did. Also, it was fairly clumsily put together. Lots of irrelevant storylines hobbled together. Overall, meh.
February 16, 2020
I could not love this story more. First the setting of Wooster Ohio, is just thirty minutes from where I grew up and my grandmother was a telephone operator, so you had me at HELLO! Anyone who has lived in a small town will know that everyone seems to be everyone's business. Vivian Dalton has been told to mind her own business a time of two since she was a young girl, but she still loves to eavesdrop, even if she often regrets it. The story is so cleverly told with each chapter revealing another layer of small town intrigue filled with rumor and deceit.. The spunky Vivian will get to the bottom of it and will follow any clue or trail until she does..
May 18, 2020
The Operator
belongs in the genre of books that feature great cover art, but a bad story.
This is bad. I don't even know how to explain what a disaster this book was.
The writing wasn't bad, but everything else was.
As some readers noted, they were looking for a juicy, somewhat light hearted romp. As was I.
That's not what we got.
First, the title is misleading.
It's not about the operator, a woman named Vivian working the phone lines in her small town of Wooster.
It's about the petty locals of Wooster, their secrets and shenanigans, their backstabbing, their politics and their loose morales.
Second, I think the author intended her book to be sort of like a Peyton Place, full of drama and scandal to get readers talking about it.
Oh, we're talking about it, and not in a good way.
Third, this was filled with one dimensional, awful characters a part of me doesn't even want to waste words on articulating how terrible they are.
Vivian and her arch-nemesis, Betty, are more alike than they think despite Betty being a four flusher Richie Rich.
The women are jealous, catty, ignorant, small-minded, shallow bigots.
And those are the nicest things I can say about them.
They spend nearly all of their time hating on each other, hating other people, being judgmental and pointing fingers at everyone they believe are beneath them.
Nearly ever page was filled with hate and maliciousness.
And don't get me started on Vivian's sister, Vera.
The men are no better; stereotpically adultering liars who can't keep their peckers in their pants.
The scandals of Wooster are nearly overtaken by the hatefulness and maliciousness of the two main female characters, and the constant shift of perspective from Vivian to Betty to Vivian's open-minded daughter, Charlotte, to other supporting characters I didn't give two cents about doesn't help, either.
I won't read another book by this author EVER again.
This is bad. I don't even know how to explain what a disaster this book was.
The writing wasn't bad, but everything else was.
As some readers noted, they were looking for a juicy, somewhat light hearted romp. As was I.
That's not what we got.
First, the title is misleading.
It's not about the operator, a woman named Vivian working the phone lines in her small town of Wooster.
It's about the petty locals of Wooster, their secrets and shenanigans, their backstabbing, their politics and their loose morales.
Second, I think the author intended her book to be sort of like a Peyton Place, full of drama and scandal to get readers talking about it.
Oh, we're talking about it, and not in a good way.
Third, this was filled with one dimensional, awful characters a part of me doesn't even want to waste words on articulating how terrible they are.
Vivian and her arch-nemesis, Betty, are more alike than they think despite Betty being a four flusher Richie Rich.
The women are jealous, catty, ignorant, small-minded, shallow bigots.
And those are the nicest things I can say about them.
They spend nearly all of their time hating on each other, hating other people, being judgmental and pointing fingers at everyone they believe are beneath them.
Nearly ever page was filled with hate and maliciousness.
And don't get me started on Vivian's sister, Vera.
The men are no better; stereotpically adultering liars who can't keep their peckers in their pants.
The scandals of Wooster are nearly overtaken by the hatefulness and maliciousness of the two main female characters, and the constant shift of perspective from Vivian to Betty to Vivian's open-minded daughter, Charlotte, to other supporting characters I didn't give two cents about doesn't help, either.
I won't read another book by this author EVER again.
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