The Wide Smiles of Girls

by Jennifer Manske Fenske

Sisters Mae Wallace and March are two years apart, and worlds away from being anything alike. Mae Wallace is the dependable, older sister, who weighs her words before she speaks, and sees the world as a project to be saved. March, happily overweight and charismatic, has the world on a string. Babies, men, and teachers love March, and she loves them right back. Mae Wallace doesn’t so much live in her sister’s shadow as be amused by it, and generally try to manage her younger sister’s scrapes. But a tragic accident tears them apart, and all of a sudden the vivacious March is incapacitated and Mae Wallace bears the guilt from the incident. Relocated to a small island-town in South Carolina where March undergoes therapy, Mae Wallace befriends a local artist who is still grieving his wife’s mysterious death. As the two become closer, their mutual pain turns into a budding friendship. But Mae Wallace must free herself from guilt if she’s ever to live and love again---and March must grapple with the loss of her vibrant self, and accept the new realities of her life and sisterhood. The Wide Smiles of Girls is a poignant ode to the bond of two sisters, the grief we sometimes have to overcome, and the redemptive power of love that can make us smile again.

Genres: Fiction

320 pages, Hardcover

First published May 26, 2009

About the author

Jennifer Manske Fenske is the author of the novel, Toss the Bride. Her essays have been published in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Arizona Republic, and Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel as well as New Parent and The Lutheran magazines.
Jennifer is a graduate of Clemson University, where she studied fiction writing with Mark Steadman. She received her M.A. degree at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, and was a student of Richard Elman's fiction workshop. After graduation, Jennifer worked at several writing jobs, including newspaper reporter, website content developer, and scribe for an international nonprofit agency.

She lives outside of Denver, Colorado with her husband and two young daughters.

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't want to finish this book. Many times I contemplated giving up on it, but then I realized that it wasn't because I didn't like the book but more because I wasn't interested in it. But since it was short I decided to push through. I didn't like the characters Mae Wallace and March at all. Mae Wallace was self-deprecating and made everything about herself while March was irresponsible, rude, and childish. Any character growth they had came out of nowhere, and didn't gradually build as the book went on. Not a horrible book but based on the characters I wouldn't read it again.

[Bea Hensley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining but not exciting.

[Grace · Rating 1 out of 5]

This story was weak overall. It started with potential and at several different points the story could have gone a few different directions that would have held more promise. This main character, Mae Wallace, is emotionally stunted and overly obsessed with her younger sister. She sees her through rainbow colored glasses and allows herself to be verbally and emotionally abused by her sister. Typically when we grow up the relationships we have with family members we no longer live with change, sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse but Mae Wallace just continues on in the same rut, even as an adult. She goes so far as to throw over a relationship that has depth and substance all for an unreasonable relationship with her sister. Mae Wallace doesn't behave or function like an adult and makes life decisions that are poorly thought out. She feels responsible for numerous major issues that have nothing to do with her. It's not believable and makes for a poor story line. Her friendship with Hale is a bit too quick to develop and I find it even odder that Hale starts to date March when he and Mae Wallace have just decided that they (Hale and Mae) are best friends. Mae Wallace doesn't seem to think that there is anything unusual with this. Also, her obsession with Hale's dead wife Ruth seems quite purposeless. No real fruit is born there except to offer comfort/a listening ear to Hale. I am not certain why the author chose to even write this portion of the story. Very odd. Mae Wallace regrets her treatment of Vince which is good as her previous detachment from him was entirely unbelievable! Poor story line there. It needed further development rather than just dropping him off the story because she just decided to quit corresponding with him. Pretty much Mae Wallace is a poor friend but for no good reason. I think her character was a very weak one and isn't someone that many people will identify with. I have several sisters and while there are natural strains on these relationships as we grow and change, Mae Wallace and March don't grow and change until Hale starts showing March attention. It's unusual. It's not natural. It seemed artificial throughout. Poor writing. There needed to be more depth in this story and more continuity. A story like this had potential to be powerful but fell flat due to lack of development. The ending was very disappointing as well. She should have contacted Vince. This poor woman needs some positive and enduring relationships and he could have been that for her. Mae Wallace missed it again!

[Sarah Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Wide Smiles of Girls is about the bond (or lack thereof) between sisters Mae Wallace and March. Mae Wallace, who narrates the story, is the responsible and predictable older sister. March is the younger, vivacious, voluptuous younger sister who is impulsive and constantly falling in and out of love. When March has a tragic accident, it transforms their relationship and both of their lives dramatically.

Following March's accident, Mae Wallace quits her job and leaves her home and boyfriend Vince to move to the small town where March's care facility is located. Mae Wallace becomes best friends with widower Hale who is mourning the death of his wife Ruth. I found Mae Wallace's obsession with Ruth rather unnatural. The only reason I felt like she might fixate on Ruth - a woman she never met in life - was if she was interested in her husband. But it turns out they're just best friends for sure when March is the one who starts dating Hale. Ruth, this unknown entity, is such a strong presence in the book, and is even mentioned in the introduction. Yet she's not central to the novel or the main characters. I didn't really understand why so much time was spent on her. Maybe just to show that you can have it all and lose it in the blink of the eye? But March's accident demonstrates that...I don't know what her function is.

I was also frustrated with Mae Wallace's relationship with Vince. She makes this big deal about how serious their relationship is and how much she regrets breaking things off with him in the wake of March's accident but she never tries to repair their relationship. What is her deal?? Furthermore, March is a huge bitch to Mae Wallace basically the whole book. I found it implausible that Mae Wallace would throw her whole life away to spend her days with someone who clearly resents her every step of the way.

I liked Mae Wallace and Hale as characters, and thought their story lines had potential, but I was disappointed with how the story played out in this novel. I don't have a sister, and after seeing these two interact in this novel, I'm glad I don't have one.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this story of two sisters who were close and are torn apart by circumstances. Anyone who has a sister can relate. Sometimes you just want to yell at the two women to JUST COMMUNICATE!!!!! But, of course, that's easier said than done even in real life. Fenske is a good story-teller; she provides enough detail and images so we feel like we are present. Overall, a great read for summer vacation :)

[Brooke · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started off better than it finished. Learning about Mae's and March's relationship at the beginning of the book was interesting, however the large span of years between the chapters did not allow the reader to gain a strong sense of their relationship. The rest of the book really didn't go anywhere until the end. I felt that certain relationships were rushed and was somewhat disappointed that the author decided to neatly wrap everything up.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a lesson in communication. So many times we think we are communicating, but the other person really doesn't understand our meaning. It would save a lot of heartache if we would learn to be clear in our communication. It was good, but it kind of dragged along, I think the author wants to make a sequel, she left a lot of unresolved issues...

[Kendra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh.

I felt like this could have been a very good book about sisters and love and tragedy and whatnot...but the author isn't a strong enough writer to create something interesting instead of something that felt very "what's the point?" I was bored.

[JoAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first this was a 4 then a 3, then a 4 again. Now I am giving it a 3+. Indecisive.

But I did read it in a little more than a day, so I would say it held my interest.

Not a bad story, interesting locale. Good character development.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one started slow, but then picked up just a little bit. I liked the story, but didn't really connect with any of the characters.

[Kc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, but sad. . . about 2 sisters growing up together

[Lpholley]

like it so far! quick read

[Nancy Chrisman · Rating 2 out of 5]

an easy read that follows the difficulties of sisterhood...it was okay for reading in car while waiting to pick-up sisters with their own difficulties (my kids)

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the middle of this book the best! The beginning was kind of slow and I didn't really care for the ending!

[Missy Miller · Rating 1 out of 5]

So sad...ithad potential but went nowhere....could be a good movie

[Lisa Griffin]

Confession. I'm friends with the author. Way to go Jen for the writing this book while pregnant, working full-time and managing a toddler at home.

[marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was interesting because the main character allowed others in her family to define her, and it resulted in a lot of unhappiness. Not a fantastic book, but the message hit home!

[Tiffany Peck · Rating 3 out of 5]

This started out as a good read but the ending got a little lost for me.It wasn't believable ending.I was disappointed.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a really good story, well written, and best of all, no swearing!!!

[Sam Randall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. Very good for something I just randomly picked up from a library shelf.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

gentle read of the complex relationships in families...

[MeaLenea Homer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I've ever read. To anyone who has a sister, this book is for you. -Life changing

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good. Not great or amazing, but a decent book with decent characters.