The wonder spot
Ratings3
Average rating3.7
15
Ratings3
Average rating3.7
Nothing comes easy for Sophie Applebaum, the black sheep of her family trying to blend with with the herd. At home she took back seat to her brothers and, in college, to her beautiful best friend. In her early twenties, Sophie is dazzled by the possibilities of New York City, only to land back home after her father's death. Over the course of twenty-five years in an often disappointing world, Sophie learns to listen to her own heart.
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This is a novel about Sophie Applebaum, a woman from a Jewish family in Pennsylvania. In the same style as the Girl's Guide to Hunting and Fishing, Sophie's life is told in a series of stories from her childhood to her late 20s/early 30s. I'd say this isn't necessarily a coming of age story, but more like a finding out who you are story.
After reading the Girl's Guide, I immediately added The Wonder Spot to my TBR and for the first time ever, my local book store had what I was looking for the first time I checked. So of course I had to pick it up. My new favorite writing style is just Melissa Bank. I've never read anyone or anything quite like her. It makes me feel soft and warm and safe. I can get lost in it and just be comfortable. Seeing her grouped into chick lit is painful, tbh. This isn't chick lit, it's prose. It has substance.
I love that Bank doesn't just focus on the love interests like many books do. Yes, Sophie dates and falls in and out of love. But she also has a career that she falls into and can't get out of. And she has complicated family relationships that I related to, especially the strained relationship with her grandmother. Sophie has complex friendships that evolve over time for better or worse. I particularly loved reading about her friendship evolution with Dena. The emotions and feelings were portrayed in a way that I deeply understood and felt. It made me uncomfortable in the best way. Sophie and her family could be any of us and our families, that's how realistic she is. I absolutely adore Melissa Bank and hope to always read more from her.
Favorite quote: “I felt sure that everyone was looking at me and then realized that no one was, and I experienced the distinct shame of each.”
Would I recommend?
Yes, with no exceptions. It's not for everyone, but it's worth a try.
I loved the writing, I loved the wit, I got the humour.
I didn't like the protagonist and how she expected not just life, but also love, to just happen to her. No work to be done. Not that love should be work, but... oh, come on, Sophie!
And... it's very tell-y (as opposed to showy) and it makes it cold. It makes Sophie cold.
And still I have a million bent corners and I can't stop laughing at the elephant joke. Because, don't we all actually just want the elephants.
Interesting slice of life book. Not really my style.
