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The Three Weissmanns of Westport


"Schine's homage to Jane Austen has it all....A sparkling, crisp, clever, deft, ...
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Overall, what did you think of The Three Weissmanns of Westport?

Created: 08/11/11

Replies: 51

Posted Aug. 26, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
cristinav

Join Date: 08/26/11

Posts: 5

RE: Overall, what did you think of The Three Weissmanns of Westport?

I have to admit that the beginning was not easy because I felt that it was predicatable but as I read I felt in love- and hate with the characters. I am glad I gave the book a chance. I really wanted to read it because I had The New Yorkers by Cathleen Schine and loved it. This book is perfect for any book club, also and I will recommend it to mine. It has many themes and topics for discussion that I am sure my members will love to comment on!


Posted Aug. 27, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
trezelineb

Join Date: 04/24/11

Posts: 16

RE: Overall, what did you think of The Three Weissmanns of Westport?

For some reason this book did not appeal to me. There didn't seem to be much of a plot. I had a difficult time getting into the story line and forced myself to finish reading it.


Posted Aug. 27, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
scottishrose

Join Date: 07/24/11

Posts: 220

RE: Overall, what did you think of The Three Weissmanns of Westport?

I had trouble getting into the story at the beginning, but by the end was staying up half the night to finish it. I really wanted to find out of Annie was going to forget about Frederick (who didn't really appear to care about anyone but himself) and get together with Roberts (whose caring for her she clearly didn't see).


Posted Aug. 29, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
rosemaryk

Join Date: 08/29/11

Posts: 61

RE: Overall, what did you think of The Three Weissmanns of Westport?

I thought the story was going to focus more on the end of the 50-year marriage. I was totally into this story! Then when the daughters entered the picture, and the focus was more on them (especially Miranda), I was still interested, but not quite as much.

Everything trailed along, and suddenly, events took a turn, and the book started getting trite. Miranda's getting involved with Leanne was just UNBELIEVABLE.

By the end, my opinion of the book plummeted. In my initial enthusiasm, I had recommended the book to many, but now I take it back.


Posted Aug. 29, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
maxined

Join Date: 08/14/11

Posts: 6

RE: Overall, what did you think of The Three Weissmanns of Westport?

When I sent in my first negative revue of this book I worried that I was perhaps very much in the minority, but it seems my reaction was in the mainstream. I feel vindicated!


Posted Aug. 29, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
sallyg

Join Date: 05/14/11

Posts: 21

RE: Overall, what did you think of The Three Weissmanns of Westport?

I agree with debracoley, as I thought it was not going to be very readable but found I liked the book.


Posted Aug. 31, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
janen

Join Date: 06/01/11

Posts: 54

RE: Overall, what did you think of The Three Weissmanns of Westport?

I enjoyed the book more than I thought I would. It definitely is a light read and perfect for the summer. The characters held my interest especially Betty. Her daughters, not so much. Cousin Lou was a perfect foil for the story. The author could have left the Palm Springs part out, it didn't add that much and she could have moved the story in a different way. I would recommend it for my book club, there is a lot to discuss in this book.


Posted Sep. 01, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
lynneb

Join Date: 08/23/11

Posts: 118

RE: Overall, what did you think of The Three Weissmanns of Westport?

I agree with many of the other respondents about the lack of depth in the characters. I too had trouble staying with the story because I didn't feel involved with the characters. I really got tired of their whining and irresponsible behavior in the light of no real disaster in their lives. Miranda, with the loss of her business and bankruptcy should have had the most to deal with but that was given a light touch. The story focus on their emotional states as a result of their mother's impending divorce was not particularly appealing to me. With all the twists and turns in their relationships I was somewhat interested in the final resolution which held me to the end.


Posted Sep. 01, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
janen

Join Date: 06/01/11

Posts: 54

RE: Overall, what did you think of The Three Weissmanns of Westport?

I agree with lynneb, the whining became a distraction rather than an interest point. Miranda should have been the strong character in the story. She was written as a strong business woman in the beginning and then was treated as a shallow person in the end. Her real problems with the bankruptcy were never really explored in the book.


Posted Sep. 02, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
rosemaryk

Join Date: 08/29/11

Posts: 61

RE: Overall, what did you think of The Three Weissmanns of Westport?

The most disappointing aspect of the book is the way the author just seemed to "throw away" Miranda. As janen noted, Miranda should have been the strong character. Instead, she spends way too many pages meekly following Kit around, getting involved with taking care of his son. Then when Kit leaves, Miranda loses all her initiative.

I kept waiting for her to regain it. But her character grew weaker, finally disappearing into nothing tangible.

The author blew it.


Posted Sep. 04, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
bettyt

Join Date: 05/12/11

Posts: 228

RE: Overall, what did you think of The Three Weissmanns of Westport?

I had a really hard time getting into this book and never did warm up to it. There was a bit of humor, mostly compliments of Mr. Shpuntov. The quick wrap-up of the various plotlines at the end didn't help matters any. I liked the character of Annie, as she did become more human toward the end. But I didn't really come to care about the characters. And the death of Betty just did not fit well with the story. I felt like perhaps the author didn't know perhaps how she would have ended it if Betty had lived. It was just too neat. My book group (a Jewish one) is reading it this month so I am sure we will have an interesting discussion the end of Sep.


Posted Sep. 05, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
janen

Join Date: 06/01/11

Posts: 54

RE: Overall, what did you think of The Three Weissmanns of Westport?

The book has too many neat story lines. After awhile, they become boring.


Posted Sep. 06, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
janec

Join Date: 09/06/11

Posts: 12

RE: Overall, what did you think of The Three Weissmanns of Westport?

I really liked the book once I go into it. Had a hard time in the beginning, but it grew on me. In the end, I really enjoyed the book. I am an only child, so understanding the the complexity of three sister's relationships was somewhat difficult.


Posted Sep. 06, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
katharinek

Join Date: 07/20/11

Posts: 1

RE: Overall, what did you think of The Three Weissmanns of Westport?

I had difficulty staying with this book for the first few chapters. Once I got going with it I loved it. I enjoyed all the characters "as the were", so to speak. People do what they do. I particularly liked Betty, who really did try to turn the most dismal events into a picnic. Good for her!


Posted Sep. 08, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
theresej

Join Date: 05/28/11

Posts: 5

RE: Overall, what did you think of The Three Weissmanns of Westport?

I am an avid reader, but had a difficult time becoming engaged with this novel. The three primary characters seemed disengaged from one another rather than interacting, and following them was work. I didn't really like them. Without a clear protagonist to feel empathy or support for within the first 5 chapters I stopped reading. Perhaps the storyline improves deeper inside the pages.


Posted Sep. 08, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
kellyh

Join Date: 06/24/11

Posts: 1

RE: Overall, what did you think of The Three Weissmanns of Westport?

I would not read it again. I had difficulty getting into the book (I started it three times and really struggled to stick with it). I agree with "odwazny." I felt as though I were reading grad school character studies (e.g., this is how you develop a "quirky" female character; this is how you develop a female develops a male character). The characters were flat and, to me, uninteresting. Yes -- the book was poignant at times but I just had a hard time caring.


Posted Sep. 14, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
sharon54220

Join Date: 08/11/11

Posts: 5

RE: Overall, what did you think of The Three Weissmanns of Westport?

I loved the book. This was the type of book, that once you started reading, it was hard to put down. I loved Uncle Lou. He loved having get-togethers for his big extended family, but he also looked out for his immediate family.


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