Perfect Life by Jessica Shattuck- Hardcover: 336 pages
- Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company (August 3, 2009)
- ISBN-13: 978-0393069501
Back-of-the-book blurb: The lives of three former college friends collide in unexpected ways in this novel about marriage, family, and finding happiness. The unhappy Neil intrudes on the life of Laura, now married and the mother of two. Neil is the biological father of the child of their mutual friend, Jenny – he acted as sperm donor when she and her husband were unable to conceive. A third friend, Elise, is in a partnership with Chrissy, who carried their two in vitro children.
Perfect Life asks the perennially daunting question: What is the perfect life?
She Is Too Fond of Books‘ review: Jessica Shattuck packs a lot into this 300-page novel! We look at four college friends who each believe they’re “living the dream:”
- Laura – married to Mac, she’s a stay-at-home mom to two young children … in gentrified Cambridge, with the help of a nanny.
- Jenny – she, husband Jeremy, and infant Colin are planning a move from a townhouse in Boston’s Back Bay to a custom-built home in Wellesley. Jenny and Jeremy both have high-power jobs.
- Elise – a biologist doing an independent project with bio-engineered animals. In a partnership with Chrissy, the two have young twins who Chrissy carried after her eggs were fertilized in vitro.
- Neil – perennially single, he’s a games software genius who still likes to party like it’s 1999. Because of his good genes (smart and good-looking), Laura asked him to be a sperm donor for her and Jeremy.
It’s quite the cast of characters, each believes himself/herself to be living their best life (no, they don’t invoke this Oprah-esque phrase, I just couldn’t resist!).
Then, events from both within and outside their private fortresses conspire to make them each question their choices, and to wonder if they have as much control over their destinies as they’ve led themselves to believe.
I appreciated the character sketches of the individuals, and the examination of many types of family structure. I wondered, at times, if they were more like caricatures, but when I thought about Shattuck’s novel as light satire (or sharp social commentary), they were perfect choice.
None of the characters were sympathetic (with the exception of the children [for the most part] and one adult [but I can't tell you which one, or why!]), but they became more so as they faced their challenges. I don’t know that any of them had a great epiphany about the reality (or not) of his/her particular American Dream, but I did like to watch them squirm.
It was that squirming, as the characters realized the chinks in their armor, that makes Perfect Life a natural for book groups. It could be a bit of a downer, if you read it without a discussion to help “digest” the many issues raised. So many topics to discuss – family structure, values, science vs. nature, work/family balance, an examination of our own definition of “the perfect life,” etc. A 16-question reader’s guide is included in the paperback edition.
Shattuck has a great eye for detail, a sharp assessment of characters, and an engaging writing style. I’ve put her previous novel, The Hazards of Good Breeding, on my wish list.
FTC disclosure: review copy provided by the publisher as part of a reading group program
I like the book cover!
It does sound like this book covers a lot of topics. Reading your review makes me realize I don’t have much control over my life.
What an interesting premise – sounds like a lot of issues! It definitely sounds like the perfect book for a book club meeting!
It does sound as if there is a lot going on in this book, but it also sounds like something that I could eek out a lot of guilty pleasure from. I am glad to hear that you liked it, and I think I am going to have to check it out. It sounds like a great read!
I read her other book…The Hazards Of Good Breeding…and enjoyed it…thank you for a great review of this one…
I read this one in 2009 and haven’t seen many reviews of it – I did a bit of a double-take when I saw yours! I went back to read mine afterward, and we had pretty similar impressions of the novel…I guess I shouldn’t be so surprised by that, though
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Nicole – yes! I like it better than the hardcover, which shows mom on the lawn, lifting baby over her head.
Kathy – None of us do!
Coffee – I’m hoping to find others who’ve read it, so we can discuss
zibilee- I also liked the local setting (of course, I’m an easy mark for that!)
Patty – ooh, was that as “sharp?!” Reading between the lines, it could really sting … made me think!
Control or lack of it provides such good fodder for fiction — this one sounds interesting
Love the cover and the plot intrigues me. One of my sons asked me just the other day, “Mom, what is the American dream?” I had to really think about that before I could answer!
*smiles*
I have not read any of her novels. Thanks for the review, sounds like an interesting mix of characters.
It does sound like a book that would have my book club members well engaged!
Rebecca – yes, art imitates life with that “lack of control” thing
Kim – ooh, that would be a great dinner table conversation. I wonder how my kids would define The American Dream?!
Lisa – Definitely (not sure I’d want to be friends with any of them)
Kathleen – I would love to discuss this book — so, so much in there to lead in many directions.
Yeah, this does sound like a great book club book — but because “None of the characters were sympathetic” I’m not complete sure this is for me.