Joy for Beginners by Erica Bauermeister- Hardcover: 288 pages
- Publisher: Putnam Adult (June 9, 2011)
- ISBN-13: 978-0399157127
Back-of-the-book blurb: At an intimate, festive dinner party in Seattle, six women gather to celebrate their friend Kate’s recovery from cancer. Wineglass in hand, Kate strikes a bargain with them. To celebrate her new lease on life, she’ll do the one thing that’s always terrified her: white-water rafting. But if she goes, all of them will also do something they always swore they’d never do – and Kate is going to choose their adventures.
She Is Too Fond of Books’ review: I may be the only person in the universe who hasn’t (yet) read Erica Bauermeister’s The School of Essential Ingredients – a book club favorite when it debuted two years ago. This, I promise, will soon be remedied!
A few months ago I received an advance copy of Bauermeister’s second novel, Joy for Beginners. Recalling the praise I’d heard about The School of Essential Ingredients, I picked it up one weekend when I was in the mood for something “lighter.”
Does “lighter” make a reader cry (three times, including one sob session)? Does “lighter” feel like a kick in the gut when the reader identifies with the “adventure” Kate has chosen for her? Does “lighter” inspire an “a-ha!” moment when the reader realizes that, yes, one particular adventure might not be a “challenge” for me, but, it perfectly suits that character and her situation.
You get the picture. Joy for Beginners should not be dismissed as a “light” read, and shame on me for attaching that label!
Kate, a single mom, has competed her treatment/surgery/reconstruction for breast cancer, and throws a dinner party to help those girlfriends who’ve helped her during this time. At the party, it develops that, just as Kate’s grown daughter, Robin, has invited (challenged) her to a white water rafting trip, Kate will invite her friends to “do one thing in the next year that is scary or difficult or that we’ve always said we were going to do but haven’t.”
These women are from all walks of life; although they’ve crossed paths as one or another of them has needed a hand, it really does seem to be Kate who is the thread that ties them all together. The challenge she chooses for each woman can only come from a friend who knows them so intimately, who knows what might provide a bit of discomfort along the way, but, in the end, will lead to growth.
I won’t share the individual challenges that Kate chooses for each friend, as that will be revealed as the reader discovers their backgrounds and personalities, and comes to understand why Kate assigns them as she does. Some may seem less challenging than others, but for the character (and for readers who identify with that character), it is the ultimate test.
The first and last chapters are bookends about Kate which frame the middle chapters about her friends. These middle chapters focus so strongly on the individual that there’s very little connection to the rest of the group (or even to Kate, in some cases). At first this felt a little disjointed to me, but as I got into the rhythm of the book, I realized that it allowed me to fully immerse myself in this character’s world and learn her backstory. Erica Bauermeister gives each equal play (the chapters are about the same length), which further shows me there’s no “pecking order;” each woman’s story is equally important.
Readers will likely identify with some characters more than others, and be struck more emotionally by these. This, of course, makes Joy for Beginners an excellent choice for a book group discussion. Aside from talking about the novel, it leads to the questions of “what challenge would you choose for yourself?” and “what challenge would you choose for me?” There is a reading group discussion guide on the author’s website; take a look at it after you’ve read the book (contextual spoilers!)
For those who’ve read the book and are keeping score at home, I shed tears during Hadley’s story, bawled as I read Ava’s, and cried pretty steadily through the last ten pages of the novel. All in a good way – tears of recognition, gratefulness, and connection. Very satisfying.
i cannot believe you haven’t read her first book. You, especially, would love it!
Seconded; you’re going to love The School of Essential Ingredients. It’s “light” in the same way that this one is “light” – have the tissues handy! And also probably a snack… I don’t think any book has ever made me hungrier.
I’m reading this one right now. It’s very good!
I LOVED The School of Essential Ingredients – so I can’t wait to read this one!
Bauermeister said that her books are more interconnected stories, than a novel. I don’t know why I never thought of that until she said it, but sometimes I need to be hit over the head. So yes, you need to read School of Essential Ingredients, and yes, it has a similar format.
I had also thought this book was going to be a lot lighter than it actually was, but I did enjoy it a lot. I had thought that the lack of interconnectedness in the story was going to bother me, but found that in the end, it only enhanced everything for me. I also cried at a few points in the book as well. This was a great review and I am glad that you enjoyed the book so much. I am actually really excited about what she will write next!
Okay but does she die in the end? I have a very good friend who shares my book reading list who went through a single mastectomy at age 40 and we have agreed to read no breast cancer book in which the character dies. You can email me direct rather than posting. Thanks!!!
My goodness. It looks like I’ll have to add this book to my list. Terrific review, Dawn!
Julie told me that I’ll cry for sure when I read this one. It sounds like a very emotional book. I can’t wait to read it.
Just thought I’d tell you that, at least as of now, you’re NOT the last person to read The School of Essential Ingredients. I bought a copy at the 2010 LA Times Festival of Books last April, got it signed, and haven’t picked it up to read it yet. Maybe we should tackle it as an “I will if you will” buddy read or something!
I feel like I’m the only one who hasn’t read this! It looks beautiful and emotional and awesome. Way coo. Guess I need to get on that, huh? Glad you liked it.
I need to read this book – maybe I should wait for a rainy weekend so no one will see me with puffy eyes from all that crying. I joke, but I’m adding it to my TBR list. Thank you for a great review!
If it makes you feel better, I didn’t read her first book either. I’ve heard nothing but good things about this book. I don’t want to miss this one I think!
Any book that can make a reader cry makes my TBR list. I love books that really get at me emotionally and give me a lot to discuss with friends and other readers. This book sounds like it delivers on both fronts. I’m adding it to my list. I haven’t read anything by Bauermeister and it sounds like I’m doing myself a disservice in this. I will have to get my hands on her books ASAP.
rhapsody – I have SCHOOL OF ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS on my shelves, and promise to read it this summer!
Fyrefly – OK, thanks for the heads up! Will have tissues *and* a snack next to me when I read SCHOOL
Julie – glad you’re enjoying it, too.
Katie – I remember you telling me that SCHOOL had a similar structure.
softdrink – Erica Bauermeister’s event must have been a lot of fun – bonus that you attended with two other bloggers!
zibilee – wow, our reactions/assumptions/surprises are very similar. We do tend to gravitate toward the same books.
kelley – I’ll email you with more info than I’ll post publicly (no spoilers). It is an emotional ride, but definitely a “feel good”/positive novel.
Beth – thank you; I hope you enjoy JOY FOR BEGINNERS as much as I did.
Kathy – you’ve been warned; have tissues handy
Florinda – Yes! I’ve put myself on the hook for reading it this summer … are you game?!
You are not the only one who has not read SCHOOL! UGH it is still on my shelf…how easily I’m distracted by new books. This book sounds like another winner, and I’m going to have to add it to my must have list….all that crying for so many good reasons…this is not a light read! I will have to get it. Thanks for the awesome review.
Pam – well, I haven’t read Bauermeister’s first novel, but I’ve read this one … we can’t be the only ones who want to play catch up!
Alison – here’s the thing – you may cry at different parts than I did (or, maybe not at all!). That’s why the format (somewhat stand-alone stories form each chapter) works so well – different readers will connect with protagonists in different chapters.
Jenners – “not to be missed” would be an appropriate blurb for JOY FOR BEGINNERS!
Jennifer – it would be neat if people “discovering” Bauermeister thru JOY went back to read SCHOOL OF ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS
Serena – you have the perfect little wiggly excuse to be easily distracted
I’m planning to pick up SCHOOL this summer (w/Florinda, wanna join in?!)
Dawn: I’d read along with you and Florinda, thoug it would depend on when you plan to tackle it. I have two read-a-longs in Aug. already.
Great review! This one definitely tugged at my heartstrings several times as well, and I’m not usually moved by books (not to sound cold-hearted or anything!). I just loved the diversity of the characters but how they could all have such a bond at the same time. Truly a good book!
Hmm…I have a feeling I will make a fool of myself reading this on the train. Better make sure I have some tissues in my pocket. I’m really looking forward to this book because I absolutely loved The School of Essential Ingredients.
This one didn’t make me cry but I will agree that there were some moments that made me gasp a little with how real they were. I felt like Bauermeister really captured the book ends of the parenting years when she talked about Sara and her need to get pregnant and the followed up with Marion’s menopause.