Schoolyard Schadenfreude
It takes a particular kind of author to shine a light into the intricate, often insensible, inner workings of parental/school politics, but Gill Hornby does so with a deft hand. With a clear eye and often a wry smile, Ms. Hornby takes us into the lives of these women and lets us see their strengths, their insecurities and their complex but compelling relationships.
The characters are at the heart of this story. We see the drama mostly through the eyes of Rachel, the girl who prefers to hang on the periphery, until she’s realized that she’s slid off the edge of everyone’s notice. She’s just coming out of the destruction of her marriage and learning to negotiate all that, when she finds out that the school’s Queen Bee, aptly called Bea, has dropped her as a friend. Through Rachel we come to know Georgie, the slacker mom who’s happy with her cluttered home and boisterous family, Heather, the mom who’s desperate to join but always held at arms length and Beatrice, the formerly undisputed ruler of the social whirl but who is now “juggling” family, friends, volunteering and… da-da-daaaaaaaa….a job!
For anyone who hasn’t had the experience of seeing their high school years be replayed as they navigate the rocky shoals of primary school politics, the story may not convey the poignancy that it did for me, but the Mean Girls meets Mommy Set dynamic is sure to intrigue any reader. I found the story utterly delightful and more than relevant as I am smack dab in the middle of much of what I saw in this book. And it brought up all sorts of questions about how I try to be as a mother, how I think others perceive me, how I’m trying to be perceived and what it all means, if anything, at the end of the day.
Funny, wry and full of characters you’ll both love and some you’ll love to hate, The Hive by Gill Hornby should definitely find it’s way into your TBR pile!
Hachette Audio is one of my favorite sources of audiobooks these days! They always do such an amazing job in the production of their narrations and The Hive is no exception. Karen Cass’s performance was fabulous, particularly in conveying the myriad characters and their voices both external and internal. This was a fabulous listen and I highly recommend the audio format!
Latest posts by Pushy (see all)
- Pre-Squee about… Icebreaker by Lian Tanner – The Hidden Series - April 8, 2015
- The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black - February 19, 2015
- Guardian by Alex London - February 12, 2015
I love when a book really speaks to what you’re going through or have experienced! I don’t have kids but, as a teacher, have seen some of the dynamics within the parental world (which makes me glad I don’t have kids!).
Mary @ BookSwarm recently posted..Waiting On…TALKER 25 by Joshua McCune
Reply »
Ahh, I won this ARC this summer during BEA and completely forgot about it! I’m glad it was so good and I will be bumping it up my list for sure. 🙂
Jess @ Such A Novel Idea recently posted..Waiting on Wednesday (24)
Reply »
I’ve been interested in this book and I’m glad you find it enjoyable. Your review makes me think it’ll be as good as Where’d You Go, Bernadette, one of my favorites with similar subject matter.
Jaime @ The World for the Reading recently posted..Waiting on Wednesday: Waiting on The Young World
Reply »
I navigated this world, was a PTA officer, room mom and all …this sounds hilarious.
kimbacaffeinate recently posted..Red Hill by Jamie McGuire
Reply »