Virginia and Rebecca are struggling to find their place after Oliver their husband and father dies suddenly. It's the 1970s and Virginia has always seen herself through Oliver's shadow. This is told through both of their POVs, as well as by Sam a student whose POV did not from my perspective add much to the story. Thanks to netgalley for the ArC. Interesting historical women's fiction.

This book had an interesting premise, and I was excited to read it. Sadly, the story did not live up to the expectations, and that might not be on me. I found myself struggling to connect and get into the book.

The best way to describe this story is in the reality of how different life was for adult women in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. This book does a good job exploring how women could easily be left in circumstances that were difficult to navigate when a spouse died or a divorce happened. I remember knowing women who faced these obstacles and were able to overcome their hardships.
#TheWrongKindofWoman #Netgalley #Harlequin

I was intrigued by the feminist element of the story; however, the story didn't capture my attention. I found myself thinking of other books as I was reading it, and I finally gave up about 60% in

Really interesting historical fiction take on women's freedoms, particularly in the form of education and coed colleges. Set in the late 1970s, and told from two different perspectives (mother and daughter) navigating the sudden loss of the patriarch of the family. The alternating perspectives added a wonderful dimension to the story. And it is partially set in my home town, which always makes things fun to read!

I did not enjoy this book at all. The premise was promising but the different POVs confused me and I did not fully understand how they were all connected. The plot was not interesting at all and felt like the author rambled too much. It had so much potential with its focus on the Women’s Movement but the book lack substance.

Thank you to NetGallery and to Harlequin Trade Publishing for giving me a copy for my honest review.

THE WRONG KIND OF WOMAN is a deeply feminist novel that manages to entertain while exploring the role of women in the early ’70s. Sarah McCraw Crow's writing breathes life into her characters as well as a movement. Simply brilliant.

This is beautifully written, and a look at a very interesting piece of history. I wasn't alive during the 1970s but I felt absolutely transported, and I really enjoyed the way the characters were written as well.

This.... was not it for me.

The premise is wonderful -- widowed mother and a teenage daughter trying to get through life after a sudden death in their family. Virginia, who always lived in her late husband Oliver's shadow, is trying to figure out what kind of women she is and makes friends with the only four women professors at the local college. Her daughter. Rebecca, is grieving over the sudden loss of her father while also trying to be a teenager in high school which is hard enough on it's own. Then we have a random POV, Sam, who is a college student and was a friend of Oliver's, and discovers a commune. The POVs randomly jumped back and forth and it was so hard to keep up with who's mind we were currently in.

The characters were insanely flat and I didn't really understand why there is a POV of a random college student. I felt like the story had so much potential and was right there at the edge of being incredible but couldn't quite make it there. I loved the setting and time period, the talk and fight about women's rights and equality and such but I wish there were more to it all.

TWKOW is a very moving story that shows many different aspects of the Women's Liberation movement. With the different perspectives, you get an idea of the different ways men and women were interacting and at times surviving during that period. I had no idea about some of the ways women were prevented from speaking out and finding equality until I read this book. Part family drama, part historical fiction, TWKOW is an entertaining book that can open anyone's eyes to past and present injustice.

The Wrong Kind of Woman by Sarah McCraw Crow
Rating 4/5 Stars
Published by MIRA
Published On 6th October 2020

Thank you to Netgalley, MIRA, and of course, Sarah McCraw Crow, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Virginia’s life is forever changed when her husband dies of a heart attack while stringing Christmas lights. Suddenly a single mother, Virginia must seek employment to support her family. Set in the 1970s where jobs were hard to find for women, The Wrong Kind of Woman follows Virginia meeting four women on the faculty of her late professor husband. It is with these 4 women that Virginia forms lifelong friendships and propels the women’s movement forward on the university front.

As a debut novel, I really enjoyed this! I found the theme of feminism to be so strong and beautifully conveyed. I found the book to be unexpected in parts and thought-provoking and I really am looking forward to reading further works from Crow! I found this to be a fast read and recommend it if you have also been in a 1970s style kick with reading like me!

I am a sucker for historical fiction, but ESPECIALLY the 1970's. Political unrest? Here for it. This book was completely engrossing and entertaining.

I loved the setting on a college campus in the 60s/70s about an incredibly important historical movement. Virginia’s struggle to reconcile the personal and political was actually quite relatable and thought-provoking. I’d be curious to read more from this author, especially more historical fiction.

A huge thanks to Netgalley and the publisher fot an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fascinating glimpse into the infuriatingly chauvinistic world of academia. When her husband dies unexpectedly, Virginia must navigate a treacherous path. Her education and skills have been devalued and marginalized by the establishment because of her gender, and she must now emphasize them in a world that wants to placate her with a dusty corner or a new husband.

She finds support where she least expected it, and becomes embroiled in the nascent Women's Rights Movement. I loved seeing her idea of feminism evolving.

Rounding up from 3.5. A very good book, although not the kind I usually read. Surprisingly kept my interest, when I've been dropping books left and right in these Interesting Times. Definitely recommend for fiction and history buffs.

From the cover, the title and the very first chapter and intro paragraph below, there was so much about this book that appealed to me: the title - just what was the wrong kind of woman? the setting - small academic college in New Hampshire, timeframe - early 1970s and, this sad intro - starts with a death......

Chapter One

November 1970

Westfield, New Hampshire

Oliver died the Sunday after Thanksgiving, the air heavy with snow that hadn't fallen yet. His last words to Virginia were, "Tacks, Ginny? Do we have any tacks?"

Yes, Virginia Desmarais, has just lost her husband Oliver unexpectedly, while he was out hanging Christmas lights. Now at 39, she is left to raise the couple's 14 year old daughter Rebecca.

Both Oliver and Virginia taught at Clarendon College, a private men's school. She, however, did not have her PhD, making her feel somewhat inferior. It was the 1970's, a changing time in this country, especially for women. A single mother teaching at a private college certainly was not the norm. Her struggle to fit in set against societies expectations at that time felt compelling. Virginia does have four single women known as the Gang of Four on her side, this was the same group of women who Oliver had criticized privately before his death. It is these same women who serve as Virginia's anchors when she needs support the most.

I loved the flashbacks to the 1960s and 1970s and all that "in" and pressing during those years. I do feel bad that I just didn't love this book more. Unfortunately, this book made for some painfully slow reading. The story seemed directionless at times, some of the flashbacks just seemed out of place and didn't fit and, alternating narrators also felt confusing at times. Overall, this one just did not work well for me.

https://bibliophilebythesea.blogspot.com/2020/12/the-wrong-kind-of-woman-sarah-mccraw.html

This book, although it is advertised as a novel (which it is) is actually a slice of time. The characters, the college background, and the events in the plot are actually representational of real people, a real campus, and real events that were similar to those that happened. If this book was being used for a book discussion might be: if Oliver had not died, would Virginia ever have been "awakened', finished a dissertation, and then led a women's group at a formerly men's college? For those younger than us, who remember this time period (with nostalgia, I admit), it gives those readers an idea of what led to an overhaul of academia to the open campuses we have now.

I love stories set in the sixties and seventies, and I’m from New England, where this one takes place. Sounded like a perfect fit for me. Turns out, I’m not the right kind of woman to read The Wrong Kind of Woman.

A great thing I can tell you is that the author captures the feel of the era, particularly in regards to women’s roles in academia.

The rest didn’t work for me.

Pacing is slow throughout, at times bordering on stagnant.

We have multiple narrators, which I usually enjoy, but here the switches are sudden and unclear. Often I’d read a paragraph or two before realizing we’d switched to a new narrator.

Along with that, timeline jumps are also unclear. We’d move to a later time in the day, the next day, or maybe many days ahead, without any indications, leaving us to reorient ourselves in the story.

Within this murky content, we also have characters reliving memories, but these scenes aren’t always clearly flashbacks, so this jolts us out of the moment as we try to figure out, again, where we are in the story.

And, finally, I wanted more complexities and depth. I didn’t feel the intensity of emotions this story should have elicited.

But this is just my opinion. Some readers have loved this book, as you might.

This book follows 3 narrators living in New England in the 1970s. Virginia is a newly widowed mother of one, who let go of her career aspirations to take care of her family. After losing her husband, she needs to find a job and is drawn in by the successful women around her who want to take some sort of action against the gender discrimination that keeps them from thriving. Her daughter Rebecca, the next narrator is a young teenage girl trying to find her way, while not being embarrassed by her mother's actions. Sam, is a college student who gets caught up with the wrong crowd and is willing to do almost anything to be accepted.

I found this book quite slow. I found it hard to read and so was glad it wasn't too long. It is a book about life so there aren't many peaks and valleys and not much excitement. The characters were relatable, just trying to get through life, while being accepted by their peers.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about women's rights, the 70s. or enjoys reading about the human condition.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the eGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Virginia Desmarais’ world is altered when her husband dies of a heart attack while stringing Christmas lights. It shocks Virginia and her daughter, Rebecca as they helplessly watch him collapsing on the front lawn. Virginia has devoted most of her life to raising her thirteen-year-old daughter while supporting her husband's career as a college professor. Virginia must embark on a new chapter in her life while she seeks employment to support her family. It is a tough transition since few worthwhile jobs are available to women in the 1970’s.

Virginia also becomes reacquainted with four women that were on the faculty with her husband at the college. This group was built on long-standing friendships and they include her into their social world. Virginia appreciates their friendships along with their philosophical ideas for a women’s movement at the college. At the same time, Rebecca is having difficulty accepting life without her father and how her mother is giving her less attention. Tensions in both the town and at the college begin to rise when protests for change build around the country.

The Wrong Kind Of Woman is a debut novel by Sarah McCraw Crow. This book is about a woman faced with unexpected change and trying to forge a new path for herself. This was a thought-provoking book and I look forward to future works from this author.