The Trouble with You by Ellen Feldman is primarily a portrait of one woman, Fanny, whose doctor husband returns from service in World War II to her and their almost-6-year-old daughter, Chloe, but whose life ends unexpectedly very shortly thereafter. Through the author's depiction of Fanny's life, we learn about the status of women in the post-war days. Many had been hired into a job with the understanding that they would give it up when the man who previously held the job returned. After all, a man needed to provide for himself and his family, while a woman--even a college-educated one such as Fanny--might be permitted to take on a low-level job, but was expected to stop working after marriage and devote herself to the home and children. Fanny had secured a job as a secretary for a woman who wrote scripts for radio serials, but over time she was courageous enough to ask for a chance to write her own scripts from treatments provided by her boss.

A major plot line is the McCarthy investigation, which looked for Communists and sympathizers and blacklisted them, forcing their employers to fire them. For one of the victims working in Fanny's office, that meant finding someone to "front" him, to submit his scripts under their name and share the resulting income. For another coworker, an actress about to get her big break, it meant . . . something else. Later on in the story, we witness the rise of women's lib and the infamous "bra burning."

Fanny is a relatable character, struggling with her own identity, her romantic relationships, and her quest to ensure that Chloe grows up to be a happy, successful woman. The characters of Fanny, Chloe, Fanny's Aunt Rose, coworkers Charlie and Ava, and pediatrician Ezra are well drawn, and the panoply of a women's life over the years flows beautifully and provides a deeply-felt picture of life in the late forties and early fifties in the US. I was not familiar with the author but will definitely look for more from her. I still don't understand the title, though!

My thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

Ellen Feldman’s The Trouble with You is set in post-World War II New York City, a historical setting which is well developed and described. Also, I appreciated Feldman’s ode to women’s empowerment and independence - particularly as embodied in the character Aunt Rose. Feldman showcases well the struggles experienced by women as they were expected to vacate the work force to make room for the returning soldiers, and other societal barriers to women having a career. While I truly wanted to love this book, however, I found the pacing to be slow and at times disjointed, and the tale just did not capture and sustain my interest.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the complimentary ARC. Opinions are my own.

Fanny Fabricant's husband makes it home from World War II, only to die at home a few years later. Fanny, now a widow, takes a job as a typist for a radio serial. She meets Charlie Berlin, a writer relegated to the soaps after his FPA play labeled him a radical. Fanny and Charlie navigate the Blacklist as writers with a drive to tell the truth through their work. Feldman once again brings the post World War II Jewish American experience to light. Fanny starts out as a timid widow and ends as a bold successful career woman, finding a voice and a passion for the truth along the way.

I received a copy from NetGalley and I'm willingly leaving a review
The story was slow-moving, a bit too much routines and everyday life in minute details. The timelines were confusing; only 3 chapters had dates on them - the prologue, chapter #1, and the last chapter (#30). Bits of horror of WWII and the aftereffects of being blacklisted by the U.S. government. Some bouts were really interesting, like the making of TV shows and soap operas for the radio, the times Charlie and Fanny worked together, how women were seen during that era, and Aunt Rose who was the black sheep of her family but who had so much wisdom. I was glad for how it ended, just sad that it was so late in time.

Great historical fiction representing a fierce and independent woman of the time I didn’t want to put it down.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to Netgalley for providing a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I was given an advance reader copy of this book by NeyGalley. I enjoyed this glimpse into life in the 1940s and 1950s. As idyllic as those times are often presented, it was infuriating to see how differently women were treated than men. It was an accurate depiction, but still maddening. I had a hard time with the grief and loss journey the main character experienced. That’s just a personal thing for me and might also be a trigger for others in similar circumstances. The story moved too slowly for me and did not hold my attention. It’s more of a slice-of-life type story than a compelling drama, which is fine, but not my favorite type of book. I really enjoyed how nicely the author brought each storyline to a satisfying end.

This gives the story of post WWII in New York City. It tells about the soldiers coming home and how one woman moves on, when women start working and having their own lives. Very good.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Really enjoyed this title. Very interesting to follow Fanny’s evolution from a traditional married housewife and mother in the 19r0s to widowed, single mother and working woman in the 1950s. An evolution with a number of twists and turns involving the 1950s anti-communism black lists.

Loved this book. I enjoyed learning more about how McCarthyism impacted day to day lives in the 1950s and enjoyed more how Fanny rose as a feminist during these times. It was really hard to think about women who went to college for the sole purpose of getting married and men at that time who felt it reflected poorly on them when their wives had meaningful work. I am glad times have changed, at least with regard to these attitudes. This was really a great story and I look forward to reading more from this author. One of my favorite books of this year.

Thank you to Ellen Feldman, St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for an advanced e-copy of this book. My thoughts are my own.

Having a penchant for history, I eagerly accepted the invitation to delve into the works of this new-to-me author. The experience turned out to be an absolute delight, offering a refreshingly unique yet somewhat foreseeable narrative. In the pages of this book, the author skillfully introduces a compelling storyline that captured my interest from the outset.
Fanny Fabricant emerges as a beacon of strength, courageously navigating life's unexpected twists while carving a path for herself and her daughter, Chloe, in defiance of societal norms.
If I were to sum it up in a word, it would be "reinvention."

What stood out:
✅ A resilient female protagonist navigating the world of radio serials, challenging the constraints of her time.
✅ A poignant portrayal of a woman adapting to unforeseen circumstances, piecing together a new future.
✅ An illuminating exploration of post-war politics, delving into the McCarthy era and the HUAC's impact on artists and authors.
✅ Expertly crafted setting, painting a vivid picture of the social climate in the aftermath of war.
✅ Personal growth arcs and a compelling look at dating norms in the 1950s.

Challenges I encountered:
❌ Pacing issues that occasionally affected the flow of the narrative.
❌ Predictability in certain aspects of the plot.

This historical fiction gem shines a light on a courageous and relatable female lead while offering a unique glimpse into a lesser-explored period of our history. A binge-worthy read within the realm of historical fiction, complemented by an appealing cover.

The Trouble with You
A Novel
by Ellen Feldman
(This review is from an ARC sent to me from NetGalley)
Set in New York City in the aftermath of World War II.
Raised never to step out of bounds, educated in one of the Seven Sisters Colleges for a career as a wife and mother, Fanny is torn between her cousin Mimi and her rebellious Aunt Rose.
Fanny struggles to raise her young daughter after her husband unexpectedly dies, and finally gets a job as a secretary to the “queen “of radio serials. (Not referred to as Soaps in those days)
Fanny enjoys working and through friendships she makes, with an actress and a script writer she gains more confidence and starts writing scripts. She comes face to face with the blacklist.
“The Hollywood blacklist was an entertainment industry blacklist put in effect in the mid-20th century in the United States during the early years of the Cold War, in Hollywood and elsewhere. Actors, screenwriters, directors, musicians, and other American entertainment professionals were barred from work by the studios.” The person in question would need to declare under oath that he/she was not a communist. The blacklist was destroying careers and lives.
The Trouble with You is the story of a young woman whose rosy future is upended in a single instant, and Fanny must decide in doing what is right.

Interesting characters, story and plot. Enjoyed the read and a perfect escape for a cold winter afternoon or a nice afternoon at the beach. Thanks

Wow! What an fantastic book! I devoured it in two days. I will be thinking about Fanny and Rose, two independent strong women living in New York City during the 1940's and '50's, for a long time. Fans of Rules of Civility and City of Girls will enjoy this book. Highly recommend. Thank you Netgalley for this advanced reader's copy.

The Trouble With You by Ellen Feldman is a captivating exploration of post-WWII New York City through the lens of Fanny Fabricant, a resilient young woman navigating the upheavals of societal expectations and personal reinvention. Fanny, initially groomed for a conventional life, faces unforeseen challenges that propel her into the world of work, defying the norms of the time. As a secretary in the realm of radio serials, she discovers unexpected passions and confronts the political turmoil of McCarthyism and HUAC blacklisting. The novel skillfully intertwines personal growth, societal shifts, and the evolving dynamics of 1950s dating. While the pacing and predictability present occasional challenges, the story offers a thought-provoking narrative of courage, resilience, and the determination to carve one's path amidst a changing world. Ellen Feldman's richly detailed portrayal of post-war America and Fanny's journey makes this historical fiction a compelling and immersive read.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC.
Wow, I loved this book so much! The main character, Fanny Fabricant, is a young woman who loses her husband right after WWII and has to find work so she and her little girl can survive in a world that isn't kind to women who are single mothers. In those days women didn't have many rights. Plus McCarthyism and a polio outbreak don't make things any easier.
But with her Aunt Rose's help and a job in radio, she grows into a strong, independent woman.
I loved both Fanny and Rose so much and was very happy with Fanny's choices at the end.
I can't recommend this book enough, it's fantastic!

I have read other books by this author, enjoying them. This one is no different. It is a different approach to historical fiction than I am used to looking for. But I loved it. I love when a woman is strong, does what is unexpected, risks she takes. The whole book is about this.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

Very interesting story. A woman trying to survive after the death of her husband. Lots of avenues and obstacles due to the feelings of woman in the work force after WWII. Throw in some love interests and there you have it interesting

I'm so glad I accepted the invitation to read an advance copy of this book, thanks to the publisher and Netgalley. I loved this book and its characters. By chance, I had just finished reading another book that also took place during the McCarthy era. I found The Trouble with You was much more effective describing life during that time. Feldman showed the frightening impact of McCarthyism in the entertainment industry and its impact on the individuals being questioned, as well as their friends and families. The author did a wonderful job bringing the characters to life and portraying the challenges women had during and after the war. I think this would make a great choice for book discussion groups. I highly recommend this book.

I just finished The Trouble with You by Ellen Feldman which was an ARC that I received through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was the first book I've read from Ellen Feldman and I can promise, it won't be the last. I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. This story takes place after WWII in New York City. Fanny Fabricant was excited for her husband, Max, to return home from the war. Shortly after his return, he unexpectedly dies and Fanny is forced to rediscover herself and move through life without him. While simultaneously picking up the pieces of her broken heart and caring for her young daughter, Fanny finds herself navigating life as a working woman at a time when most women were leaving the workforce and going back to their roles as wives and mothers. She is hired as a secretary for a radio serials editor and quickly learns a dark truth about the industry. Writers and actors are being blacklisted including an actress friend of hers and a witty writer always trying to sneak innuendos into his scripts. When both of their careers are destroyed by being blacklisted, Fanny is faced with a difficult choice.

The characters, the plot, the pacing, and the quality of the writing were all fantastic. I highly recommend picking up this book!

In McCarthy-era New York, radio actors and writers try to keep themselves afloat. Fanny, a recent widow, must write her stories in secret. Also, she and her daughter Chloe must balance between Mimi, the correct sister, and Aunt Rose, the smart daredevil. This makes for interesting reading.

Author Feldman makes sure we understand how difficult it was for women to have a career at that time. If a married woman worked, husbands felt they were being criticized for not being able to support their family. No matter what the career, the belief was that men could do it better. And perish the thought of women advancing to a supervisory position! As a result, the men who could be proud of women in the working world were few and far between, and they were cherished.

I loved the characters in this book, particularly Aunt Rose. She sounds like someone every family needs—a straight-shooter who sees through all nonsense. Both Ezra and Charles were also great characters—deeply caring men who had completely different personalities that were a little bit different from what one could see about them at first.

I also loved that this is a book about family, about loving and caring for whom you belong to. And, of course, different people in the family have different ideas, which makes loving them so important and difficult at the same time.