I grew up in the Midwest in the 1980s and went to college in Chicago in the 1990s, so the setting of this novel was very familiar to me. I could relate to the cultural references and social struggles of this era. I was sympathetic to the Bernie's plan to escape her circumstances by getting an education (though not sure she could sustain herself studying philosophy). Her bizarre family made it impossible for her to live a normal life. The poverty they faced being farmers and then relocating to the city to not find a better situation at times seemed hopeless. But Bernie was determined to survive. I liked how the author subtly wove the words of the title "Us Fools" into random sentences throughout the book.

I’m a sucker for a pink book, so when I saw Us Fools by Nora Lange, I immediately requested it. The cover pulled me in, and I was excited for what promised to be a historical, feminist, revolutionary sister tale. Unfortunately, after multiple attempts, I just couldn’t get into the story. The characters, particularly the parents, felt like a nightmare, and rather than immersing me in their world, they left me feeling detached. While I understand that the story aimed to portray a complex, challenging family dynamic set against a backdrop of female empowerment, I found myself bored and quickly lost interest. The pacing and narrative style didn’t keep me hooked, and I struggled to connect with the sisters’ journey. Thank you to the publishers for the early copy—I’m always grateful for the chance to explore new stories, even if they don’t all resonate with me.

this book was too much to handle and i really dont know what to think. for now it's 3
pls see the tw before

Thank You, NetGalley for the chance to listen to Us Fools by Nora Lange.

I loved this story about two sisters just trying to make it though life.

I think what I loved most about this was how to live when everything around is imperfect from parents to circumstances.

It pulled me in and I loved every bit of this book.

Definitely worth a read.

This is a Bildungsroman about a young midwestern girl and her older sister coming of age in the farm crisis of the 1980s. The book was brash and unflinching. It was radical and feminist and anti-capitalist.

It portrayed a vivid picture of growing up in a country and a society that doesn’t value you. Bernadette was a brilliant, untamable character that I feel perfectly embodies feral girlhood in the earlier part of the book. She was wild in a way that you almost want to look away from. Joanne is wild as well, but much tamer than her sister. The insatiable parents were an interesting addition to the story, as well as the history of the women in the family.

This story has a lot going on and, frankly, I struggled to keep up, but for the social commentary alone I would recommend this book. 3.5 stars for me.

What a fantastic 90’s inspired cover! Unfortunately, that is the only memorable thing about this book. I really wanted to like it. Being a Midwest Girl myself, I enjoyed the aspects that were mentioned about growing up in Illinois. Set in the 1970’s to the early 2000’s, Lange focused on Bernie and her older sister, Jo. I usually enjoy reading coming of age stories, but this one felt slow too much of the time. I did enjoy reading about the mental illness that occurred in their family and their fight to keep their farm alive. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was OK. Not great, not bad. Her voice kind of made me want to go to sleep every time I listened.

thank you to netgalley, brilliance audio, author nora lange and brilliance publishing for the ARC audiobook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
i found this book to be a delight to listen to. the audio was wonderful and only added to the story telling.
the book follows a sister through the 70s- early 00s, mostly in a midwest farm setting. it follows stories of poverty, sisterhood, mental health and stories of moving to the city/other areas of the USA.
i loved the real historical relevance and discussions of events at the time- the book doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with forrest gump but i found the way that history was referenced and explored to almost have a similar feel and it was enjoyable to read as our storytellers inner monologue guided the events. the historical events and pop culture relevance brought up similar feelings and atmosphere- but through a different lens.
i loved the part of the story that had great focus on her sister and their mental health, and sisterhood in general. i liked the general feeling of the book and the storytelling. the atmosphere was really immersive and delightful.
very much recommend.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for providing me with the ALC of ‘Us Fools’ narrated by Emily Lawrence and out September 17th!

Say Chrysler Lebaron one more time! No, but every time this car was mentioned “Short Skirt/Long Jacket” by Cake played in my head. I’m not mad, it just felt very appropriate to the times.

But let’s get serious…

It’s easy to want to attach my younger sister to the character of Bernie (our narrator and main character) but she is no more Bernadette than I am, ironically, the older sister Jo. But the way these two girls become women, shaped by their own translation of their connected upbringing, and the shifting world they’re in is familiar and real. I think in an alternate universe anyone could become either of these women, despite some of the extremes, because the world is unkind to those already struggling and for that you must survive it — and surviving isn’t always pretty.

The novel takes place over the course of the late 1970s-early 2000s with a focus on their childhood in rural poverty during the 80s. Bernadette gives us her interpretation of the events of their lives in an often snarky voice, her sharpness becoming tender as she navigates empathy and frustration with her hyper-sexual parents, and violently rebellious and attention seeking older sister. There is a line of mental illness on they mothers side and it lives in the sisters and their mother in unique ways. Set during the farm crisis of the 1980s it provides insight into that time and the ways it impacted communities. I love a book that centers poverty, specifically this type, because if is very unique and I suppose (having lived it) I feel a sense of pride for having taken such wisdom and magic from it.

Nora Lange does an impeccable job portraying the complexities of this experience through unique, uncomfortable, characters that like or dislike you can sympathize with. And Emily Lawrence brings Bernadette to life with her audiobook narration. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to fans of coming age novels, stories of women navigating poverty and mental illness, and sister stories. I loved the atmosphere and sense of time and place she created through pop culture and historical references -- she even mentioned places I am familiar with, and an author born in the town I grew up outside of (population 1500). Pick it up soon!!