Women Within

I loved this story of Constance and her two female carers. Throughout the book she reminisces about her life as a professor of history and supporter of women's rights. I found Anne Leigh Parrish's writing beautiful and easy to read. A lovely story.

I found the stories of Constance, Eunice, and Sam to be touching and moving. The author's ability to weave the three stories together through the conclusion showed a strength of talent and craft. These women weren't always likable, but they were, to me, inspirational and interesting. What each story shows gives us is something each of us is already familiar with - dealing with expectations and rejections from family and society, and how different women react and flourish or fail, at least, in their own minds. It's a book I'll recommend if for no other reason, its timeless and universal relevancy.

I really liked this book! This story is about three women-Constance, Eunice and Sam. Even though they are different ages, they are all connected through Lindell Retirement Home. The author does a tremendous job of letting the reader experience the character's emotions. I seemed to share the thoughts and feelings of each character at different times during my life.

Very thought-provoking and interesting novel on opportunities afforded to women and how some opportunities can be obliterated due to poor personal choices.

Women Within by Leigh Parrish is one of the books that take you by surprise. It's not a heart pounding grab by the throat novel but a novel rich in characters.

Women Within is is about three very different women at the Lindell Retirement Home. Constance is in her eighties reflects back her life as a scholar and fierce advocate of women and women's rights. This is all at a time in history when strong women were still consist threat.

Sam and Eunice both work at the retirement home. We follow both as they try and find there way to self acceptance and happiness.

I was a little confused at first that Eunice and Sam became central characters since the beginning of the novel is so focused on Constance, her daughter, and her step mom Lois. Regardless I enjoyed the book and the writing was so smooth I hardly noticed the time fly by. I will definitely be seeking out other books by the author.

I was initially excited to read this book, based on the synopsis. The characters are well developed (if a wee bit unhappy and cantankerous). Unfortunately, the story itself isn't nearly as developed. It was more like an in-depth character study used by an author to keep track of important starring roles in a series than a cohesive, moving story. A lot of lost potential.

Spoilers

Constance lives in a retirement home. "Big and small,short and tall who's the fairest of them all?That was her sleep aid talking . The young doctor who came along told her rest was essential. Who was he kidding. Any moment now she would enter the realm of eternal rest. She should have the luxury of lying awake at night if she wanted to,Night was the traveling time.The time of seeing." Constance had once been a history teacher.Constances mother had a depression and her father worked all the time.She turned to books and doing good in school to pass the time.When her mother is sent away she goes to live with her father's step mother.Constance meets two women and learns to knit,which she loves to do,Constances mom remarries and has a baby which she gives away to constance. Constance trys to show there is more to life then being a wife and mother. Meredith takes care of Constance as she ages which made me like her more. I didn't like how clingy Meredith was to have a friend or man.Constance has many short lived relationships or flings.As I get older my life has taken many paths but I doubt being a wife and mother is one of them.I'm not a feminist but I felt like I understood Constance and wanting a role in life besides being a wife and mother . Although there is no shame in being a wife and mother and just because you are one doesn't mean you have to be the other.Also you can still work or be a stay at home mom no judgement in either I don't like the word feminist it has a bad image for me.