I loathed Yesteryear — Natalie had no depth and was just set up to knock down for the readers’ enjoyment, which is unsatisfying. I’m also a social worker and could not — could not!!!! — with the unrealistic ending. That is not how that process works. So many things about the book were wildly unrealistic (“Harvard”, supposedly in this century, with a phone down the hall? Try harder, author) and I came away feeling like it was a waste of time. I really wanted to like it!
Saw the subject line in my email and swore it said “pooping in.” Which would totally be appropriate these days. But, it definitely started my day with a smile!
I love a good unreliable/unlikeable narrator and that certainly was Natalie. Part of the fun is wondering if you'll ever find anything redeeming about her, and I liked that she stayed solidly hateable throughout. The book sort of reminded me of the ongoing chatter about the Little House on the Prairie reboot - that's it's not historically accurate, or accurate to the books (which were fiction! Never forget! Based on a grown woman's memories of her own singular childhood! And edited into shape by her daughter with a political agenda!), or, my favorite, accurate to the OG TV show. Natalie ends up going historically accurate and has poverty, bad teeth, and no rights to show for it. Living in a time when we're being gaslit about our own country's history, I think it's an important reminder to ask ourselves, what exactly do we want to know about where we came from?
1. I too thought the subject line was pooping in and thought oh no not another ruined trip with an illness! :)
2. I have only had my tubes removed, and recovery was surprisingly "easy." I just felt a little sore. As a result I did too much too fast. Don't be deceived by feeling okay...take this time to rest and heal.
And Yesteryear. Not sure how to talk about it. The twist at the end was crazy. I hope the end set it up for a second book in Clementine’s eyes. And I read that some people love and feel bad for Natalie and honestly she sucks. Most characters sucked with probably the exception of some of the kids and Natalie’s mom & sister? Des & Kara spoke briefly about the book in this week’s podcast episode. I know there’s a lot of criticism around this book too and in finding people either love/like it or absolutely hate it.
Oooh love the idea of a second book from clementine’s POV! Didn’t even think abt that.
I’ve seen people say the book was boring as hell - I don’t disagree, but I think you have to have some awareness of the social media tradwife culture to ‘get it’
100% agree! I am not a huge reader, but and it isn’t my kind of book, but I listen to the author’s podcast so I really wanted to read it (even met the author when she was on her book tour)! I actually enjoyed it more than I thought I would! I enjoyed reading how Yesteryear came to be, too.
The ruby Frankie documentary is very similar to yesteryear… I saw a reel of the author saying she had just turned it in and the doc dropped the next day
I thought Yesteryear was an interesting commentary on influencers and health influencers and how much we don’t see. I really wished it would have been more about how bad things were in the old days without pasteurization and modern medicine and that she would have revelation. That being said I couldn’t put it down!
Sending all the positive wishes for a smooth surgery!
I just finished Yesteryear a few days ago and honestly only finished it because it’s my book club’s book this month… Talk about a wildly unlikable protagonist. I found it semi-depressing reading such a long book from her dark, uncaring perspective. I feel like there’s something that could be said for postpartum psychosis, but they missed the mark on connecting it. I was so sad for her kids, but especially Mary and Maeve… Not my favorite, but I get why everyone is talking about it. Wild story.
Enjoy your weekend with your Best Girl, and wishing all the very best to you for your surgery and the speediest, easiest recovery possible!!! (p.s. *LOVE* science) 💪🏼🌷🙏🏻🏃♀️
I loathed Yesteryear — Natalie had no depth and was just set up to knock down for the readers’ enjoyment, which is unsatisfying. I’m also a social worker and could not — could not!!!! — with the unrealistic ending. That is not how that process works. So many things about the book were wildly unrealistic (“Harvard”, supposedly in this century, with a phone down the hall? Try harder, author) and I came away feeling like it was a waste of time. I really wanted to like it!
Best of luck with your surgery and recovery!
Yes the unrealistic ending was odd, and I feel like a point could have been made with a realistic ending, too, which made it even more frustrating!
Yes, the premise of the book was so good! The novel itself doesn’t do it justice.
I wrote a full rant on my Substack about it -- so clearly felt the same way.
I with you, Amy!
Saw the subject line in my email and swore it said “pooping in.” Which would totally be appropriate these days. But, it definitely started my day with a smile!
I love a good unreliable/unlikeable narrator and that certainly was Natalie. Part of the fun is wondering if you'll ever find anything redeeming about her, and I liked that she stayed solidly hateable throughout. The book sort of reminded me of the ongoing chatter about the Little House on the Prairie reboot - that's it's not historically accurate, or accurate to the books (which were fiction! Never forget! Based on a grown woman's memories of her own singular childhood! And edited into shape by her daughter with a political agenda!), or, my favorite, accurate to the OG TV show. Natalie ends up going historically accurate and has poverty, bad teeth, and no rights to show for it. Living in a time when we're being gaslit about our own country's history, I think it's an important reminder to ask ourselves, what exactly do we want to know about where we came from?
1. I too thought the subject line was pooping in and thought oh no not another ruined trip with an illness! :)
2. I have only had my tubes removed, and recovery was surprisingly "easy." I just felt a little sore. As a result I did too much too fast. Don't be deceived by feeling okay...take this time to rest and heal.
Wishing you a speedy recovery!
And Yesteryear. Not sure how to talk about it. The twist at the end was crazy. I hope the end set it up for a second book in Clementine’s eyes. And I read that some people love and feel bad for Natalie and honestly she sucks. Most characters sucked with probably the exception of some of the kids and Natalie’s mom & sister? Des & Kara spoke briefly about the book in this week’s podcast episode. I know there’s a lot of criticism around this book too and in finding people either love/like it or absolutely hate it.
Oooh love the idea of a second book from clementine’s POV! Didn’t even think abt that.
I’ve seen people say the book was boring as hell - I don’t disagree, but I think you have to have some awareness of the social media tradwife culture to ‘get it’
100% agree! I am not a huge reader, but and it isn’t my kind of book, but I listen to the author’s podcast so I really wanted to read it (even met the author when she was on her book tour)! I actually enjoyed it more than I thought I would! I enjoyed reading how Yesteryear came to be, too.
Heyyyy fellow liar 🙂
The ruby Frankie documentary is very similar to yesteryear… I saw a reel of the author saying she had just turned it in and the doc dropped the next day
I thought Yesteryear was an interesting commentary on influencers and health influencers and how much we don’t see. I really wished it would have been more about how bad things were in the old days without pasteurization and modern medicine and that she would have revelation. That being said I couldn’t put it down!
Sending all the positive wishes for a smooth surgery!
I just finished Yesteryear a few days ago and honestly only finished it because it’s my book club’s book this month… Talk about a wildly unlikable protagonist. I found it semi-depressing reading such a long book from her dark, uncaring perspective. I feel like there’s something that could be said for postpartum psychosis, but they missed the mark on connecting it. I was so sad for her kids, but especially Mary and Maeve… Not my favorite, but I get why everyone is talking about it. Wild story.
Yeateryear- I also could not put it down but and was disappointed in the ending.
I feel like they left the story open to tell the story from another perspective.
I would 100% read whomever’s pov it is; could be Amy or Clementine. Perhaps even a sequel to see where this story goes.
Yesteryear was wild. I did not like it yet couldn’t stop reading it?!
Wishing you the best recovery!
Enjoy your weekend with your Best Girl, and wishing all the very best to you for your surgery and the speediest, easiest recovery possible!!! (p.s. *LOVE* science) 💪🏼🌷🙏🏻🏃♀️
Wishing you all the best next week! 👐🩷