The Three Weissmanns of Westport: A Novel

Once I began this one, I absolutely could not put it down. The author starts off with a bang as she reveals that Joseph is leaving his wife, Betty Weissman, after a long and seemingly happy marriage (from the wife's current perspective). Betty is 75 and so you can imagine her shock, especially since she is also left in dire financial straits.I was intrigued and baffled about why anyone would decide to end a marriage so late in life. Yes, there is another woman (no spoilers here, that info comes early on), a woman who is scheming and completely opposite from her name (Felicity). Even so, seemed shocking that she could compete with Joseph's wife, a woman who comes across as zany, fun, and far more appealing than Felicity. From my viewpoint, this made Joseph come off as somewhat dense, with no insight into Felicity's clearly manipulative moves.Anyway, after the marriage ends, Betty departs for Westport with her two daughters, having the good fortune to have a relative who provides her with a cottage. While the thought of a cottage at first seems romantic and attractive to Betty, the structure turns out to be in need of serious repair.This one definitely came across as a comedy of manners, making it clear why it has been compared to the works of Jane Austen. However, it definitely has a modern spin. Each character is illuminated in detail and I found Betty's daughters to be as intriguing as Betty herself. One daughter, Miranda, is a literary agent who trusted her instincts when it came to choosing authors - but, as it turns out, many of those authors made up their memoirs. Miranda lands on Oprah to defend herself (I couldn't help thinking of the whole mess involving James Frey, his book (A Million Little Pieces) and how he also appeared on Oprah with Nan Talese, trying to defend his own fictionalized memoir. In Miranda's case, however, she has several writers who have made up their memoirs. She is being sued. Her accounts have been frozen. This makes it very "convenient" (also known as having few other choices) for her to move in with her mother. She is even happy about the whole thing.But the other daughter, Annie, is far less open to the whole idea. She loves her mother, though, so she goes along with it. This is when things take a stronger Jane Austin turn. Sure, there have been similar updates on the whole Austin genre or style but this one stands out. Even when I thought things were going to take a predictable spin, I'd be surprised. Events truly ramp up as the book reaches its conclusion. This is not a simplistic book, although I found it moved along at a rapid pace, but with the details that kept it from being too bland. It is the kind of book that begs to be read with a box of chocolates or fine cup of coffee or tea nearby. A glass of wine and comfy shawl or blanket would be the ideal additions for settling down for a nice afternoon of reading. But be forewarned- you won't want to come up for air, make dinner, or do anything but keep reading. So order takeout or have another family member handle the chores for the day. This one is definitely worth the time!And yes...I ordered more of this writers' books. Reading this was like discovering a new friend, one who opened new worlds for me.

It is sometimes difficult to read a book after having been exposed to even the smallest information about it, the experience becomes cloudy with expectations and the brain goes on high alert for clues to signal revelations and connections. I realize it is with extreme irony that I write this (I am writing a review). However, reviews are still extremely helpful in deciding what to read amidst the millions of books the world has to offer and the short time that you have to read them. I try not to read in-depth reviews when I pick a book. Yet so much has been said about Cathleen Schine's novel's homage to Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility that one can't help make comparisons, look for tie-ins to the plot, where it diverts, where it surprises and inevitably, where it fails to stand up to the original. Though ultimately, Schine's book stands remarkably well on its own: funny, irreverent, heartbreaking in parts, frustrating in others - there is always that shadow (very large and very formidable) of Jane Austen which lurks behind it and reminds the reader that Austen is a brilliant writer, often imitated, never duplicated (unless you just copy everything word for word and throw in some zombies).Once I shake myself of Austen's ghost and immerse myself in Schine's novel, I begin to like it. I think part of my problem is that in Austen's setting, it was easy to accept wealthy, educated women who become destitute and come to rely on the kindness of strangers (or relative strangers). And even though I'm sure such things happen now, what with overextended credit lines and upside-down mortgages, one can't help but to be either frustrated by the dumbness of characters you want to be supportive of or simply not find them believable. Schine does come up with a fairly believable plot on how such genteel women can become poverty-stricken, albeit temporarily, but the characters seem almost implausible and one-sided. They lack the fullness and complications of real women. I know women who spend money like crazy even when they are broke, but they actually worry about it. They don't nonchalantly buy Tiffany earrings and not give it a thought. They may still actually buy it but they are wracked with guilt and worry because smart women know at some point, they will need money. The elder Weismann (Betty) and her free-spirited daughter, Miranda, become caricatures at certain times, as does steady, uncomplicated Annie who bears the burden of keeping the boat afloat for the rest of the family. They seem to be locked in their 18th century English character assignments, unable to move freely and exert their 20th century sensibilities.Inspite their rigorous confines however, Schine manages to narrate a story that becomes endearing and entertaining. It is when Schine departs from the Austen plot lines that the story becomes engaging and energized. It is also the juxtaposition of Austen plot lines set against unlikely pairings - our heroines are older, Jewish, New Yorkers - that the novel comes to life. And ultimately, it is in Schine's acute portrayal of everyday, commonplace tragedies - a husband trading in his wife of 49 years for a newer model, a self-absorbed, brooding author sleeping with his young nubile house sitter, a rich elderly dowager swindled by a handsome con-artist - that I enjoy the novel the most. Heartbraking in places, irreverently funny in others, strikingly insightful all around, The Three Weissmans of Westport is a great summer read, just try not to prep for it by re-reading Jane Austen before you pick it up.

This story was recommended in one of the sunday supplements as being loosely based on Jane Austen's Sense & Sensibility - very loosely! The characters were older than I thought they would be and the story was very slow to get going. I have to say I didn't really like or care for the characters at all. I can't say that I would recommend it'

Easy to read story about an aging mother and her two middle age daughters at critical junctures in their lives.it is warm and funny in parts but essentially about the diminishing expectations of aging

Started this book, my first on Kindle, and really shouldn't as almost put me off Kindle altogether. I gave up the book less than half way through and started a different book.

I saw this book reviewed in the Times some tima ago and vowed to read it. Ihad never heard of this author before.

No good plot