In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner tells the story of two sisters, Rose and Maggie Feller, who are vastly different but share a love for shoes. The novel explores their complex relationship, family tragedy, and personal journeys as they reconcile with each other and their estranged grandmother. Along the way, they discover more about themselves and their bond.
Jennifer Weiner's "The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits" centers around two sisters navigating their lives and careers in the music industry. The novel explores themes of sisterhood, body image, and the challenges women face in a male-dominated industry. It delves into the complexities of their relationships, highlighting the importance of family and self-acceptance. The story is both humorous and poignant, offering a realistic portrayal of female ambition and the pressures of societal expectations. It's a compelling read that resonates with readers who appreciate strong female characters.
Set in the early 20th century in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, 'A Tree Grows in Brooklyn' is a poignant and moving tale of Francie Nolan's coming-of-age. The novel depicts the hardships of Francie's family, including her father's alcoholism and her mother's relentless efforts to keep the family afloat. Despite the poverty and struggles, Francie's story is one of hope and resilience, symbolized by the tree that grows in the harsh conditions of their tenement neighborhood. The book explores themes of family, education, and the American promise, offering a detailed and unsentimental portrait of urban life during that era.
Good in Bed follows the life of Cannie Shapiro, a pop culture reporter for The Philadelphia Examiner, as she deals with her plus-size body, her complicated relationships, and her family dynamics. After her ex-boyfriend writes an article titled 'Loving a Larger Woman,' Cannie embarks on a journey of self-discovery, facing her past, and figuring out her future. The novel explores themes of body image, societal expectations, and personal growth, all set in a humorous and poignant narrative.
My guest today is the bestselling American novelist Jennifer Weiner.
I first encountered Jen When her debut novel, Good In Bed, was thrust into my hands by someone I worked with on Company magazine. It was the first time I’d ever read a mainstream novel whose lead character was a fat woman who didn’t need fixing. Good In Bed was a smash hit on both sides of the atlantic but for some reason it has taken until now to make its way to the big screen. It’s being adapted for HBO and starring Mindy Kaling.
Jen followed that up with In Her Shoes which was also made into a movie, starring Cameron Diaz, Toni Collette and Shirley Maclaine. And since then she’s written 15 more novels, and an essay collection, as a well as writing a column for the New York Times.
Like Jojo Moyes and Marian Keyes Jen has an unerring talent for being able to make you laugh and cry and nod in recognition all on the very same page.
Her latest, The Griffin Sister’s Greatest Hits, is another surefire hit, tackling sisterhood, our relationships with our bodies, how we’re endlessly judged on our looks and the way the world - and the music industry - treats women.
Jen joined me from home in Philadelphia to talk so much good stuff. We discussed Trump, Nora Ephron, body image, ageing, her mum coming out, wishing she had her daughter’s boundaries, why she loves writing middle aged women and so much more.
* You can buy all the books mentioned in this podcast at The Shift bookshop on Bookshop.org, including The Griffin Sisters Greatest Hits by Jennifer Weiner as well as the book that inspired this podcast, The Shift: how I lost and found myself after 40 - and you can too, by me.
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