The “Choose Your Own Adventure” section didn’t annoy me as much as it did some. In some ways, it made clear Aviva’s other (better) choices along the way.

The parrot thing was weird and unnecessary but I chalked it up to trying to illustrate Embeth’s weakness after a battle with cancer (and apparently facing another). I think I felt most sorry for her.

Something that kept niggling in my mind: neither Aviva nor Ruby have any friends. Ruby is portrayed as a nerdy kid who’s being bullied. But one would think there would be another nerdy kid in town. The pen pal thing was annoying. Further, Aviva’s lack of relationships with her college peers didn’t ring true.

Given how close Aviva and Rachel were, I have difficulty believing that Aviva/Jane would have kept the existence of Ruby from her mother.

I was disappointed that the book let the Congressman get off so easily. I don’t think that’s always the case (Clinton was impeached, Condit lost his office and is off the grid). It made the book a bit too cliche.

It’s a really fast, easy read, so if your curious I think you should give it a try. We both liked the first half and you may like the second half now that you’re better prepared.

I agree that Zevin was making the point of the greater consequence being for the woman, but I’d have liked to see Aviva/Jane succeed without completely hiding. It really bothered me that she cut her parents out of her life (and Ruby’s).

I look forward to hearing what you think!

You are so right about all the unanswered questions. I’d have liked to know more, too. It seems like there were a lot of miss opportunities, especially in the second half of the book.

Oh – and one more thing – this whole thing reminds me of the title of Alyssa Mastromonaco’s memoir Who Thought This Was a Good Idea?

I actually thought the parrot was kind of cool WHEN I THOUGHT SHE ACTUALLY HAD A PET PARROT. I was so annoyed when he turned out to be imaginary.

And – I thought Jane disappeared and changed her identity less out of shame and more b/c she kept getting the door slammed in her face when she tried to get her life back on track following the affair. Couldn’t find a job, etc. I thought Zevin was making a point about the fact that the married and more powerful man just gets to continue on in his life (not even losing his job), while the powerless female party’s life gets destroyed.

This book just irritated me b/c it had so much potential and I loved the first half so much! Then it cratered.