The Group

by Mary McCarthy

It is nothing like Sex In The City!!!!
I loved this book and I'm so glad that I loved it. I loved how it moved around the characters, linking them together and giving different perspectives of different events and feelings. It struck me that while you were with one particular character you sympathized with her and could see the negative points of some of the others as she felt them, like you could see the good side and the bitchy side of each character which made you feel a little two faced, like in a real group of girl friends! The main character I found I consistently like was Polly and it seemed as though she could have been the main character. Her story was sort of in the middle and she tied everyone together. She felt like a fairytale, I think she probably was supposed to with her goblin father and her prince charming and her sweet quiet ways.
It was a very in depth and open look at a group of women coming of age, especially for the time it was written. I wish I had read it when I was about 16 I think for it is quite insightful and a lot is still very relevant!
The end was a shock to me and I felt very sad but I thought it was perfect too. I had been wondering about Lakey throughout the book. I love how she was the elusive and mysterious character that you were teased with and then kept from. It all tied it together at the end and gives a very round end and seems to throw a little bit of light on how they were all drawn together. It gave me the impression of another dimension to their friendship and bond.
Very importantly though, the use of each character to tackle a different social issue was very interesting and I enjoyed the insight into the time and place as a backdrop to these issues which are still relevant today. I love Mary McCarthy's easy style of presenting ideas and thoughts, it feels so warm and confidential, like chatting with your girl friends but smart non-chick-lity ones! I shall seek out more of her.