The Smash-Up | 
pickI enjoyed this Ethan Fromme retelling last year, but I couldn‘t remember much. Once again I loved it, and Macleod Andrews‘ narration is fantastic!
Ethan‘s wife Zoe‘s women‘s group has been all about the protesting since Trump was elected. As the Kavanaugh hearings approach, she‘s even more upset. Meanwhile Ethan‘s former business partner is about to have Me Too accusations from several celebs. Ethan doesn‘t know how to navigate this new world.
pickThe Smash-Up is a great cultural critique of the realities of life during the Trump era, focusing down on society‘s impact on the marriage of a nice, clueless white man and his politically engaged and enraged white wife. I had some hesitation in starting this one, as I am more than happy to have 45 in my rear view, but I‘m glad I gave it a try. It‘s a terrific exploration of these characters‘ truths. Thanks for the rec, Meg!
pickThis Gen X retelling of Ethan Fromme is a smash-up in good way.
Set the week of the Kavanaugh hearings, Zo is involved with a group of women protestors in a sleepy Mass. town. Husband Ethan is pulled between her activism and a claims of sexual harassment against an old business partner. He also tries to understand their neuroatypical daughter and the young woman they‘ve taken in who works on the shady side of the gig economy. ⬇️ 4.5⭐️ #audiobook
pickSet in 2018, this adult debut from Ali Benjamin is a character driven story about a family affected by the turmoil happening in the world around them. As things come to a head politically and socially, it becomes unclear whether their family can weather it all.
The Smash Up is a smart and entertaining book that will resonate with so many readers! It‘s not my usual kind of read, but I thought it was utterly fantastic!
pickA #metoo story told from the point of view of a man who must decide whether to support women who are being mistreated, attempt to say neutral as bad things happen around him, or be complicit in the abuse of women. A modern retelling of Ethan Frome that takes on current issues in contemporary America. #ARC #Netgalley
