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BarbaraBB
The Group: A Novel | Mary McCarthy
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#GalsAndPals, thank you all for participating in our #Galentine weekend. We we are now starting our #BestBuddyread discussion👯‍♂️👯‍♀️👯‍♂️

This is question 1 of 6 about The Group.

See All 57 Comments
KVanRead I‘m only about 40 percent done but really loving it so far. It‘s definitely dated in terms of the casual racism but she also seems critical of that - ie with the maid with the Washington cake. It‘s an excellent snapshot of a certain class of people in a certain time and place. For the time period I think it is feminist, albeit white rich feminism 3y
TrishB I don‘t think it‘s feminist by today‘s standards, but probably then, although the author always refuted that claim. 3y
BarbaraBB I think it was quite outspoken about female sexual behavior but that‘s about it regarding feminism I think. The women mostly ended up in traditional roles, behaviour and mindset. 3y
Cuilin I think they would have considered themselves forward thinking women. They thought they were different from their mothers. However they were not able to use their education which prevented the agency they needed to be fully in control of their lives. 3y
squirrelbrain I agree with @KVanRead - it was only looking at one section of society so can‘t really be seen to be a truly feminist book. 3y
Cinfhen I agree, I wouldn‘t call this a feminist piece of literature but I feel like women today are STILL dealing with sexism, the burden of protection and the never ending pull/battle of career over motherhood. The expectations haven‘t really changed all that much, unfortunately. 3y
Simona Definitely it‘s a feminist story ... from the different times, but still. Some aspects of the story are dated, but basic problems of the women‘s roles are relevant. 3y
Cinfhen @Cuilin how sad and true, though they attended university and earned a degree most were expected to get married and make babies 3y
KVanRead @squirrelbrain I actually do think it is feminist but in its limited context. You are making me think, though...and I‘ll add that I think feminism has evolved to encompass equality for all and by that definition it‘s not truly feminist. 3y
Cinfhen Such an interesting point @squirrelbrain @KVanRead I admit to not picking up on that idea as well. 3y
TheBookHippie It‘s dated, however necessary to read to see life then. Feminist no, I do believe the author was quite adamant about that I can‘t remember where I read it at the time. It is how it was for certain women and complex for them. I heard once that they still couldn‘t really make a bad choice in this pretext because all their choices were still good. When I read this the first time that was the huge discussion topic. 3y
AmyG I think it could have ben considered feminist at the time....all the talk about sex and the diaphragm. I found the breastfeeding issues fascinating. And yes, you only see one class of people. I am just wondering if that was what the author “knew” or was comfortable with. Definitely dated....I found that amusing. (edited) 3y
squirrelbrain I don‘t know enough about the feminist movement at that time @KVanRead @Cinfhen , but I wonder if it started in the higher levels of society and trickled down? But, if feminism to them meant being different to their mothers, primarily by getting a job, then where does it leave those women who HAD to work for a living? 3y
TrishB @AmyG it was written based on the authors own experiences, so I guess that answers her knowing about that class of people. Though they all disowned her on publication of the book. (edited) 3y
TheBookHippie @TrishB great insight 3y
vlwelser I agree with @TheBookHippie this doesn't seem feminist at all. 3y
DebinHawaii I think it has feminist leanings but not truly a feminist novel for many of the reasons stated above. And as @KVanRead said, from a decidedly WASP perspective. Dated, definitely, but as @Cinfhen said, many of the issues & expectations that face have not changed that much. And great points @thebookhippie (edited) 3y
vlwelser I do think it's pretty dated but definitely an important read. 3y
BarbaraBB Agree @Cuilin , they were so progressive and had so many chances, but they didn‘t grab them 3y
JennyM I agree with all these comments. It was a book about the issues women were facing in the 30s, but it wasn‘t a book about feminism. It did feel dated to me - but I think the detail, although a bit much at times, was necessary given the time it was published 3y
CarolynM Definitely dated but still relevant because it is important for us to understand how life was lived before our own times. I don't think it's feminist in an academic sense, but any story that highlights the realities of women's lives has some claim to feminism. 3y
Cinfhen Good point @CarolynM and good morning to you and @JennyM 💚💚💚 3y
Centique I felt that McCarthy showed some of the horrible situations even the most privileged and “intelligent” women of the period found themselves in. She may have intended that only to be salacious or to show the darker side of what had seemed to be glamorous lives - but I think a feminist analysis of this now would be really illuminating. The personal manipulations and societal pressures going on! Dated - yes, the casual racism is awful. 3y
Centique @CarolynM we were writing at the same time! Good morning Carolyn 😘 3y
Cinfhen Hi @Centique I agree about the casual racism and I was a little taken aback on a few occasions when Mary McCarthy dropped really anti Semitic comments about Jews. 3y
Cinfhen It didn‘t sit well with me. 3y
TrishB @Cinfhen I find there‘s a lot of writing from this period that does that 😞 3y
Cinfhen I had the same reaction @TrishB not about Jews but the treatment of African Americans in Gone With The Wind - it was really uncomfortable to read 3y
i.besteph It doesn‘t necessarily seem like a feminist book to me. I‘m all for gender equality but there was a lack of that considering the time and era (if you will) that it was written in. Tbh I couldn‘t digest a lot of the parts in the book 😅 (edited) 3y
Centique @Cinfhen I felt awful when I read that. I‘ve only ever seen anti Semitism in books and I was shocked that it was treated as a commonplace comment in the US in the 50s. I‘m sure it must still be an issue and I obviously need to get better read about it. 😥 3y
Centique @Cinfhen re: Gone with the Wind - me too, it really unnerved me those remarks. 🤯 3y
TrishB @Cinfhen agree 😢 but good that we call it out now! 3y
Kalalalatja It definitely deals with issues related to being a woman, and in some ways that is what feminism is about, for me. However, it is a very, very narrow version of problems related to being a woman, and so dated, that I don‘t think of this as a feminist book. Forward for its time, but very WASP‘y and privileged 3y
rubyslippersreads I wouldn‘t call it feminist; the women are all well-educated, but aren‘t really expected to get much use out of their degrees, especially not after marriage. I‘m sure it was considered quite shocking at the time it was published, but it‘s not the tedious descriptions of birth control or Lakey‘s relationship that bother me. As many others said, it‘s the casual racism and anti-Semitism that I find upsetting now. (edited) 3y
rubyslippersreads @BarbaraBB @Cuilin I think society‘s expectation of them was to grab a husband. 😏 3y
Cuilin @rubyslippersreads Yes, they had no role models to show them anything different. 3y
BarbaraBB @rubyslippersreads You are probably right, it was their most important goal indeed. 3y
emilyhaldi In my opinion the book feels dated bc of how naive the girls were re: boys, sex, relationships... it‘s indicative of the time period but still very different from women of that age today. Dolly & Dick come to mind- even Kay‘s marriage. Things just weren‘t talked about in the same way back then and it left a lot of larger issues in the dark. 3y
peaKnit @emilyhaldi I have only read 4 chapters but agree with you. Dick was aptly named. 3y
LeahBergen I was going to scream if I had to read the words “douche bag” one more time so yeah, it felt a little dated to me. 😂😂 3y
batsy Great question. I think it's both dated & relevant. I guess that's why second-wave feminism was about "the personal is political" because there are massive differences in personal experiences women have even within the same family/milieu/society. There can be lots of knowledge & awareness about gender rights, but behind closed doors all manner of oppressive relations still take place. So the book is feminist, in that sense? If that makes sense ? 3y
batsy @Centique Excellent point. I think this novel needs to be critiqued from an intersectional standpoint; looking at class & race. The casual entitlement & antisemitism & racism all jarring, even while we acknowledge how stifled/oppressed those same women were within their own social class or society. 3y
Cupcake12 Relevant as it provides some contemporary discussion points especially with the current pandemic and women being at hone more but dated in the sense that men were superior and help the power in every facet of life. Great question! 3y
Centique @batsy you put that so well! I was trying to parse for myself how it had feminist meaning even without the author necessarily intending it. But yes also so much there to analyse about race and class. I would love to go to a really good lecture on this book! 3y
rubyslippersreads @LeahBergen Although it could be applied to some of the male characters. 🤣 3y
Cinfhen Hahaha @LeahBergen 😂😂😂😂and agreed @emilyhaldi @peaknit 3y
Cinfhen Hi @batsy so glad you chimed in with your wonderful insight!!!! This book while not a favorite really provides for great discussion @Centique 3y
batsy @Centique @Cinfhen A lecture on this would be so interesting! #nerdingout 😁 I'm still only at only 40% in and I'm mainly struggling with her style; but it's interesting enough to keep going. A real glimpse into an era. 3y
Cinfhen There are spoilers ahead @batsy so don‘t peek at questions xx 3y
Crazeedi @BarbaraBB @Cinfhen I would call this a feminist book. The writing is definitely 60's with the references to the things important to mothers and wives 3y
Crazeedi Also women in the 30s were just coming out of the roaring 20s so they saw some liberation in certain aspects. But the pull of social norms I think made the time confusing. Along with the depression that the country was experiencing played a role in their lives I'm sure 3y
Cinfhen That‘s true @Crazeedi it was only a few years after the market crash of 29 3y
39 likes2 stack adds57 comments
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Cinfhen
The Group: A Novel | Mary McCarthy
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Join us today....Sunday, Feb 7 at 2pm EST 8pm CET to discuss The Group by Mary McCarthy🎉
All questions will be posted on @barbarabb page
Thanks to everyone who‘s been celebrating #GalsAndPals #BestBuddyRead with us 🎶👯‍♀️👯👯‍♀️
And tune in for our next buddy read😁

TrishB Look forward to seeing people‘s thoughts! 3y
BarbaraBB It‘s gonna be a lovely day 😀 3y
AmyG So much to say! 3y
See All 10 Comments
batsy Sadly I haven't finished yet, but I hope to catch up on the discussion later 🙂 3y
DebinHawaii I only made it to halfway yesterday & then read the last two chapters & watched the movie last night while reading them. I‘ll see if I contribute to anything! 🤷🏻‍♀️I‘d say I‘ll finish chapters 9-13 but it‘s a toss up—I have review books in line. 3y
Cinfhen Jump in @DebinHawaii I have a feeling you‘ll still be able to contribute xxx 3y
Kimberlone I ended up being busy with my SO this weekend since he is going back to work in Tuesday and I won‘t see him for 2 weeks again, so I unfortunately missed taking part in the festivities this weekend! Looking forward to the next event you organize, they are always so much fun! 3y
Cinfhen No worries @Kimberlone enjoy your together time and we‘ll tag you about our next BuddyRead 💜 3y
Librarybelle I didn‘t get a chance to start The Group yet! But, it‘s queued on my iPad, ready to go. Thanks for organizing this, @Cinfhen and @BarbaraBB ! 3y
63 likes10 comments
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Crazeedi
Lionel Richie Anthology | Lionel Richie
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#GalsandPals #BestBuddyRead @Cinfhen @BarbaraBB
I dont know how to link this, but my favorite love song(one of them anyway) is Lady.
And I 💗💗💗💗 Lionel and Kenny Rogers singing it together too!

Cinfhen Yesssss!!! That‘s such a gorgeous song 🎵 ♥️ 3y
BarbaraBB I had that album Can‘t Slow Down (is that what it‘s called?) and my favorites were All Night Long and Love Will Find a Way 😀🤍 3y
Crazeedi @BarbaraBB I think you're right, I didn't have the album, but I love those songs too 3y
Elizabeth2 Omg. My Barbie and Ken dolls used to dance to some of the songs on this album. 💗😂😳 That was the first thing that popped into my head when I saw this post. Barbie was always really in love with GI Joe though. 🤣🤣🤣 (edited) 3y
Crazeedi @Elizabeth2 😉😅💗💗 3y
55 likes5 comments
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rubyslippersreads
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I ❤️ musicals, so that‘s where all of my favorite love songs come from, including the ultimate #Galentine song, “For Good” from Wicked. #bestbuddyread #galsandpals

LeahBergen My wedding song/first dance was from Phantom of the Opera. 😆😆 3y
Annie1215 I‘m a musical theater FANATIC! 3y
rubyslippersreads @LeahBergen I ❤️ all of the music from Phantom. 3y
See All 17 Comments
Lynnsoprano OMG this is sooo good! For Good is one of my all time favorites. I‘ve seen Wicked twice and cried through the song both times. I‘ve sung it several times, but it‘s hard to get through without choking up. 3y
Cinfhen Fantastic choices 💜🎶🎉 I think @vivastory would agree 😁 3y
BarbaraBB I know nothing about musicals... 🤦🏻‍♀️ I‘m ashamed to admit! 3y
Centique I‘ve never watched Wicked and I do like musicals so I see that I must rectify that! @Lynnsoprano 3y
Lynnsoprano @Centique If you have the chance, definitely see it. It may be my favorite of all the musicals I‘ve seen, and that includes Hamilton-heresy, I know 😂 3y
rubyslippersreads @Centique I agree with @Lynnsoprano about Wicked. I‘ve seen it several times, and it‘s wonderful. 3y
rubyslippersreads @Lynnsoprano I‘m a heretic too because, although I loved Hamilton, I love Wicked and Phantom even more. 😊 3y
CoverToCoverGirl Hamilton was amazing! 3y
batsy Happy birthday! Have a lovely day 🧁🎈📚😽 3y
Chrissyreadit Happy Birthday! 3y
MicheleinPhilly Happy Birthday! 3y
67 likes17 comments
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jenniferw88
Mansfield Park | Jane Austen
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#bookreport week 6/2/21 @Cinfhen

I don't think The Group is going to be read by tomorrow, sorry! #galsandpals #bestbuddyread #galentinesbuddyread

Finished The Day the World Came to
Started tagged

Cinfhen That‘s fine, Jenny!! You loved Bunny 🐰 so that‘s a free pass on The Group 3y
jenniferw88 @Cinfhen @BarbaraBB please still tag me as I'm about to read some more, and I'll be interested in the next #buddyread too! 3y
Cinfhen Yes!!! Of course xx 3y
BarbaraBB Of course Jenny ❤️ 3y
66 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Crazeedi
Untitled | Unknown
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#GalsAndPals #BestBuddyRead @Cinfhen @BarbaraBB
Our class song was Stairway to Heaven

Crazeedi All the clothes I wore in these photos except for my blue jeans were made by me 3y
Mitch Fantastic photos ♥️ 3y
Crazeedi @Mitch from my yearbook, lol😉 3y
See All 11 Comments
Nute Oh, Ms. Diane, these photos are giving me the brightest start to my day!🥰 3y
Crazeedi @Nute thank you! Oldie but goodie!! 3y
EadieB @Crazeedi Great pictures! 3y
BarbaraBB Wow, that you‘ve still got that! Wonderful 🤩 3y
Cinfhen Such an iconic song 🎶 🙌🏻and awesome photos 💜 3y
Crazeedi @BarbaraBB it's crazy that I've moved so many times but still have my yearbook, and I didn't even love high school, I was too bookish for the cool group 3y
BarbaraBB Bookish is the coolest 🤍 3y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick Great pictures! 3y
69 likes11 comments
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Vansa
We Ride Upon Sticks | Quan Barry
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#galsandpals #galentine #buddyread
@BarbaraBB @Cinfhen
All the music that makes me shriek when it comes on!

BarbaraBB My kind of girl 😉🤍 3y
Cinfhen Yup, Madonna 🙌🏻🎶♥️ 3y
19 likes1 stack add2 comments
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squirrelbrain
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#galsandpals #galentine #bestbuddyread

Just a few of the songs that I used to play over and over again as a heartbroken teenager. (Although I still love listening to them now!)

The ‘great‘ breakup songs are just that - I split up with someone I shouldn‘t have been with (just before meeting my hubby) and I played these uplifting songs on a loop.

And the Bon Jovi is my ultimate love song - the first dance at my wedding ❤️.

#eightiesrockchick

BarbaraBB Wow, how cool, Bon Jovi as a wedding song! 3y
LeahBergen Oh, man. I think I wore out my REO Speedwagon album. 😂😂😂 3y
See All 6 Comments
DaveGreen7777 Love that you played Bon Jovi at your wedding! 😊 Personally, I think hair metal should be played at all happy occasions! 😁 3y
squirrelbrain I completely agree @DaveGreen7777 ! I think all the guests were rather bemused though, @barbarabb, as it‘s not even a well-known track. 🤷‍♀️ We were going to have ‘Always‘ but not when you listen to the words 🤣 3y
BarbaraBB No those lyrics wouldn‘t work on your wedding day 😎 3y
66 likes6 comments
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i.besteph
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#galentine #galsandpals #bestbuddyread
Day 2!
Sharing my top 4 songs from my favorite love songs and songs I love to jam out to with my friends. It was hard sticking just to 8 when there are such awesome ones! 😅🎵

BarbaraBB Lizzo and Panic 💜 (edited) 3y
Cinfhen Ha,I had the Lizzo song too 🙌🏻❣️ (edited) 3y
Cinfhen And Ed Sheran 🙌🏻 3y
i.besteph @BarbaraBB @Cinfhen Yasss! Always hair tossing and checking my nails when Lizzo comes on 😆🙌🏽 3y
15 likes4 comments
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Centique
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#galentine #galsandpals #bestbuddyread

Very cringey but these are the songs that remind me of falling in love or having unrequited crushes. There are two huge crushes that I can‘t remember any songs around, whereas 3 of these songs remind me of just one boy from high school. Nowadays that boy and I have been good friends for 30 years and I get along great with his wife and thank god we never got together 😂

squirrelbrain Extreme ❤️❤️❤️ I used to have a poster of Nuno on my wall! 😊 3y
Cinfhen I‘m not sure I could stand being around my HS crush and his wife 😂😂Good for you!!! Awesome playlist 🎶I love strolling down memory lane to a soundtrack 3y
CarolynM We played that Icehouse album constantly when it first came out 🙂 Saw them live again a couple of years ago - they've still got it! 3y
See All 16 Comments
BarbaraBB The Waterboys 💜💜 3y
BarbaraBB @CarolynM @Centique I always thought Hey Little Girl was written especially for me 😉 (edited) 3y
Bookwomble Whole of the Moon 🌚 and Misguided Angel 😇 ❤🎶❤ 3y
Megabooks Desperado - yes!! 3y
Cuilin Love Whole of the Moon. Great song. That brings back memories ❤️ 3y
Reggie I love More Than Words but it‘s always that song that guy with a guitar is playing on some grass at a college campus is playing trying to woo girls over. Lol 3y
Centique @CarolynM that is SO cool! I would love to see Icehouse these days 😍 3y
Centique @Reggie isn‘t it just? I think it must be in the Introduction to Basic Guitar Playing or something! 😆 Which reminds me I should ask my daughter to learn it. She‘s been teaching herself songs off YouTube lately - had a year or 2 of guitar lessons when she was 7-8 and gave it up - but now it‘s handy. She‘s a little troubadour 😉 3y
Centique @Reggie also thank god no one ever tried to woo me playing a song in public - I would have either fled or fell apart laughing. I would not be a good romantic lead part - quirky best friend probably. 3y
Reggie @Centique I‘m the gay sidekick who gets matched up with the other main character‘s gay sidekick. And if this was a horror movie I‘m the 3rd to last to get killed. I find out what‘s going on but as soon as I reveal to the survivors what‘s going on that‘s when I get it. Lol and yes to any kind of musical instrument! The world needs the arts and music more than ever. And who knows, maybe one day maybe she‘ll be the one serenading. But hopefully not 3y
Reggie More than Words. 3y
Centique @Reggie I‘d like to see the movies where the quirky best friends and gay side kicks exit safely in a generation ship just before the world explodes! And 🙌🙌 for your horror movie knowledge 3y
Rissreads Desperado always makes me get a lump in my throat 3y
67 likes16 comments