Local Girls

This was one of those magical little books that you come across once in a blue moon.
Local Girls is a short novel divided into little snippets of stories. Each story builds on those before it, however they are each a captured moment in the life of a women from girlhood to adulthood.

Although the book says that it is all told through one perspective, there were a few stories told through the eyes of others. Regardless, these did not take away from the flow or tone of the story. For example, the snippet where Greta's brother battles his particular demons would not be nearly as poignant told from another view - it has to be from him.

I also loved the themes which were illustrated throughout the stories. How do we define growing up, or growing show more up too fast? When is the right time to let go? How should we cope with loss? How do you define family?

Each individual is flawed, and therefore very real. There is something very human about each of these characters which makes you want more and more. Unfortunately, the book is very short - that would have to be my only complaint! show less

Roses. Cancer. Growing up. Drugs. This material seems familiar, but I don't really mind that Hoffman's themes are so well-developed; it's still an enjoyable ride. Two main takeaways: I wonder if Jason was a prototype for Sam in Skylight Confessions. That type of character is so hard to accept and understand, and I'm glad she's exploring the theme of drug use. And Hoffman's descriptions of death by cancer are, as usual, lyrical and gorgeous. "Objects were not as defined or as singular as they once had been. An apple was a beautiful as a kiss. Her daughter's face was no different from the moon." That's the kind of writing that keeps me coming back to Alice Hoffman.

I very much liked this book. The voice is perfect, and the swapping from first person sections to third person sections made very good sense as the narrative unfolded, and enabled the reader to get different and deeper understandings of Gretel.
I picked up this book from the pile my sister left for me, not for first choice (the cover didn't really grab me), but because I had an appointment to go to by public transport. (I prefer a physical book for the train/tram/bus scenario as it's safer - i won't miss a bell clanging while i have headphones in!). And it's a slim volume, eminently portable.
It delivered so much more than I expected. I had to put all my other books aside to finish reading it. Brilliant.

This book was immensely enjoyable. This is the story of two girls and their friendship and their family spanning the course of many years. Their life is not without hardship, especially Gretel's life. This story is told without being maudlin and has flashes of magical realism. Life is not all roses for Gretel and Jill but I was drawn into their story, always rooting for Gretel but realizing that no one's life is perfect and you need to make what you can with what you are dealt. I will try to read more of Alice Hoffman's books.

Imbued with a charming voice, these very short stories draw you into the story of Gretel Samuelson's adolescence and keep you flipping pages. I finished it in practically one sitting (airport, airplane...that's about one sitting.) A quick and moving read.

It does move, over the course of the book, from mostly first-person stories to third-person stories, as the content becomes more serious. While this saves the author from having to render dramatic, emotional events in a first-person voice that might overwhelm, it seems, by the end, a possible misstep. We lose the Gretel we loved from the first page, and even if losing her was part of the journey, I wanted to, and felt I deserved to, have her again by the last page.

This collection of short stories is often sad, but in a beautiful way, with growth and hope. It reminds me of a close-up shot of a broken sidewalk, all dirty and cracked, with 3 beautiful flowers struggling to grow out of it. They grow strong and all the more lovely for where they are and how hard it was to get there. As always, Alice Hoffman's writing is thought-provoking and full of insight into characters and thier thoughts. Left me with a quiet, peaceful, good feeling.

I was really excited to read Local Girls because Alice Hoffman is one of my favorite authors. Unfortunately I didn't feel like this book was as good as the others I've read by her.

The Local Girls must be Gretel, the main character, and her best friend, Jill. They are teenage neighbors who exact revenge with vandalism on people who have wronged them. Gretel's brother is a science genius in high school, but when he graduates he becomes a drug addict. Gretel's mom and her mom's cousin Margot are best friends who open a catering business together after they have both been left by their husbands for other women. Each character was really tragic but other than divorce I didn't see the cause for everyone's dysfunction. It was a really choppy, show more disjointed story.

My favorite character was Margot because she made fun for herself in creative ways.

I recommend skipping Local Girls and instead reading Alice Hoffman's superior novels, The Probable Future, The River King, The Story Sisters, or Practical Magic. If you decide to read Local Girls anyway, the good thing is that, "All author profits from this edition are being donated to breast cancer research and breast cancer care centers."

I really love the cover, which was illustrated by Maggie Taylor. I am thankful I read Local Girls because it introduced me to an amazing artist! show less