Books - The Bitch Posse by Martha O'Connor

fetch · 09-08-2009, 02:53 AM

"You Have Now Entered a Chick-Lit-Free Zone," O'Connor's dark, scabrous debut warns. Given the sassy title and the familiar subject matter of female friendship, readers should be forgiven if they expect Bridget Jones—but O'Conner's heroines resemble that lovable Brit like leopards resemble kittens. The story focuses on three friends, Cherry, Amy and Rennie, as high school seniors and as women in their mid-30s. Compelled by miserable home lives to form the Bitch Posse as teenagers, the three girls ricochet dangerously through their last year of high school, sharing a passionate, almost sinister bond until a terrible secret rips them apart. Still damaged—and separated—by the unspeakable event, the three live equally wretched lives as adults, Cherry in a mental institution, Rennie as a promiscuous failed writer and Amy in a loveless marriage. After pages of vodka, cocaine, "****ing" and "cutting" (in both past and present narratives), the friends' terrible secret finally comes to light, though it reveals logistical and thematic gaps in the narrative. "[H]er past is like a sore that won't ever heal, memories are spurting at her like blood and she can't close the wound" characterizes the level of emotional complexity attained in this heavy-handed novel, but the story fascinates even as it repels.

Loved this book. Anyone read it?

**TheAngel** · 09-08-2009, 06:54 AM

No, I've never read it, but it sounds pretty fascinating. I may have to see if I can get my hands on a copy.

*Kaylee* · 09-08-2009, 11:39 AM

I love this book.

fetch · 09-09-2009, 06:25 AM

It's great, really pulled me in. I haven't seen a lot of books about teenage girls that deal with dark topics this well.

*Kaylee* · 09-09-2009, 07:51 PM

It pulled me in too. I loved how it was written.

fetch · 09-10-2009, 10:10 AM

Yeah it really sucks you in.

Rukia · 09-10-2009, 03:58 PM

Sound really interesting! Going on my must-read list...

Thanks!

*Kaylee* · 09-10-2009, 07:07 PM

Who was your fav character?

fallenstarr288 · 09-10-2009, 09:19 PM

I loved this book. Some of my favorite quotes are from it.

fetch · 09-11-2009, 06:38 AM

Oooh I think Cherry was my favorite, I loved her story both in the past and the present. And I thought she was really cool.
Who did you like?

*Kaylee* · 09-11-2009, 08:23 PM

I liked Rennie's story when she was a teen and I liked Amy's story when she was an adult.

I felt bad for Cherry when she was a teen.