The Real Mrs. Tobias by Sally Koslow
A sharply funny and big-hearted multi-generational story
about the deeply complicated relationships between mothers- and
daughters-in-law, told through three women who marry into the same family, a
treat for fans of The Nest and Fleischmann
Is in Trouble.
It’s
2015 in New York City, and three women all known as Mrs. Tobias—Veronika, the
matriarch, her daughter-in-law Mel, and Mel’s daughter-in-law Birdie—are trying
to navigate personal difficulties, some of which are with one another. Veronika
and Mel, despite having little in common, are both psychotherapists who are
more skilled at helping other people than solving their own problems. Birdie,
still dealing with the culture shock of moving to New York City and marrying
into the Tobias clan, is pushed to her limit when her husband gets into
trouble. No amount of badgering from his steely grandmother, smart-mouthed
mother, or disillusioned wife can convince him to own up to what he’s done.
Overwhelmed, Birdie bolts—along with the couple’s young daughter—to her
Midwestern hometown, hoping that space, warmth and wisdom from her own feisty
grandmother will help her find a path forward. And though Birdie begins to find
comfort in unexpected places—a local bookstore and the arms of her old
boyfriend—her absence stirs up long simmering troubles back home forcing the
Tobiases to reconsider their relationships to each other, and ultimately, what
it means to be a family.
Will
the three Tobias-women-by-marriage ever find themselves—and a way back to one
another? A timely look at how women hold families together
Review:
I was intrigued at the idea of three generations headed by a
headstrong matriarch. Some of the women were born into the family and others
married into the family but they are all treated the same. In each family the
woman is the stronger half, even if they married into the family and I love
this. Reading about strong woman is so fun! With so many characters and family
groups, it can be hard to keep everyone straight at the beginning of the book
but once you know them, this falls away and you can fully enjoy the book. One
part of the book I loved the most was when Birdie goes back to Iowa. I’m from
Iowa and related very much to the décor and fashion Birdie notices coming from
New York. Not many books are written in Iowa so its fun to read about places
and culture I see every day.
Each chapter is told from a different womans PO, which again
goes back to the woman being the stronger half of the family. I also loved the
dedication, which is to Sally’s mother and the proverb included at the beginning
of the sections, especially the very first one. This book is a delightful read
that will keep you entertained and relaxed as you read.
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