Good Company: A Read with Jenna Pick

This book was well written, the characters were interesting, and if sometimes they were unlikeable, they were at least relatable. My problem was the structure of the book. The current story moved along glacially. Every little juicy bit (which made you want to continue to the next chapter) was interrupted by 2-3 chapters (!) of backstory, which, for me, just interrupted the current story that I was actually interested in.. and it seemed that from one backstory section to the next one, we were hearing just another version of the same premise. It became tedious, though I did finish it.

found it boring. I do like books that switch narratives chapter by chapter. I get tired of books that focus on New York City, young, struggling professionals. So uncreative. And then LA, as working actors, again I find it lacks creativity. The storyline was long and drawn out. Started out strong and quickly dissolved into a long, boring saga between friends. I partially did pick this book as it had been selected as Reading By Jenna selection but will double check these choices in the future. It is a story that has been written one too many times.

I received an advanced readers copy of this book — almost exactly three years ago. I am not exactly sure what happened or why I did not read the book until now, but I’m glad I did. What’s most interesting about the circumstances surrounding this book is that I must have thought I would really like it, because not recalling the advanced readers copy I had received previously, I BOUGHT myself a copy in January, 2023!I won’t rehash the book’s plot, but I will say that it is cleverly written from the perspective of several different characters and goes back and forth in time between the present and the past in these characters’ intertwined lives. The author, Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney, expertly explores the intricate, intimate interplay between married spouses, friends, and parent/child relationships, delving into the characters’ innermost thoughts and motivations and the consequences of their actions. She correctly demonstrates that people are the products of their upbringings but also have the choice to change the trajectory of their lives. There were several instances in the book where I found myself considering how I would feel or act if I were confronted with similar circumstances and whether I agreed or disagreed with, or at least understood, the choices the characters made.After reading Good Company, I look forward to reading Ms. Sweeney’s other novel, The Nest. Ironically I purchased The Nest just days before receiving the ARC of Good Company from NetGalley but inexplicably have yet to read. The adage “too many books, too little time” definitely rings true for me!Thank you to NetGalley, Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney, and the publisher Ecco for providing me the chance to read Good Company as a ARC, despite the fact I wound up purchasing a copy! I’ve provided this review VOLUNTARILY.

A good read and has some insights but not much, if you live the average life in the US. The backdrop of the film/tv industry and artistic/musical theater aren’t really relatable and, the life events that the characters experience are also removed from the average US reader’s life. It does make for an interesting read. Nothing wrong with it. Would I read it again if I knew all this, probably not. But still a decent read.

The difficulties of couples and friends intertwined over decades tied together by a summer theater company . Enjoyable read , liked the author