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Book Review of Mating Rituals of the North American WASP

Mating Rituals of the North American WASP
reviewed on + 39 more book reviews


Let me start with a frame of reference. I just finished reading a Pulitzer Prize winning novel. I was looking for something a little lighter, and grabbed this from my bookshelf. It had been sitting there a while. When I bought this book, the title is what got me initially interested. I love a play on words, and having been a non-WASP in a very WASPy environment for many years, I thought this would be fun. It was time to read something fun that I could whip through in a day or two. This book fit that bill.

This is basically a chick-lit, beach read sort of book. Nothing too mind boggling, nothing too deep, just a nice, entertaining read.

When I started the book, it seemed almost too goofy. I thought I wasn't going to like it. The way the two main characters met and hooked up was just a little far-fetched, and why they stayed together was also a little unbelieveable, after all. But, getting past that, the characters became very endearing. I particularly loved Aunt Abby. The tension between Luke and Peggy was very much understandable (of course it could have been cleared up if they'd just had an honest conversation and started communicating with each other) but you could see why Luke was unable to communicate his feelings.

After a while, I became very attached to the characters, and was eager to read to the end of the book to see how it all worked out. The reader can't help but become invested in the outcome.

If you are familiar with WASP behavior, you'll enjoy this book on another level. The descriptions of the clothing, parties, and behavior are spot-on.

Unrealistic plot twists, or not, this was a very fun read and an enjoyable book. I recommended it highly for your next vacation.