If you happen to be one of those people who ignore the common advice and judge a book by its cover anyway, don’t let this somewhat plain-looking cover fool you. Enclosed in between the simple layout is one complex story, centered around one complicated protagonist. Admission, by Jean Hanff Korelitz, is the story of Portia Nathan, an admissions officer at Princeton University, whose life is transformed before our very eyes as the novel progresses.
The fog that Portia has been living under for quite some time has become such a regular part of the background that when we are introduced to her at the onset of the story, she isn’t even aware of it. As the reader, we can sense a dull ache or a plodding pace of her life, although she is apparently oblivious. As the plot unfolds, we are given bits and pieces of information about the past that Portia has been actively pushing to the back recesses of her mind, and we are witness to the inevitable changes that result from some major life upheavals that come her way.
Does this all sound a little vague? Well, yes, I guess it does, but I really don’t want to give away any plot lines because I’m hoping that the intrigue will make you run out and get this book immediately! While some of the ‘mystery’ surrounding Portia’s past gets easier to figure out as the story goes on, the complete picture of her experiences doesn’t get filled in until late in the novel, and the emotions involved make the journey a challenging one for her. Portia fills the shoes of my favorite type of fictional character- conflicted, complex, and not necessarily always sure of herself. After spending so long living in that fog, Portia’s reawakening to life is refreshing even while it’s painful and difficult to watch. The admissions that Portia is confronted with– professionally and personally, in both senses of the word– make for an intriguing and intense novel.
With three kids and never enough hours in the day, Dawn wonders if it’s possible to read in her sleep. When she’s not reading or changing diapers, she’s blogging away at my thoughts exactly.
Hachette Book Group has offered 5 copies of this book (U.S. and Canadian shipping addresses). Leave a comment on this post if you’d like to be eligible to win this book.
Click on the banner above to enter our other Summer Fun Giveaways. All winners will be announced on June 11.
HA–when I saw the cover, I liked it! And I’m fairly guilty of judging a book by it’s cover, I must say.
I’m all in for an intriguing and intense novel.
JDSG
visionquest2020 (at) msn (dot) com
This sounds like a great summer read….
mj.coward[at]gmail.com
This looks really interesting!
Sounds like a good read to me. Count me in for this one!
Sounds like an interesting read!
I would love to read this. THANKS!
Thanks for reviewing this. I clicked over to the author page and am very interested in this one!
Ok – I’m intrigued by the lack of information you gave! Sign me up!
Thanks for this review. This book sounds very intriguing. Please sign me up for the giveaway. Thanks.
Well, you did a good job. I’m really intrigued and I hope I win a copy. And, btw, I actually really like the cover! It’s pulling me in even more 🙂
This looks great! Please enter me!
BookCrossingKitten22[at]gmail[dot]com
This sounds like a great book!
I love the cover. Simple and yet accountable. Please add me to the drawing. Thank you.
This was getting so many good reviews on GoodReads.com and there were 44 hold requests at my library… maybe the masses are right about this one. I’m interested.
heathernkemp(at)hotmail(dot)come
Please add me! This book sounds intriguing!
OK, I’m intrigued!
ooohhh, another great book giveaway. Summer reading here I come. I am going to see if my library has any of these summer giveaway books. Maybe I can read one even if I don’t win.
I never judge a book by its cover. But I do tend to pick up those that have been reviewed…and this one sounds like a winner!
This one looks terrific. I need to add it to my list.
I love to read and I don’t judge books by their covers. (unless they’re MEN – sorry!) 😉
This sounds like it’ll be fun! I interview for my old college and boarding school and have been doing so for close to 15 years. It’ll be fascinating to see how this book looks at admissions.
gaby317nyc AT gmail DOT com
I’d love to win this one – I’ve had it on my wish list since I first saw it in Bookmarks Magazine.
nnjmom at yahoo dot com
Transformation is always an intriguing and interesting topic! Thanks so much for the chance to win!
I would love to read this book as I am the Assistant Director of Admissions at a College in Florida.
Intriguing post. I’d love to read it.
i want to win thanks [email protected]
I would love to win a copy of this one–thanks!
I’ve been wanting to read this. I’m catching up on my reading since my kids are now grown. It’s been worth the wait.
Aw, this sounds great!
This sounds like a book that I would really enjoy.
Alicia Webster
[email protected]
I’d love a chance to win! Thanks
I like the cover……….and I like complex characters as well…..so I’d love to read this book!
Sounds like an iteresting read. I’m looking for a book to take to the beach.
As a college freshman this fall, I am very intrigued by this book. I remember ever detail of the admissions process oh-so-well!
I’d love to read Admission. Please enter me, thank you.
sfuhringer(at) sympatico(DOT) ca
sounds like good summer reading, thanks
This sounds like an interesting book that I’d like to read. Please enter me in your giveaway.
I would like to enter.
Thank you!
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
i love the hachatte book company! they have some good books. but i really want to win.
Sounds like a great read – please enter me!
Could always use another good book
Looks like a good read,enter this bookworm in the giveaway.
I think I wuld enjoy this book. Thanks for the chance.
need some summer reads and this is great
I am always looking for something to read. This book sounds like a winner.
I love to read. This looks like the perfect book to read before bed.