I did not know a whole lot about this book. I knew that it was predicted to be a hot summer title, and I had heard some pre-pub buzz. I knew that it was about a woman who moved to Hawaii with her husband and twin sons who were in their last year of high school, who embarked on a little reinvention project. I’m not sure if I knew, but I soon found out that her marriage had been struggling, and her sons were struggling a bit too.
I love a good starting over story, so the idea of moving and reaching for a new beginning is always one that I enjoy. I’ve also realized this summer especially that I really enjoy a strong setting, and if it’s an amazing setting like Hawaii, it entices me even more.
For the triple threat, the fact that it’s a novel which focuses on women’s relationships is almost a sure guarantor that I’ll enjoy it. Because Nancy is taken away from her regular circle of Suburban water polo moms. she’s able to focus more on who she wants to be rather than who she has become. Instead of hanging out by default with the other khaki capri-wearing wife who has recently moved there from San Diego, she reaches out in friendship to the yoga instructor whose class she pushed herself to attend.
Ana is free. Whereas Nancy feels bound to her role as wife and mother and her past, Ana is uninhibited, which helps Nancy discover new things about herself. Their relationship grows close quickly as they try to influence fate by doing good deeds.
I was not sure from where the title of the book came, but almost halfway in, the name surfaced. I’m not sure it’s the most evocative title for the story. I also love the cover, but I also don’t think that it hints at what it is inside. Regardless, what is inside is amazing. I had been in a bit of a reading slump, and I read this book in two days. The characters are well-written, the dialogue is true, and the writing is beautiful. When there was a bit of a twist towards the end of the book, I wanted to keep turning the pages all the more.
I highly recommend The Goddesses by Swan Huntley for it’s beautiful setting, complex characters and story, and wonderful writing. Now that I zipped through it, I’m going to lend it to a friend, because I need to talk about it! This would be a great book club pick.
Click on the graphic to find out more about the book and the author.
