Synopsis: When the elliptical new drama teacher at Stellar Plains High School chooses for the school play Lysistrata-the comedy by Aristophanes in which women stop having sex with men in order to end a war-a strange spell seems to be cast over the school. Or, at least, over the women. One by one throughout the high school community, perfectly healthy, normal women and teenage girls turn away from their husbands and boyfriends in the bedroom, for reasons they don't really understand. As the women worry over their loss of passion, and the men become by turns unhappy, offended, and above all, confused, both sides are forced to look at their shared history, and at their sexual selves in a new light.
Type: Fiction
Quick Take: Honestly... If I wasn't listening I think I would have put the book down. It's about 8 hours long and I was doing fine until that last 2 hours. For me, it was a leap to think that Dori (teacher/mother/wife) would withhold sex from her husband for the reasons she does, and to discover what we do on opening night.... it was a little too much for me. I don't a man who would do what these men did... it was silly at best.
In one of the last chapters a tennager says, "I'm going to a war conference in Helsinki and have to find a way for the school district to pay..." you know me... the book lost me with this statement (think about this for a minute... it's high school). All the talk about a spell being cast on anyone within proximity of Lysistrata... the author lost me as a reader. I just didn't care anymore.
I didn't love it but that doesn't mean you won't enjoy it.
Have you read this book? Did I miss something?
Check out a few other's reviews:
- Rundpinne is uncertain
- Lit & Life and I share the same opinion but for different reasons
- The Book Lady thinks it's 'fan-freaking-tastic'
Rating: 2/5 stars
Source: Personal Copy (iTunes)