memorysnow reviewed Want: A Novel by Lynn Steger Strong
Review of 'Want' on 'Goodreads'
2 stars
For many, this study of (white) Millenial suffering will be a non-starter: Elizabeth, growing up in privilege as the daughter of wealthy Floridian lawyers, did all of the things she was "supposed to" do and in return was rewarded, as so many of her generation are, with staggering debt, an untenable work/life balance as a teacher and mother, an unpayable slew of healthcare bills, and a complete lack of fulfillment. Estranged from her Boomer parents, who cruelly fault her for failing to establish a career, as well as her former best friend Sasha, for whom she pines throughout the story, Elizabeth is forced to navigate the suffering of her generation without much support other than from her overburdened husband, who quit a cushy job to start his own business, further straining the family's financial situation. This book made me sympathize less with the main character than with the disenchanted Millenial …
For many, this study of (white) Millenial suffering will be a non-starter: Elizabeth, growing up in privilege as the daughter of wealthy Floridian lawyers, did all of the things she was "supposed to" do and in return was rewarded, as so many of her generation are, with staggering debt, an untenable work/life balance as a teacher and mother, an unpayable slew of healthcare bills, and a complete lack of fulfillment. Estranged from her Boomer parents, who cruelly fault her for failing to establish a career, as well as her former best friend Sasha, for whom she pines throughout the story, Elizabeth is forced to navigate the suffering of her generation without much support other than from her overburdened husband, who quit a cushy job to start his own business, further straining the family's financial situation. This book made me sympathize less with the main character than with the disenchanted Millenial generation in general.