I don't know how I had never read Mary McCarthy's most famous novel. For most of my adult life, I had known about it and always thought I would get to it someday. Well, now I am reading it, and it's 1963, the year it stayed on the bestseller list for months and months, ending up as the #2 bestselling novel. And that someday is finally here.

The group in the novel consists of eight women who formed an exclusive clique at Vassar College. They roomed in four double rooms and spent most of their time together, being smart and snarky. This is very much a women's book. It opens at the wedding of Kay, just a few weeks after their graduation as part of the Class of 1933. At the wedding, we are introduced to all of them, their backgrounds, their quirks, and the tensions between them.

I suppose a reader could see the novel as dated. After all, it was 84 years ago that these women were embarking on adulthood. It was only three and a half years into the Great Depression, and it was before WWII.

While Vassar was a prestigious female college, not all of the group are privileged. Some come from wealthy families, but they are all quite conscious of a huge shift in the country, economically, politically, and socially. Each one is figuring out how to take her place in such a world. FDR is an unknown quantity whom most of their parents abhor. Communism and socialism (almost equated in those times) are rearing up as viable political stances. Sexual mores are just beginning to shift. The couple getting married have already been sexually active and living together.

The story follows these women through marriages, adulteries, separations, and divorces, through careers, and even a death. The Spanish Civil War, the rise of Hitler, and the attack on Pearl Harbor all occur. At the end, the United States is about to enter WWII.

As I read, it seemed less and less dated. Mary McCarthy, of course, was mid her career as a public intellectual while writing this novel, just as the so-called sexual revolution was about to erupt. But I thought that even up until today, women continue to face the same issues. Except for one of the eight, who comes out as a lesbian near the end, there is little diversity among the characters besides middle class vs upper class. Yet, we are as much today in the midst of tremendous upheaval economically, politically, and socially, as well as sexually.

So I decided that "dated" is not the correct epithet. Perhaps the novel is historical, but in fact, I found it part of the stream of history for American women, a history that is ongoing. Reading it gave me a sense of relief from the particular stress of our times. Every generation faces change and upheaval, from our great grandmothers flowing on to our great granddaughters. Mary McCarthy was a contentious, sometimes bitter and catty woman possessed of fierce intelligence and sensitive feelings. She preceded our fierce female intellectuals of today, and some of them even admit her influence on them. I should say so!

I can't recall the last occasion when I relished a novel to such an extent. The Group, in its narration of the lives of a cluster of young women in 1930s New York, held my attention firmly, evoked my sympathy, entertained me thoroughly, and touched my heart throughout. McCarthy has truly ingeniously constructed her novel. She deftly weaves in and out of the lives of these vastly different women, examining them from diverse angles and at various distances. How I wish more writers would adopt this approach! It was incredibly refreshing to be immersed in and then withdrawn from these women's lives, and to learn to perceive them in novel ways each time. There is also an outstanding exploration of what were undoubtedly the crucial tensions in life during that era - namely, how we reconcile our private and public lives and what it means to be a woman in a male-dominated society. This is a beautiful, witty, and deeply moving novel. I'm certain that I'll pick it up and read it again one day.

I read this book over forty years ago.

At that time, I was living in a room that Mary McCarthy might have stayed in. She had visited the house of her Vassar '33 classmate, Rhoda Wheeler (Sheehan).

Rhoda, a German major in college, had an interesting encounter. She saw Hitler after curfew in Berlin, sitting in his car.

Later, Rhoda became my colleague at Bristol Community College in Fall River, MA. In the late 70s, for several years in a row, she brought her other famous author friend, Eiizabeth Bishop, to read at the college. Bishop had just returned from Brazil after her Brazilian friend died.

Bishop completed her poem about that loss, "The art of losing isn't hard to master," in Rhoda's Hurricane House. I even had the opportunity to interview Bishop on prosody there.

A few years later, I also had a unique experience. I cleaned a fish--a bluefish--for the author of "The Fish."

When I read "The Group," I was quite certain that I knew who the compulsive reader character was and the one who traveled around the world. So, I read it with more than just a strictly literary interest.

However, after forty years, what I mainly recall is a skilled narrative that balanced the five principle characters and included dramatic scenes such as the loss of virginity.

I believe "The Group" was unprecedented as a novel. It was the first feminist novel that prioritized women themselves, with relationships being secondary.

Italian feminist novels have done something similar, but more recently, in the last twenty years. And they are more grim, perhaps reflecting the more sexist situation they find themselves in.

This novel offers a detailed portrayal of a specific era and society, namely, the New York of the 1930s. Through a group of friends who have just graduated from Vassar College, it describes in detail the ideas, concerns, and problems of the upper bourgeoisie at that time, inevitably influenced by the Great Depression.

The story begins with a wedding and ends with a funeral. In that seven-year interval, we discover a generation of women who want to distinguish themselves from their mothers because they have received an exquisite education and consider themselves intellectuals, but who are equally limited by the prevailing male chauvinism and ultimately see their aspirations hampered by marriage and motherhood. Relationships with men, sexuality, motherhood, religion, family, politics, homosexuality, mental problems, and many other themes are analyzed with the sharp eye of Mary McCarthy, whose prose exudes intelligence. The author exposes, but does not seem to denounce, the reality of that moment, where most male characters manipulate, undervalue, and/or mistreat the protagonists.

Once I read that great writers allow us to travel in time, and this work is a good example of that. Although the narration may seem somewhat cold and distant, it is worth delving into its pages to observe the evident contrast between the expectations and the real possibilities of those first women who prepared to play a different role in the world but who, nevertheless, had to conform to repeating the destiny of their predecessors. And it's not at all bad to take a look at the neighborhoods of New York in the early 20th century; to contemplate its shops and businesses, the everyday objects, and the neuroses of its inhabitants.

Speriamo che sia femmina

In the 1930s in America, eight girls graduated from the same university and shared their diverse stories. Despite a rather rigid and conservative education befitting the best of American bourgeoisie, they all imagined and desired an existence different from that of their mothers. They dreamed of an interesting job, travels, achieving economic independence, and an interesting emotional life.

However, things don't always go as we would like. And all of them, to a greater or lesser extent, encounter problematic relationships, sexual misadventures with selfish and unlucky men, and difficulties in emerging in the workplace. But the greatest conflicts are within them. On one hand, they long for independence, on the other hand, they are continuously bombarded by calls to the existing conventions.

There is work on one side and the need to find a man and "settle down" on the other. Economic independence here and "because dear, why don't you have a child yet?" there. "I would like to choose a man who loves me and makes me feel really good"/"well, even if he abuses me and doesn't even kiss me, it's still okay." Evidently, self-esteem is flagging, alas...

The book surely talks about avant-garde things for the era in which it was written. In 1933, talking about sex, contraceptives, gynecologists, natural or artificial breastfeeding was not taken for granted. However, the book is far from perfect. More than a novel, it seemed to me a collection of stories (undoubtedly written brilliantly) that lack continuity and homogeneity. The transition between one "story" and the other is rather tedious, and I often had difficulty following the thread of the discourse.

Nevertheless, it remains a very interesting snapshot of the female way of thinking of that era, but also in some ways current (I must say I learned quite a lot). What struck me a lot were the male/female relationships. Two isolated and separate worlds with a big absence: communication. How many problems could have been solved (and can still be solved today) simply by talking more?

[contains spoilers] 2.5 stars. I found myself volleying between thinking 'it was okay' and 'I liked it' throughout the entire book. I really wanted to like this much more than I actually did. I do understand and appreciate its cultural significance, especially at the time of publication. However, I think I also understand why this isn't a more well-known and widely read classic. Others have simply done it better. Despite many of the issues being timeless, this book doesn't quite transcend time.

My biggest gripe is that I never once understood or felt a connection among any of the characters in The Group. There were so many girls, and we never got to delve deeply into any of them. I understand that each is supposed to represent a certain aspect of being a woman during that era (it would be quite a hefty tome if it explored everyone in-depth), but I felt completely unconnected to any of them. I would have preferred a smaller "Group."

**SPOILERS AHEAD**

I felt worse for Kay when she ended up in the hospital, but I felt nothing when she died. I thought the final ten or so pages, mostly those following Lakey and Harald's car ride, were some of the most insightful and engaging of the book. (I also enjoyed Dottie's encounter with Dick Brown and her pessary acquisition, but I felt she was built up a great deal only to be left as a dangling thread by the end.) And why was there that entire, dry chapter on Hatton? It seemed like a terrible waste of space when there were better ways to learn about a character and her family. I also kept losing track of who was who, which is normally not a problem for me.

And yet... I read this in about a week. It was still somehow engaging. I liken it to a cloudy day, where little bursts of sun break through a dense layer of clouds. When the sun comes out, it's brilliant, but unfortunately, it just doesn't happen often enough.

Mary McCarthy's "The Group" is not only a captivating tale of friendship but also a profound exploration of the social mores prevalent among the "privileged" in Prohibition-era America.

The book delves into the lives of seven Vassar graduates who initially "grouped together" in a college dormitory. Their lives intersect sporadically throughout the narrative as they navigate the complex web of love affairs, careers, marriage, and motherhood in New York.

Some of the girls remain close, while others drift apart as they leave the sheltered world of Vassar behind. Certain parts of the book, such as Dottie's first encounter with a man, Kay's husband's infidelity, Priss's challenges with motherhood, and Lakey's return, were considered extremely scandalous upon publication and still hold a certain allure today.

I envision the women of the 1950s, clad in their sweater sets, sharing the book and identifying strongly with the characters, proclaiming "I'm a Kay" or "I'm a Helena" or "I'm a Polly," much like the girls of my generation who say "I'm a Carrie" or "I'm a Charlotte" or "I'm a Miranda."

If we approach the book for what it truly is, a story of friendship in pre-war America, we can gain insights into the motivations and insecurities that might have influenced our grandmothers. And I firmly believe that, even in the present day, we can find ourselves identifying with one or more of the characters. Personally, I resonate deeply with Priss.

I'm making a guess as to when I read this, and 1969 seems like a reasonable estimate. I recalled it when I received an e-mail from The Library of America stating that Mary McCarthy's complete works were going to be published in two volumes.

Should I reread it? I have my doubts. I'm not sure if it will be as depressing as it was back in 1969. Aging has a dual effect on books. Some books improve with age, becoming more profound and enjoyable. Their themes and messages may resonate more strongly with readers as time passes.

On the other hand, some books decline in the enjoyment they deliver. The language may seem outdated, or the ideas may no longer be relevant. It's interesting to see how books change over time and how our perception of them can also vary.

I'm curious to see if Mary McCarthy's works will hold up after all these years. Will they still have the same impact on me? Only time will tell.

\\"The Group\\" by Mary McCarthy is a captivating novel that begins with a wedding, a departure from the typical narrative arc where weddings often mark the end. This starting point immediately sets the stage for the story that unfolds over the next seven years. Through the guise of the wedding, we are introduced to most of the characters, a group of ex-Vassar students between 1933 and 1940, during the Great Depression and on the cusp of World War II.

The fact that they are Vassar graduates shapes a stereotype and defines the image we have of them. They are privileged, educated, and some are wealthy, while others have lost everything in the 1929 crash. However, they all share a desire to break free from the molds of their mothers and enter the workforce. Despite considering themselves independent and politically active, they are, in essence, a reflection of their mothers, as McCarthy shows through numerous examples of how they are enslaved to appearances, social class, or their husbands.

The novel doesn't have a defined plot but rather each chapter focuses on one of the characters, with their stories intertwining and bringing to light themes that are still relevant today. Although not all characters have equal prominence, each represents a type of woman. The lack of a central argument may分散 the reader, but it is also a testament to McCarthy's skill in showing how the characters change over the years and exploring taboo topics such as sex, abortion, family planning, and mental health.

McCarthy herself was a Vassar student, so she knew firsthand the world she was描绘ing. The novel was a bestseller from the start but was not well received by critics and was condemned by her friends and acquaintances who recognized themselves in the portraits. Nevertheless, it is a highly entertaining read, with McCarthy's ingenious and ironic writing style making it engaging from beginning to end. It also provides a fascinating look at a crucial period in American history through the eyes of its female characters.

Antonia S. Byatt's definition of \\"The Group\\" perfectly captures its essence: it is not a \\"feminist novel\\" in the traditional sense but rather a novel about a group of women from whom feminists can learn. It explores the moral and emotional traps set by society, with a literary and narrative intention rather than a promotional one. Overall, \\"The Group\\" is a thought-provoking and engaging novel that值得 a read.

Quattro ⭐️ piene, traboccanti;

I have a very old copy, retrieved from a stall, with a translation that sometimes sounds dated, but the reading has been extremely pleasant and interesting.

As is known, the novel follows part of the first years of eight female friends, after graduating from a prestigious and liberal college, but not too much, a constant reference point in the young lives of these girls from the 1930s.

The episodes that see them alternately or together involved do not lack a certain modernity, sometimes almost surprising for their dynamism and actuality.

It's a great read, by no means obvious and quite unexpected.

Published in 1963, this book was scandalously ahead of its time.

It blew the lid on all feminist matters such as sex, contraception, breastfeeding, and the role of the professional working woman in relation to being a wife, mother, and homemaker. In fact, it was even banned in Australia, seemingly due to its offensiveness to public morals.

The story is told through the experiences of a group of eight young graduates in New York. Each of them is finding their way and making mistakes as they navigate young womanhood during a time of significant social change. McCarthy herself admitted that the novel effectively ruined her life as she was slandered for her honest portrayal of the struggles and blatant injustices faced by women.

I truly enjoyed McCarthy's unapologetic account. She is fearless, fully aware of the assault that was即将到来. This novel remains timeless. Although we have made progress, many of the issues uncovered and explored still unfortunately hold true today, albeit in different forms.

People still struggle to accept a woman breastfeeding in public, are still victims of date rape, and are still grappling with the balance between work and home life. It is a must-read that casts an ominous shadow on our contemporary society, just as it did decades ago.

I'm a dummy and decided to read this after seeing Betty Draper reading it.

To my shock, I found that the novel had largely fallen entirely off the map, despite being a massive success when it was published in the early 60s!

It's a nice little compatriot with things that are obvious, like Friedan, and maybe less obvious, like Bell Jar or Golden Notebook (novels published within the same year or two period as this one).

It seems to me that in a world where "legitimate rape" is still a "legitimate" discourse being thrown about in the mainstream political world, this novel has as much relevance as it must have back then.

Our sense of being so much more enlightened than our vision of OMGSEXISM in Mad Men may be less solid than we think.

Also, McCarthy is just a wonderfully funny and pointed writer. She's a bit like a mid-century Wharton here.

Her writing style is engaging and her characters are vividly drawn.

The story she tells is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

It makes you question the society we live in and the values we hold dear.

I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a good read and wants to explore some of the deeper issues of our time.