De Zaterdagochtendyogaclub (2010) - Plot & Excerpts
I didn't really know what to expect when I got the book. I had read the reviews and it seemed all over the place. At first I was bored, but then once I had some time, I jumped into the book and didn't come out until I finished! I thought it was 1,000 times better than the "Friday Night Knitting Club", it was a lot more realistic, and it was the first time in a long time that I actually liked the ending of the book. I am really thinking of trying yoga now after having read the book. I wish the author could write a sequel. After finishing, I wanted more of the stories of what happened next with all the girls lives. Great feel good book! No complaints! I'm both a fan of yoga and, i'm not usually embarrassed to say, "chick lit" (though I despise the reference). Therefore, I must say, I had high hopes for this book that looked to marry the two. However, I was sorely disappointed. The book was a quick read which is great for summer but mostly the ability to turn page after page was due to the fact that it lacked any depth whatsoever. To say that this book carried on for almost 400 pages on the most surface levels would be an understatement. Additionally (and not adding to the books charm) the characters were some of the most one-dimensional cliches I've found in the genre. The book centers around four main characters who join together for six Saturdays for a beginners yoga class. The leader of the studio, Charlie, and her three disciples, Naomi, Sabine and Bess. Each women apparently undergoes some sort of metamorphosis that we are supposed to attribute to the restorative power of this centuries-old practice. And perhaps we could if the author had actually shown us the process and outlined their journey in more than one or two sentences. Instead, she tirelessly moves the characters through the novel without delving into how the practice touches their lives, or even who they are and/or whether or not they need to change. From experience with the genre, I can identify the cookie-cutter characters the author pulls out as her cast: there's the "hopeless romantic," the "damaged by love gone wrong," the "single mom who gives up everything," and the "career-driven egomaniac." Whether due to the authors lack of talent or lack of true inspiration, the characters never become more than that. Instead, she spends the bulk of the book describing the women putting on/taking off their winter coats (I kid you not).To say that this book was a waste of time is an understatement. Not only did the novel lack characterization, it also lacked a plot. Yes, the women had issues arise but we, the reader, were left in the dark to figure out how they were dealt with. Or how they arose. Or why we should care. Basically anything. The book just moved on of it's own accord, going nowhere. In the end, I can't even really reveal how, or if, the women are friends as other than their time at class they had little-to-no interaction. So I can't even classify this as a novel about the power of female friendship. And the yoga references lacked any realism. The author has Charlie offer up an introduction at the beginning of each class that, I believe, was supposed to touch on the yoga/life connection but was so contrite it missed the mark.The worst part was that when the author did try to build up some tension, she easily discarded it in an attempt to tie-up her book in a nice, "aren't we all just the epitome of evolved women" bow. I do believe in the power of the genre and I hate to see it discarded by many as shallow or vapid, but now I can see why the "chick lit" time may have come and gone.
What do You think about De Zaterdagochtendyogaclub (2010)?
Can't WAIT to read this! Why is March taking so long??? Go Zoe!
—Antonia
What a disappointment after reading "Saving Ruth"!
—Swaggin
Made me want to take up yoga...in my spare time
—12345
