She Matters: A Life In Friendships (2013) - Plot & Excerpts
This book makes me itchy and appreciative in equal measure. Sonnenberg's life in friendships provides a fascinating series of recognizable moments, when friendships end, when they begin, when they rekindle. So much in this memoir is relatable, but Sonnenberg's well-explored need for companionship makes the stories blur together a bit after a while. I know where the author began her quest to be a better friend, and I saw her end a better, more mature friend at the book's close. But the middle lost me a bit, and that's where my itch came in. I itched for more -- which isn't a poor place to leave me, I suppose. But something in the structure left me unsatisfied. Sonnenberg is a good writer, linking together stories of her female friendships from childhood to the present day. She describes her friends lushly and her interactions with them on the page do seem true to life. The book is not compelling—it’s hard to make essays like this into a larger picture for reader…but she tries. The momentum wasn’t there for me, but I didn’t NOT enjoy reading it. It’s very intimate and occasionally raw. Her descriptions of friendships breaking down or sputtering to a stop are usually not flattering to her or the friend or both. (I wonder what they think of this book.) Sonnenberg, to her credit, owns her neediness (something that comes through a lot) and her occasionally harsh treatment of friends. I didn’t find her unlikable, but I didn’t get very invested in her or her story either. If you like memoirs about friendship(s), you’d probably enjoy this book. Otherwise? Life is too short for a meh book.
What do You think about She Matters: A Life In Friendships (2013)?
Unending stories of friendships where the author points out all her failures. Tedious.
—Addi
I was as disappointed in this book as the author was of her friends.
—karen
Enjoyed it enough to find another by the same author. Well written.
—NaziNaz
Genius. Loved this book. Read it twice it's so good.
—eva19
