Book Summary and Reviews of Count the Ways by Joyce Maynard

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Cathryn Conroy

This Is a Really Good Book, but Be Prepared: It Will Envelop You in Sadness
Oh, this book is sad. So very, very sad. I was so enveloped in the sadness that when I wasn't reading, I carried it with me. I had to wake up every once in a while and remind myself it was just a book. Not my life. But here's the thing (and this is really important): The writing is so extraordinary and the story so wonderful and the characters so real that the sadness is fine. It's part of the book. And what a book it is!

Written by Joyce Maynard, this is the story of a family from the point of view of the mother, Eleanor. Eleanor grew up an only child in an unhappy family with alcoholic parents. Even though it was the '70s and young women were actively seeking careers over motherhood, all she wanted was to get married and have babies. When this finally happens, Eleanor is ecstatic. She works as an artist and children's book author, while Cam, her red-haired, gorgeous husband, makes wooden bowls to sell at craft fairs. They live on an old and remote farm in New Hampshire where they quickly have three children—two girls and then a boy. Life is sweet. Life is everything that Eleanor ever hoped for…until suddenly Cam does something that results in a tragedy that she can never forgive. As the marriage unravels so do Eleanor's dreams. What does it mean to forgive? To have compassion? To move on? And what happens to those children in all the bitterness and rancor?

The vivid, bold characters are what make this book so wonderful. And while the plot is a gradual unfolding of an entire life of passion, emotion, feelings, and survival it can be slow-moving at times. It is written in envelope structure; that is, the first chapter is actually the beginning of the end of the novel, so it comes full circle. While the ending is sad, there is a sense of redemption—making it perfect.

This is not a happy book. But it is real. And there is power in that. Plus, it's just a really good read that is difficult to put down.

Bonus: On page 439 is the best parenting advice ever. Poetic and oh so real.

Mo hughes

Don’t have a title
I spent a lot of time angry reading this book. The main character is such a martyr. I hope she snaps out of it by end of novel

Jill

Family Saga
COUNT THE WAYS by Joyce Maynard

I paired the book with the audiobook. The narration was very enjoyable and read by the author herself.

Set in the 1970s and 1980s, this story goes back and forth between past and present.
“Count the Ways” is the story of Eleanor, a children’s book writer, mother of three, and ex-wife of Cam. The novel opens with Eleanor’s return to the farm, in New Hampshire, where she once lived as mother and wife, before life tore the family apart.

The wedding of Al, Eleanor’s firstborn, who is a transgender man is why Eleanor has returned. Why has Eleanore left the place she loved and what tore the family apart? Life was good until it wasn’t. The family is rich in nuances and complexities. Moving through several decades this explores themes of mistakes made that fester, sorrow, divorce, reconciliation, forgiveness , friendship, family and home.

I enjoyed reading/listening to this story. The timeframe of this novel was relatable as a young mom myself in the 80s. The music references, as well as, the tragedies that happened during this time, brought back memories.

Capturing the intricacies of human emotions and relationships in this quirky family. I think it was a tad too long and could have been edited. I was surprised that this was a first read of Joyce Maynard for me. I do look forward to reading more by her.

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