Review of We Drank Wine

[Chinazo Anozie]

[Following is a volunteer review of "We Drank Wine" by Marion Reidel.]

---

4 out of 4 stars

---

Share This Review

---

We Drank Wine and Other Stories by Marion Reidel is a story that follows a group of women and their families as they navigate marriage, parenting, and generally, life itself. Celeste, Beth, Janice, and Sandy live in classic suburbia in Canada. The four women, who have been friends since university and have varying personalities, help each other through the years with biting toddlers, gay husbands, overweight teenagers, dealing with middle age, DUIs, and many more. Some of their experiences are hilarious, while some are more serious. Follow this story to learn how some friendships are worth their weight in gold.

This book was a heartwarming read. Each chapter is told by a different person and is set at various stages of the women’s lives. At first, it was hard to tell who was narrating the chapters because they were all told in the first-person narrative with no indication of the person narrating. It was also a bit difficult keeping up with all their names. However, as the story progressed, their names got more familiar. Also, with the women’s distinctive personalities, you could almost always tell whose story it was without further information. For example, Celeste was controlling, overbearing, and had a seemingly perfect life, while Sandy was mousy and a follower. Despite their differences, they always had each other’s backs. Above all, I loved how honest the stories were, especially regarding the difficulties of parenting.

I also found some of the stories very amusing, especially one incident where Beth resorted to biting her toddler, Taylor, to teach her against biting other people. However, some were more sombre and touched on issues like arson, depression, their teenagers’ sexual orientations, and even suicidal thoughts. There were issues of embezzling husbands and even some husbands that abandoned their families. Through it all, the friends stuck together – and drank wine.

The only issue I had with this book was that the author didn’t get the teenagers’ dialogues. As stated above, the book followed the women and their families as they went through life. When their children became teenagers and started going through all the drama and angst that came with being teenagers, their dialogues sounded off. I felt the author was trying too hard to make them sound ’hip’, but the result was exaggerated and not at all realistic.

I enjoyed reading this book. I loved how the story progressed through various stages of their lives; it reminded me of the movie, Boyhood. Despite my misgivings about the teenagers’ dialogues, it didn’t affect my overall reading experience. This book was also excellently edited because I didn’t notice any errors. As a result, I’m pleased to rate this book 4 out of 4 stars.

I recommend this book to readers who love novels with realistic themes of life, parenting, and friendships. Fans of Boyhood and Big Little Lies will also appreciate it.

******
We Drank Wine
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

[Kavita Shah]

It is funny how tit for tat can be implemented. This book sounds like a really great book where life as it is is shared and it's all true. Thank you for an amazing review!

[Amy Luman]

Everyone needs good friends. Even if they don’t have the same problems, they can listen, sometimes that’s enough. When someone hasn’t been a teenager for a long time they forget what being one is like.

[Nwaka Chukwuemeka]

I had mixed feelings while reading the book, I wouldn't say I enjoyed everything about the book, but the author I'm writing style was top-notch. Great review.

[julietmumbua23]

I love stories with strong female characters. Wonderful review.

[Judy46]

I think I'd like this story. Your review depicted it to be quite interesting especially the funny part. I would love to read this next. Great review.

[Muna Chizzy]

I love books about friendships. This book sounds like an interesting read that revolves around four women's lives. I love the humour in the book, seems like a book I will have a good laugh when reading. Thanks for the great review.

[Francis Omotayo Aderogbin]

This book touches virtually every problems obtainable in our society. And the highlights of the book for me is that these friends stick together to help each other out and create an unforgettable memories with themselves. This book worth reading.

[Chinazo Anozie]

It is funny how tit for tat can be implemented. This book sounds like a really great book where life as it is is shared and it's all true. Thank you for an amazing review!

Thanks! It is a great book.

[Chinazo Anozie]

I love stories with strong female characters. Wonderful review.

Thank you, Juliet. Happy reading!

[Chinazo Anozie]

I think I'd like this story. Your review depicted it to be quite interesting especially the funny part. I would love to read this next. Great review.

It's a great book, Judy, and I hope you enjoy it. Happy reading!

[Chinazo Anozie]

I love books about friendships. This book sounds like an interesting read that revolves around four women's lives. I love the humour in the book, seems like a book I will have a good laugh when reading. Thanks for the great review.

I hope you enjoy it, Muna. Happy reading!

[Chinazo Anozie]

This book touches virtually every problems obtainable in our society. And the highlights of the book for me is that these friends stick together to help each other out and create an unforgettable memories with themselves. This book worth reading.

You're right, Francis, it touches on many issues we have right now. It truly is a book worth reading. I hope you enjoy it.