Why people recommend it
Braided Lives by Marge Piercy is a coming-of-age novel set in the 1950s that follows two cousins, Jill and Marcia, as they navigate the restrictive social expectations, intellectual awakenings, and personal perils of womanhood in America. During an episode of The Book Review titled Inside The New York Times Book Review: ‘Black Silent Majority’, released on July 18, 2024, guest John Williams highlighted various listener submissions regarding literature about female friendship. Williams cited a reader named Rosie Van Strop, who stated that Braided Lives by Marge Piercy was the absolute best book about friendship she had ever read. The novel delves deeply into the struggles of young women fighting for autonomy, reproductive freedom, and creative expression during an era defined by conformity and suppression. The inclusion of this reader recommendation on the podcast underscores the profound emotional connection that Piercy's storytelling fosters with her audience. Through its unflinching portrayal of loyalty, hardship, and mutual support between women, the novel remains a powerful touchstone for readers seeking authentic representations of female solidarity.
Who recommended it
- John Williams Recommended
John Williams — 1 mention
“um Rosie van strop said braided lives by Marge piery is the best book about friendship she's read”