In the Family Way – review (AD)
I was kindly given an advanced electronic copy of In the Family Way by Laney Katz Becker in exchange for an honest review*.
In the Family Way book blurb
Set in the 1960s before Roe, a poignant and powerful novel in the vein of Lessons in Chemistry and Big Little Lies, about the friendship between a group of suburban housewives who help one another navigate through their personal challenges, marriages, and their pregnancies – both wanted and unwanted.
In 1965 America, women can’t have their own bank accounts, credit cards, or sign their own leases; divorce is scandalous and difficult; and abortion is illegal.
Every week, a group of suburban housewives meet for their Tuesday canasta game.
As cards are drawn and discarded, the women share advice and confidences.
When prim and proper Lily Berg, a doctor’s wife, discovers she’s pregnant with their second child, she follows her friend Becca’s suggestion and takes in Betsy, a pregnant teen from the local home for unwed mothers.
Betsy, who’s never met anyone Jewish before, is to live with the Bergs for six months, help with babysitting and housekeeping, have her own baby, and agree never to contact the family again.
But things quickly get complicated.
Lily, who’s opened her home to the teenager, never planned on opening her heart, yet that’s exactly what happens.
Meanwhile, Becca is pregnant with her fourth, and comes up with a scheme to get a legal, therapeutic abortion, and Lily’s sister, Rose, discovers the man she married isn’t who he purported to be, and turns to Lily and her husband for help.
Moving and atmospheric, full of history and heart, In the Family Way is a timely novel that captures the experiences of women on the cusp of liberation as they struggle with their own complex feelings about being wives, mothers, and women with their own dreams and ambitions.
My overall thoughts on In the Family Way
Laney Katz Becker’s In the Family Way is an emotional and consuming read that captivates from the very first page.
Set in the mid-1960s, the novel introduces a cast of women whose lives, choices, and struggles feel deeply relatable.
Though their circumstances are shaped by the era, the dilemmas they face – moral, ethical, and deeply personal – resonate just as powerfully today.
Each woman’s journey is unique, yet their shared experiences weave a powerful tapestry of connection, highlighting the profound bonds of female friendship and the challenges imposed by society’s expectations.
There are some deeply emotional topics covered in this book, including abortion, miscarriage, rape, and domestic violence.
Becker does not shy away from portraying the harsh realities of how women and girls are treated by society as a whole, both historically and in ways that still sadly persist today.
It is astonishing that the novel is set nearly 60 years ago, yet its themes remain so relevant.
The author’s decision to write this book after the overturning of Roe v. Wade adds a poignant urgency to its message.
The loss of federally protected reproductive rights makes this story even more significant now than it might have been had it been published just a few years earlier.
Becker skillfully underscores the pervasive inequalities faced by women through dialogue, character experiences, and even the chapter titles all of which serve as subtle but powerful reminders of how far we’ve come and how fragile progress can be.
Among the many memorable characters, Lily, Rose, Betsy, and Jo-Jo stand out the most.
Their individual heartbreaks and triumphs left a lasting impact, warming my heart even as they broke it.
The friendships in this novel are at its core, showcasing the kind of solidarity and understanding that only women can truly share.
The epilogue was particularly powerful – it shattered me and then somehow put me back together.
Some books stay with you long after the last page, and In the Family Way is undoubtedly one of them.
A special mention goes to the author’s inclusion of historical facts and dates at the end. It’s staggering to reflect on the progress made and how much of it is now under threat.
This novel is a five-star must-read, not just for its compelling storytelling but for its urgent and thought-provoking themes.
Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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*Disclaimer
This review has been written with 100% honesty.
I was not financially compensated for this post. I was given an advance copy of this book for review purposes. The opinions expressed in this post are completely my own based on my own experience.
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