What’s better than Prozac, Five Guys, a hand job, and finding forty dollars in your pocket?
BOOKLIST starred Review
Growing up, Lerner (Food and Loathing, 2003) has memories of her mother’s bridge club, dressed in sweater sets, arriving on Mondays for lunch and a game. The five ladies, now in their eighties, are all Jewish, attended college, were full-time homemakers, and have played together for 50 years. Whe circumstances send Lerner back to her childhood home, she returns to all the unresolved issues between her and her mother. Lerner decides that by learning to play bridge and getting to know the club members better, she may be able to finally understand her mother (who still pushes her buttons). As she interviews the ladies, Lerner, used to the open sharing of her generation, is at first stymied by the bridge ladies’ reticence. But as she delves into their pasts (while honing her bridge game), she begins to reluctantly admire their generations’ strict code of conduct and steadfast bravery. Lerner is unfailingly honest in her comments, and her insights into mother-daughter relationship are poignant. Bridge aficionados or not, readers will be drawn into this touching tribute to a generation of women who had seemingly had their priorities straight and their lives in control, at a price. Lerner’s portraits may well help grown daughters facing similar struggles gain some perspective.— Candace Smith
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Betsy Lerner 
Well done, you. Never doubted for a second.
This, for sure is the bees knees. As always, you’re my hero. Now you can go have some 5 guys – and maybe ask them to take you out for a burger after?!
Huzzah! Looking forward to reading it.
This puts that Amazon review in its proper place.
I can’t wait to read this. Here’s what I know. I’ve read your work and reviews (IMO) really only matter to the writer. Even if every single review you shared said it sucked to high heaven, I’d still read it b/c I happen to LOVE your writing.
How’s that?
Nice. Every time I read something about The Bridge Ladies I want to find out more about these women. In this review, the line that stuck out was: “… attended college, were full time homemakers….”. What became of that education and what was college like for women in the 1950s? I’m intrigued.
What became of that education?
Um, well, college educated moms raise offspring like Betsy and other interesting people hanging out here. You lose none of your education by choosing to stay at home.
Amen to that!
Oh please. I staying at home with the kiddies was such a boon to the intellect, men would have co-opted that “privilege” eons ago.
Of course!
I want that lunch.
Yeah, baby!
That’s a million-dollar review, and I bet it’s tastier than magical calorie-free Five Guys.
Nice!
Most excellent!
So cool. Can’t wait!