Sam
By Allegra Goodman
316 pages
What’s it about?
This coming-of-age story skillfully highlights how difficult it is to be a teenager. We watch Sam grow from a child into a young adult and see her struggle with all the complex issues teenagers must deal with.What did it make me think about?
Is coming-of-age easy for anyone?Should I read it?
Sam was a “Read with Jenna” pick for the Today show in January of 2023. Since I previously read Kaaterskill Falls and The Family Markowitz by Allegra Goodman and enjoyed them- I was looking forward to Sam. Both earlier books were good stories about complicated families. Sam was a slim novel, and although it was a little slow going for me initially, I ended up enjoying it. It was nice to read a book where as flawed as the characters are- they are all doing the best they can for each other.Quote-
“Usually in life it’s better to be sad. Sad is more lovable- just like dying is more acceptable than drinking full-time. Every once in a while, Sam thinks it would be easier if her dad died- especially if he would die of something you can sympathize with like cancer.”What’s it about?
This coming-of-age story skillfully highlights how difficult it is to be a teenager. We watch Sam grow from a child into a young adult and see her struggle with all the complex issues teenagers must deal with.
What did it make me think about?
Is coming-of-age easy for anyone?
Should I read it?
Sam was a “Read with Jenna” pick for the Today show in January of 2023. Since I previously read Kaaterskill Falls and The Family Markowitz by Allegra Goodman and enjoyed them- I was looking forward to Sam. Both earlier books were good stories about complicated families. Sam was a slim novel, and although it was a little slow going for me initially, I ended up enjoying it. It was nice to read a book where as flawed as the characters are- they are all doing the best they can for each other.
Quote-
“Usually in life it’s better to be sad. Sad is more lovable- just like dying is more acceptable than drinking full-time. Every once in a while, Sam thinks it would be easier if her dad died- especially if he would die of something you can sympathize with like cancer.”
