"Commencement: A Novel" Review

Commencement: A Novel

by J. Courtney Sullivan

7/10

My Synopsis:

Commencement by J. Courtney Sullivan is the story of four friends: Celia, Bree, Sally and April.  The story opens just before Sally’s wedding but mainly we get to know  the girls during their time at college.  They meet each other for the first time moving into their dorm on their first day.  We follow their ups and downs, highs and lows during their education, through their graduation and beyond.  They begin to go their separate ways and pursue their individual dreams.  What will the future hold for each of these modern, intelligent, independent women and will their friendship survive the trials and tribulations that life brings?

My Opinion:

Commencement is chick lit without the romance factor and thus, a bit more substance.  It is the story of friendship and love between four non-biological “sisters”.  I liked the strong female characters and the girl power message.  The characters were written very life-like.  The story was pleasant and progressed nicely.  It was interesting to see the girls realize just how strong yet fragile their friendship is and how the choices they make can impact it.  I usually try to formulate images of the characters in a book – sometimes casting people I know both real and fictitious in the roles, but I had trouble with that while reading this book.  Could mean they were not stereotypical or overdone characters but unique and original or it could mean that I was uninspired to mentally do the task.  I really don’t know which.  Maybe a little of both.  I could picture the campus and other aspects of the setting but the only character I could picture was Bree.  While I enjoyed reading this book, I was disappointed by the ending.  I wanted a different outcome.  Something stronger, making more of a statement.  Commencement is a good read and I am interested in looking for more of J. Courtney Sullivan’s work.  If you aren’t of the female persuasion, don’t bother but it’s a must read for anyone who is, was or ever hopes to be a member of a sorority.  7/10