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The Group

The 60th anniversary edition of this international bestseller about female friendship, with a new introduction by Monica Ali
By Mary McCarthy
Series: Virago Modern Classics
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Check link for latest rating. ( 17,059 ratings, 1,754 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Group by Mary McCarthy follows the lives of eight Vassar College graduates from the 1930s as they navigate adulthood and societal expectations. The novel explores their personal and professional struggles, friendships, and romances, set against the backdrop of changing social norms in America. McCarthy provides a keen observation on the challenges faced by women in this era, focusing on their pursuit of independence and fulfillment.
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Format: Hardback
$4999
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy exploring the complexities of female friendships and societal expectations through vividly portrayed characters. Set against the backdrop of 1930s America, it offers a rich tapestry of personal and cultural challenges faced by women during that era.

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The Group

A beautiful hardback edition to mark the 60th anniversary of the bestselling, influential novel about women's lives and female friendships.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

'Juicy, shocking, witty, and almost continually brilliant' COSMOPOLITAN

'A brilliant novel: honest, engaging and sharp as a tack' SARAH WATERS

'Lively, vivid and exceedingly entertaining' SUNDAY TIMES

This groundbreaking novel celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2023. One of the first novels to frankly depict friendship, sex and women's lives, it was a revelation and continues to inspire today.

WITH A NEW INTRODUCTION BY MONICA ALI

Mary McCarthy's most celebrated novel portrays the lives and aspirations of eight Vassar graduates. The Group meet in New York following graduation to attend the wedding of one of their friends – and reconvene seven years later at her funeral. The women, fresh from college, vowed not to become stuffy and frightened like their parents, but to lead fulfilling, emancipated lives. Who really achieved this – and what sacrifices and compromises had to be made?

'McCarthy's characters confront many of the same issues as their modern counterparts: sex and contraception, career and marriage, love and lust, fidelity to one's husband versus loyalty to one's friends and the attempt to carve out a place for oneself unconstrained by the gender limitations of previous generations. Its continuing relevance is one of the book's most extraordinary attributes' ELIZABETH DAY, GUARDIAN

Series: Virago Modern Classics

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Mary McCarthy's The Group is praised for its absorbing, witty, and often shocking narrative, capturing a generational portrait with keen insight and satire. Critics appreciate its honesty and sharpness, noting its relevance in tackling issues of sex, career, and personal identity, similar to contemporary concerns. The book’s prose is described as lively and vivid, combining elements of humour, insight, and a touch of sadness, making it a standout piece of fiction.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780349018058

Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 03 August 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Virago Press Ltd

Contributors:

  • Introduction by Monica Ali
  • Introduction by Candace Bushnell
  • Introduction by Monica Ali

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 36.0mm

Width: 132.0mm

Height: 200.0mm

Weight: 590g

Pages: 448

Collections

Fiction General Fiction Literary Fiction Mary McCarthy Series: Virago Modern Classics

About the Author

Mary McCarthy (1912-1989) was born in Seattle, Washington. She was a short-story writer, bestselling novelist, essayist and an art critic. She was a member of the National Institute of Arts and Letters and won the National Medal for Literature and the Edward MacDowell Medal in 1984. Her debut novel, The Company She Keeps (1942), initiated her ascent to the most celebrated writers of her generation; the publication of her autobiography Memories of a Catholic Girlhood in 1957 bolstered this reputation. McCarthy wrote more than twenty-four books, including the now-classic novel The Group (1963). This was the New York Times Best Seller for two years.

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