Crossing Washington Square

Joanne Rendell struck gold with her first novel The Professors' Wives Club, and she returns to the familiar territory of fictional university Manhattan U (likely based on New York University) in her second novel Crossing Washington Square. In it, Rendell proves that her first novel was not just a fluke; Crossing Washington Square is a charming novel that you won't want to put down. The most appealing part of Crossing Washington Square was the discussion of literature versus popular fiction within its pages. More and more these days, "serious" critics slam genres such as women's fiction and chick lit, dismissing them as fluff and therefore having no value. Using Rachel as a conduit, Rendell shows that these lighter genres can still have valuable information for readers; they shouldn't be looked over simply because of the images on their covers. She has very specific discussions in this novel which are great to read and really prove her point. Just because a book is light doesn't mean it doesn't have substance. The academic setting within Crossing Washington Square works very well within this novel. It was interesting to see the departmental politics; Rendell describes the feelings of professors very well. She makes Rachel's frustrations with her students palpable. Both Rachel and Diana are extremely well-written characters. While readers won't necessarily be able to identify with both because they are so different, they will sympathize with them. Rendell really makes both of these women come alive within the pages of Crossing Washington Square. Additionally, it is very satisfying to watch each of them influence each other and grow as people. It's really nice to see Rachel finding strength within herself and Diana begin to open up to people as the book progresses. Crossing Washington Square was a thoroughly enjoyable novel that was a delight to read. The discussion of popular fiction versus literature alone makes the book worth reading, but the fact that it's a wonderful women's fiction novel is icing on the cake. This is a book that's not to be missed! 4.5 Stars rounded up to 5

I have eagerly been waiting for Rendell's second novel. I loved her first book and was not disappointed by CROSSING WASHINGTON SQUARE. The plot moved easily and quickly as the author developed the characters. The politics of life,especially among college educators, is harsh to say the least. The author portrayed this perfectly. I love the way the author always teaches me something or motivates me to do some research. I loved the book and look forward to the next one.

Once I started reading Joanne Rendell's new novel, Crossing Washington Square, I had a hard time putting it down. This gripping book tells the story of two strong women, both of them faculty in the English Literature Department of Manhattan U. The story takes the protagonists--polar opposites in personality, style and in their academic orientations--through unexpected twists and turns from New York to London and back. Over time, the two archenemies find that they have more in common than they first realized. This is intelligent chick lit, an engaging story beautifully told with multiple layers that touch some of the major issues relevant to the experience of women: relationships between friends, family, colleagues and lovers. So I was delighted to have the opportunity to interview Joanne Rendell, who also wrote The Professors' Wives Club: How do your novels draw upon your own life experiences as a professor's wife living on the campus of NYU? Both my books are set at Manhattan U., a university that resembles very closely NYU where my husband is a professor and where we live in faculty housing. Characters and storylines, although sometimes loosely based on things I've heard and seen, are largely fictional. I draw inspiration from other books, movies, philosophical ideas, and cultural concepts more than I do from real events and people. With Crossing Washington Square one of my main inspirations was other novels about university life. I've always enjoyed these kinds of books (think Michael Chabon's Wonder Boys or Richard Russo's The Straight Man). But what I noticed about such "campus fiction" was the lack of female professors in leading roles. Furthermore, most of the male professors in campus novels are disillusioned drunks who quite often sleep with their students, or at least consider sleeping with their students or are accused of it. I wanted to write a novel with women professors at the forefront and I wanted these women to be strong, smart, and interesting - instead of drunk, despondent, and preoccupied with questionable romantic liaisons. In what ways are you like Professor Diana Monroe, one of the lead characters in Crossing Washington Square? Out of the two characters, Diana is the more established and esteemed professor. She's also very cool, calm, controlled, and aloof. She is the kind of uber-professor every academic wants to be with her grace, poise, and razor sharp mind. But she's also a little scary too. Although I'm pretty cool and calm and I was born in England, just like Diana was, I share little else with her. In what ways are you like Professor Rachel Grey? I'm a lot more like Rachel, although without the tempestuous side. As a grad student, I was always caught in a conundrum. By day I would be reading classical literature and poetry, but at night I loved to read women's popular fiction. Bridget Jones' Diary, I have to say, is one of my all time favorite books. Rachel is like this too. She loves women's fiction acro

I really enjoyed entering the lives of these two radically different, but equally fascinating women. Their heated debates and professorial escapades kept me on the edge of my seat. And ultimately reminded me that the more we are different, the more we're the same.

I flew through this book in a day! It was a very enjoyable read and reminded me of why I love contemporary women's fiction so much! The two main characters, Rachel and Diana, were very different people and automatically dislike each other. Yet, both the characters were still relatable which made this book really appealing. They each experienced some of their own struggles, but they were great examples of strong, confident, and intelligent women and left me feeling empowered as a woman as well. I love when, while reading, I feel like I am cheering on the characters, which I did when reading this. Another interesting aspect was the discussions between the characters as they engaged in heated debates about the merits of popular women's fiction. This was also compared to classic fiction of Jane Austen and Sylvia Plath. And should popular fiction be disregarded as "fluff" when, in fact, so many women feel they can relate and thus enjoy reading it? This is some of what the characters talk about in the book but it does not come off at all like a lecture... it just adds to the story and still gives the reader something to think about. AND made me want to go back and read both Austen and Plath. =) For those who enjoy popular women's fiction, Jane Austen, books about colleges or professors, or even just discussions about books in general, this novel is a gem. The plot was well paced and continuously moved forward, engaging the reader throughout and I definitely recommend it!