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Monday, July 6, 2015

Primates of Park Avenue by Wednesday Martin Been Bookin'? Book Review


Primates of Park Avenue by Wednesday Martin is a nonfiction book written by an Upper East Side New York mother. Having married a native New Yorker, Martin was then thrown into the Upper East Side lifestyle. In college Martin had the opportunity to study anthropology as well as primatology and was then able to apply knowledge from that area to motherhood in the Upper East Side. 

This was a completely different world compared to where I grew up and where I live now. People are friendly, we introduce ourselves as ourselves, and we aren't overly materialistic. According to Martin, mothers from the Upper East Side of New York were cold, they introduce themselves as their kids, meaning they are their kids and not their own person, and they are focused on material things that set their social status. A specific incident includes her story of acquiring her own Berkin bag which run from $10,000 and up. 

Mothers are required to "audition" their children for school, playdates, and much more. In order to get in with the right people and right schools, women must go through a grueling process. Once one child in the family has successfully entered a certain school, any other children are able to attend that school without "auditioning."

Martin was slowly going from the observer to a part of the tribe and saw that with all the unnecessary things mothers were "required" to do in this area, they turned to drinking and drugs for comfort. She, too, did this. For some women, drinking was better than having to face reality everyday. 

After finishing this title, I have went through several emotions. While I was reading, I loved it. It was a completely different book from what I am used to reading and it was shocking to me that all these things happen elsewhere in the world. Once I finished, I still really appreciated the fact that I read it. Although it did not provide a ton of information, it was detailed enough for me that I could picture what was happen to Martin. The ending chapter was quite emotional, especially being a parent myself. I won't tell you about that in case anyone would like to read this title. 

Overall I give Primates of Park Avenue a 4 note rating!

4 NOTE RATING

Hookability: 4 notes
Story: 4 notes
Writing Style: 4 notes
Overall: 4 notes

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