So, this is officially my first review of a book that I wasn’t so crazy about. Details to come.
I feel like Reese Witherspoon is a pretty good spiritual guide, and so I make a point to read many of her "Reese's Book Club" recommendations. She’s picked some incredible stories (i.e., “Crawdads,” “Little Fires"). I used this instinct to purchase her book club pick “The Whisper Network” by Chandler Baker, a story that follows three affluent lawyers as they fight sexism and misogyny in their workplace, right at the beginning boom of the #MeToo movement.
The plot sounded delicious, and justice served where it is long overdue is a topic I love to digest. But, what fell flat to me was the characterization of our lead females Sloane, Artie and Grace, and the slow movement and anticlimactic build of this story. When it hit its peak, it was predictable and stereotypical, which I wish was a barrier Baker could have broken.
Sloane, Artie and Grace are corporate lawyers at Truviv Inc., a Dallas law firm that represents a large athletic company. Within their company lies a long history of abuse and mistreatment, mostly stemming from soon-to-be CEO, Ames Garrett. Sloane was toxically involved with Ames upon her arrival in the company and is worried about the safety of new and naive recruit, Katherine Bell. Sloane decides valiantly spearhead the first attack against Ames, but it doesn't seem to progress until ⅔ into the novel. Sloane’s energy is buzzing and attractive, as she is bold, brash, and unafraid to come to women’s defense, which of course is an amazing quality. Katherine, on the other hand, proves to be an example of a woman turning her back on another woman, which, though frustrating, did show what could happen when tensions clash between personal and professional aspirations.
These affluent and corporate women spend much of the book musing on the burdens of privilege, and not on dismantling the patriarchy at Truviv. It is clear they have all worked and fought incredibly hard to get where they are at Truviv. But, less time is spent discussing their drive and more is spent on their disappointing husbands, affairs, and materialism. Which, is okay, just not super inspiring in a story of women’s activism. I so wish these power players were just more enticing to root for.
The much more enticing woman behind the story is Rosalita Guillen, who is insightful, thoughtful, and absolutely heroic. She is introduced as Truviv’s designated cleaning service, spending the nights weaving in and out of cubicles and surveying the behind-the-scenes of Truviv’s operations — and scandals. She witnesses a key piece of information that drives this story’s vengeance against Ames, and she is essential for Sloane, Artie, and Grace’s ultimate successes.
This read is an accesible entry to some quality feminism. It has charming breakthroughs and great descriptive moments, but overall lacked the punchiness and diversity a modern activism story should have. Overall, I would give this read a 3/5.
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