Wayward

Sam is a 52-year-old woman who impulsively buys a fixer-upper house in Syracuse during the Trump presidency and the early days of the #MeToo movement. She leaves her husband and teenage daughter behind in their suburban home, drawn to the promise of independence and reinvention that the dilapidated property represents. The narrative follows Sam as she navigates her new solo life while maintaining connections with her family, particularly her daughter Ally who faces her own struggles. Sam becomes involved with online communities focused on menopause and feminist activism, seeking meaning in both digital and physical spaces. Against the backdrop of 2017's political and social upheaval, Sam confronts questions about aging, motherhood, marriage, and personal authenticity. Her choices force her to examine the gap between her ideals and reality, between who she wants to be and who she has become. The novel explores themes of female identity and autonomy in middle age, asking what freedom means at different life stages and what we owe to ourselves versus others. Through Sam's story, the book examines how personal transformation intersects with family obligations and societal expectations.

Readers describe this as a thoughtful exploration of female midlife crisis and modern motherhood, though many found the pacing slow and the protagonist difficult to empathize with. Readers appreciated: - Sharp observations about aging, feminism, and social media - Details about architecture and historic homes - Commentary on modern political divisions - Mother-daughter relationship dynamics Common criticisms: - Main character comes across as self-absorbed and privileged - Plot meanders without clear direction - Supporting characters lack depth - Political elements feel heavy-handed Ratings: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (3,800+ ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (500+ ratings) Representative reader comment: "Spiotta nails the restlessness of middle age, but Sam's endless navel-gazing made it hard to stay invested." - Goodreads reviewer Multiple readers noted they abandoned the book partway through, citing the slow pace and unsympathetic protagonist as key factors.

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📚 In "Wayward," the main character Sam's midlife crisis is sparked by her obsession with a historic Arts and Crafts house in Syracuse, mirroring the author's own move to Syracuse and her appreciation for the city's architectural heritage. 🏠 The book explores the real-life phenomenon of historic homes in Syracuse selling for surprisingly low prices, some for less than $100,000, despite their architectural significance. ✨ Dana Spiotta wrote much of the novel during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic and incorporated the brewing tension of 2016's political climate into the narrative. 👥 The mother-daughter relationship central to the book was partially inspired by Spiotta's experiences as both a daughter and a mother of a teenage girl. 🌟 The title "Wayward" has multiple meanings in the context of the book, referring not only to the main character's rebellious behavior but also to the 1970s feminist movement "Women's Land Army," which encouraged women to live independently on rural land.