Watching the first two episodes of the new HBO series “Girls,” I chuckled, cringed and laughed out loud. That was when 24-year-old Hannah announced to her parents that she believed she was “the voice of her generation,” or at least “a voice,” and needed $1100 a month for the next two years to finish her collection of essays. Her mother sputtered, “That’s ridiculous!”
Present-day me agrees with mom. But long-ago me recognizes the confident bravado of the young writer when everything is bright and shiny and possible. Still, as Hanna’s gynecologist asserts in the next episode, “I wouldn’t be 24 again.”
I can’t speak for Anna Quindlen (more on that in a moment), but I imagine that she would have a similar reaction to “Girls.” Her new memoir, Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake, reminded me that Quindlen is the voice of my generation, beginning with her “Life in the Thirties” column for the New York Times 25 years ago and continuing through her books. Like many other women of a certain age, I find myself nodding in agreement as I read her new one.
Early on, she writes, “There comes that moment when we finally know what matters and, perhaps, more important, what doesn’t, when we see that all the life lessons came not from what we had but from whom we loved, and from the failures perhaps more than the successes. … We understand ourselves, our lives, retrospectively.”
How true. As are her observations on collecting “stuff,” the choices that bless and burden our generation of women, how much of life is surprise and happy accident, the importance of girlfriends, “the joists that hold up the house of our existence.”
I could continue quoting, but you should have the pleasure of discovering what Quindlen has to say on your own. It’s like an ongoing conversation with your BFF about books, men, mothers, kids, work, aging. I can’t speak for Anna Quindlen, but she sure speaks for me.
Open Book: I’ve never met Anna Quindlen, but I feel like I know her through her books and novels, and having looked at a series of pictures of her at different ages in the current issue of More magazine, I know we sort of look alike, except for our noses. And having read her over the years, I know we share remarkably similar interests and views. So much so that after reading a NetGalley digital copy of Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake (Random House), I bought two hardcover copies — one for my college roommate for her birthday, and one for me just because.
On a Clear Day I Can Read Forever 
I love how you incorporated your take on Girls. I haven’t see the show or read this particular book but I think I’d enjoy it based on what you shared here.
Thanks for dropping by, Ti. If you read the book, I’d be interested on your take as a younger woman! As always enjoying your blog and GoodReads reviews, even if I am a lazy commentator
One of my favorite sayings that comes out of my mouth almost on a weekly basis is “never underestimate the power of a girlfriend”. Without mine, I’m pretty sure I’d be in the nuthouse, excommunicated from my kids and divorced. As for Quindlen, I’ve only just recently read my first “Every Last One” and I was sufficiently BLOWN AWAY. So now I’m motivated to dig into her back list.
The novels are good, but the nonfiction really resonates with me. Home truths! Be curious to hear what you think.
Nancy, I was holding off reading this until I finish a couple of tasks. But after seeing several interviews with her, and reading your review, this weekend will be devoted to this book. I,too, plan to order digitally and purchase a hard copy because I love her books so much.