Amid the backdrop of the turbulent 1960's, five women living in Palo Alto forge lifetime friendships throughout the political, social, and cultural changes, as well as their own personal struggles and triumphs.  Their friendships begin in the neighborhood park, where they eventually move from pleasant banter about husbands, homes, and children to discovering mutual interests, shared visions, and individual desires.

Linda has the look of the quintessential California girl, but it is her Connecticut Yankee bravado that provides the catalyst leading to these women becoming "The Wednesday Sisters," a writing group the women form.  Frankie (Mary Frances) O'Mara, settles into her new home with her engineer husband Danny and two children, ready to live the American Dream, only to discover the dreams she left behind will not rest.  On the day Bobby Kennedy is shot, quiet Ally emerges from the shadow of her home, believing she can hide her insecurities and longings in light of this national tragedy.  Southern Belle Kath, always ready with a turn of phrase and bless-your-heart smile, faces the shattering of her perfect family picture and "Brainy" Brett's enigmatic character, personified by the wearing of white gloves, blends her talent and intellect to create the "write mix" for her novel.

Through miscarriages and births, illness and infidelity, "The Wednesday Sisters" write their way through the changing role of feminism and discover each other and themselves.  Meg Waite Clayton captures in literature the essence of the lyrics Helen Reddy made famous during this era.  You too may be singing "Oh, yes Ii am wise but it's wisdom for the pain; yes, I've paid the price, but look how much I've gained" by the end of the novel.

If you have a daughter, encourage her to read this book so she may glimpse how far we've come and how far she may go!  Also, a great read for "Mars" who may truly want to understand "Venus" a bit better.