May 29, 2009

Admission

Written by Dawn

If you happen to be one of those people who ignore the common advice and judge a book by its cover anyway, don't let this somewhat plain-looking cover fool you. Enclosed in between the simple layout is one complex story, centered around one complicated protagonist. Admission, by Jean Hanff Korelitz, is the story of Portia Nathan, an admissions officer at Princeton University, whose life is transformed before our very eyes as the novel progresses.

The fog that Portia has been living under for quite some time has become such a regular part of the background that when we are introduced to her at the onset of the story, she isn't even aware of it. As the reader, we can sense a dull ache or a plodding pace of her life, although she is apparently oblivious. As the plot unfolds, we are given bits and pieces of information about the past that Portia has been actively pushing to the back recesses of her mind, and we are witness to the inevitable changes that result from some major life upheavals that come her way.

Does this all sound a little vague? Well, yes, I guess it does, but I really don't want to give away any plot lines because I'm hoping that the intrigue will make you run out and get this book immediately! While some of the 'mystery' surrounding Portia's past gets easier to figure out as the story goes on, the complete picture of her experiences doesn't get filled in until late in the novel, and the emotions involved make the journey a challenging one for her. Portia fills the shoes of my favorite type of fictional character- conflicted, complex, and not necessarily always sure of herself. After spending so long living in that fog, Portia's reawakening to life is refreshing even while it's painful and difficult to watch. The admissions that Portia is confronted with– professionally and personally, in both senses of the word– make for an intriguing and intense novel.

With three kids and never enough hours in the day, Dawn wonders if it's possible to read in her sleep. When she's not reading or changing diapers, she's blogging away at my thoughts exactly.

Hachette Book Group has offered 5 copies of this book (U.S. and Canadian shipping addresses). Leave a comment on this post if you'd like to be eligible to win this book.

Click on the banner above to enter our other Summer Fun Giveaways. All winners will be announced on June 11.

Filed under Dawn, Fiction by Dawn

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153 Comments

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May 29, 2009

May 30, 2009

BOOKS AND MOVIES » Bookish links for Saturday, May 20, 2009

May 31, 2009

Once 5 Minutes For Books ~ "Admission" By Jean Hanff Korelitz Book Giveaway/Jun11 - CoolCanucks.ca - Canada

June 4, 2009

Book Giveaway - Admission by Jean Hanff - Ends - 06-10-2009

June 7, 2009

Cont’d: Big List of Book Giveaways, Fiction Edition – June 7 - Ms. Bookish

Comments on Admission

May 29, 2009

Jennifer (5 Minutes for Books) @ 5:39 am

HA–when I saw the cover, I liked it! And I'm fairly guilty of judging a book by it's cover, I must say.

JDSG @ 6:47 am

I'm all in for an intriguing and intense novel.

JDSG

visionquest2020 (at) msn (dot) com

MJ @ 7:24 am

This sounds like a great summer read….

mj.coward[at]gmail.com

Brittany @ 8:18 am

This looks really interesting!

Jean M. @ 8:34 am

Sounds like a good read to me. Count me in for this one!

Kipi (In My Own Little Corner) @ 8:48 am

Sounds like an interesting read!

Dena @ 9:29 am

I would love to read this. THANKS!

Amy Reads Good Books @ 9:43 am

Thanks for reviewing this. I clicked over to the author page and am very interested in this one!

Kristi @ 10:03 am

Ok – I'm intrigued by the lack of information you gave! Sign me up!

Deanna @ 10:37 am

Thanks for this review. This book sounds very intriguing. Please sign me up for the giveaway. Thanks.

edj @ 11:02 am

Well, you did a good job. I'm really intrigued and I hope I win a copy. And, btw, I actually really like the cover! It's pulling me in even more

Kitten22 @ 11:27 am

This looks great! Please enter me!

BookCrossingKitten22[at]gmail[dot]com

Melissa Sanchez @ 3:15 pm

This sounds like a great book!

Linda @ 3:29 pm

I love the cover. Simple and yet accountable. Please add me to the drawing. Thank you.

Literaturecrazy @ 3:34 pm

This was getting so many good reviews on GoodReads.com and there were 44 hold requests at my library… maybe the masses are right about this one. I'm interested.

heathernkemp(at)hotmail(dot)come

Chrissy @ 3:35 pm

Please add me! This book sounds intriguing!

veedee @ 3:55 pm

OK, I'm intrigued!

Debbie @ 5:01 pm

ooohhh, another great book giveaway. Summer reading here I come. I am going to see if my library has any of these summer giveaway books. Maybe I can read one even if I don't win.

Annmarie W. @ 5:03 pm

I never judge a book by its cover. But I do tend to pick up those that have been reviewed…and this one sounds like a winner!

Holly @ 7:35 pm

This one looks terrific. I need to add it to my list.

Angie @ 7:46 pm

I love to read and I don't judge books by their covers. (unless they're MEN – sorry!)

gaby317 @ 9:01 pm

This sounds like it'll be fun! I interview for my old college and boarding school and have been doing so for close to 15 years. It'll be fascinating to see how this book looks at admissions.

gaby317nyc AT gmail DOT com

Carrie K. @ 11:30 pm

I'd love to win this one – I've had it on my wish list since I first saw it in Bookmarks Magazine.

nnjmom at yahoo dot com

Christina @ 11:31 pm

Transformation is always an intriguing and interesting topic! Thanks so much for the chance to win!

May 30, 2009

Janice @ 3:26 am

I would love to read this book as I am the Assistant Director of Admissions at a College in Florida.

corinne @ 9:17 am

Intriguing post. I'd love to read it.

susan varney @ 9:24 am

i want to win thanks mverno@roadrunner.com

Lesley @ 9:37 am

I would love to win a copy of this one–thanks!

Mary Ward @ 12:32 pm

I've been wanting to read this. I'm catching up on my reading since my kids are now grown. It's been worth the wait.

meredith @ 1:07 pm

Aw, this sounds great!

Alicia Webster @ 1:44 pm

This sounds like a book that I would really enjoy.
Alicia Webster
5webs@comcast.net

Heather M @ 2:08 pm

I'd love a chance to win! Thanks

janeh @ 2:25 pm

I like the cover……….and I like complex characters as well…..so I'd love to read this book!

PatZ @ 3:11 pm

Sounds like an iteresting read. I'm looking for a book to take to the beach.

Amber G @ 4:12 pm

As a college freshman this fall, I am very intrigued by this book. I remember ever detail of the admissions process oh-so-well!

Sandra @ 4:59 pm

I'd love to read Admission. Please enter me, thank you.

sfuhringer(at) sympatico(DOT) ca

Linda Peters @ 6:25 pm

sounds like good summer reading, thanks

Ann Fantom @ 6:47 pm

This sounds like an interesting book that I'd like to read. Please enter me in your giveaway.

Janet F @ 8:22 pm

I would like to enter.

Thank you!

janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

clemens @ 8:55 pm

i love the hachatte book company! they have some good books. but i really want to win.

Karen B @ 10:47 pm

Sounds like a great read – please enter me!

Richard Deyarmond @ 11:36 pm

Could always use another good book

May 31, 2009

Carol Lawrence @ 6:25 am

Looks like a good read,enter this bookworm in the giveaway.

Cynthia C @ 7:46 am

I think I wuld enjoy this book. Thanks for the chance.

Valerie Mabrey @ 9:22 am

need some summer reads and this is great

Jenn S. @ 9:46 am

I am always looking for something to read. This book sounds like a winner.

Kristin Harris @ 10:54 am

I love to read. This looks like the perfect book to read before bed.

DeeAnn S @ 12:17 pm

I'd love to read how Portia comes to terms with her problems and solves them. Thanks.

Dani @ 2:19 pm

I actually like the cover and it intrigues me. Combined with your review, I want to read this book!

michele anne @ 2:41 pm

lookss like a good read.

Belinda M @ 8:13 pm

Please enter me in the giveaway

"Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Fun:
CoolCanucks.ca"

Melissa P @ 9:19 pm

This sounds like a great mystery!

Marla Taviano @ 10:13 pm

I'd love to win! Thanks!

Susan K @ 10:59 pm

Now I want to see what's inside the cover!

Angela C. @ 11:07 pm

I would love to win a copy of this book. Thanks for the giveaway.

accoupons at gmail dot com

June 1, 2009

Djp @ 5:46 am

sign me up

Joanne Schultz @ 9:12 am

ooh this book sounds wonderful!

Thanks for the giveaway!

Nicole C. @ 9:32 am

I would love to read this book!!

Sue @ 11:27 am

Looks great! Thanks for sharing~

cris @ 11:43 am

sounds like another book of twists and turns. I would love to win!

Dixie @ 5:07 pm

I'm intrigued. I'm always up for a good book.

southrngal(at)gmail(dot)com

gloria mckellar @ 7:04 pm

Would love to win this to read under a tree!
kngmckellar@hotmail.com

Vicky Boackle @ 9:24 pm

this looks like a great read.

Christi @ 10:06 pm

This sounds very cool! Thanks for sharing!

Julie Smith @ 11:49 pm

I think that this book would be very interesting to read. Most of us fall into a kind of dull monotony and become so used to it that we are unaware of when we stopped chasing our dreams.

June 2, 2009

KRistin @ 12:43 am

This book sounds so mysterious. I would love the chance to read this book over the summer!

quiltingreader @ 2:57 am

Sounds like a good book.

Dawn @ 8:59 am

You have peaked my interest!

Rebecca Cox @ 11:01 am

Yes, I would have passed this one right by. Of course, I work at a university, so Porcia's story may be very interesting for me. count me in!!!!

Jenny Martin @ 12:25 pm

I love a great read!

Tarah @ 1:52 pm

I would love to win this!

Susan C @ 3:23 pm

I have always judged a book by it's cover. I like the simplicity of this one!
smchester at gmail dot com

barbara wright @ 3:25 pm

LOL – guilty! When I'm looking for a good book, I only look at white, silver, gold, red, and black covers. I would never have given this one a second look. But it DOES sound good!

Elizabeth Sprague @ 5:02 pm

Intrigue me

Kristin @ 5:03 pm

That sounds so intriguing…and, I loved the cover.

Diane F @ 5:12 pm

Sounds like a good read!

Stacy @ 10:31 pm

This sounds like a fascinating book!

Stacy @ 10:35 pm

I subscribe via google reader

Catherine @ 10:43 pm

Thanx for the contest

June 3, 2009

Michele @ 1:50 pm

Sounds interesting…not normally something that I would pick up, but you've gotten my interest!

Rita @ 7:33 pm

After dealing with academia twnety years, I am quite interested in a new perspective profesionally!

Mozi Esmes Mommy @ 7:40 pm

Looks like an exciting read!

Sue @ 11:28 pm

Looks like a great read

June 4, 2009

sarah @ 9:48 am

enter me!

jan koontz @ 11:21 am

i would like to read this book

Michael Capp @ 11:43 am

I'd love to win!

Maria Delgado @ 7:04 pm

I am in a major reading rut and would love something new to read!

June 5, 2009

Sherri B. @ 1:21 am

You have really got my curiosity piqued! I would love the chance to find out the mystery! Thanks!

sherri419 at gmail dot com

Becky @ 12:36 pm

I would love to see this.

Carlene @ 4:59 pm

Please include me in your giveaway.
Thanks
carlene
iluvreading(at)verizon.net

Christina Brunetti @ 7:30 pm

I would love to read this.

Thanks,

darkfyre1(at)gmail(dot)com

June 6, 2009

Marianna @ 2:06 pm

Thanks for the chance to win!

scottsgal @ 4:54 pm

sounds great enter me please

bridget3420 @ 10:43 pm

Count me in:)

June 7, 2009

Angela @ 10:46 am

This looks like a great summer read- one of which I'd like to have!

Daniel M @ 1:17 pm

sounds great, i like mysteries

Kim @ 2:04 pm

love it! enter me pls

Kim @ 2:04 pm

Kim @ 2:05 pm

May Schultz @ 5:59 pm

I really would like to win this book.

DEBIJOT @ 9:17 pm

I would love to read this book. Thanks

June 8, 2009

Kevin Elliott @ 12:24 am

Thanks for the chance, I read a little excerpt, and it seems like a cool book!

gaby317 @ 8:17 am

count me in please!

gaby317nyc AT gmail DOT com

Heather H @ 11:28 am

Sounds like an interesting read.

Beth @ 12:25 pm

I'd love to have this book. Thanks for the chance.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Andria @ 1:37 pm

I would love a chance to win. Thank you.

Christina @ 1:52 pm

I always like stories about transformation. Unfortunately in life this doesn't happen as often! Thanks for the chance to win the book!

Christina @ 1:52 pm

I'm a proud subscriber to Five Minutes For Mom!

Sheila R @ 7:41 pm

This looks like a great book.
ilovebabynoah707@yahoo.com

Susan Smith @ 10:10 pm

Looks like a good book

Kathy D @ 10:40 pm

Would love for a great summer read…..

Christine Walker @ 10:46 pm

This looks good. I need a new book to get into.

Suzy Levin @ 11:41 pm

Please enter me in this great giveaway for Admission! Thanks!
Suzanne
quzy(at)mac(dot)com

June 9, 2009

Shelly T. @ 2:23 am

Well, you made this book sound most intriguing!
I would love the chance to win it and read it.

Erma H @ 6:24 am

I would love to win this, thanks.

Pamela S @ 11:52 am

This sounds like a fun summer read. I hope I haven't already entered this contest. I couldn't find an entry but it seems familiar. Thanks.

Tammy @ 1:47 pm

This sounds like a very interesting read

Denise @ 2:43 pm

This sounds like a good read!

ALISSA @ 3:04 pm

Sounds interesting. I would love to read it.

Marie @ 3:13 pm

I would love to read this, it looks great!

John Carr @ 4:39 pm

I don't read but my wife would like it.

Melanie @ 7:24 pm

I would love this!
Im still not quite sure exactly what its about..
but if I knew everything I wouldn't have to read the book, right?

Ellie W @ 7:43 pm

Sounds like a great book. Thanks for the giveaway. Please enter me.
eswright18 at gmail dot com

Angela @ 8:01 pm

I would love to have this!

Jennifer Hedden @ 10:10 pm

enter me

Chrysa @ 11:23 pm

Looks great! Thanks for the giveaway!

June 10, 2009

angie @ 12:25 am

This sounds like a great book.

Geoff K @ 12:45 am

Sounds like a terrific read – I love character-driven novels, and being in the academic world myself, I'm guessing I'll find it easy to identify with the central character. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!