by Leslie Farin
This month’s pick of the month from Andrea Peskind-Katz from GREAT THOUGHTS, GREAT READERS is Behind Every Good Man by Sara Goodman Confino.
What is Behind Every Good Man About?
It’s 1962, a year marked by significant events in American politics and culture, including the civil rights movement and the rise of feminism.
Beverly, a traditional Maryland housewife and mother, finds her marriage crashing down when she catches her husband, Larry, having an affair. Larry runs the senatorial campaign for the Maryland incumbent, a role that benefitted greatly from Beverly’s support and her father’s political connections. Beverly asks Larry to leave the house, opting to file for divorce, despite the fear and stigma attached to becoming a divorcée in the 60s.
Determined not to have to rely solely on her husband’s generosity for income moving forward, Beverly sets out to find a job. However, without typing skills, she is unable to secure a position as a secretary. She then accepts a job at the makeup counter at a local department store, but her mother considers the job an embarrassment to their prominent family and demands she quit.
After much thought, Beverly sets out to get herself a job campaigning for the senatorial candidate opposing the incumbent Larry represents. Having grown up in the political world, she feels well-equipped to do the job, especially with some guidance from her father. Convincing the candidate, Michael, and his current campaign manager, Stuart, was a challenge, though. However, it turns out they recognize fairly quickly that Beverly has some good ideas of how a younger, underdog opponent could win. Larry is incensed that she works for the opposition, which is sweet revenge for Beverly. After getting to know the candidate, though, it becomes less about revenge and more about getting the better person elected.
Beverly’s mom, Millie, moves into the house to watch Beverly’s children so she can work on the campaign. Though the relationship between the two women is somewhat difficult, she is a big help. Awhile after Millie moves in, Beverly learns to her surprise that her mother is dissatisfied with her long-term marriage. She says she wants to leave her father. Beverly decides she will come up with a plan to get them back together and hopes if she succeeds their bond will be stronger than ever. In the meantime, she becomes closer with each of them in different ways.
My Review of Behind Every Good Man
Behind Every Good Man delivers the perfect mix of humor, heart, and female empowerment. It is feel-good historical fiction that sheds light on what life was like in the 1960s, and the limited choices women had at the time. This book perfectly highlights the precarious nature of women economically, socially and within marriage. Society expected women in that era to stay at home and put aside their goals and aspirations while satisfying the needs of everybody else. The cultural norm was for married women to look the other way if their husband had an indiscretion or was abusive. Divorce was a scary decision in 1962; many women remained in difficult marriages rather than deal with the emotional and financial consequences of being alone. The brave women who did not accept the status quo and forged mutually supportive relationships and pursued both a career and a family in the 60s helped pave the way for women today.
The characters in the story are well developed, and I am hard pressed to choose a favorite character. Beverly is a powerhouse who takes charge and gets things done. She demonstrates what a woman can do when she puts her mind to it. Her mom, Millie, with her dry, quirky humor added a touch of lightness to the story. Michael, Beverly’s boss, is a breath of fresh air who shows well-deserved appreciation and respect for Beverly. Stuart’s behavior and his grudging acceptance of Beverly made me laugh, as did how she handled the situation and eventually won him over. I found myself rooting for a number of different characters throughout the story.
While an entertaining and compelling read, Behind Every Good Man showcases a host of important topics. The talented author deals with divorce, women’s issues, shady politics, race relations, classism, antisemitism, mother-daughter relationships, and more in an easy to understand, relatable way. Unfortunately, some of these issues are still problems today.
I loved this book from start to finish and finished it in three days. Highly recommend! And be sure to read the AUTHORS NOTE at the end of the book to learn about the real women who inspired the story.
About the Author: Sara Goodman Confino
Sara Goodman Confino is the bestselling author of Don’t Forget to Write, She’s Up to No Good, and For the Love of Friends. She teaches high school journalism and creative writing in Montgomery County, Maryland, where she lives with her husband, two sons, and two miniature schnauzers, Sandy and Gracie. When she’s not writing or working out, she can be found on the beach or at a Bruce Springsteen show, sometimes even dancing onstage. For more information, visit saraconfino.com.
About Andrea Peskind Katz from Great Thoughts, Great Readers
Andrea Peskind Katz runs Great Thoughts, Great Readers, a Book Salon presented via her private FB group where approximately 5,000 prolific readers and authors interact. To quote Robert Frost, she created her “second act” career to “unite my avocation and my vocation”. After 20 years in high-pressure sales, Andrea retired to spend time doing what she loves best: hanging with her family and reading good books.
FAQs About Gender and Women’s Issues in the 60s
Women experienced a wave of social change driven by the feminist movement in the 1960s. The publication of Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique (1963) challenged traditional gender roles and highlighted the dissatisfaction many women felt with societal expectations and domestic life. The rise of second-wave feminism focused on issues like workplace discrimination, reproductive rights, and gender equality. Significant legal advancements aimed at reducing gender-based discrimination included the Equal Pay Act (1963) and the Civil Rights Act (1964).
What were the typical expectations for women in the 1960s regarding marriage and family life?
Societal expectations emphasized that women’s primary roles were as wives and mothers. They were expected to prioritize being wives and mothers over personal ambitions. Deviations from this norm were often met with social disapproval.
How did the feminist movement impact women’s roles in the workplace?
The feminist movement pushed for greater equality in the workplace. It pushed for equal pay and opportunities that led to gradual improvements during a time most women were confined to traditional roles. Women began to enter professions dominated by men, though significant barriers and prejudice persist to this day. The Equal Pay Act of 1963 aimed to eliminate wage disparity between men and women performing the same job, another issue we are still working on all these years later.
The introduction of birth control pills impact women in the 60s?
Having reliable means of contraception allowed women greater control over their reproductive choices. This advancement contributed to shifts in societal norms regarding sexuality and family planning. As a result, women were able to pursue careers and educational opportunities with more freedom.
How did the civil rights movement impact women, particularly women of color?
The civil rights movement highlighted intersectional issues, especially for women of color facing both racial and gender discrimination. Activists like Rosa Parks and groups like the National Black Feminist Organization (NBFO) worked to address these inequalities.
Did the media reflect the changing roles of women in the 1960s?
Yes! Popular culture began to reflect and influence the changing roles of women. Television shows, movies, and music of the 1960s started to challenge traditional gender roles and portray more diverse representations of women. For example, TV shows such as That Girl, which premiered in 1966 starring Marlo Thomas as a groundbreaking independent career woman. Lucille Ball in I Love Lucy, which premiered in 1962, highlighted a strong female character who was not reliant on her husband.
Did women’s educational opportunities change in the 1960s?
Absolutely. Educational opportunities for women expanded during the 1960s, with women pursuing higher education and entering fields previously dominated by men. The passage of laws and the efforts of feminist organizations increased access to educational institutions and encouraged women to seek advanced degrees.
Leslie Farin is the Publisher and Founder of 50PlusToday. She is an experienced communications and marketing professional passionate about working with older adults and their families. She works with a team of writers to provide essential and cutting-edge information related to the 50Plus community.
