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There are currently 23 member reviews
for The Take
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Jean F. (Cary, NC)
A DEAL WITH THE DEVIL
In The Take, Maggie, a young woman in her twenties, is eager to get her first novel published. An encounter with Ingrid, a seasoned movie producer, gets Maggie help with her writing, some useful introductions, and maybe the chance to create the screenplay for a new film. This assistance, however, is part of a deal she enters into with Ingrid that has momentous consequences for them both, especially Maggie.
Initially, I thought the novel's premise was wacky, but then I bought into it and got hooked. I found Maggie incredibly naïve and trusting and wasn't sure she would truly see what was happening and how she was being used. A fast-paced read about money, morals, race, and gender, it's played out against the movie industry. This is Yang's first novel for adults, and it has a breezy quality to it. Issues are not treated in depth, and some characters are less well defined, but the book is still good entertainment.
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Robin S. (Tall Timbers, MD)
The Take
What a fun book to read! I zipped through the pages in one sitting and enjoyed every calamity the characters caused themselves. The Take by Kelly Young features two strong female characters, one young struggling to make her mark on the world and the older woman trying desperately to hang on to being at the top of her career. They need each other to reach their goals, but individual ambitions threaten their results.
It was easy to get caught up in the characters. At different points of the novel, I either admired them both & was totally embarrassed by them. I was definitely caught up in their behaviors.
As I wrote, this book was so enjoyable, I see it as a great summer/beach read.
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Linda V. (Independence, KY)
Different take on feminism
At first glance, this book appears to be a Hollywood/beach read. Fast intro to characters and then onto a situation or problem. Don't be quick to judge either the book or the two main female characters. I started agreeing with one character, then switching to the other and then...examining both of them with a more critical eye. I sided with youth at first, remembering how no one thinks a young person has experiences more worthy than those of a more seasoned person. "You have to earn your stripes." And then, I switched to the more mature character, thinking, "yeah, I worked hard to get here." But in the end, both are wanting the same thing - success and recognition. But at what cost? This is the ultimate decision, I believe. What are you willing to give up, lose or sacrifice - your youth, your family, your dignity?
Interesting and thought provoking read. Good book for book club discussions.
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Debbie C. (Sun Lakes, AZ)
Cost of Dreams
Two women with their goals and how they get there. Learning along the way or following fears and the past. Using others to meet your goal and needs or learning how to stand on your own and do things your own way. It is quite controversial - whether to do things via control to gain your desire or to with what is true for you. One succeeds and the other loses all.
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Michele P. (Olean, NY)
The Take
A new twist on a very old story. The Take has been (or almost has been) sucks the life out of a promising young threat to continue their dominance. This reads like a made for TV movie. It is not literary fiction by any stretch. The characters were one dimensional and the book didn't say anything new. It is unfortunate that publishers misuse the literary fiction genre tag so often. Folks looking for lit fiction will not find this satisfying but those looking for more plot and drama would like this I believe.
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Deborah G. (Black Mountain, NC)
Not Taken In
Kelly Yang's first adult novel, The Take, portrays Maggie Wang's struggles to move from MFA student to published writer. Yang revisits themes of young Asian women struggling with white mentors' devaluing or appropriating their work, demanding mothers, cheating boyfriends, and problematic girlfriends. Despite some interesting plot twists, I wasn't as sympathetic to Maggie's travails as I suspect Yang intended. Maggie seemed self-absorbed and unrealistically impatient for recognition of her work. As she faced several challenges, she seemed to exacerbate her problems, sometimes alienating those who might be able to help. She agrees to a contract for services that will make her wealthy but puts her health at risk. This arrangement forces the central characters to confront their—and societies'—attitudes about women's aging. I was not drawn into the competitive world of fighting for literary agents, film options, and screen-writing contracts so I felt more a bystander than an engaged reader.
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Donna D. (Riverside, IL)
Interesting Questions
THE TAKE left me cold! I struggled to both get into and then finish the story. The premise is interesting as are the characters. I did think they could have been drawn in more detail.
It does, however, raise some interesting questions. What are you willing to sacrifice for youth or for money? Why does acceptance continue to rest on superficial traits ? What gives those with money the right to deceive and abuse those without it? Was it unethical to not discuss the potential dangers of the arrangement ?
I'd consider this book for a book club read. It could engender some excellent discussions.
