Enormous Wings by Laurie Frankel
Fiction
Narrated by Becky Ann Baker
Finished on September 24, 2026
Rating: 3.5/5 (Good)
Publisher's Blurb:
At seventy-seven, Pepper Mills is too old to be a stranger in a strange land. She didn’t choose the Vista View Retirement Community of Austin, Texas—that would be her three grown children—but when she grudgingly moves in, she not only makes new friends, she falls in love. Then the exhaustion, vomiting, and confusion start. Her children and grandchildren worry it’s cancer, dementia, a stroke. But a raft of tests later, the news is even more shocking: she’s pregnant.
Once word gets out, everyone wants a piece of her: the press and the paparazzi, activists and medical researchers, all descending on Vista View as Pepper tries to determine her next move. Soon Pepper has some hard decisions to make—and some she’s not allowed to make.
Enormous Wings is an urgent novel about female agency and bodily autonomy, morality and mortality. It’s about what happens when you don’t get to choose. It’s about motherhood and family, sex and love and friendship, and how those bedrocks—even so late in the day—can still change, and then change everything.
Enormous Wings is the fourth novel of Laurie Frankel's that I've read. Other than This Is How It Always Is, which was a 5-star read for me, her novels tend to be just okay. They keep me entertained, but they aren't keepers, nor do I feel compelled to recommend them to my book group. Enormous Wings is an unbelievable, yet timely story. One must suspend disbelief that a seventy-seven-year-old can get pregnant, but the challenges she encounters in Texas (Pro-Choice vs Pro-Life) are sadly believable under the current administration. Frankel also touches on themes such as retirement communities, aging, and death. Maybe there are enough topics here to discuss with others.
I believe every woman has the right to choose, but I felt Enormous Wings went on too long, bordering on didactic or preachy. It did have moments of hilarity, as well as a few tender moments between characters, but I didn't love the book. However, the audio, which is narrated by Becky Ann Baker, is well done. I had no trouble distinguishing between characters, male or female, and especially loved Moth's British accent.
Click on links for reviews of previously read novels by Frankel:
This Is How It Always Is (5/5)
One Two Three (3/5)
Family Family (3/5)
Other than This Is How It Always Is, I have absolutely no recollection of the details for these books. Completely forgettable.
I am not sure what I thought about this book. The idea of one of us old folks getting pregnant is startling, so I was fascinated to see what happened. I'm sorry, but I did not think having a baby in the old folks community would be that easy!
ReplyDeleteDeb, I was surprised with the way this book ended. I kept expecting a different finale.
DeleteProbably not the book for me...I have no patience with preachy novels these days. But you have me curious about This Is How It Always Is.
ReplyDeleteLark, I am on the same page as the author, but the book became a bit of a slog as she continued to push her beliefs. I can't recommend This Is How It Always Is enough. It is so good and so thought-provoking!
DeleteHmm, the whole premise sounded a little too wacky for me and I never added it to my tbr. Don't think I will now...
ReplyDeleteJoAnn, this is one you can safely skip.
DeleteI've only read Frankle's This is How it Always Is, which I, like you, thought was amazing. I haven't read any of her other novels and haven't been compelled to for some reason.
ReplyDeleteHelen, none of Frankel's other books compare to This Is How It Always Is. I'm glad I read that one first! It's one I'd like to read again someday.
DeleteDoes the book ever explain how a 77-year-old could get pregnant, or do you just have to go with it?
ReplyDeleteDiana, yes there is an explanation. And it seemed to work, at least it did for me. Still... what a stretch of the imagination! Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteYes, if you can get past the idea of pregnancy that late in life, then it was pretty good and had a deeper message. I do know women who have babies very late in life. If they can swing it great but I always think about parenting once the kid is like 10. I mean, will they even be around? Would definitely have to be carefully planned.
ReplyDeleteAs for the right to choose... terminations happen for all sorts of reasons and men should not be the ones to make those decisions. Hands off.
I know a few women who have had babies in the 40s, but nothing later than that. Of course, men can father babies well into their senior years... Yeah, parenting a teen when you're in your 70s or 80s would be tough.
DeleteYes, hands off!!!
I've only read This is How it Always Is (which I enjoyed) so my comment should be taken with a grain of salt but her books remind me of Jodi Picoult's novels, as in they are very 'issue-focused'.
ReplyDeleteLesley, I agree, but I enjoy Picoult's books much more than Frankel's. It's doubtful that I'll read any more by her.
DeleteIt does seem like a story ripe for humor ... does it have enough humor in it? If so, I might check it out .... sounds sort of funny.
ReplyDeleteSusan, I don't know if there's a lot of humor, but I did chuckle a few times. Might be worth your while. I'd opt for the audio, if I were you, though. Great narration.
DeleteThat's a pretty odd premise for a story--but okay! Sometimes it does feel as if some writers need an editor to say enough. I start skimming when an author doesn't know when to wrap it up.
ReplyDeleteJane, it is a bit out there! I'm not sure why I continue to read this author's works. Only one of four have been worthwhile.
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