Martin peppers the book with ‘Fieldnotes’ between the chapters, looking at Manhattan and its residents through an anthropological lens, and viewing them as strange primates for the benefit of those completely unfamiliar with their culture. These notes are quite amusing and sometimes insightful, even for readers who may never encounter such beings in the wild. She documents her family’s search for housing, schools, and playdates, and the unspoken social rules that govern seemingly every interaction. Her experiences with other UES mothers make for a fascinating read, even as I was horrified by the women’s atrocious behaviour. Martin tries to redeem the women in the last part of the book after a personal tragedy, showing that they are in fact human. Nonetheless, I’d rather read about this strange population than live among them.
