Minneapolis writer Gretchen Anthony's novel peaks when its 'Tired Ladies Take a Stand'

Gretchen Anthony's new novel, "Tired Ladies Take a Stand," is a warm affirmation of female friendship. The story is not entirely satisfying, but it's laced with wisdom and humor and will almost certainly be snapped up by book clubs everywhere.

The plot follows four women in their late 40s or early 50s who have been friends for ages and who all are now overextended in life.

Set in the Bay Area of California (sorry, Minnesotans — Anthony lives in Minneapolis but she set this one on the coast) the book is about betrayal, secrets and neuroses, but mostly it is about the importance of enduring friendship. These four women have been besties since their 20s, when their mantra was "say yes to everything."

They had some wild and hilarious times back then, but now they are tired, have too much to do and are trying to figure out when it is OK to say no. The characters and the storyline are deliberately exaggerated, which helps emphasize the message. The women frequently leap to support each other with all-nighters, fueled by wine and chips and followed by ugly crying. There's little subtlety or grit in this book, and that's not necessarily a bad thing.

All four women have intense, larger-than-life personalities and their men (those who have men) are minor characters, mostly forgettable.

Andi is a human rights lawyer who jets around the world helping abused and exploited people, while her teenage son at home starts failing his classes.

Emma, a teacher, is recently divorced and is trying to plan her daughter's wedding in the face of a multitude of obstacles — including her ex-husband's pregnant girlfriend and an ex-fiancé who is both stalking her and running for Congress.

Carolina is a big-shot executive and compulsive runner who is working 100-hour weeks, trying to keep her department going in the wake of layoffs.

And Fern might be closest to readers' hearts — she's a writer, and the memoir she published years ago, about the four friends in their 20s, has been rediscovered and is being optioned for a movie. The other three women are deeply opposed to having their bawdy former lives splashed across the silver screen; after Fern signs the contract, she has to figure out how to let them know that the project is going forward.

You can be forgiven if you get a little confused at the beginning — the book opens with an excerpt from Fern's memoir of their 20-something selves, but with no context to explain it. Memoir excerpts punctuate the narrative throughout the book, which is told from the point of view of all four women.

Two tsunami-like plotlines threaten to swamp everything. A few pages from the end, they're still not resolved and you might start wondering how Anthony is going to tie up those loose ends. The answer might not satisfy you.

But maybe that doesn't matter. "Tired Ladies Take a Stand" reminds us that as we move through life, despite marriages, children and careers, some of our most important relationships are with our friends.

Laurie Hertzel is a book critic in Minnesota. She's at lauriehertzel@gmail.com.

Tired Ladies Take a Stand

By: Gretchen Anthony.

Publisher: Park Row Books, 336 pages, $18.99.

Event: Conversation with Kathleen West, 7 p.m. May 14, Magers & Quinn, 3038 Hennepin Av., Mpls. Free; registration required.