Helpful Score: 2
A wonderful, terrific, fabulous author -- I have read and enjoyed all of her previous books. This one is her best yet. There was a moment near the beginning where I thought I could not continue reading -- but I kept going and the plot resolved to my complete satisfaction.
Authentic, tragi-comic, often black humor, but LOL-funny, quality writing with ideal comic phrasing and ultimately -- optimistism. (Approx quotes: "Opened door of pub and heard rhubarby mumble, so backed out quickly." "They couldn't have a good time even if you held a gun to their heads.")
This particular book is a complex masterpiece, a fine writer using her exceptional talents to make the impossible seem easy.
Authentic, tragi-comic, often black humor, but LOL-funny, quality writing with ideal comic phrasing and ultimately -- optimistism. (Approx quotes: "Opened door of pub and heard rhubarby mumble, so backed out quickly." "They couldn't have a good time even if you held a gun to their heads.")
This particular book is a complex masterpiece, a fine writer using her exceptional talents to make the impossible seem easy.
Helpful Score: 2
I read the reviews before reading and expected to not like it. I am so glad I decided to read the book anyway, because I thought it was great. Yes one of the the way one of the character's story reads is a bit off, but I thought it added more instead of taking away. I felt connected to the story, which is exactly what I expect from Marian Keyes and she does not disappoint in this book.
Helpful Score: 1
She's an odd author. Some of her stuff is clearly written for her American audience (her last, "Anybody Out There?", was very very good, devastating, but good) but this one seems like a British release only. I do not have the patience to read the book sitting in front of the computer on an "Anglophile" website looking up phrases for complete comprehension. Back to the library it goes! But Anglophiles will probably love this book.
Helpful Score: 1
I usually like Marian Keyes' books, but I couldn't get into this one! I'm not one to give up on a book, but this novel did nothing for me. The story is told by four different women who all have a link to the same man. However, one of the characters stories is written in what I would describe as a diary format. The writing for this character's story is not written in complete sentences and I found it hard to read...especially for 50 or more pages at a time. For example:
Parked car beside darkened pub. Nervous. Peelers pulled up behind. Two got out, looking very, very cross. Angriest-looking one ordered me, "Get out of car."
Chloe and I both got out. I asked, as innocent-sounding as possible, "Is there problem, officer?"
"Why you drive away from road check?"
"What road check?"
Gave me knowing stare. Thought he had me on druken driving.
"Why you not stop when you hear siren?"
"Did. Stopped at first safe spot."
Otherwise, I was enjoying the book, but could not get past the pages and pages of incomplete sentences.
Parked car beside darkened pub. Nervous. Peelers pulled up behind. Two got out, looking very, very cross. Angriest-looking one ordered me, "Get out of car."
Chloe and I both got out. I asked, as innocent-sounding as possible, "Is there problem, officer?"
"Why you drive away from road check?"
"What road check?"
Gave me knowing stare. Thought he had me on druken driving.
"Why you not stop when you hear siren?"
"Did. Stopped at first safe spot."
Otherwise, I was enjoying the book, but could not get past the pages and pages of incomplete sentences.
