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This Charming Man |
Average User Rating: 70% (89 Reviews) | |
| 5 / 5 | A charming book
Randy F. (Wragford) - 2 May 2008 As the synopsis says: "Four very different women. One awfully charming man. And the dark secret that binds them all . . " That pretty much sums up this page-turner by Marian Keyes, author of WATERMELON and SUSHI FOR BEGINNERS. Her latest novel is just as good--if not even better--than these previous efforts. True, this novel has a gritter side and is more disturbing and deals with more "real life" issues than WATERMELON or some of her other efforts, but it's still packed with fun and frolic. There are moments that are hilarious paired with moments that will take your breath away. Such is as it should be with any good novel. It would be virtually impossible to tell the story here without ruining it, but suffice it to say that Keyes is one of those writers (much like Kinsella) who knows how to craft a novel from start to finish. Unlike a lot of books that fall apart at the end, THIS CHARMING MAN goes straight for the finish line and then some. My only complaint: I couldn't put it down and it TOTALLY disrupted my life. Would also recommmend the Kinsella novel REMEMBER ME? and the novel of great fun BARRING SOME UNFORESEEN ACCIDENT. Both are great, but THIS CHARMING MAN takes the cake.... Read Full Review » |
| 5 / 5 | Another top rate read from Marian Keyes
Stellastar (London) - 27 April 2008 Some writers (Cecelia Ahern springs to mind) start out promisingly and then gradually go off the boil. Keyes is not such a writer. I was hooked from Watermelon and she has been getting better and better since. Much as "The Other Side of Story" and "Sushi for Beginners", this one is told in turn by three different characters, Lola, a stylist, Gracie, a journalist, and her twin sister Marcie, married and a mother and barely holding down a job in an estate agents. The book opens with the announcement of Paddy de Courcy's engagement to Alicia, which is something of a surprise to Lola, his girlfriend of sixteen months and the plot unfolds from there. I don't want to give away too much more for fear of spoiling the plot for Marian's fans, though, like all her books, even knowing the twists, I can see me re-reading this one repeatedly. This book is darker in tone than it's predecesors but still ultimately uplifting. Just make sure you have a clear day free to read it, because if you are anything like me, you won't be able to put it down till you have finished it. ... Read Full Review » |
| 1 / 5 | Disappointing
Cat (UK) - 5 May 2008 I've read every Marian Keyes novel, and have found the last two disappointing. Yes, she deals with "gritty" subject matter here, but the characters lack depth and the voice of Lola is incredibly annoying. Keyes was one of the pioneers of the "chick-lit" genre, and has become a brand in her own right - this book felt like it had been churned out because she had a contract to fulfil. If I'd had anything else to read, I'd have abandoned it midway through.... Read Full Review » |
| 5 / 5 | I wish I was a lesbian
Anna (London) - 9 May 2008 Cos I'd sweep Marian Keyes off her feet. Never mind the fact she's not a lesbian, either. I'd sweep, because you can't help but be a little mesmerised by someone who can consistently write like this. Her characters, as always, are adorable and addictive. Lola, Grace, Marnie: all given equal time and attention, all given so much depth, and you'll fall in love with all 3. The first two's stories are told from first person perspective; the latter from third. What's amazing is how different they are; how different their "voices"`are. No-one can characterize like Keyes can, and all the supporting characters are just as rich, and just as finely tuned. You'll laugh out loud at least 17 times. I lost count after that. Just as no-one characterizes like Keyes, no-one has the same knack for dialogue. If you don't come away from reading this with "bad, burny feeling" having entered your vocabulary, I'll be astonished. This is classic Keyes: funny, endearing, unputdownable and achingly sad in places. Am never sure how much personal information to put in these - none, is probably about right. But I will say I suffered from domestic abuse for 4 years, and the way it is approached, described and handled is perfect. It's accurate, and truthful but it's also delicate, and caring and it's filled with genuine pathos. Keyes has always surpassed the label of "chick lit": her topics are meatier, and don't start and end with the girl finally getting the guy. "This Charming Man" feels more grown up, though... She's covered addictions before, self-loathing, grief over the death of a partner - all of these issues are ones which ruin lives but the actual tone of this book is more grown up, and it's a hug for all women who are currently living in fear of being abused. It is almost mpossible to put into words what happens to you when you live that life. Everything - everything - goes grey and you exist behind a sheet of glass; you have to remind yourself to breathe, then realise you don't want to anymore, but by then you've remembered and you find yourself breathing involuntarily, and it makes you cry. I've never seen it covered quite as well as it has been by Keyes. There is no judgement; no "Well, why didn't you leave him, y'eejit?!", or "Here's what you should have done..." It's a difficult subject to address, and a painful one, but it doesn't stop the book being funny. As I said, I lost count at 17. That's not to mention all the wee chuckles that are peppered throughout. When I finished the book a few hours ago, I was bereft. Bereft. I want to go back to 2 days ago when I hadn't started it yet and when I had this wonderful book waiting to be devoured. This is everything you've come to expect from Marian Keyes, and if you want, you can be lesbians with us.... Read Full Review » |
| 3 / 5 | Kinda disappointing, but still Marian (ie. better than lots that's out there)
Booklover "Booklover" (London, UK) - 12 May 2008 Seriously though, this really isn't Marian Keyes' best. Though it contains the usual wit and sparkle, it is wholly flawed by the utterly annoying written voice of main heroine Lola. It is sort of a diary style, where she doesn't speak in full sentences. OK for a bit, but it goes on so long I had to keep putting it down, so bored was I of having to fill in the gaps mentally. That said though, I do love Marian Keyes. Her writing is far superior to many women's fiction writers and - despite the annoyingness of Lola - I loved the other narrators, and was genuinely moved by the ending. Also, I guess because I loved 'Anybody Out There' so much, perhaps I had overly-high expectations for this. Worth a read, if you're already a fan, but if you're new to Marian, I would recommend trying something from the (mostly better) backlist first.... Read Full Review » |
Publisher
Michael Joseph
Publication Date
30 April 2008
Format
Hardback (688 pages)
ISBN
9780718149123
Price Range
£9.71 - £9.71
List Price
£17.99
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