Here she is... a Mrs Robinson for the twenty-first century...
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Ok, so admittedly, I didn't go to the library with the intention of picking this book up. But with my mobile ringing loudly in one hand, and fifteen shopping bags threatening to spill over in the other, I just made a bee-line for the "C" shelf of the fiction section and snatched a book by Rowan Coleman off the shelf. It wasn't until I sat down to a coffee, waiting for my already-twenty-minutes-late friend to appear that I realised I had not picked up the intended "Accidental Mother", but this instead. With hindsight, I am glad that I did - put simply, what a great read.
I won't go into the synopsis of the book, as this has already been expounded more than admirably by the people who have come before me. I will, however, give the two reasons why I feel that this book deserves it's enviable five-star rating. The first reason why the book is so good is the fact that there are situations throughout the course of the story that, despite being dramatic and emotional, we can all relate to: as a previous reviewer puts it '...this is a story about real people with real problems to face'. Indeed, how many of us have given out advice that we wouldn't take ourselves (in the way that Jen does in relation to Selin's age-gap relationship with Adem (but overlooking her fling with Michael) or Rosie's doomed relationship with Chris (but overlooking her relationship with Owen))? How many of you reading this review are in jobs that you are grossly overqualified for, but ultimately underpaid in? How many of you have been caught in a cycle of arguing, breaking-up and making-up with a loved one? Have you ever recognised the relationship to be over but are still mournful for it's loss? How many of us love a bad boy? If you are being honest with yourself, have you ever used someone to get over someone else (you say "never", I ask "really?")? Have you ever gotten involved with someone you KNEW it wouldn't work out with but did it anyway? Do a mental count - how many couples do you know who have stayed together for the sake of their children? How many of you are in your late twenties with a full-time job, partner and financial responsibilities still occasionally go a bit wild with a friend you've known for years (I know I do)? For those of you who were rejected by your first love, did you ever do anything drastic to prove how much you cared (like bringing your mother round to your lover's flat)? Are you married to, living with or seeing your best friend's brother - the one who, throughout your childhood, was merely a extra in your film of life? And, finally, have you ever blamed a missing parent for the things that you could have put right but blamed yourself for the things that you couldn't? If you can answer "yes" to any of the aforementioned semi-rhetorical questions - then this book is definitely for you.
The second reason why the book is worthy of it's five-star rating is the character development that is given to Jenny: as a previous reviewer has already pointed out '...Jenny may be spoilt and selfish but she is well aware of it, and spends the best part of the book trying to put things right'. Initially our leading character is exceptionally obsequious, using Michael not only to get over Owen by recapturing her youth, but also to boost her ego (by enticing Michael away from Sarah - a girl that Jenny feels is younger and more attractive than her). By the end of the book, however, Jenny has evolved into a more selfless person, one who intrinsically values Josh for who he is (not for what he can give her) and one who, despite her reservations, supports her friend's unconditionally in their choice of men. It would seem to me (though I am not sure whether this was Rowan Coleman's intention when she wrote the final chapter) that Jenny's escape from Owen at the end is symbolic - a "reward" for becoming a better person: had she abused Josh's feelings in the way she did Michael's, he may not have been around to save her at the climax of the book.
I am not suggesting by any stretch of the imagination that the book is perfect: Jenny's 'voice' often seems a little far-fetched (see, for example, the quote on page 2 which makes the book sound as if it was written by a man with no idea about make-up, as opposed to a woman PRETENDING to have no idea about make-up - "She begins to apply her foundation with one of those funny little triangle-shaped sponges"), the editing is poor is places (see page 332 for "fist" instead of "first) and the character of Ayla is slightly stereotyped (for those of you who are familiar with your soaps, you will automatically think of Dev's daughter Amber in "Coronation Street"). Yet, despite the minor criticisms and the fact that it will never be a classic, "Growing Up Twice" still has that "just-one-more-chapter-before-I-put-it-down" feel to it. Had it not been for my holiday-inducing siesta's, I would have been happy to read this in one day.
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A fab read ... (especially if you're 30 something!)
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I loved it! A touching and emotional, yet funny and easy read covering the changing lives of three best friends. A book you can definatley relate to if you're of or about to reach 'that age' and feel that you should be doing something more with your life. I didn't want to put this book down once I'd started it - but also didn't want it to come to and end. This book will have you laughing one minute and in tears the next. A book that gets you thinking and even nodding your head in agreement. A book I will definatley recommend to my friends.
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Enjoyable read but something's missing
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I picked this book after noticing the author had won the Company Magazine young writer of the year award - they must get lots of entries and I buy the magazine so .....
I guess I was slightly disappointed. I read the book over a few evenings when the tv was poor, accompanied by a glass of wine and it was enjoyable at the time. I did warm to, and relate to the main character, Jenny and care aout what happended to her....but, having finished it, I feel I'm not left with much. There's nothing that makes this book stand out in my memory and I think in months to come if I picked it up I wouldn't be able to remember whether I'd actually read it or not. The main character lives in London and works in telesales - so ordinary - maybe it would just liven it up a bit if it was set in say Aberdeen or Exeter and the narrator did something more unusual to provide a bit of depth. In Louise Voss' "Are you my mother" the main character is an aromatherapist and while this is not key to the plot of the book it made it seem more quirky and the little bits of information on this, sprinkled throughout the book do add interest.
All in all I would probably agree with bits of all of the other reviews both good and bad- it has it's good bits but don't know if I'd bother reading the follow-up.
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Great!
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Growing up twice is probably one of those books you will be able to relate to if you reached 30 and were still single and into going out and having fun. It really touched me and took me back to that uncertain time in my life when I was acting more like a 17 year old than a 29 year old!
A truly great book from Rowan Coleman and I can't wait to read her next one. If you liked Bridget Jones Diary [and who didn't] you will love Growing up twice.
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growing up twice
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this book was absolutely brillant - one of the most refreshing i've read in ages. it was easy to read and meaningful - made me think about my own life - pure brillance cant wait for the next one
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