This Charming Man
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I love Marian Keyes - Rachel's Holiday is one of my all time favourite books, so it is always a bit of an event for me when she has a new book out. As is often the case with Marian Keyes, the story is a slow burner, with lots of hints about how the story is going to progress. This was particularly true of Marnie's sections of the book. Plenty of Marian Keyes' classic humour, alongside a compelling plot make this a very good read. The only reason I can't give it 5 stars is that I really disliked the Bridget Jones style of Lola's story. I found it quite irritating and didn't really think it was appropriate for the content of the book. Sorry Marian, other than that I really liked it and look forward to your next one!
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Maybe not her best, but still a brilliant read!
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I have read all of Marian's books and loved every single one but found this a bit slow to begin with. I found the first half there wasn't alot of story but towards the end the pace picks up and actually found I really enjoyed it.
Can't wait 'til the next one!
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Serious issues and humour
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Books which have several narrators as this one does can be confusing, but this one manages to avoid the pitfalls. I found the Lola segments irritating because of the Bridget Jones-speak but they also contained some of the funniest scenes with the cross dressers.
This Charming Man deals with some very serious issues and deals with them well in my opinion. The tension builds up and even if you've worked out what's going on some of the scenes are still shocking. I felt that maybe the ending was a bit too trite and it leaves some important loose ends hanging - ready for another book perhaps?
I found the characters convincing apart from Damian who was just a bit too good to be true. I would love to see more of Dee Rossini who seemed like an interesting person, as was Lola in fact in spite of the style in which her sections were written.
I'm not a particular MK fan though I really enjoyed The Other Side of the Story. This Charming Man is every bit as good as that and I recommend it as an example of chick lit with a bite.
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Fantastic,Fantastic ,Fantastic!!!
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Ive read all of MKs books,this one is simply HER BEST!!!!
Its FULL of honesty,brilliantly real emotions,laughs and just kept me gripped!! I cried I laughed and was bereft when it was over!! Read it in two days.........I fell in love with Chloe....wanted to dance with Blanche and sooo wanted to drop kick Paddy De Courcy...Read this book Ladies.....you will LOVE it I promise!!!
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I wish I was a lesbian
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Cos I'd sweep Marian Keyes off her feet. Never mind the fact she's not a lesbian, either. I'd sweep, because it takes someone with an extraordinarily beautiful soul to 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. No-one can characterize like Keyes can. All the supporting characters are just as rich, and 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, and - forgive the woeful term - pulls no punches. But it's also delicate, and caring and filled with 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, perhaps. 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 tone of this book feels more grown up, and is a warm, loving hug for all women who are currently living in fear of being abused or have experienced it.
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.
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United States | 
United Kingdom | 
Canada