Ok, but far from perfect
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I have to disagree with the other reviewers! I have only read one other book by Gayle (HIs 'n' Hers) and I found it much better than Mr Commitment.
There are some nice observations and the 'couples' trip to IKEA and the experiences in the nightclub made me chuckle but it was all a bit predictable. The main characters, Duffy and Mel were very similar to Jim and Alison in His 'n' Hers, but weren't as well defined or well drawn.
It won't put me off reading another Mike Gayle book, but it just didn't get me going, I'm afraid!
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Perfect!
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That is the first word that came to my mind as I finished Mike Gayle's `MR. COMMITMENT'. I never imagined that I would describe a chick-lit novel written by a man as being "perfect" but `MR. COMMITMENT' truly was just that. Mike Gayle did not fall short in any aspects of this book, the plot was well though out, it was not totally predictable, the characters were all well developed and he did not rush the ending, the book made me laugh out loud at times and brought a tear to my eyes at others. All of these things together, in my opinion, make for an ideal book, one that you just don't want to end. `MR. COMMITMENT' gives the reader a hilarious yet touching view of relationships from the male perspective. The story of comedian Ben Duffy begins when his girlfriend of four years Mel wants to take their relationship to the next level and get married. They are twenty-eight years old and know each other inside and out so in her opinion marriage is the next logical step. However, marriage is the furthest thing from Duffy's mind. He loves Mel more than anything in the world but he doesn't fee that he can commit to anything more that two weeks together at a vacation resort. So when Mel brings up marriage Duffy wants to be able to commit and knows that it is indeed time but just cant bring himself to make a lifelong commitment to Mel. So they decide to go their separate ways after which Duffy soon realizes that his fear of commitment may have cost him the love of his life. I didn't expect to love this book as much as I did but Ben Duffy's journey into the land of adulthood was completely absorbing and getting the story from a male perspective was a refreshing way to shake up the genre a little bit. Mike Gayle is definitely giving chick-lit icons such as Ms. Green and Ms. Fielding a run for their money! Well done Mr. Gayle!
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A very funny and heartwarming book!
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I have picked up this book while on holiday in Corfu form the library by the pool and from the first few pages, I just couldn't put it down! I have finished it in two days. The books bares the marks of sand and water, some of the pages have turned yellow! I though it was ace! Duffy clearly loves Mel but it is also very clear he doesn't want to get married! The book captures the modern dilemma of so many couples: she wants marriage, kids, semi detached and nice family car; he wants a girlfriend to see at week ends and occasionally during the week when he doesn't go out with the lads! Duffy eventually gets married, there fore, you could say the book has an happy ending, however, Mel is pregnant and I can't help feeling that if those two had so much trouble just to get married, God only knows what they are going to be like once they embrace parenthood and all that! But that is just my personal view! As a book this is very well written which maintains a subtle sense of humour while touching some strong issues. I have already lent it to my best friend. Yeah! I never did return the book the pool library. Oooopsie!!
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Thank You
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OH MY GOD! If ever a novel was true to life then Mike Gayles 'Mr Commitment has to be it. Having read his first book 'My lengendry Girlfriend' and been quite impressed this second offering blew me away. Un-put-downable, addictive, and life changing this book truly paved the way for me and my own writing ambitions. i got caught up in Duffys and Mels relationship and felt the pain when he did, so where the realism of the lead charcater. Mike Gayle stand up and take a bow. Hollywood call Hugh Grant!
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Another Rib Tickler from Gayle
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Well done once again Mr Gayle. Very easy read, unputdownable and hilarious in places. The book strikes real issues in such a witty observational way. A must for anyone who has just heard those chilling words from their partner 'Isn't it time we got....?'
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