... It sounded exactly the sort of book I would enjoy - which I did very much indeed!
His 'n' hers' tell the story of Jim and Alison. As it starts in the present before going back in time, the reader knows right from the start that they were once married and very much in love but this is no ... Read review
His 'n' hers' tell the story of Jim and Alison. As it starts in the present before going back in time, the reader knows right from the start that they were once married and very much in love but this is no longer the case. In fact their lives have moved on and they are now with other partners and are very happy. Sadly, it's the unexpected death of their cat Disco that causes them to meet once more but from this point we ... ...really successful because he got his two main characters to tell the story. Sometimes Jim recounted what had happened and then Alison would tell the next bit. This made it easy to gain both their perspectives and to understand them and the reasons why they did certain things. It was easy to follow as well because every time Alison was telling the story it was produced in a bolder font than when Jim was telling it.
This is the first book I have read by Mike Gayle and chose it after having read a review on Dooyoo by Princesslaura. It sounded exactly the sort of book I would enjoy - which I did very much indeed!
His 'n' hers' tell the story of Jim and Alison. As it starts in the present before going back in time, the reader knows right from the start that they were once married and very much in love but this is no longer the case. In fact their lives have moved on and they are now with other partners and are very happy. Sadly, it's the unexpected death of their cat Disco that causes them to meet once more but from this point we are taken back into the past to when they met at university and how their relationship progressed from that point onwards.
The story is written from both their points of view as they remember all the things that happened. When they first met they did not hit it off at all, then they did, then they weren't sure, then they moved apart, got back together and so on. It felt very reminiscent of many of my previous reltionships as I was reading it! Finally they marry and are blissfully happy until the day when Jim realises that the magic hs gone! As they say, the rest is history - or is it? Meeting up again causes them to re-examine their feelings for each other. It could be too late but you'll have to read the book to find out what eventually happens.
I really loved this book and the way it was written. It was a very easy non-taxing read but also the sort of book that hooked you in from the very first pages. It is the sort of book which I would term as 'chick-lit' which is somewhat unusual from a male writer but I do think that Mike Gayle did it incredibly well.
It was really successful because he got his two main characters to tell the story. Sometimes Jim recounted what had happened and then Alison would tell the next bit. This made it easy to gain both their perspectives and to understand them and the reasons why they did certain things. It was easy to follow as well because every time Alison was telling the story it was produced in a bolder font than when Jim was telling it.
I really loved the characters of both Alison and Jim although I was sometimes frustrated by their actions. They just seemed so likeable and well rounded that I could easily imagine sitting in a pub and having a drink with either of them!
Most of the time it was a light read although there were some quite moving moments. I felt quite sad at one point when they were trying to explain to each other about what went wrong and Jim talks about them being so happy there was nothing left to dream for! At these thought-provoking times it does make you think about your own relationship and realise how important it is to hold on to all of those things that brought you together in the first place!
There are also some really funny laugh out loud moments in the book. There was one time when the couple are talking about when, in other relationships, they have said those three little words - I Love You! Alison is appalled when Jim tells her that his response to one such proclomation of love was to say 'cheers!'. This conversation was Jim's way of leading up to telling her that he loves her which he eventually does - to which she also replies 'cheers'. (I probably haven't done this little bit justice - you have to read it really!). This is one example of lots of little moments that had me laughing out loud!
Overall then this is a well written honest piece of writing which is enjoyable from start to finish. It was such a good read that from now on I will be looking out for more books by Mike Gayle.
This paperback version, with 352 pages, is available on Amazon for £5.99. However, I got mine as a swap on the Swapshop site which is always worth looking on first (message me if you would like a referral link!)
...I remember Mike Gayle from his agony uncle days at Bliss magazine, which is why I originally started reading his books.
'His 'N' Hers' tells the story of the relationship between two people called Jim and Alison. Jim and Alison met at university. They were together for years, purchased a flat together, got married and had a cat. Then they, very suddenly, got divorced, divided up their stuff and moved on with their lives. At the point at which the ... ...is that I never find his characters very lovable. I suppose this is because he makes them very lifelike and lifelike characters would tend to have more flaws than less lifelike ones! I got very cross with Jim in particular at several points in this book, he is such a wimp!
'His 'n' Hers' was Mike Gayle's fifth novel [he's written three more since], and I think it's his best. Mike Gayle's writing is very easy to read whilst not being a total insult ...
princesslaura 07.07.2008
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Advantages: Its a great, easy read, that I found hard to put down Disadvantages: You'll be finished it before the bus reaches the hotel from the airport
...of writing and marvel at his aptitude for it.
Lets be honest, Mike Gayle is not going to win The Booker Prize. As with his other novels, His 'N' Hers is light and frothy - a cappuccino of the literary world. But isn't that what most of us look for anyway? I iidentify with all his characters in this book (and for that matter his other works) because they are evrymen/women. I can identify with them, understand them, and relate to their experiences. ... ...people can too.
His 'N' Hers centres around a relationship - a relationship begun at university and carried on through the years. There are, as with all relationships, some major highs and some pretty major lows. You get to laugh at both the protaganists attempts at intially ignoring each other, then trying to ignore how much they like each other, and then their intial forays into the world of commitment and the consequences that brings.
It has ...
simon_hinds 16.08.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of His 'n Hers - Mike Gayle
Advantages: Great holiday read, funny, modern, perfect for a Mike Gayle fan Disadvantages: Bit predictable
...big downside. It's not his best novel to date, but he still continues to be my favourite author by far.
The story is funny, modern and the hilarious relationship mishaps etc are true to life, which is why its funny. Mike Gayle has previously been described as writing novels that are the male equivelant of Bridget Jones, and I totally agree. The writing style is similar, and the characters are very likeable, although being a girl I suppose I can't ... ...the male population, but I can definitely see similarities in my male friends!
Overall, the book is very readable, and is probably perfect for taking on holiday for poolside entertainment or keeping you occupied on the plane. Fair enough it's not the most original or in-depth story you'll ever read, but for me the most important aspect of a book is if it is entertaining. This book certainly entertained me, and if you are looking for a funny, non-demanding ...
edinburgh85 05.05.2006
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As ever, Mike Gayle has produced another gem of literature. His characters are so truly believable that you almost feel like you are being told about the adventures of a close friend. Gayle's style of writing means that once you have picked up this book, you won't be able to put it down. How many other writers create a character that you actually begin to miss when you have finished reading? ...
es-vedra 30.09.2007
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of His 'n Hers - Mike Gayle
Advantages: Another great in the author's catalogue Disadvantages: ummm, few
...Jim walks away, leaving his cat behind and starts afresh. Alison also goes and starts a new life for herself. Things are going well. Both of them are in similar situations with new partners and life seems to be flying past them.
The disaster strikes, the cat dies.
For some reason Alison feels that she has an obligation to inform Jim about the cat he bought for her many moons ago. They decide to meet up for a drink after saying goodbye to the cat ... ...they are no longer together, only those 2 appreciated how wonderful and special their pet was.
After 3 years apart they start to remend what they had broken. At first it is by chance until they realise it probably was not a chance encounter that brought them back together. Did it go wrong last time? Was it a mistake? What will happen at the impending wedding of Alison and her fiance?
Maybe the book is a little bit cliche and predictable, however ...
Karl_Fletcher 12.09.2005
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Ever since I read ?His ?n? Hers? I have been a big fan of the writer MikeGayle. The books he writes are what I think is called ?lad lit? which is just like chick lit really except that it is written by a bloke about blokes doing ?blokey? things! All of MikeGayle?s books are written in this way, including the latest one I have read ? Wish You Were Here.
The story is told by Charlie who is thirty five and single having recently separated from his long term girlfriend. His mate Andy has the idea that a holiday is just what Charlie needs to cheer him up. However, unbeknownst to Charlie he books an 18- 30 holiday in the Crete resort of Malia. Now both Charlie and Andy along with their other friend Tom (who has worries of his own) are way over the upper age limit and do tend to stick out like sore thumbs! Andy is determined that they will ...
