Modern Fiction Books > A.M. Homes Modern Fiction Books

Advantages: Sturdy publishing
Disadvantages: Contrived plots, poor characters

...Before I had left for this holiday I had indulged in a fantasy that I would, in fact, read a tonne of books while I was away, clearly forgetting that I am the worlds slowest reader, so I was quite well equipped with books. The first one I read on my holiday was "This book will save your life" By A. M. Homes. It was also the last book I read on holiday. Yep, two weeks to read one book. Throw me to the lions. Cover Girl When shopping months ...
...4 books. You can pick this up from between £4 and £7. The cover is quite an appealing sight, six delicious doughnuts, set out neatly as if to shout "EAT ME!" to passers by. Given that I regularly shout that at passers by, I was impressed. Now… I know they say never judge a book by its cover but I have a word of warning for you: Wasps. You need an explanation?? Oh fine. The whole two weeks I was in that rather warm part of the world (42 degrees in ... Read review

Advantages: good story
Disadvantages: not as good as her later books

...not read her first novel The Cupid Effect though so when I saw it in a book swapping site it was an obvious read. However, although it is an entertaining read, like many first novels, it lacks the depth and richness of her later books. The Cupid Efect tells the story of Ceri D'Altroy, a single thirty something woman who has given up her job and home in London to follow her dream as a psychology lecturer in Leeds. As she is starting anew she resolves ...
...everyone she knows, which was the case in London. However, it's not long before work collegues and housemates start confiding in her and she is drawn into other peoples' problems yet again! This would not be so bad if Ceri's own personal life was sorted but there has been no one special for a long time and the prospects don't look good. One friend points out that she has 'the Cupid Effect' - helping everyone else to find love even if she can't herself. ... Read review

Advantages: Well written, light reading.
Disadvantages: Not my kind of thing - but it might be yours!

...the novel is well written with not a comma out of place. I wanted to like the book because I like Lynne Truss and I enjoyed 'Eats, Shoots and Leaves' very much. Since reading the novel I have had a look at her website (www.lynnetruss.com) which contains an archive of her writing. This reminded me how funny and insightful she can be. On the website she says that it was her time as literary editor for The Listener magazine which helped inspire 'With ...
...(bravely) that she now sees that all the characters in this novel are based on facets of her own personality. Surely not? I am convinced she is much nicer than most of the people in the book! The copy I borrowed from the library was a hardback from 1994. In 2004 it was reissued in paperback. The cover price of the paperback is apparently £7.99 but it is available on Amazon from only 1p (plus postage). ... Read review

Advantages: A brilliant read with interesting characters
Disadvantages: Too addictive - you can't put it down!

Maxine Vaughan arrives at her sister Janey's house dressed in a wedding dress. She hasn't run away from her own wedding, but has ditched a boyfriend at a party, and caused a bit of a scene in the process of turning up at her sister's - people can't help stopping to stare. Maxine and Janey may be sisters but are the complete opposite - Maxine is out for a good time and uses men in the process. Quieter, Janey runs her own florists, depends on herself ...
...like to impose on people. Maxine takes on a job of nanny to Guy Cassidy's kids - Guy Cassidy is a bit of a celebrity photographer in the area and Maxine sees it as a step to success. She thinks that if Guy will see her talent he will take photos of her and it will launch her into modelling, or something else. This doesn't happen so she has to look for her next victim. Guy, on the other hand, wants somebody who is not as direct and in-your-face as ... Read review

Advantages: Gives some sense of closure if you've read The Rainbow
Disadvantages: Very dull and polemical

...to read the Introduction to Women In Love. It was going to be a long book and I wanted a few surprises left ahead of me. However, I feel I should warn readers that this review includes a few spoilers as I think it would be rather unhelpful not to refer to any of the events that occur in this very long novel. If you don't want any of these events given away then I would advise not reading much further, but if you want an informed view as to whether ...
...then read on… About Women In Love D.H Lawrence's Women In Love is the sequel to The Rainbow. These books follow the loves and exploits of two rather unfortunately named women: Ursula and Gudrun. Well, Ursula kind of gets away with it, but Gudrun? Really? I'm sure it was very hip at the time. According to the Introduction, the novel was ripped apart by critics when it was published - seen as nothing more than sexual depravity and obscure ... Read review