The Other Side of the Story - Marian Keyes

Advantages: really enjoyable, addictive, easy to read,well developed characters
Disadvantages: none

...novel 'The Other Side Of The Story'. Having read only 'Angels' by Marian, I was unsure of what to expect as, although Angels was good, it wasn't outstanding and when I bought this I was looking forward to seeing if there was more to Marian than what I'd seen so far. *** Plot *** Gemma, JoJo and Lily are all successful women who are linked to each other in different ways. Jojo the high flying literary agent is constantly watching out for promotion ...
...boss a secret. Always on the lookout for fresh new talent, she was thrilled when she managed to get new author 'Lily Wright' to bestseller status. Lily Wright, new bestselling author of 'Mimi's Remedies' lives with the love of her life Anton. Together they have a child named Ema, and they live in a not so glamorous flat while Lily struggles to write another bestseller. Knowing that her and her families happiness depends on how well her next book ... Read review

Advantages: Easy to read, good characters.
Disadvantages: Not her best book.

...cup of tea and within the genre itself there are some good and bad books. Marian Keyes, in my opinion, is one of the better writers in this genre – her characters are realistic, flawed, but not unlikeable. They are never the glossy haired, beautiful, intelligent, perfect specimens you might find in some more formulaic novels. They are regular women (yes, her lead characters are always female) who are not perfect looking, or amazingly intelligent, ...
...are slightly interlinked. In the beginning we get some quite healthy chunks of each character, almost a novella. Latterly, they each have their turns as more conventional sized chapters. Our heroines are thus: Gemma lives in Ireland and is an event manager.. The love of her life, Anton, left her to move to London and took up with her ex-best friend Lily. Gemma is somewhat bitter about this, but has other things on her mind when her dad leaves her ... Read review

Advantages: Funny, entertaining read
Disadvantages: She hasn't released another book yet

...Marian Keyes most recent novel, The Other Side of the Story. I have read most of Marian Keyes books and am a huge fan of her work as it always makes me laugh and entertains me right till the end. As such, I had to get a copy of her latest work and set out to read it. I bought my copy from BOL a few months ago for around £7.00 and it is the club edition, large paperback style. I believe it will be released on ordinary paperback around March 2005 ...
...(or £3.73 - the usual supermarket price). Characters ~~~~~~~~~ There are 3 main characters in this story, Jojo – a literary agent who is having an affair with one of her married bosses, Lily – who had a hit with her first novel but is struggling with her second and Gemma - whose father has just left her mother for a younger woman. The characters lives are all connected. Gemma used to be best friends with Lily before Lily stole her boyfriend, Anton ... Read review

Advantages: pick up put down book that you cant put down!!
Disadvantages: it ends!!

...she is a genius. The characters: JOJO,,is a literary agent having an affair with colleague mark, (wow this is me I've "been there done that"!!) jojo is looking for promotion and is doing well in her work life but is often let down with her romantic life.. GEMMA,, has found herself in a desperate situation where she has too look after her mother who is constantly needing her as a crutch and has a panic attack if gemmas not around, gemma`s often ...
...probably thinks she's a hypochondriac, the reason for her mothers neediness is that gemmas father left for a younger woman.. (It happens!) LILLY,,and Gemma were friends but hate each other now since lilly got together with gemmas "Anton" and even had a baby..(Again it happens!) Gemma is distraught when she finds that Lilly published her book and she realises it is actually quite enjoyable and so does everyone it seems. THE PLOT,, the story starts ... Read review

Advantages: Marian Keyes at her best
Disadvantages: You cannot put it down

...she shows exactly why. The Other Side of the Story centres around three main characters. Gemma is a party organiser who lives in Ireland. When her father leaves her mother, Gemma's life changes drastically with hilarious consequences. Jojo is an agent for a literature firm. She is in a relationship at work and her story is about her affair, her work and her strength of character. Lily is an author of Jojo's. She has stolen Gemma's boyfriend and ...
...the story is about how she deals with the guilt, her come-uppance and how her books come to be written. The book is filled with comical moments, heart wrenching stories and mush.(girly love story) Although most of the story is highly predictable there are a few twists. Its very enjoyable finding out how the characters get to there destiny, and seeing how they change and grow as people. I read this book in two long sittings. i got so engrossed it ... Read review

Advantages: Another enthralling story - You won't want to stop
Disadvantages: Confusing at times due to changing places and characters

...Another brilliant novel by Marian Keyes. She manages yet again to effectively bring the reader so close to her main characters, Gemma and JoJo's lives and famiies that you almost feel you're sitting in their lounge with them while they experience one drama after another. A series of emotions will be felt when reading 'The Other Side of the Story' - bitterness, amusement, sadness, empathy and a need to step in and change the consequences. Step into this book and you will feel like you're spying on the women's lives as Marian Keyes expertly reveals their deepest secrets, fears and desires as the story unravels. If you like gossip, a traditional love story with a twist and a good old girly cry mixed in with some belly aching laughs, this one's definitely for you!... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Funny
Disadvantages: Can't think of any right now

...and liked something else that Keyes has written. However if you are not yet acquainted with her works this is a good introduction, so if you like being entertained by something that can only be likened to stand up comedy (in the non-hysterical sense of the word) in written form then give this a try. Prices start at around £2.90 at Amazon which I consider a bargain! There's also a second collection out now called Further Under the Duvet (I wonder what she'll call the third one…) which is very similar to this one apart from the fact that she has included some early short stories in it. Novels by Marian Keyes: Watermelon Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married Rachel's Holiday Last Chance Saloon Sushi for Beginners Angels The Other Side of the Story Anybody Our There?... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful