Once you start it, you won't be able to switch it off!
How does it compare to similar audio books?
Excellent
How does it compare to audio works by the same author?
Not applicable
Advantages:
Funny, fab characters, easy to believe the characters
Disadvantages:
Some scenes in London were a bit OTT
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
I enjoy reading books on parenting issues and about families at the moment, as you will be able to see from the other book reviews I have posted on Dooyoo! For some reason the powers that be at Dooyoo have categorised this as a Children's Book, but it certainly is anything but!
Polly Williams is a journalist, who turned to writing novels when she had her first baby. She then wrote this novel, The Rise and Fall of a Yummy Mummy, somewhat based on her experience as a mum. She recently had her second child, and her second novel has just been published, one I am eager to read!
I must say, this book is just fantastic. It made me laugh out loud at some points, sympathise with the main character Amy. Amy recently gave birth to her daughter Evie, whom she adores, but everything is not rosy in her relationship with her partner Joe. Amy is sure Joe is cheating on her, but doesn't know how to confront him about it. Also Amy is fed up of wearing her maternity jeans months after giving birth, wants more mummy friends but doesn't know how to find, then a handsome young Pilates instructor called Josh is thrown into the mix, leaving a very confused Amy...
It is written in a narrative form, by the lead character of Amy, and it is really an amusing read. As the mother of a 17 month old toddler, I really did sympathise with quite a few of the problems Amy and her partner Joe were suffering with, such as not talking as much and having no time for each other. I also understood what she meant about the excessive use of the maternity jeans!!
The book starts off in quite a normal mum fashion, with Amy and Evie going off to the NCT meetings with the mums once a week, and her mother barging in when she least expects it, but as the novel progresses it moves more into the restoration of the old Amy, and what life is like in London for a yummy mummy to be. When it moved into the city more, and Amy trying to be her old self, I felt it harder to identify with her and that she was moving away from the normality of being a mum.
Here is a quick summary of the other characters within the novel:
Joe - Amy's partner and daddy to Evie. His and Amy's relationship is on a downward slope, and Amy is convinced he is cheating on her. Joe feels Amy is trying to make herself better for another man, and is struggling with his emotions with Amy. He works hard, but desperately wants to be a good dad and a good partner to Evie and Amy.
Nicola: Amy's friend from the NCT, whom she confides in when she is convinced Joe is having an affair. Nicola is the only one of the group who returns to work after her son, and Amy loves seeing the transformation in her, which makes her want to return to work.
Alice: Amy's London friend who is determined to succeed with "Project Amy" which is a complete makeover of Amy. Joe does not get on with Alice, but the two exist together for the sake of Amy, who is beginning to know that maybe Alice isn't the friend she needs right now...
Overall, I really did enjoy this book. It was good fun taking such a big journey with the character and the author writes in such a way that you are able to completely feel the emotions Amy is feeling, be it good or bad. The relationships between the characters were very believable, especially the one between Joe and Amy, I feel quite a few couples who have had children will be able to understand the change in pace these two go through after their daughter's birth.
Some of the scenes were incredibly funny, especially those which took place at Amy's NCT meetings, and with her "London friends", they were laugh out loud funny! It made glad that I didn't have friends like these people! Similarly, I really did empathise with Amy when she was going through the bad patch with Joe, it was very moving.
I think this book would appeal to anyone who enjoys an amusing yet sentimental read, and someone who in particular enjoys reading a book which takes you on quite a journey through the main character. Williams has written a superb book here, and I look forward to reading her next book. Great fun!
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