This Charming Man
This Charming Man is a tough book to review. It shares many similarities with other books by Marian Keyes that I've read and enjoyed--the humor, the unflinching look at some bad character traits, and the precisely drawn and specific love stories. But there is an additional plot element in this book. I found it unsettling and wrenching, partially because I wasn't expecting it.
I picked this book up for free at RWA and just plunged in because it was Keyes and I've always liked her stuff. I might have been happier if I'd read a review or two but then again, I might not have picked it up. Hard to know which would have been the better option.
The book is narrated by a few different women. One, Lola, was a character I could have loved but her parts were written in diary speak. For example:
Asked, "Why you live here, Cecile?"
Reason? A man.
"Am crazy in love," she said. "He is surfer."
"What is name?"
I found this irritating, distracting, and jarring. Lola had a funny storyline but I almost hated when it was her turn. On the other hand, without her, the book would have been a definite thumb's down for me.
Hmmm. Not being very coherent. I guess it was a good book, not normal Keyes experience, and I wish someone had talked her out of the diary speak garbage.
Ellen
Ellen's Blog --- Ellen's Website
The Boyfriend's Back Superromance May '09
His Secret Past Superromance May '08
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