general

Although I've never reviewed a book on Amazon, I'm a really prolific reader. But I would feel like I'm letting Marian Keyes down if I didn't post something on Amazon after reading "The Other Side of the Story." Reading her books is pure fun (and I never feel like I'm slipping over to the dark side of mass marketed trashy novels), and this read was no exception. I simply can't wait until she comes out with her next novel. If only authors could write as quickly as readers read, but then instant gratification isn't always what it's cracked up to be... There, how's that for a positive reader review!?

Um...I really liked this book.

With each Marian Keyes novel I read, I come to love her more. She has the most endearing way of combining fluff (or so it seems) with real substance, real truth, and a compassion for her characters, good and bad, that makes her a storyteller par excellence. She is one of the few authors I would love to meet at the local pub (even though I'm an American, so I guess it wouldn't work) and hang out. Even though she gently but effectively skewers such book fans in this delicious book!

"The Other Side of the Story" is a tale of love and revenge, Brit Lit style. It has three "heroines," if you will: Gemma, a professional event planner who harbors and nurtures a deep grudge against Lily, who has stolen her boyfriend. We go along and hate Lily--until we meet her. And then we simply love her. And then there is JoJo, a hard-bitten, tough-as-nails book agent whose affair with a married co-worker could bring down her entire career. We want to hate her; we can't.

Each of these three women is facing, in her own way, terrible guilt and an inability to let go of it and move on. And each must dig deep into her own resources as things go terribly wrong. I won't say how, but trust me, you will have to fight yourself to turn to the back of the book to make sure that everything turns out alright!

As a backdrop, Keyes draws a totally hilarious picture of the book publishing world and all its various sordid and self-serving behind-the-scenes goings-on. Obviously, she has first-hand knowledge, and some of the scenes made me squirm with glee as I figured she was skewering some real-life people, in her own funny and disarming way!

What can I say. I loved this book from start to finish, and I can't wait to share it with everyone I know. Read it and give yourself a treat!

Just finished and I had to check 1) whether EVERYONE who reads this book goes straight to Amazon Reader Reviews - it's mentioned enough times! 2) post a review, like a predictable being! I loved this book. I think, though, it would be difficult to start with this one and then read the earlier ones like Watermelon (it's good, but this is fantastic). This one shows real development in her skills - the way she handles the plot and interweaves their lives. Reminds me of the kind of books you write essays on, as in, her technique is skilful! I like the way she gives us the mistress-from-afar in Colette and the inside life of a mistress we can't pigeonhole as a mistress in Jojo. Plus, Gemma's lack of self-awareness for such a long time! Had me crying in parts too - esp. Anton's letter to Lily and him crying in the street...Could go on but I'll stop right there! It's brilliant!!!