mcscaries's review against another edition
4.0
Wow this book got DARK. I came in expecting some romance, and contemporary 'chick lit' vibes, but it was so much more than that. It read like a thriller, I couldn't put it down!
anna_j_h's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
allykhat328's review against another edition
4.5
Mmm... this book... gathers thoughts...lets start with the synopsis
Synopsis
"I don't know why it never occurs to me to ask for more: to be taken to dinner, or to be given a promise, or at the very least, an explanation of why things aren't working out with his wife. I know exactly what Jolly would say: I know because I've written words to mistresses before. Hundreds of them."
On the day of her 26th birthday, Jane is recently single, adrift at her job, and intrigued by why Clem - her much older, married boss - is singing to her.
Meanwhile her alter-ego, the online agony aunt Jolly Politely, has all the answers. She's provided thousands of strangers with insightful and occasionally cutting insights to contemporary life's most vexing questions.
When she and Clem kiss at a party, Jane does not follow the advice she would give to her readers as Jolly: instead she plunges head-first into an affair. One that could jeopardise her friendships, her career and even her life.
Thoughts
Where to start. Relatable, relevant, frustrating and accurate are just a few words that spring to mind about this book. So many aspects of this book I found painfully relatable.
I listened to the audio and found myself shaking my head and sad for so many reasons like the decisions that Jane made, some revelations about Jane's past and family, the way not only the men treat her but the women treat her because of the way society pits women against each other.
This book will make you mad, sad but also at times make you laugh. The worst part is that you finish and feel like the realist shit you've ever read.
Synopsis
"I don't know why it never occurs to me to ask for more: to be taken to dinner, or to be given a promise, or at the very least, an explanation of why things aren't working out with his wife. I know exactly what Jolly would say: I know because I've written words to mistresses before. Hundreds of them."
On the day of her 26th birthday, Jane is recently single, adrift at her job, and intrigued by why Clem - her much older, married boss - is singing to her.
Meanwhile her alter-ego, the online agony aunt Jolly Politely, has all the answers. She's provided thousands of strangers with insightful and occasionally cutting insights to contemporary life's most vexing questions.
When she and Clem kiss at a party, Jane does not follow the advice she would give to her readers as Jolly: instead she plunges head-first into an affair. One that could jeopardise her friendships, her career and even her life.
Thoughts
Where to start. Relatable, relevant, frustrating and accurate are just a few words that spring to mind about this book. So many aspects of this book I found painfully relatable.
I listened to the audio and found myself shaking my head and sad for so many reasons like the decisions that Jane made, some revelations about Jane's past and family, the way not only the men treat her but the women treat her because of the way society pits women against each other.
This book will make you mad, sad but also at times make you laugh. The worst part is that you finish and feel like the realist shit you've ever read.
clauratoefield's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book was less ‘frothy’ than I anticipated. At some points it’s very thriller-esque and I enjoyed the mysteries surrounding relationships, illnesses, reality/fantasy.
thetwirlonthetrain's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.0
kimberleyjay's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
maddieleighc's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
madlymusing's review against another edition
4.0
Oh man. This book is great. Solidly 4.5* - simultaneously modern, gothic, funny and shocking.
It’s hard to write characters who are genuinely messy and challenging, but Jane is it. What stops this from being condescending or irritating is that Jane is self aware: she’s very conscious that she’s making poor choices, and yet she doesn’t want to stop - much like pressing on a bruise, or picking at a scab.
What really resonated with me is that feeling of taking stock of life in your mid- to late-20s and coming up disappointed. Like Jane, I recognised that feeling of wanting to set a bomb off in your life, just to disrupt the sensation that *this is all it is*. I’m glad I didn’t go about it in the way she did, but the desire to be reckless and pursue the consequences felt so real to me; more real than many other books about women in this stage of life.
I wish I’d read this book five years ago, when I was suspended in that messy state of mind. I want to press it in the hands of other women as both a comfort and a warning. It’s that kind of read: prescient and daring, yet oddly familiar.
Also, in case you needed the reminder: call your mum!
It’s hard to write characters who are genuinely messy and challenging, but Jane is it. What stops this from being condescending or irritating is that Jane is self aware: she’s very conscious that she’s making poor choices, and yet she doesn’t want to stop - much like pressing on a bruise, or picking at a scab.
What really resonated with me is that feeling of taking stock of life in your mid- to late-20s and coming up disappointed. Like Jane, I recognised that feeling of wanting to set a bomb off in your life, just to disrupt the sensation that *this is all it is*. I’m glad I didn’t go about it in the way she did, but the desire to be reckless and pursue the consequences felt so real to me; more real than many other books about women in this stage of life.
I wish I’d read this book five years ago, when I was suspended in that messy state of mind. I want to press it in the hands of other women as both a comfort and a warning. It’s that kind of read: prescient and daring, yet oddly familiar.
Also, in case you needed the reminder: call your mum!
zummins's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0