tien's review against another edition
4.0
Lola is in her 80s and let’s face it, she’s been through a lot in life. She’s had the joys, the losses, had loved, has a child, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Her life is full and now that another Hot Christmas is approaching (note: she’s in Australia), she’s keen to have some time to herself. Or is she really wanting some time to herself for herself?
At first, I thought I’d really like Lola – the humorous introduction of Lola joking around with her son and of her fashion statement as well! I can really picture her walking down the street and even working at my local St. Vincent de Paul! She’s loud (not necessarily in volume), blunt, and a totally out-there type of personality. And then… we are told her One Big Fault, she’s a busybody. Someone who just had to involve herself because she thinks no one else will or can fix a problem! Oh, I really wasn’t sure if I was gonna like this grandmother!
The book was told mostly from Lola’s perspective so we were given permission into her minds and hearts. It’s a great journey reading a coming-of-age novel but it is amazing journey to read that as people we can continue to develop & learn; maturity isn’t a condition of age but a state of wisdom. Lola may have lived a long life but she wasn’t stuck in the past. She may reminisce but she has also gone with the flow (even my 60yo mother isn’t as techy as she is!) and moseyed along with The Age- the 21st century.
Whilst the book is looking toward Christmas, it wasn’t too suffocating with all the “good cheer” but of course, you cannot have Christmas without a ‘good cheer’. We only want good things come Christmas time but this isn’t always the case however, that doesn’t mean that we cannot have ‘good cheer’. Even when things aren’t going the way it’s supposed to, that’s life! And that doesn’t necessarily mean a bad thing. In fact, it might be just magical in conclusion.
An enjoyable pre-Christmas reading -I know, it’s only October but the major department stores have their Christmas decorations up already! In any case, I’ve got to get this review out so you can have a good pre-Christmas reading prior to all the rush, right? While you’re at it, get some Clare Valley wine into you too and chillax ;)
Thank you The Reading Room for providing a print copy
At first, I thought I’d really like Lola – the humorous introduction of Lola joking around with her son and of her fashion statement as well! I can really picture her walking down the street and even working at my local St. Vincent de Paul! She’s loud (not necessarily in volume), blunt, and a totally out-there type of personality. And then… we are told her One Big Fault, she’s a busybody. Someone who just had to involve herself because she thinks no one else will or can fix a problem! Oh, I really wasn’t sure if I was gonna like this grandmother!
The book was told mostly from Lola’s perspective so we were given permission into her minds and hearts. It’s a great journey reading a coming-of-age novel but it is amazing journey to read that as people we can continue to develop & learn; maturity isn’t a condition of age but a state of wisdom. Lola may have lived a long life but she wasn’t stuck in the past. She may reminisce but she has also gone with the flow (even my 60yo mother isn’t as techy as she is!) and moseyed along with The Age- the 21st century.
Whilst the book is looking toward Christmas, it wasn’t too suffocating with all the “good cheer” but of course, you cannot have Christmas without a ‘good cheer’. We only want good things come Christmas time but this isn’t always the case however, that doesn’t mean that we cannot have ‘good cheer’. Even when things aren’t going the way it’s supposed to, that’s life! And that doesn’t necessarily mean a bad thing. In fact, it might be just magical in conclusion.
An enjoyable pre-Christmas reading -I know, it’s only October but the major department stores have their Christmas decorations up already! In any case, I’ve got to get this review out so you can have a good pre-Christmas reading prior to all the rush, right? While you’re at it, get some Clare Valley wine into you too and chillax ;)
Thank you The Reading Room for providing a print copy
hannahmayreads's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first (The Alphabet Sisters). Something was lacking and I think that it was the sense of any real story. Not much actually happens.
It's all set up too, and then it doesn't. This is something that reoccurs throughout the book as if the author has suddenly changed her mind and doesn't want to be predictable. I can't speak for you, but I know I don't read these novels for mystery and surprise. Part of the reason I enjoy them so much is their predictability.
I'm such a Monica McInerney fan, and I hate to write such a negative review (don't let this put you off the author generally!). But I just can't like this book. She had me hanging on the edge of my seat and then shot me down with disappointment. There were a lot of "Oh, well that's a shame" moments.
It's not as well written as other McInerney books and isn't in the same style. McInerney is brilliant at telling a story from many perspectives, all at once and creating such long and beautiful winding tales. Lola's Secret, unfortunately, is not one of these.
Honestly, don't bother reading it.
It's all set up too, and then it doesn't. This is something that reoccurs throughout the book as if the author has suddenly changed her mind and doesn't want to be predictable. I can't speak for you, but I know I don't read these novels for mystery and surprise. Part of the reason I enjoy them so much is their predictability.
I'm such a Monica McInerney fan, and I hate to write such a negative review (don't let this put you off the author generally!). But I just can't like this book. She had me hanging on the edge of my seat and then shot me down with disappointment. There were a lot of "Oh, well that's a shame" moments.
It's not as well written as other McInerney books and isn't in the same style. McInerney is brilliant at telling a story from many perspectives, all at once and creating such long and beautiful winding tales. Lola's Secret, unfortunately, is not one of these.
Honestly, don't bother reading it.
margreads's review against another edition
3.0
A long time ago, back in my pre-blogging days (yes, that long ago) I picked up a book called The Alphabet Sisters. One cold, rainy Sunday afternoon I thought I would just read for a while. I was curled up on the couch, near the heater with a cosy blanket and I just kept on turning the pages, one after another. I laughed and I cried (oh boy, did I cry). It was my first Monica McInerney book, but since then I have read a few more, and bought even more that I haven't yet read.
When I heard that Lola, the indomitable grandmother from The Alphabet Sisters was going to be the main character in this book I knew that I would have to read it. I bought it when I was spending the day up at Bendigo but since then it has sat on my shelf unread, until I saw that there was a blog tour- finally the encouragement I needed to actually get the book off the shelf and read it!
Lola Quinlan is looking forward to her family going away and leaving her to own devices this Christmas. She is not, however, going to be by herself. Instead she has placed an ad looking for guests to come to stay at the family motel for Christmas and Lola will use any means at her disposal to have people around her at this time of the year. You have to wonder why she doesn't want her family around, and also who are these people who will come to a small town in country Australia instead of being with their families.
To read more of my thoughts about this book head to
http://www.theintrepidreader.com/2012/10/blog-tour-lolas-secret-by-monica.html
More...