Scan barcode
anouk90's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
faysieh's review
5.0
I loved this down to earth, funny, quirky and uplifting novel about Maggsie, an ex criminal, trying to start again and learn how to live life the right way. She is dyslexic, cannot read or write and finds it very hard to control her anger. She is living in supported housing and has a job at Scanda, a Danish design company in London which runs a scheme to help women like Maggsie.
The book is narrated by Maggsie throughout and we learn a lot about life through her experiences, how hard it is to do the right thing when you can't read and write, and how the pain of having to give up her baby for adoption at the age of 15 has left a gaping hole in her heart.
You see, Maggsie doesn't believe she is any good because everyone in her life has told her just that. Small, ginger and alcoholic, Maggsie has mostly only been able to survive in prison rather than navigate the outside world. Her saviour inside is a fellow prison inmate Edna who helps to teach Maggsie to read with copies of a magazine Woman's Weekly. This proves to be the turning point in Maggsie's difficult life,
The characters are bold and likeable, from the girls in the supported housing, Big Shirl, Kasia, Juicy Lucy and cat mad Trudie to probation officer Ruby and Primrose in Scanda's kitchen. But the most important character in this book besides Maggise herself is TJ, a Polish man trying to learn English and send money home for his wife and two children. He works four jobs, including a position in Scanda's kitchens alongside Primrose and Maggsie. He gets Maggsie to teach him what his English classes can't, that is how to understand and use English slang. In return he teaches Maggsie all about London and most importantly how to do the right thing.
Not everything goes smoothly, there is a young man to rescue from electrocution in a lift on her first day, Audrey the cat who needs convincing to come out from under the shed and more seriously ex prisoner Louise who almost ruins Maggsie's hard fought battle to stay on the right side of the law.
It is wonderful how easily the reader can see the challenges Maggsie faces but isn't left feel downhearted. This book is all about how, no matter what we have done, we all deserve a second chance. Funny and uplifting, I loved this novel.
The book is narrated by Maggsie throughout and we learn a lot about life through her experiences, how hard it is to do the right thing when you can't read and write, and how the pain of having to give up her baby for adoption at the age of 15 has left a gaping hole in her heart.
You see, Maggsie doesn't believe she is any good because everyone in her life has told her just that. Small, ginger and alcoholic, Maggsie has mostly only been able to survive in prison rather than navigate the outside world. Her saviour inside is a fellow prison inmate Edna who helps to teach Maggsie to read with copies of a magazine Woman's Weekly. This proves to be the turning point in Maggsie's difficult life,
The characters are bold and likeable, from the girls in the supported housing, Big Shirl, Kasia, Juicy Lucy and cat mad Trudie to probation officer Ruby and Primrose in Scanda's kitchen. But the most important character in this book besides Maggise herself is TJ, a Polish man trying to learn English and send money home for his wife and two children. He works four jobs, including a position in Scanda's kitchens alongside Primrose and Maggsie. He gets Maggsie to teach him what his English classes can't, that is how to understand and use English slang. In return he teaches Maggsie all about London and most importantly how to do the right thing.
Not everything goes smoothly, there is a young man to rescue from electrocution in a lift on her first day, Audrey the cat who needs convincing to come out from under the shed and more seriously ex prisoner Louise who almost ruins Maggsie's hard fought battle to stay on the right side of the law.
It is wonderful how easily the reader can see the challenges Maggsie faces but isn't left feel downhearted. This book is all about how, no matter what we have done, we all deserve a second chance. Funny and uplifting, I loved this novel.
mirrie's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
marga1995's review
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
anjana's review
4.0
This book was an unexpected piece of Uplit. I did not remember the blurb while going in, which meant I was meeting Maggsie on her terms and with only the information she deems important enough to tell me.
Maggsie is starting life anew. She drops information about how she found herself in the situation she is in now. Things start off with a bang and on the positive notes that follow, she starts a resolution for the year. She marks the days off on the calendar as she wades her way through unfamiliar territory. Through words that make her fumble, perceived and actual slights, and anger issues. She makes new friends and learns to trust even as she makes very big mistakes. This last part seemed very out of sync with the tone of the rest of the book and that took away the one star from the five-star read. That is a personal reaction, I am sure most who read this book will like her misadventure as much as they would like her adventure in life.
I do not want to introduce the rest of the cast or the cat for fear that it will diminish the impact when they are casually thrown into the narrative inversely proportional to the importance they hold in Maggsie's life. It is a book about a daily struggle and the effort it takes one woman and her new support system to see her way through. The British lingo (in some parts)took some getting used to but on the whole, was a very heartfelt book.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is completely based on my own reading experience.
Maggsie is starting life anew. She drops information about how she found herself in the situation she is in now. Things start off with a bang and on the positive notes that follow, she starts a resolution for the year. She marks the days off on the calendar as she wades her way through unfamiliar territory. Through words that make her fumble, perceived and actual slights, and anger issues. She makes new friends and learns to trust even as she makes very big mistakes. This last part seemed very out of sync with the tone of the rest of the book and that took away the one star from the five-star read. That is a personal reaction, I am sure most who read this book will like her misadventure as much as they would like her adventure in life.
I do not want to introduce the rest of the cast or the cat for fear that it will diminish the impact when they are casually thrown into the narrative inversely proportional to the importance they hold in Maggsie's life. It is a book about a daily struggle and the effort it takes one woman and her new support system to see her way through. The British lingo (in some parts)took some getting used to but on the whole, was a very heartfelt book.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is completely based on my own reading experience.
alisonh's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
wordswithpaige's review
5.0
Really enjoyed this quirky female protagonist. Gives the reader a real insight into adult illiteracy/ low literacy, and into the importance of a community to help us improve ourselves and overcome adversity.
alexwhimsypages's review
3.0
My name is Marguerite. (...) and flowers aren't the first thing you think of when you see me.
I desperately keep searching for books similar to «Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine». I would love to experience again the same emotions I felt towards Eleanor and her complicated and messed up life. And I keep falling for the blurbs “for the fans of Eleanor Oliphant” and then get disappointed when the book doesn’t live up to my expectations.
There were two main conflicts between me and the book: the lack of emotion from my part and the lack of immersiveness from the book. So let’s discuss these first before I talk about some positive elements.
1 - I love reading books about characters that are different from me, I love experiencing with them situations I’d usually never put myself into. The differences are usually what intrigues me, but the emotions are what sucks me into the story. Maggsie McNaughton didn’t make me feel anything, except annoyance at her attitude.
Maggsie is not a lovable character, and that would be alright if I’d experience some other positive emotion towards her or her life story - respect, pride, interest, affection, or even pity. Instead, I felt like I was SUPPOSED to root for Maggsie, but couldn’t stop rolling my eyes at every outburst of her temperament or silly actions.
2 - Everyone has their own bookish pet peeves. My biggest two are (1) swear words and (2) weirdly constructed sentences. They work like a switch, immediately pulling me out of the story.
Maggsie is dyslexic. So, of course, I understand the need to portray that as part of her character, showing through dialog her struggles and also her improvements. But I found it very distracting. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Besides these two points, the rest was rather alright. Not as surprising or impressive as I hoped for, but not bad either:
1 - The highlight of the whole story for me was the friendship between Maggsie and the Polish guy, an immigrant from Poland, who was just the right character to balance out Maggsie’s imperfections - kind, eager to help, he took it upon himself to show Maggsie that life can be beautiful and interesting. Full of struggles, yes. But worth every moment nonetheless.
He was by far the most wholesome character of this book.
2 - Although I completely bashed Maggsie’s character, I have to admit that she had a few qualities that deserve some appreciation - stubbornness, and persistence. She has a goal that she wishes to accomplish. It drives her forwards and gives her hope. And maybe sometimes it felt as if she was only taking baby steps to achieve it, but those steps were huge leaps for Maggsie.
littlebookseverywhere's review
4.0
Actual rating 3.5.
A very easy & uplifting read. Maggsie is a bright and opinionated narrator, surrounded by a supportive and loving community. The story traverses into issues of crime & punishment, as well as the shame that can build through illiteracy. It was beautiful to witness compassion & empathy helping Maggsie to move past this.
There was also a delicately developed representation on adult mothers reuniting with lost children. Frances Maynard put a lot of care and consideration into this book, and it shows. Definitely recommend if you want something a bit fluffy but need just a smidge of grit to keep you interested.
A very easy & uplifting read. Maggsie is a bright and opinionated narrator, surrounded by a supportive and loving community. The story traverses into issues of crime & punishment, as well as the shame that can build through illiteracy. It was beautiful to witness compassion & empathy helping Maggsie to move past this.
There was also a delicately developed representation on adult mothers reuniting with lost children. Frances Maynard put a lot of care and consideration into this book, and it shows. Definitely recommend if you want something a bit fluffy but need just a smidge of grit to keep you interested.
More...