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vanessahickey's review
adventurous
emotional
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
4.0
hedgehogsa101's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
paullynntrain_'s review
lighthearted
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0
lillyalaine36's review
3.0
This book had a rip-roaring start, as we follow Emma and her partner Matt and their small daughter Alice as they leave Brighton to begin a new life in the South of France the writer draws us quickly into the family and their adventure as they arrive at their somewhat delapadated farmhouse with grand plans to renovate together and begin a quieter life, even if Matt is the driving force and Emma's heart isn't quite in it.
The twist in the book comes suddenly and unexpectedly and had me re-reading the start of one chapter as I thought I'd seriously missed something as important as the introduction of a major character but I soon realised where the author was going and it became clear the deception within the book was one of magnific proportions. Until the point where the deception is discovered this is a cracking book.
I found however the the unraveling of our main female character lacked some substance, it began to almost feel like a different book altogether for a couple of chapters as I found myself lacking sympathy for the main character and longing her to sprout a backbone. The book managed to recover itself admirably in the last few chapters and concluded nicely if it was a little rushed.
As good as Emily Barr's other novels - not really but still worth reading.
The twist in the book comes suddenly and unexpectedly and had me re-reading the start of one chapter as I thought I'd seriously missed something as important as the introduction of a major character but I soon realised where the author was going and it became clear the deception within the book was one of magnific proportions. Until the point where the deception is discovered this is a cracking book.
I found however the the unraveling of our main female character lacked some substance, it began to almost feel like a different book altogether for a couple of chapters as I found myself lacking sympathy for the main character and longing her to sprout a backbone. The book managed to recover itself admirably in the last few chapters and concluded nicely if it was a little rushed.
As good as Emily Barr's other novels - not really but still worth reading.
fleeno's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I first read Plan B when it was released in 2006, but when I saw it in a 2nd hand store I was reminded how I used to enjoy Barr's books and how long it had been since I had read any.
Plan B focuses on Emma, a young woman living in Brighton with her partner Matt and her daughter, Alice. Emma loves their life however Matt has decided the family should move to France, dreaming of living an idyllic life in the South of France. Emma is reluctant to make the change, but she adores Matt, who has promised to marry her once they move, and will do anything to keep him happy (aka she is a doormat). So the family make the move and commit to Emma and Alice living in France full time with Matt living and commuting in London half the week. Pretty soon it becomes obvious Matt has not thought through the plan, the house is falling down, there's not beating or electricity, and Matt soon burgers off back to London to leave Emma to do most of the work. We soon learn the reason for Matt's big commute and the families move is not because he wanted a tree change but because he is actually Hugh and Hugh is married with a child and has been lying to his wife Jo and Emma for years.
Matt/Hugh is an absolute tosser. Not only is he a cheater and liar he is pathetic. He thinks this situation just happened to him and he got in too deep and couldn't get outs he didn't want to hurt anyone, he loves them both, that's why he had to keep lying. The character was awful and 100% believable. I know others who have been in similar situations and there must be a douche handbook cos they all seem to sing the same song, even the fictional ones. Emma and Jo manage the fallout of the revelation in different ways and as Emma states, you never know how you will react until it happens. I found their reactions believable and heartfelt. Emma at times annoyed me in a way I didn't recall from the first reading (20 years ago). She is so codependant on Matt and so eager to please and make him happy so she can create a perfect family life.
The background characters are also well rounded and add depth to the story I enjoyed this book more and on a deeper level than I remembered. I wont leave it 20 more years to pick up another one of Barr's books.
Plan B focuses on Emma, a young woman living in Brighton with her partner Matt and her daughter, Alice. Emma loves their life however Matt has decided the family should move to France, dreaming of living an idyllic life in the South of France. Emma is reluctant to make the change, but she adores Matt, who has promised to marry her once they move, and will do anything to keep him happy (aka she is a doormat). So the family make the move and commit to Emma and Alice living in France full time with Matt living and commuting in London half the week. Pretty soon it becomes obvious Matt has not thought through the plan, the house is falling down, there's not beating or electricity, and Matt soon burgers off back to London to leave Emma to do most of the work. We soon learn the reason for Matt's big commute and the families move is not because he wanted a tree change but because he is actually Hugh and Hugh is married with a child and has been lying to his wife Jo and Emma for years.
Matt/Hugh is an absolute tosser. Not only is he a cheater and liar he is pathetic. He thinks this situation just happened to him and he got in too deep and couldn't get outs he didn't want to hurt anyone, he loves them both, that's why he had to keep lying. The character was awful and 100% believable. I know others who have been in similar situations and there must be a douche handbook cos they all seem to sing the same song, even the fictional ones. Emma and Jo manage the fallout of the revelation in different ways and as Emma states, you never know how you will react until it happens. I found their reactions believable and heartfelt. Emma at times annoyed me in a way I didn't recall from the first reading (20 years ago). She is so codependant on Matt and so eager to please and make him happy so she can create a perfect family life.
The background characters are also well rounded and add depth to the story I enjoyed this book more and on a deeper level than I remembered. I wont leave it 20 more years to pick up another one of Barr's books.
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