Reviews

This Charming Man by Marian Keyes

allisondenae's review against another edition

2.0

This was my first Marian Keyes book to read, and I am glad that I tried another after this one. I felt that there were parts of this that were dirty and TMI (too much information). It left me feeling a little slimy. I enjoy her writing style, and I liked "The Other Side of the Story" much better than this one. I love Marian Keyes, and this book is not awful....I just can't feel like I can recommend it to anyone. Read something else by Keyes!

jesslolsen's review against another edition

4.0

I am a massive fan of Marian Keyes and believe she can do no wrong (absolute favourite is Last Chance Saloon), so it was hard to write this review objectively.
Keyes humour and clever writing are still there in her characters, and there were times when it had me laughing out aloud (particularly when Chloe and the gang were around!) but for some reason I can't quite put my finger on, I don't think this is the best book Keyes has written.
I found Marnie painful to read at times, and while I have never had close contact with someone who has experienced both Alcoholism and physical abuse, I think that this might have been an accurate insight in to how this might be to have to try and live with someone afflicted with this.
The story also gave very graphic descriptions of the physical and emotional violence, showing the depth of the womens' pain as well as their individual strengths.
Lola's journal writing style took a little while to get used to, but once I did, I didn't even notice that sometime sentences were missing all their fillers. She cracked me up, especially when her Trannies (I mean Cross-dressers!) were around!
If you are a fan you know you'l have to read it, so hurry up and go get it!

shinyhappycamper's review against another edition

2.0

I wasn't really sure how to rate this book. I picked it up at the library because it had a pretty cover, without even really reading the synopsis. Once I started reading it, though, I couldn't put it down. It's a very captivating story. But even though it's told from four women's points of view, I couldn't really identify with any of them. I liked Lola's quirkyness, and initially thought that Grace was an admirable character. That was until I got to the end of the book and found out that she made a conscious decision to risk her relationship with a wonderful man for the chance at a fling with her jerkface childhood crush (who she knew had beaten the crap out of her own sister and broke her heart, not to mention the other atrocities). What the hell message are we supposed to get from this book? That women are all weak beings, slave to the passions of our heart and likely to fall in love the devil at the drop of a hat? I don't get it.

So, it's a very well written story, but the story itself sucks.

asiwajubanke's review against another edition

3.0

I was surprised by this book. I expected it to be like the others but this book covered many topics in a way i hadn't imagined before. Domestic violence, cross dressing, alcoholism etc. I loved it but i could't give it more than 3 stars because Lola's narrative was annoying most times

janeymacd's review against another edition

The writing style of this one just wasn't for me.
I love Marian Keyes in general, she is a master of her art. Luckily she's written lots, so there's plenty more to chose from!

elliekoepke's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

yolibear's review against another edition

4.0

I just read This Charming Man. It took forever for my library to get it to me. Apparently it is very popular. I have to admit, my work wifey Fieryirishangel began to read it and couldn't complete it. I thought I would be the same, but as it was for a book club i pushed on. I am glad I did. Lola was not as annoying as I thought she was going to be from what I had read of others. But I found instead that she wrote like I think in my own mine. Choppy sentences are easier to remember, especially for my to do list. She was my favorite character. Why? She was the only one who was in the least denial. She was hurt and was hurting. So she dealt with her pain. But the other women were in denial about alcohol, relationships, and betrayal. I'm glad I finished. Opened my eyes about a lot of things that I don't usually think about.

sarahmrob's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

triciaralph's review against another edition

2.0

Good final conclusion bringing all the stories together but some of the characters (and how they were written) were downright annoying.

bristolreads's review against another edition

4.0

This was a really interesting book with an unusually large variety of characters all linked together by the hideous Paddy. The plot initially felt quite predictable but the later twists were surprising and interesting, keeping my attention right to the end.