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erinmp's review against another edition
4.0
Lola. Grace. Marnie. Alicia. Four very different women with one connection: Paddy de Courcy. Told from each of the four women's viewpoints, This Charming Man explains how each of the women is deeply affected by this one man. All of the women are struggling with something, despite her outwardly normal appearance. The story starts with the announcement of de Courcy's engagement and the women's different reactions. From there we get to see why each woman reacted in her own way--and the reasons are shocking, but not all that diverse.
I really like Marian Keyes and this is one of her best novels to date in my opinion. It helps that she addresses the issue of domestic violence in depth (one of my main causes seeing as I am a former DV/SA advocate). Like another reviewer mentioned, this was less chick-lit than a real novel; and it was good. My only complaint is that the American edition is crappily edited--it attempted to change some of the UK words into the American counterparts, but either didn't change all, or changed some but not all. For instance in one paragraph it mentions that the heroine needs fries for her hangover and then in the *very* next paragraph, she is described as having a plate of chips in front of her. If you're going to change it, change it all! It seemed like the changes were intentional throughout the whole book (always cookies, never a mention of a biscuit); but then in the last scene there is mention of children playing football (no need to worry, it's not ruining the book whatsoever)--but it's obviously soccer--yes, I realize it's the same thing, but they attempted to change everything else, so I was perplexed that this was left. But like I said, it was a shoddy job all around and it should have remained as Keyes originally wrote it--Americans aren't that dumb.
I really like Marian Keyes and this is one of her best novels to date in my opinion. It helps that she addresses the issue of domestic violence in depth (one of my main causes seeing as I am a former DV/SA advocate). Like another reviewer mentioned, this was less chick-lit than a real novel; and it was good. My only complaint is that the American edition is crappily edited--it attempted to change some of the UK words into the American counterparts, but either didn't change all, or changed some but not all. For instance in one paragraph it mentions that the heroine needs fries for her hangover and then in the *very* next paragraph, she is described as having a plate of chips in front of her. If you're going to change it, change it all! It seemed like the changes were intentional throughout the whole book (always cookies, never a mention of a biscuit); but then in the last scene there is mention of children playing football (no need to worry, it's not ruining the book whatsoever)--but it's obviously soccer--yes, I realize it's the same thing, but they attempted to change everything else, so I was perplexed that this was left. But like I said, it was a shoddy job all around and it should have remained as Keyes originally wrote it--Americans aren't that dumb.
ftideman's review against another edition
5.0
Marian is always great at adopting different perspectives and giving them links without making it too obvious or cliched. She tackled some tough topics in this novel and yet managed to also bring humour and hope onto the darkest pages. One of her best novels.
shelockholmes's review against another edition
4.0
I picked up this book expecting a love story and a light read. Boy, was I wrong. The descriptions of anxiety in this book were so accurate I almost got an anxiety attack whilst reading. The lives described and the styles in which they are written vary to a much greater extent than just a change of font. I'm really happy I picked up this book and will carry it with me for quite some time.
genericfirstname's review against another edition
4.0
I found that this book really lagged and I spent most of it wondering why I should care about all these women but by the end it wrapped up wonderfully and I understood why I had to go through the first half. Read only if you're willing to slog it out till the end, it is worth it.
livck's review against another edition
4.0
An enjoyable read that managed to weave humour through dark and difficult storylines
erush's review against another edition
slow-paced
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Misogyny, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Transphobia