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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
Really enjoyed this book. Quick read, not your typical girly book. A bit ridiculous at times, but wrapped up well in the end.
funny
mysterious
I love this author so much that I’m always eager to read any piece of writing she creates even if it appears on a dirty napkin. Unfortunately, as much as I try, I don’t love her novels as much as her memoirs. I keep trying and will continue to do so because I believe in her writing. For instance, Here I Go Again, an earlier foray into fiction, was much better – it was humorous, entertaining with funny characterizations and a good plot.
While I read The Best of Enemies, I found myself bored and somewhat disappointed. It’s funny here and there but not laugh out loud which is usually the norm. Since I like Jen Lancaster’s style of writing and think she’s quite skilled at it, I could dismiss how banal the story turns out to be. Again, I feel like I’m telling a friend that she looks too fat in pair of jeans which makes me feel terrible. Only my sister and I would critique each other that severely, but I must be honest.
Anyway, three women – two who are sworn enemies from college and polar opposites – journalist Jack Jordan and stay-at-home mom Kitty Carricoe – come together for the funeral of the newly deceased husband of the third, Sarabeth Chandler. Essentially, Sarabeth is the unlikely glue between the three, much to the chagrin of Jack and Kitty. Both ladies suspect that Sarabeth’s husband is not dead, so they set off on a madcap adventure to seek out the truth. Oddly, Sarabeth does not accompany them or know about this road trip.
One of the main problems is that it takes too long to get to the bulk of the story. Although Lancaster introduces the characters and scenarios through humorous memos and letters, the plot is too predictable. She usually peppers her writing with fun 1980s references that are accurate and apt to the story, but the excessive Top Gun references overwhelmed the book to the point of eye-rolling. If she toned them down or eliminated a few, they would have been more effective. Regarding the use of slang, she was right on (my 1970s example) with present day terms, but it filters in to the flashbacks which just don’t fit.
As for the characters, I disliked Jack who was too dry and serious. Once the book nears its conclusion, her personality suddenly shifts, and I couldn’t buy it. I couldn’t successfully believe Jack changing by observing Kitty’s vastly different lifestyle. Jack’s “acting” skills in pulling off a few capers seem implausible even beyond the suspension of disbelief in fiction. Also, in retrieving information during their spy missions, it was too easy and didn’t really employ Jack’s expertise to great effect.
However, I loved her character Kitty and not because I’m a blogger and stay-at-home mom like her. Despite her flaws, she’s likable, believable and so much fun. Lancaster could build a series on Kitty and continue with the outrageous stories of suburbia, she’s that appealing. But in keeping Sarabeth, who goes by two different nicknames in maintaining how diametrically opposed Jack and Kitty are, under wraps, I didn’t sufficiently grasp her present day character. When she is finally featured, it doesn’t make sense. Her past was painted with broad strokes but didn’t gel for today.
I found Jack and Kitty’s eventual bonding forced and not a real meeting of the minds. How could they truly accept each other and say they’re now best friends? I cannot imagine either one changing due to their reformed association. Sure, they could forgive each other’s past transgressions and learn to be civil but friends? One simple road trip isn’t enough.
What don’t really work are the twists at the end and that the story wraps up too neatly. There’s not enough adequate foreshadowing to believe it or be shocked enough to amp up the ending. Scooby Doo cartoons echoed during the climax which spun out of control. I could almost hear the villain grumbling that “I would have gotten away with it if it hadn’t been for those meddling kids.” Maybe if Lancaster posed the ending in that framework, it would be an awesome parody and another throwback to days gone by.
For some reason, the antics and capers the characters engaged in never elicited laughs for me. I know Lancaster can deliver the laughs – please read her memoirs! – but this novel didn’t do it. Having been apoplectic with laughter while reading most of her books, not even able to hold the book while in hysterics and veering into tears, I think things can only get better, and I do commend Lancaster for branching out into fiction. She has the chops for it.
More Reviews of Jen Lancaster’s Books:
http://jerseymomsblog.com/2011/08/what-we-read-this-summer/
While I read The Best of Enemies, I found myself bored and somewhat disappointed. It’s funny here and there but not laugh out loud which is usually the norm. Since I like Jen Lancaster’s style of writing and think she’s quite skilled at it, I could dismiss how banal the story turns out to be. Again, I feel like I’m telling a friend that she looks too fat in pair of jeans which makes me feel terrible. Only my sister and I would critique each other that severely, but I must be honest.
Anyway, three women – two who are sworn enemies from college and polar opposites – journalist Jack Jordan and stay-at-home mom Kitty Carricoe – come together for the funeral of the newly deceased husband of the third, Sarabeth Chandler. Essentially, Sarabeth is the unlikely glue between the three, much to the chagrin of Jack and Kitty. Both ladies suspect that Sarabeth’s husband is not dead, so they set off on a madcap adventure to seek out the truth. Oddly, Sarabeth does not accompany them or know about this road trip.
One of the main problems is that it takes too long to get to the bulk of the story. Although Lancaster introduces the characters and scenarios through humorous memos and letters, the plot is too predictable. She usually peppers her writing with fun 1980s references that are accurate and apt to the story, but the excessive Top Gun references overwhelmed the book to the point of eye-rolling. If she toned them down or eliminated a few, they would have been more effective. Regarding the use of slang, she was right on (my 1970s example) with present day terms, but it filters in to the flashbacks which just don’t fit.
As for the characters, I disliked Jack who was too dry and serious. Once the book nears its conclusion, her personality suddenly shifts, and I couldn’t buy it. I couldn’t successfully believe Jack changing by observing Kitty’s vastly different lifestyle. Jack’s “acting” skills in pulling off a few capers seem implausible even beyond the suspension of disbelief in fiction. Also, in retrieving information during their spy missions, it was too easy and didn’t really employ Jack’s expertise to great effect.
However, I loved her character Kitty and not because I’m a blogger and stay-at-home mom like her. Despite her flaws, she’s likable, believable and so much fun. Lancaster could build a series on Kitty and continue with the outrageous stories of suburbia, she’s that appealing. But in keeping Sarabeth, who goes by two different nicknames in maintaining how diametrically opposed Jack and Kitty are, under wraps, I didn’t sufficiently grasp her present day character. When she is finally featured, it doesn’t make sense. Her past was painted with broad strokes but didn’t gel for today.
I found Jack and Kitty’s eventual bonding forced and not a real meeting of the minds. How could they truly accept each other and say they’re now best friends? I cannot imagine either one changing due to their reformed association. Sure, they could forgive each other’s past transgressions and learn to be civil but friends? One simple road trip isn’t enough.
What don’t really work are the twists at the end and that the story wraps up too neatly. There’s not enough adequate foreshadowing to believe it or be shocked enough to amp up the ending. Scooby Doo cartoons echoed during the climax which spun out of control. I could almost hear the villain grumbling that “I would have gotten away with it if it hadn’t been for those meddling kids.” Maybe if Lancaster posed the ending in that framework, it would be an awesome parody and another throwback to days gone by.
For some reason, the antics and capers the characters engaged in never elicited laughs for me. I know Lancaster can deliver the laughs – please read her memoirs! – but this novel didn’t do it. Having been apoplectic with laughter while reading most of her books, not even able to hold the book while in hysterics and veering into tears, I think things can only get better, and I do commend Lancaster for branching out into fiction. She has the chops for it.
More Reviews of Jen Lancaster’s Books:
http://jerseymomsblog.com/2011/08/what-we-read-this-summer/
So. Jen Lancaster has always been one of my all time favorite authors. But this book is the most phenomenal thing she has ever written. I was in love from the first page. AMAZING!
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
Three is a crowd and these three women have never been able to be a threesome. They work in sets of two, but these three women have never been able to be friends. Sarabeth is the common denominator in the group between Jack and Kitty. Jack is the childhood friend and they went to college together. Kitty is the college friend who has easily transferred into adult life with many commonalities.
In this book, Kitty and Jack take turns telling the story. They tell stories from the past when they met Sarabeth and stories that center around their pasts and then the current time as they are dealing with the death of Sarabeth's husband. I love multiple characters telling the story; it always makes my day so I loved that both best friends had a chance to tell their sides.
Three is a crowd and these three women have never been able to be a threesome. They work in sets of two, but these three women have never been able to be friends. Sarabeth is the common denominator in the group between Jack and Kitty. Jack is the childhood friend and they went to college together. Kitty is the college friend who has easily transferred into adult life with many commonalities.
In this book, Kitty and Jack take turns telling the story. They tell stories from the past when they met Sarabeth and stories that center around their pasts and then the current time as they are dealing with the death of Sarabeth's husband. I love multiple characters telling the story; it always makes my day so I loved that both best friends had a chance to tell their sides.
I usually love Jen Lancaster books but I thought the characters in this one were fairly unlikeable. I was so disappointed because all of her books are always 5 star in my mind!