Scan barcode
ruthhelizabeth's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I love a Christmas book and I love many of Jenny Colgan's newer books. Reading this just felt like common sense!
However, I feel that Colgan's writing has definitely improved since this was written, and there were a number of elements in this book which made it quite unpleasant to read.
The biggest overwhelming issue for me was the clear judgement baked into the characterisations. Here are a few of the groups clear disdain are shown to over the book: fat people, skinny people, many types of diet, people who get plastic surgery, all of the parents in the book. Sometimes the characters show the judgement and other times it is just shown by how shallow the characters are. The fatphobia is particularly jarring. It is regular and blunt.
Some of these feels like it was set up so your heart is warmed if someone acts unlike the stereotype they have been given, but it was too little too late for me.
I know Colgan can write a lot better, and has written a lot better since. But I am not convinced this should have been republished so I could buy a brand new copy when she has so many other books out there which have shown her maturity as a writer.
However, I feel that Colgan's writing has definitely improved since this was written, and there were a number of elements in this book which made it quite unpleasant to read.
The biggest overwhelming issue for me was the clear judgement baked into the characterisations. Here are a few of the groups clear disdain are shown to over the book: fat people, skinny people, many types of diet, people who get plastic surgery, all of the parents in the book. Sometimes the characters show the judgement and other times it is just shown by how shallow the characters are. The fatphobia is particularly jarring. It is regular and blunt.
Some of these feels like it was set up so your heart is warmed if someone acts unlike the stereotype they have been given, but it was too little too late for me.
I know Colgan can write a lot better, and has written a lot better since. But I am not convinced this should have been republished so I could buy a brand new copy when she has so many other books out there which have shown her maturity as a writer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Sexual assault
More...