Marian Keyes first book has all the hallmarks that have continued through her later novels; close family ties, troubled marriages and strong female characters. Our heroine here is Claire, happily married to the wonderful James, with a London flat she has lovingly designed and a great job. Then hours after she gives birth to their baby girl, James announces he is leaving her for their frumpy, older neighbour leaving Claire utterly devastated.
With her life shattered and a baby she doesn't even know what to call, Claire does the only thing that makes sense at a time like this: she goes home to Dublin and her noisy, eccentric family replete with Irish mammy, mad-as-hatter sisters and slightly bewildered Dad. Gradually Claire realises life goes on and starts to recover. Then James reappears and wants her back... but does she want him? Does she really want to go back to her old life?
The prose reads as though you are inside Claire's head. She's genuine and funny and her emotions wholly believable but it was really drawn out. And I do mean really drawn out. The book could have been a 100 pages shorter. In fact, I skipped a 100 pages in the middle because I got a tad bored and the plot didn't even suffer as a result. But I'm glad to say the book redeemed itself with an upbeat ending so if you want a tale of perfection goes wrong with your heroine triumphing over a prize eejit (as Keyes would no doubt say) this is one for you. [Camilla Chafer]
