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More About the Author
Product Description
Independent
'The literary equivalent of a goodie bag'
Oh! Magazine
'Women's fiction doesn't get any better than this ... Sharp, funny and touching. Give it a go.'
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I enjoyed this book while I was reading it although it's not the type that I would be able to read again and again. The idea of linking the characters of each chapter is a very good one and is very well handled, removing any danger that the novel would read like a series of short stories rather than one tale.
My main complaint with this book is the same one I have with many contemporary novels - I cannot connect with the characters on any level or even like them, which for me is an essential part of wanting to read their story. Whilst novels would be boring if the characters acted like everyday people, is it too much to ask for at least one character to be vaguely normal and sympathetic? It would save me from wanting to reach into the book, grab the narrator by the throat, and shake her until she shuts up!
Perhaps I'm just picky. Anyway, an interesting debut, and I will watch for Giles' next novel with interest. I may even be tempted to read it.
My main complaint with this book is the same one I have with many contemporary novels - I cannot connect with the characters on any level or even like them, which for me is an essential part of wanting to read their story. Whilst novels would be boring if the characters acted like everyday people, is it too much to ask for at least one character to be vaguely normal and sympathetic? It would save me from wanting to reach into the book, grab the narrator by the throat, and shake her until she shuts up!
Perhaps I'm just picky. Anyway, an interesting debut, and I will watch for Giles' next novel with interest. I may even be tempted to read it.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is an entertaining debut novel by Annabel Giles which I selected to read because of the eye-catching cover. I enjoyed the stories of the six narrators the further I read. Although I would have expected annabel G of Just 17 fame to be in tune with children and young adults, I felt patronised by the narration and lack of sympathy in the characters of Scarlett, Della and Nancy, and Becca. I was most sympathetic to the older characters, and felt the author was showing far more empathy towards them. The structure was excellent as I could keep connecting characters from earlier incidents which hadn't seemed important at the time. A good start in fiction.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is ok -that's the best thing I can say about it and I'm being more than fair in that.
The blurb on the back intrigued me and indeed the interweaving of the six birthday girls' stories was a clever concept which Giles deals with well (it sould have been very confusing but she sidesteps this pothole well) However, none of her characters are at all likeable and as such I was unable to connect with them and ultimately care what happened to them - similarly I didn't hate them enough to hope they got their cumuppance - in the end all I could feel was indifference. Speaking of the end - you'll see it coming a mile off!!! I'm not sure if Giles intended it to be a aurprise or a big twist but if you haven't figured it out by the end of the 4th birthday I suggest you don't apply for Mensa membership anytime soon!
Overall a scarsely enjoyable no-brianer - wouldn't recommend it.
The blurb on the back intrigued me and indeed the interweaving of the six birthday girls' stories was a clever concept which Giles deals with well (it sould have been very confusing but she sidesteps this pothole well) However, none of her characters are at all likeable and as such I was unable to connect with them and ultimately care what happened to them - similarly I didn't hate them enough to hope they got their cumuppance - in the end all I could feel was indifference. Speaking of the end - you'll see it coming a mile off!!! I'm not sure if Giles intended it to be a aurprise or a big twist but if you haven't figured it out by the end of the 4th birthday I suggest you don't apply for Mensa membership anytime soon!
Overall a scarsely enjoyable no-brianer - wouldn't recommend it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Good holiday read!
I enjoyed this book. The characters were all interesting and the plot, with several twists and turns, kept me interested. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Holls
unexpected
I have to say that I found this book to be a very enjoyable read. What I liked the most was that it had a few twists and turns that I really didnt expect and therefore was much... Read more
Published on 24 May 2009 by Haylie Reid
A Spoonful of Sugar
I picked this up because I needed something light to get into the holiday mood.
The blurb reads, "Six women, six birthdays. Read more
The blurb reads, "Six women, six birthdays. Read more
Published on 3 Aug 2008 by L. J. Williams
Superb Read
The linking of so many lives keeps you rivetted to this book and never sure of who will appear next or where or when. Read more
Published on 18 Mar 2008 by Wordsworth
Nothing more than a bad soap opera really...
Annabelle Giles's 'BIRTHDAY GIRLS' has a promising concept, following six women at different stages in their lives in the days leading up to their birthdays and finding out whether... Read more
Published on 30 Oct 2006 by DevJohn01
A good Idea
But spoiled by her poor writing and filthy bad language on almost every page which was unnecssary.
I would never read anything by her again assuming she did get anything... Read more
I would never read anything by her again assuming she did get anything... Read more
Published on 18 Oct 2006 by MRS C M DUNCAN
A Well constructed book
If you want light fiction that is better constructed than the likes of Jane Green, and a lot of fun, this is the book for you. Read more
Published on 3 Nov 2005 by saki
Happy Birthday Girls
This book is very hard going to begin with, But once the reader understands who the characters are, the story unfolds and they all fit together as you go along. Read more
Published on 20 July 2005 by Rebecca Hagyard
a more mature approach to Maeve Binchy
This was not the usual "girly" novel that I thought it might be. There are some good ones but mostly they become too lacking in story lines. Read more
Published on 2 July 2002
Very enjoyable read but a predictable ending
The book was very amusing throughout but I felt that some of the graphic language was not necessary and the author didn't need to resort to 'shock tactics' to keep you interested. Read more
Published on 7 Dec 2001 by "janettefirth"
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