- Paperback: 368 pages
- Publisher: Vintage; New edition edition (2 Oct 2003)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0099469669
- ISBN-13: 978-0099469667
- Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.4 x 2.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (107 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 408,107 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
I Don't Know How She Does It
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
For some considerable time, Allison Pearson's journalism and television punditry have represented an oasis of wit and intelligence in an era of dumbing-down. Her speciality is the perfectly judged observation: the devastatingly spot-on anatomising of the foibles of human behaviour--always unsparing, but always full of good humour. It’s hardly surprising, then, that I Don't Know How She Does It: Kate Reddy is crammed full of those same qualities: this beguiling and sharply observed novel is based on her weekly Daily Telegraph column. The publishers tell us that this is "a comedy about failure, a tragedy about success", and that gets it about right; at the centre of this utterly readable tale is the beleaguered Kate Reddy.
Pearson's heroine spends her life dealing with nagging guilt and the impossible demands of an over-busy life. Yes, we're talking about the crushing demands put on modern women--and Kate is a classic case of just how difficult it is to "have it all". Career, relationships, marriage--as many women know, managing them all is a Herculean task. And as Kate's juggling act carries her closer and closer to disaster, Allison Pearson herself pulls off a particularly jaw-dropping juggling act herself: certainly, I Don't Know How She Does It is a delightful comedy of manners with a beautifully observed heroine (with whom it's very easy to identify), but there are some razor-sharp points made under the surface here about women in the new century. But this is never at the expense of an unputdownable read--Pearson is much too canny a writer to forget the fact that we want to be entertained first and foremost, whatever else an author may freight in to their narrative. No wonder all those Hollywood film studios are already putting up millions for the screen rights. --Barry Forshaw --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Tony Parsons
A grown-up novel that is hilarious, heartbreaking and brimming with the bitter-sweet tang of all our lives
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
46 of 49 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Allison Pearson can, as we already know, write. Her forte is wonderful observations, pithily put. The resonance of what she writes about (I have two children; my wife and I both work) made me laugh and cry several times.
You should read the book if the above sounds good to you. If you want to read a story, however, be warned. The story doesn't start until page 288. Before that, you'll be embroiled in the hectic life of Kate Reddy, forever wondering if the plot possibilities she tees up will ever come to pass. Once you get to page 288, when Kate Reddy is confronted by events that require her to start making choices, you'll find major events dealt with very sketchily or barely mentioned in passing; the author skims over the few elements of real story that exist in the book. At times, it seems the author 'chokes' when faced with exploring how her heroine might develop when not merely coping with working motherhood.
I like a good storyline in novels. Maybe Ms Pearson was just too busy to put one in.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This was a very honestly written tells it like it is story. I felt quite emotional as I read Kate's constant juggle with work and family. The author described her feelings both rational and irrational very well and you ended up feeling profoundly sorry for them all.
There were some beautiful and poignant descriptions of those secret moments between parent and child - the `magic spot' between a baby's brow - that brought such a rush of tenderness and remembrance to me. Her portrayal of the change in a marriage brought about by having children was sooo accurate. Pearson makes truly spot on observations.
As much as I empathised with Kate I did silently cheer Richard for his actions but what disappointed me the most about this book was its conclusion, which felt rushed. Like other reviewers before me I agree that for 2/3rds of this book the story was gritty and realistic - such a shame it became a bit silly at the end, bit of a fairytale happy ever after ending that didn't really suit the tone Pearson had so cleverly set beforehand.
There were some beautiful and poignant descriptions of those secret moments between parent and child - the `magic spot' between a baby's brow - that brought such a rush of tenderness and remembrance to me. Her portrayal of the change in a marriage brought about by having children was sooo accurate. Pearson makes truly spot on observations.
As much as I empathised with Kate I did silently cheer Richard for his actions but what disappointed me the most about this book was its conclusion, which felt rushed. Like other reviewers before me I agree that for 2/3rds of this book the story was gritty and realistic - such a shame it became a bit silly at the end, bit of a fairytale happy ever after ending that didn't really suit the tone Pearson had so cleverly set beforehand.
39 of 43 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is a fun, read-in-three-days kind of novel, but pretty much forgettable. The major problem I had with this book was that I loathed Kate - partly for her snobbishness, but mainly for her stupidity. I mean, how can she really think that she can have it all? I had no sympathy for her at all and I really wanted Richard not to come back to her. She says that her family are the most important thing to her and that her family are suffering because she is nearly always at work, but it takes three quarters of the book for her to do something about it.
I also thought that Allison Pearson was trying to have it both ways, in that she perhaps was trying to paint an accurate picture of working women's lives in modern society, but the fact that Kate is such an incredibly high earner - not being representative of most working mothers after all - really undermines her argument.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Infuriating
Tedious tale about a high flying career woman dissatisfied with every aspect of her life - moans that she can't work less hours despite having a nanny AND cleaner and taking taxis... Read more
Published 3 days ago by Butterfly
Very good
Kate is a high flying executive and busy mother. She has a crazy schedule and so busy all the time and this is quite a hectic book to read at times. Read more
Published 3 days ago by Geraldine Kittle
Nor Do I
It's a great book. If you're a mother and a working mother, reading this will remind you of just what you've got on your plate and might relieve some of the guilt you might... Read more
Published 1 month ago by nancy margaret
I loved this book - men with working wives should read it
Not sure what a previous reviewer means about the story not starting until page 288 - this was a thoroughly enjoyable read from page one. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Naj
Witty & think it could be me she's writing about
I saw the film which was quite good but shame they didn't base it on the real woman. She's British & has a great witty style. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Siobhan
Every woman should read this book
This book is a must for all women and highlights the difference between men and women in the workplace. I didnt want the book to end. Read more
Published 3 months ago by dianemle
A Turning the Pages Review
You may also read my review here: [...]....
Being a working mom, I immediately thought that this book would appeal to me... Read more
Being a working mom, I immediately thought that this book would appeal to me... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Turning the Pages
Not for me
As a working mum with a stressful job, i thought I would relate to the character, but after getting 17% of the way through, I've given up! Read more
Published 3 months ago by Martine
Best book I read about working as a mum
I don't care we are not all fund managers, the doubts and insecurities Kate has are the same regardless of what you do for a living. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Urs
I don't know how she does it
Great book, I would highly recommend it for any working Mother. A great read, once I got into it I couldn't put it down!
Published 6 months ago by gneza
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