Once in a Lifetime
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Review
Praise for Once in a Lifetime
'Wise, warm, compassionate, full of characters that I loved and identified with, it's like having a great gossip with your best friends. Her best book yet.' Marian Keyes
'Vintage Kelly territory - it's a book for those who believe in love' Evening Herald
'Entertaining, moving and as vivid as a screenplay - presents a picture of the lives of Irish women which, like all good fiction, brings the truth into sharp relief' Irish Independent
'Engaging reading for these recessionary times' Irish Times
Some rave reviews for Cathy’s previous bestellers:
• ‘She writes genuinely compelling stories with a sharp eye for detail and character.' Irish Mail on Sunday
• 'Kelly has an uncanny knack of drawing you in to each of her characters, emotionally attaching you to their journeys …'RTE Guide
• ‘A must for Kelly's many fans; a warm, moving read ' Daily Mail
• 'An upbeat and diverting tale skilfully told…Kelly knows what her readers want and consistently delivers.' Sunday Independent
• 'An absorbing, heart-warming tale ' Company
• 'Kelly explores infidelity with searing honesty…I couldn't stop reading' Louise Bagshaw, Daily Mail
• 'Kelly reels you into this addictive tale' Woman & Home
Review
Praise for Once in a Lifetime 'Wise, warm, compassionate, full of characters that I loved and identified with, it's like having a great gossip with your best friends. Her best book yet.' Marian Keyes 'Vintage Kelly territory - it's a book for those who believe in love' Evening Herald 'Entertaining, moving and as vivid as a screenplay - presents a picture of the lives of Irish women which, like all good fiction, brings the truth into sharp relief' Irish Independent 'Engaging reading for these recessionary times' Irish Times Some rave reviews for Cathy's previous bestellers: * 'She writes genuinely compelling stories with a sharp eye for detail and character.' Irish Mail on Sunday * 'Kelly has an uncanny knack of drawing you in to each of her characters, emotionally attaching you to their journeys !'RTE Guide * 'A must for Kelly's many fans; a warm, moving read ' Daily Mail * 'An upbeat and diverting tale skilfully told!Kelly knows what her readers want and consistently delivers.' Sunday Independent * 'An absorbing, heart-warming tale ' Company * 'Kelly explores infidelity with searing honesty!I couldn't stop reading' Louise Bagshaw, Daily Mail * 'Kelly reels you into this addictive tale' Woman & Home
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Cathy Kelly is one of three authors on my Irish-writer 'autobuy list', the others being Marion Keyes and Maeve Binchy. It's very rare that I'm disappointed with any of these; they have a gift for creating interesting characters with fascinating interwoven storylines.
This book is an exception, however. I was hopeful given Marion Keyes' cover-quote saying that this is one of Kelly's best with wonderful characters. Not. Yes, Ingrid - the most prominent character, wife of Kenny's magnate David and host of a prime-time TV political talk-show - is likeable and interesting, but she's surrounded by others who really didn't appeal at all. For once, also, the various characters' stories didn't gel for me, and the book's structure did not hang together.
Characters such as Kitty, Dara, Lizzie and others were irritating and unsympathetic. David, Ingrid's husband, was too much of a cypher in the beginning for me to form any liking for him, and I'm left wondering what Ingrid ever saw in him. As for Star Bluestone, the proclaimed lodestone of the book, I could have done without her and her flaky second-sight mumbo-jumbo.
Sorry, Cathy Kelly, but this book was considerably below what I'm used to from you and will be finding its way to the nearest second-hand bookshop.
This book is an exception, however. I was hopeful given Marion Keyes' cover-quote saying that this is one of Kelly's best with wonderful characters. Not. Yes, Ingrid - the most prominent character, wife of Kenny's magnate David and host of a prime-time TV political talk-show - is likeable and interesting, but she's surrounded by others who really didn't appeal at all. For once, also, the various characters' stories didn't gel for me, and the book's structure did not hang together.
Characters such as Kitty, Dara, Lizzie and others were irritating and unsympathetic. David, Ingrid's husband, was too much of a cypher in the beginning for me to form any liking for him, and I'm left wondering what Ingrid ever saw in him. As for Star Bluestone, the proclaimed lodestone of the book, I could have done without her and her flaky second-sight mumbo-jumbo.
Sorry, Cathy Kelly, but this book was considerably below what I'm used to from you and will be finding its way to the nearest second-hand bookshop.
25 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
At the beginning of her authorship, Cathy Kelly's books were categorized as chick-lit, and although I have never quite agreed since I have always thought Kelly has her own unique style, her two latest books have clearly signalized a change.
With "Once in a lifetime" Cathy Kelly has taken the step from youngish, fun and bubbly to maturity and wisdom. I have always found that the Irish, in all kinds of art, have a special kind of magic, partly based on centuries of rich tradition, partly simply a trait in the Irish themselves. Whatever, it's there and it's special. And Cathy Kelly has got it in buckets.
In this book her storytelling is reaching deep into people's souls and far under the surface of life.
"Once in a Lifetime" is the story about TV presentator Ingrid, her husband David, owner of old distinguished department store Kenny's, and their two children Molly and Ethan. It's about Star Bluestone, the latest of the Bluestone women who for centuries have possessed magic abilities of various kinds. Star is perhaps the most fascinating character in the book. Living alone in the beautiful Bluestone cottage, surrounded by her dogs, orchids, interesting collections from her various travels and not the least her production of the beautiful embroidered Bluestone tapestries.There is Charlie, working at Kenny's cosmetic department and her family - and Natalie, searching desperately for knowledge about her long dead birth mother. And many, many more.
Over each chapter in the book there is a headline, a simple word of wisdom. Also, scattered about in the book are thoughtful advice and contemplations, for instance Charlie's written notes, helping her to cope and sort out her difficult relationships with her mother and sister, and helping the readers in the prosess.
My copy of the book is full of underlinings and marks. The book has not yet found its way to the bookshelf but remains lying on my night table as I need to have it close by for reference and guidance.
Is "Once in a Lifetime" a pageturner? To me, a pageturner AND a page-returner, since as much as I wanted to rush for answers, I was forced to stop on the way to ponder and think. There are so many flowers along this road which are impossible to ignore. One needs to stop and bend down to further search and admire.
Dare I say that with this book Cathy Kelly has found herself a place among the Irish classics? I think so. Old Irish myths wisely spun into modern life. The wonder of nature, love and life. And Kelly's all present trademarks, humour and warmth.
An important book by a great author, who has finally found her place.
With "Once in a lifetime" Cathy Kelly has taken the step from youngish, fun and bubbly to maturity and wisdom. I have always found that the Irish, in all kinds of art, have a special kind of magic, partly based on centuries of rich tradition, partly simply a trait in the Irish themselves. Whatever, it's there and it's special. And Cathy Kelly has got it in buckets.
In this book her storytelling is reaching deep into people's souls and far under the surface of life.
"Once in a Lifetime" is the story about TV presentator Ingrid, her husband David, owner of old distinguished department store Kenny's, and their two children Molly and Ethan. It's about Star Bluestone, the latest of the Bluestone women who for centuries have possessed magic abilities of various kinds. Star is perhaps the most fascinating character in the book. Living alone in the beautiful Bluestone cottage, surrounded by her dogs, orchids, interesting collections from her various travels and not the least her production of the beautiful embroidered Bluestone tapestries.There is Charlie, working at Kenny's cosmetic department and her family - and Natalie, searching desperately for knowledge about her long dead birth mother. And many, many more.
Over each chapter in the book there is a headline, a simple word of wisdom. Also, scattered about in the book are thoughtful advice and contemplations, for instance Charlie's written notes, helping her to cope and sort out her difficult relationships with her mother and sister, and helping the readers in the prosess.
My copy of the book is full of underlinings and marks. The book has not yet found its way to the bookshelf but remains lying on my night table as I need to have it close by for reference and guidance.
Is "Once in a Lifetime" a pageturner? To me, a pageturner AND a page-returner, since as much as I wanted to rush for answers, I was forced to stop on the way to ponder and think. There are so many flowers along this road which are impossible to ignore. One needs to stop and bend down to further search and admire.
Dare I say that with this book Cathy Kelly has found herself a place among the Irish classics? I think so. Old Irish myths wisely spun into modern life. The wonder of nature, love and life. And Kelly's all present trademarks, humour and warmth.
An important book by a great author, who has finally found her place.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I am an avid Cathy Kelly fan but found this book extremely hard going. She is normally a fun read and I always look forward to taking her books to read on holiday but this one was very disappointing. I found it difficult to get past the first chapter let alone the rest of the book. I have flicked through but I think this is one that I will not be able to complete which is not like me at all.
This has put me off buying anymore Cathy Kelly unless she goes back to het usual style of writing.
This has put me off buying anymore Cathy Kelly unless she goes back to het usual style of writing.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
unadulterated rubbish
One of the worst books I have ever had the misfortune to come accross.
Overall there were too many charachters not well linked together.
Simply dreadful... Read more
Overall there were too many charachters not well linked together.
Simply dreadful... Read more
Published 6 months ago by wordlover
Once In A Lifetime
At the centre of this book is Kenny's book store and David Kenny's who own's it. Its about a small community, a typical Irish Community where everyone know's everyone or through a... Read more
Published 22 months ago by L Murphy
Better but not great
Once In A Lifetime doesn't have the most promising of starts - Star Bluestone had talked to bees all her life - which made me think this was going to be a load of hippie rubbish. Read more
Published on 9 Jan 2010 by Miss L. D. Masters
Once in a lifetime
I have struggled to read this book over many weeks i find it boring and uninteresting with only the odd section which holds my attention. Read more
Published on 4 Jan 2010 by Tessa
poor
I'm afraid this was by far the worst book I bought for ages.
I had good memories of Winter evenings spent with other books by Cathy Kelly borrowed from friends. Read more
I had good memories of Winter evenings spent with other books by Cathy Kelly borrowed from friends. Read more
Published on 25 Nov 2009 by ann M
Just too boring!
Disappointingly have decided to give up on this one. Started off OK, then I became bored with Ingrid, picked up a lot with Natalie and I thought perhaps this book isn't so bad,... Read more
Published on 8 Nov 2009 by Sue
Oh Dear!
I have read all of Cathy Kelly's books, and loved them all, these one was not on the same level I am afraid..I found it very hard going, and nearly gave up reading it. Read more
Published on 22 Oct 2009 by C. Davis
a total pleasure to read!
Once again Cathy Kelly has written a brilliant read.. I could not put this book down it was a real pleasure to read. I highly recommend this book..
Published on 24 Sep 2009 by Ms P. Wilson
No magic
Few of the characters grabbed me although I did warm to Marcella and would have preferred her as a lead character. Read more
Published on 3 Sep 2009 by Potterywhizz
Drivel
I bought this book expecting it to be as good as her previous novels but I was wrong. Right from the start Ingrid Fitzgerald got my nerves and as the story progressed I started to... Read more
Published on 9 Aug 2009 by E. Fallon
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