- Hardcover: 384 pages
- Publisher: Hamish Hamilton Ltd; First Edition edition (2 Sep 1999)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0241140242
- ISBN-13: 978-0241140246
- Product Dimensions: 21.8 x 14.4 x 3.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 871,235 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
September 1970. Albertine does not want to start her first day at the North London Girls' College wearing a uniform that "wasn't just second-hand but advertised this shameful fact by being bobbled all the way down the front." However, at "eleven years old Albertine was resigned to the fact that her mum didn't put her first, had never put her first and what's more didn't see why being her mother meant that she should."
And then, on her first day at school, she meets Tess--who re-christens her new friend Bert--and Vicky. They form an instant gang, and remain inseperable for the next seven years, while Bert turns herself into the naughtiest girl in the school, Tess battles with laughter-induced incontinence and watches loads of old movies and Vicky becomes an elegant, beautiful, good student. In the meantime Bert's mum decides to do some voluntary work at the school--which finishes after she's discovered being even naughtier than her daughter with the school's (male) music teacher and a grand piano. And the girls grow up, giggling, being rude to teachers, discovering sex, passing and failing exams, falling "Officially In Love", not necessarily in that order, and then leaving school and trying to work out what they want to do with their lives.
By the time they hit 40, each of them has somehow--more through luck than judgement--moulded an individual not-quite-conventional life that suits them. But still the patterns, squabbles and intensity of their mutual bond have endured. A fun and sympathetic portrayal of the ups and downs, ins and outs of female friendship by the author of Does My Bum Look Big In This?. --Lisa Gee
Product Description
This is the story of three women - Albertine (Bert), Vicky and Tess - and their unusual, enduring and often hilarious friendship. From the tank-topped 70s to the caring, sharing 90s, they manage to maintain their special bond in the face of a hectic, ever-changing, bewildering world.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have just finished reading this book for the third time since i bought it when it first came out. Any women who reads it, whatever era they grew up in and whatever age, can relate to one of the three friends in some way.
The lives of Tess, Bert and Vicky are so captivating and mesmorising you are justing willing an praying for them all to be happy.
This book will have you laughing out loud and you will find yourself unable to put it down because you just want to know what will happen to the three life-long friends.
EXCELLENT!! A must read!
The lives of Tess, Bert and Vicky are so captivating and mesmorising you are justing willing an praying for them all to be happy.
This book will have you laughing out loud and you will find yourself unable to put it down because you just want to know what will happen to the three life-long friends.
EXCELLENT!! A must read!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I tried this book after feeling rather disappointed with the previous best-seller 'Does my Bum look big in this?". This book seems to be have been written by a different author! The characters Bert, Tess and Vicky were girls you could relate to - from the time they met at secondary school to their dread of the big 4-0! The language used in the book (often colourful!) and the way the girls relate to each other took me back to teenage friendships and the hardships of growing up - and I often laughed out laugh at their exploits. why 4 stars instead of 5? Well, I felt that the characters could have been developed more deeply, and that some areas (such as relationships with parents) were glossed over. But apart from that, a really entertaining read and I'll be looking out for the next book by Ms Weir!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I'm sorry to say that I totally disagree with all the other reviewers. I could not wait to finish this book; so I could read something else!
I thought the characters lacked depth and the story did not have enough going on to hold my interest. I also thought the writing itself was quite poor; massive overuse of hyphens in-this-sort-of-style-every-other-page was really annoying! Also, I found that the author felt the need to explain and underline points that should have been very obvious from reading the preceeding paragraphs. I was very surprised to see that the book had such good reviews and a 5 star rating.
I can see what the autor tried to do and it seems like a great idea but, on paper, it just did not work for me. I see that I am in the minority here and I am glad that other people have enjoyed it- sorry ladies!
I thought the characters lacked depth and the story did not have enough going on to hold my interest. I also thought the writing itself was quite poor; massive overuse of hyphens in-this-sort-of-style-every-other-page was really annoying! Also, I found that the author felt the need to explain and underline points that should have been very obvious from reading the preceeding paragraphs. I was very surprised to see that the book had such good reviews and a 5 star rating.
I can see what the autor tried to do and it seems like a great idea but, on paper, it just did not work for me. I see that I am in the minority here and I am glad that other people have enjoyed it- sorry ladies!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
If you are female aged 40 - 55 this is a must read!
If like me you went to an all girls school in the 1970s you will recognise many people, and maybe even yourself in this book. At times it is shocking and sad but always very true . Read more
Published 3 months ago by Becca Bear
A long way from Best Ever
I'm quite surprised by all the 5 star reviews. Are you all friends or family of the writer? or publisher? Read more
Published 19 months ago by Mapreader
what a book!
This is one of those books that you can read forever. Onwards and upwards follows three friends growing up. It goes from school to adulthood and it follows what they do. Read more
Published on 17 April 2006 by sooz :)
A book to remember
I read this book when I was 13, 4 years later and two years of A-Level English Literature and I have yet to find a more satisfying and enjoyable novel! Read more
Published on 21 Nov 2002
totally amazing and realistic!
This book was one of the best eye openers i have ever read. The story is of a rather simple plot starting out with three girls: Albertine, Tess and Vicky, who are best friends no... Read more
Published on 28 April 2001
Contemporary Fiction Rocks Again
Being an English Literature Student, I find that my reading list can get very heavy, and so I turn to Contmpoarary Fiction to lighten my load, and this book is one of the best. Read more
Published on 7 Mar 2001
Just what the Doctor ordered
This book was given to me by a friend with a great recommendation however I was put off by the cover ... Read more
Published on 4 Jan 2001
The best book I have ever read
This book was extremely good. I have not read Does My Bum Look Big In This but I would like to after reading this book! I am 16 and I really enjoyed reading this book. Read more
Published on 3 Sep 2000
An Excellent read
I could not put this book down. It was excellent in the way that it moved through time, although sometimes I wish a bit longer were spent on each time period. Read more
Published on 19 July 2000
Funny, hilarious. You can see your shadow in it.
LIfe is full of twists and turns. Hell-raiser teenagers see things differently from ancient people in their forties. Read more
Published on 3 July 2000
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