- Paperback: 184 pages
- Publisher: Viking Pr; Reprint edition (July 1990)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0140119477
- ISBN-13: 978-0140119473
- Product Dimensions: 19.3 x 12.4 x 1.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 4,936,084 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Second Fiddle
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Product Description
Book Description
'A book that is as rich and funny as you would expect from Mary Wesley' Cosmopolitan
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
Product Description
After a brief but enjoyable dalliance with a visiting Romanian composer, Laura Thornby, fancy free and in her forties, encounters a struggling young 23-year-old and is swept by an irresistible desire to interfere, manipulate and experiment with him. This has unforeseen consequences.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Up till now I've been a fan of Mary Wesley books. This is the sixth Mary Wesley novel I've read and I think I've OD'ed on her. Her books usually have great atmosphere but this was so bland that I have no idea whereabouts we were. In fact the only clue that it's set in the West is that Laura takes a train from Paddington to reach her hometown. Also, it could have been set in any period - just the mention of a word processor at the end of the story signalled we were perhaps in the early 80's. There were too many two dimensional characters in the story who didn't contribute to the woolly plot. Even Calypso makes a brief appearance in her role as elderly aunt. Yes, I know this is Wesley's 'signature dish' trick, but it gets jolly boring by the sixth novel. Unless you know Wesley's other novels, you would be baffled who Calypso is and this particular cameo appearance fails to breathe life into this book.
Incest is a major theme in this novel and Wesley's light handling, almost comic handling in places of this subject is bizarre to the modern reader. The descripton of Laura's work as a restorer of statues in a London studio was risible. To say it didn't ring true was an understatement. And finally, as a previous reviewer has commented, 'just who was Martin again?' For Mary Wesley at her best read 'Part of the Furniture' or 'A Sensible Life'.
Incest is a major theme in this novel and Wesley's light handling, almost comic handling in places of this subject is bizarre to the modern reader. The descripton of Laura's work as a restorer of statues in a London studio was risible. To say it didn't ring true was an understatement. And finally, as a previous reviewer has commented, 'just who was Martin again?' For Mary Wesley at her best read 'Part of the Furniture' or 'A Sensible Life'.
Format:Paperback
Interesting characters. Laura Thornby, the only one of her family who seems anywhere near normal - dresses eccentricly, enjoys short affairs, not feeling that long term relationships are for her. Claud Bannister, would-be writer, whose past relationship with Amy has left scars - meets Laura and his life will never be the same again. Maeve/Mavis, would-be actress, who waits at table while 'resting' - and repels Claud's clumsy advances.
Fascinating interplay between the characters, evolving relationships, and changing fortunes for all.
I would have liked this to go on a little longer, to find out what happened to Laura!
Fascinating interplay between the characters, evolving relationships, and changing fortunes for all.
I would have liked this to go on a little longer, to find out what happened to Laura!
Format:Paperback
I read all of this series and started with liking the books, but it went downhill from then and and this one really annoyed me. It has been just about acceptable as undemanding fodder during an otherwise demanding week.
The male protagonist is absolutely insufferable, god did I hate him, and the rest of the story seems knitted together using bits and pieces from other books. That's fine for a jumper, but does not make for a believable narrative.
You'll probably enjoy it if you haven't read any others by her, and/or your standards aren't too high.
And yes, who (and why) was Martin again?
The male protagonist is absolutely insufferable, god did I hate him, and the rest of the story seems knitted together using bits and pieces from other books. That's fine for a jumper, but does not make for a believable narrative.
You'll probably enjoy it if you haven't read any others by her, and/or your standards aren't too high.
And yes, who (and why) was Martin again?
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Have I missed...
Mary Wesley is very popular, has written many books, has had one book, at least, on the telly, people buy her books so ? Read more
Published on 9 Nov 2009 by S. A. Hiscock
Well-written, entertaining and unusual
Richly descriptive of the characters' emotional lives, this book held my attention throughout. I felt the style was like that of a feminine William Golding, but also very witty. Read more
Published on 29 April 2001
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