Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A feel good read, 28 Jun 2008
A story that every girl can relate to, especially where evil mother-in-laws come in. Just when Elizabeth thinks she has everything she needs it is all turned on its head. She already has her handsome Italian husband but numerous attempts at conceiving the babies, that Elizabeth so desperately wants, has pushed him into the arms of his ex leaving Elizabeth to fend for herself. Following a move to the country she loves, Italy, Elizabeth finds that it is not all its cracked up to be and the language barrier is proving difficult. In a search to give her life some meaning and get away from her disapproving mother-in-law, Elizabeth enlists the help of a handsome American language teacher. He becomes a very close friend, but Elizabeth secretly wants more. Torn between making her marriage work against all odds or falling into the arms of her American friend, Elizabeth has to search her heart. A wonderful happy ending. Romance is not dead!
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tell me Something, 7 Feb 2009
On reading some other reviews I see that this book is not one of Parks' most popular, though some of the reasons cited for this are very basic, considering the apparent full read of the baak.
The protagonist, Elizabeth, has a string of bad circumstances to deal with, all of which are completely credible and can be related to; the evil mother-in-law, problems conceiving, the dwindling affection of her husband and the casual-but-wanting-to-be-more relationship with a tall blonde stranger. Her character is comical in that she bases her opinions of people on her (slightly) prejudiced stererotypical view of them, though I think we're all guilty of this sometimes. Her desperation to have a baby is heart-rendering, and it brings to light a rising problem in todays society (in fact, scientists believe that the end of the human race will be down to the eventual near total infertility, so this IS relevant). This problem, as well as her desperation to be accepted into a foreign family and country, are credible reasons for her insecurities and irrational, hormonal behaviour.
In short, I find Elizabeth's character highly developed and expertly portrayed by Ms Parks in the novel. The quick wit of some characters creates a happy diversion from Elizabeth's problems, and this further adds to the story. Its been a while since I read a book which made me laugh and cry simultaneously, for being both happy and sad.
The locations for the book are well observed and well describes, which further adds to the depth of the book, as do the observations of people who just amble through the plotline on the peripheral of the text.
I'l admit the first few chapters were slow, but it quickly picked up pace and by a quarter of teh way in I was utterly engrosed. I highly recommed this book as a light, girly read.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Pity about the wet central character!, 27 Nov 2008
Adele Parks is a superb author of contemporary women's fiction and her latest book, Tell Me Something, tells the story of Elizabeth whose desparate need to have a baby with her Italian husband Roberto over-rides every other aspect of her life. Parks' prose, as ever is punchy and excellent and the novel zips along well, but I must confess that I got rather annoyed with Elizabeth's self-centred approach to life and it made her rather shallow as a result.
On the plus side, the descriptions of Italy are fantastic and the character of Elizabeth's fearsome mother-in-law are well-crafted. Actually, apart from Elizabeth, all of the other characters are fairly believable and have the requisite amount of personality to appear believable. There are a few twists and turns towards the end of the book to maintain interest and overall it's a good read, but not one of Parks' best works I'm afraid.
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