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Product Description
Product Description
'I think I'm having a nervous breakdown, and no-one's noticed'
Ever wished you could just leave it all behind again?
Emily Barr's unputdownable new novel is about a mother of two with a seemingly perfect life who's cracking up and longing to get away from it all. But when she finally gets to go away, to
About the Author
Emily Barr has written columns and travel pieces for the Observer and the Guardian for several years, and her previous novels have all been critically acclaimed. She lives in Cornwall with her husband and three children.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I'm quite puzzled by the antipathy of some reviewers - this is another excellent novel from Barr, although I almost didn't read it because of the reviews. Reading the book, I just didn't recognise the description of the writing as lazy - the depictions of Chennai and Pondicherry were nuanced, sensitive and evocative of the experience of a lone female traveller. I don't think it's fair to imply the book fails for not being a complete or wholly accurate picture of all of India, since that isn't at all what it is setting out to do. I'm not normally a fan of travel writing (although I will always make an exception for Geoff Dyer as well as this author) but Barr has certainly not lost her talent for combining cracking plots, credible dialogue and characters who are less than perfect (but all the more believable and entertaining for that) with a sense of location and of the experience of travel which sets her apart. Tansy Evans has developed into the parent and wife you might have expected her to become since Backpack - the evocation of parenthood and the complexities of feeling that parents have about children and parenting reduced me to tears at points, whilst she has retained the spirit and wit that made me laugh out loud when I read Backpack. I thoroughly recommend this book, especially if you've been a fan of any of Barr's other novels.
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Good read from start to finish, Emily Barr has got this special gift that doesn't allow you to put her book away, mixing travel facts with fiction makes you want to choose a destination a become one of her characters.
This time it's India and if you haven't been there after reading this book you will definitely want to go there. It also answers that question many married woman ask themselves- " Am I happy with what I've got?, " have I married the right man?", " where am I in my life...?"
Read it and find for yourself... :-)
This time it's India and if you haven't been there after reading this book you will definitely want to go there. It also answers that question many married woman ask themselves- " Am I happy with what I've got?, " have I married the right man?", " where am I in my life...?"
Read it and find for yourself... :-)
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
What a slovenly mother Tansy is. A near alcoholic, and terrible cook, close to an affair with a no good teacher.
Her husband has infinite patience. Maybe he gets rid of her letting her go to India, for a break from her self regarding alcoholism?
Needless to say she bodges up her self indulgent holiday to India, and has to be rescued. No doubt at great expense.
The reader may well have found it more convincing were she have been left to it rather than the deus ex machina of the ever reliable Max appearing to sort out the mess she has made, and bring her home on a vague promise that she will drink less.
Annoying though she, and in fact all the women, in this book are, it's still a good read, slightly marred by the mechanical ending.
The main character cries out for a good slap!
Her husband has infinite patience. Maybe he gets rid of her letting her go to India, for a break from her self regarding alcoholism?
Needless to say she bodges up her self indulgent holiday to India, and has to be rescued. No doubt at great expense.
The reader may well have found it more convincing were she have been left to it rather than the deus ex machina of the ever reliable Max appearing to sort out the mess she has made, and bring her home on a vague promise that she will drink less.
Annoying though she, and in fact all the women, in this book are, it's still a good read, slightly marred by the mechanical ending.
The main character cries out for a good slap!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Loved it!
I thorougly enjoyed Backpack although I was never sure if I warmed to Tansy. However, I could hardly wait to get a copy of the sequel The Life You Want. Read more
Published 8 months ago by CMP
Interesting read set in India
I read this book at around the same time I read another novel set in India - Breathing in Colour by Clare Jay - and I found both excellent in totally different ways. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Sue Brandon
A powerful read....
I was given this book (looking a little well-read and well-loved!) by a friend and grabbed it, whilst packing, to read on the beach. What a great choice. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Avid_Reader_London
So pleased that Emily Barr wrote this sequel!
I absolutely love Emily Barr's books, my favourite of which so far is Backpack. I think Tansy Harris is such a well written character, and was so pleased to discover that Emily... Read more
Published on 14 Mar 2010 by K. Salmon
Very disappointing
I'm an Emily Barr fan, and have read all of her books. However, I've noticed that they have got progressively worse over the years, and this latest book is no exception. Read more
Published on 23 Jan 2010 by Bookwormuk
The Life You Want
The Life You Want is Emily Barr's eighth novel and the sequel to her first novel Backpack. Now I haven't actually read Backpack because I just couldn't get into it but I wanted to... Read more
Published on 16 Nov 2009 by Leah Graham
great descriptions of Indian society and culture
I have read all of Barr's novels and this one follows her ongoing themes of travel, marriage, children and alcohol abuse, and the duality between responsibilities and relationships... Read more
Published on 9 Nov 2009 by J. Mellor
These three stars are for the end of the book
EB normally produces a good page-turner, so I was really looking forward to reading this book. The subject of foreign adoptions is a fascinating one too, but yet, this book feels... Read more
Published on 8 Nov 2009 by GreenElizabeth
highly recommended
someone I work with gave me a copy of this to take on holiday and i LOVED it, just couldn't put it down. Perfect for taking away and reading when travelling, not too heavy going. Read more
Published on 27 July 2009 by Elle M, Leigh on Sea
Disappointment
I have really enjoyed all of Emily Barr's previous books, in particular Cuban Heels, I love the way the main characters are often dark and unlikeable, and there is always a good... Read more
Published on 15 Jun 2009 by M. Howard
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