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Product Description
Review
Her best book yet ... Jewell has moved up a gear into David Nicholls territory. --Bookseller
...compelling, clever, humane and heartbreaking...I couldn't put it down, but I'm afraid it's true. Wonderful. --Jojo Moyes
Jewell has completely upped her game with this beautifully observed novel. --Heat 5 stars
Ingenious plotting ... there's no denying the story itself is a compelling page-turner... --Reader's Digest
A spirited novel of identity, love and loss. --Woman & Home
...compelling, clever, humane and heartbreaking...I couldn't put it down, but I'm afraid it's true. Wonderful. --Jojo Moyes
Jewell has completely upped her game with this beautifully observed novel. --Heat 5 stars
Ingenious plotting ... there's no denying the story itself is a compelling page-turner... --Reader's Digest
A spirited novel of identity, love and loss. --Woman & Home
Book Description
The wonderful new novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author of After the Party.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the book and it'll certainly make me want to pick up more of Jewell's books in future. The idea of sperm donation is opened at the beginning when we join the character of Maggie whose husband can't give her a baby. She decides to go behind his back and get pregnant via a sperm donor, which does start the book with some questionable morals, I have to admit, but it isn't a secret right from the beginning. After that, we jump to the present day and meet up with Lydia, Dean and Robyn, all separately of course. We find out that Lydia is wealthy but very unhappy, Dean is from a rough upbringing and struggling with the reality of his new life and Robyn is a young student trying to find her feet. They're all very different but quite similar and I like the way Jewell made these characters people in their own right as well as the joining of them together via the story.
I don't really a know a lot about sperm donation, and while the book doesn't really go into a lot of detail about it, it is more about the impact it has on the people affected by it. Yes, there is a lot in this book which is coincidental i.e. the characters all living pretty closely, all happy about being fathered by a sperm donor, all knowing about it and all contacting the website about meeting up with other siblings in a short space of time, something which probably wouldn't happen in real life, but that's fiction for you, it allows for these things to happen in a nice way. The way it is dealt with in the book with the children and parents is good, its quite matter of fact and open, again, perhaps not how it would be in real life but it works well for the story.
It is an emotional book, and that continues right the way through. The childhood of Lydia is an emotional story and in conveyed throughout the book as such, and it certainly makes you warm to her because of what you know she has been through. I really liked Lydia, she has a good heart behind her stony exterior and the way she bonds with others in the book is quiet touching. Dean is someone I really loved, he's had a hard time of it and clearly thinks badly of himself, but you can see he is a lovely person and that something is going to bring him out of himself. Robyn is also a nice character, but I found that I didn't care about her quite as much as the other two characters, she had everything that the others didn't have and therefore there was less to sympathise.
There was a little bit in the book that made me slightly uncomfortable, something relating to Robyn and her relationship with her boyfriend that I felt was a bit odd and felt wrong which is why I've knocked a star off, I felt uncomfortable reading this part and while luckily for me, it was a relatively small part of the book, it just didn't sit right with me. Overall, I really enjoyed the reading of this book, aside from the bit I mentioned, and it certainly was an emotional and touching read. I liked the way the chapters alternated with who they followed but it was written in the third person, it just worked really well and made a pleasant reading experience. The characters were great, the story was touching and lovely and it was a well written and enjoyable novel. Highly recommended!
I don't really a know a lot about sperm donation, and while the book doesn't really go into a lot of detail about it, it is more about the impact it has on the people affected by it. Yes, there is a lot in this book which is coincidental i.e. the characters all living pretty closely, all happy about being fathered by a sperm donor, all knowing about it and all contacting the website about meeting up with other siblings in a short space of time, something which probably wouldn't happen in real life, but that's fiction for you, it allows for these things to happen in a nice way. The way it is dealt with in the book with the children and parents is good, its quite matter of fact and open, again, perhaps not how it would be in real life but it works well for the story.
It is an emotional book, and that continues right the way through. The childhood of Lydia is an emotional story and in conveyed throughout the book as such, and it certainly makes you warm to her because of what you know she has been through. I really liked Lydia, she has a good heart behind her stony exterior and the way she bonds with others in the book is quiet touching. Dean is someone I really loved, he's had a hard time of it and clearly thinks badly of himself, but you can see he is a lovely person and that something is going to bring him out of himself. Robyn is also a nice character, but I found that I didn't care about her quite as much as the other two characters, she had everything that the others didn't have and therefore there was less to sympathise.
There was a little bit in the book that made me slightly uncomfortable, something relating to Robyn and her relationship with her boyfriend that I felt was a bit odd and felt wrong which is why I've knocked a star off, I felt uncomfortable reading this part and while luckily for me, it was a relatively small part of the book, it just didn't sit right with me. Overall, I really enjoyed the reading of this book, aside from the bit I mentioned, and it certainly was an emotional and touching read. I liked the way the chapters alternated with who they followed but it was written in the third person, it just worked really well and made a pleasant reading experience. The characters were great, the story was touching and lovely and it was a well written and enjoyable novel. Highly recommended!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Lisa Jewell is back on form!
I've loved Lisa's books from the start. Had them pre-ordered every time it was available to do so. But I was disappointed with After the Party and I wasn't sure how I was going to find reading The Making of Us because I'm of the firm belief that sperm donors should be able to keep their anonymity. Then I started seeing amazing reviews for it, so my expectations were high, which isn't always a good thing for me. However, I wasn't disappointed with this one! It was written in the very same style that made Lisa my favourite author ever. Addictive, intriguing and everything set at a steady pace with no lull.
So, where to start without giving too much away? You have three main characters, Lydia, Robyn and Dean, all the result of the same sperm donor years ago. All have had very different upbringings and are in very different places in their lives. Lydia is wealthy and successful, but is missing something in her life that she can't quite understand. Robyn, having always known about her being a sperm donor baby due to health issues in the family, is intelligent and training to be a doctor, but is losing her drive and reasoning for it all. Then there's Dean who has had a poor upbringing and has gotten his girlfriend pregnant.
I don't know exactly how it works for sperm donors and the children getting in touch with each other, but Lisa made this story believable and warm. Nothing felt forced or cheesy. I was there with all three characters as they discovered who they really were and what they needed to do with their lives. They could almost be someone you know they were so fleshed out with their quirks, habits and thoughts.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a feel-good story. This has definitely moved into the slot of being my favourite Lisa Jewell book. I really haven't done enough justice for this book here. So trust me, go read this book. You need to experience it all for yourself to understand my love of Lisa's fantastic storytelling skills.
I've loved Lisa's books from the start. Had them pre-ordered every time it was available to do so. But I was disappointed with After the Party and I wasn't sure how I was going to find reading The Making of Us because I'm of the firm belief that sperm donors should be able to keep their anonymity. Then I started seeing amazing reviews for it, so my expectations were high, which isn't always a good thing for me. However, I wasn't disappointed with this one! It was written in the very same style that made Lisa my favourite author ever. Addictive, intriguing and everything set at a steady pace with no lull.
So, where to start without giving too much away? You have three main characters, Lydia, Robyn and Dean, all the result of the same sperm donor years ago. All have had very different upbringings and are in very different places in their lives. Lydia is wealthy and successful, but is missing something in her life that she can't quite understand. Robyn, having always known about her being a sperm donor baby due to health issues in the family, is intelligent and training to be a doctor, but is losing her drive and reasoning for it all. Then there's Dean who has had a poor upbringing and has gotten his girlfriend pregnant.
I don't know exactly how it works for sperm donors and the children getting in touch with each other, but Lisa made this story believable and warm. Nothing felt forced or cheesy. I was there with all three characters as they discovered who they really were and what they needed to do with their lives. They could almost be someone you know they were so fleshed out with their quirks, habits and thoughts.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a feel-good story. This has definitely moved into the slot of being my favourite Lisa Jewell book. I really haven't done enough justice for this book here. So trust me, go read this book. You need to experience it all for yourself to understand my love of Lisa's fantastic storytelling skills.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition
Lisa Jewell's books are hit and miss for me - some I love, some I just can't get into.
This falls into the first category for me. I loved it. Great story, fabulously written, great characters.
Won't go into details of the plot (as many reviewers do - they should have 'spoiler' warnings ;) ) but I think this one is well worth a read.
This falls into the first category for me. I loved it. Great story, fabulously written, great characters.
Won't go into details of the plot (as many reviewers do - they should have 'spoiler' warnings ;) ) but I think this one is well worth a read.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A beautiful tale
The making of us was a shift away from what I have come to expect from Lisa, but her writing style, once again, is unmistakeable. Read more
Published 4 days ago by jojopillo
Jewell does it again with another superb novel
Like most Jewell fans you don't hesitate when you see her latest novel hit the shelves and 'The Making of Us' is another example of a convincing, memorable and heart-felt... Read more
Published 6 days ago by JAckroyd
Another great book from Lisa
I've read all of Lisa Jewell's books and loved all of them. Like her backlist, The Making of Us did not disappoint. A warm, emotional story that really gripped from the start. Read more
Published 6 days ago by jolidds
Unconvincing
This book was on special offer and I should have been wary. The premise of half siblings finding each other through tracing their sperm donor father was interesting enough but... Read more
Published 7 days ago by M E Clarkson
Always reliable
Have read a few of her books and this is another great read from the always reliable Jewell, and a story that is a step above your average chicklit. Read more
Published 9 days ago by samcam
Great book with a unique storyline xX
I have not read a Lisa Jewell book for years and so when I was asked to review her latest novel The Making Of Us I couldn't wait to start this as reading reviews on this book it... Read more
Published 17 days ago by reabeauty
Light and entertaining, but not Jewell's best
Let me start by saying I love Lisa Jewell. I read Ralph's Party the moment it was published in 1999, and have devoured her novels since. Read more
Published 22 days ago by Ms S. J. Rayner
Another good read from Lisa Jewell
Another good read from Lisa Jewell, Lot's of different characters each with their own story to tell, but are of course are all interlaced, a good read to cozy up with.
Published 25 days ago by Mrs. J. Holliday
A pure delight
I love Lisa Jewell and this latest book was certainly no disappointment. The plot focuses around sperm donation and the consequences of it and follows the three children fathered... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Justhavingfun
the making of us
This book made me cry. For the last 70 or so pages, I sobbed my little heart out. I literally could not see the words on the pages. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Ali
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