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Review
Praise for The Post-Birthday World:
‘Those of us who rave about the dash and dare of Lionel Shriver’s fiction can rejoice that The Post-Birthday World, a ‘Sliding Doors’-style joint tale of alternative loves and lives, will garner the attention she always deserves’
Independent
‘’a compelling survey of the competing merits of security vs.desire.’
Saturday Guardian
‘Shriver gives us another passionate novel…Like Sliding Doors, the tale splits into two, following the dramatic turns of each choice. Brilliant’
Cosmopolitan
‘It's another domestic drama with a compelling twist…the power struggle between the sexes is spot-on. Shriver chalks her narrative cue with relish and, once the story gets underway, it's hard to take your eyes off the green baize’
Tatler
‘’The Post-Birthday World’ is Lionel Shriver’s forthcoming work about the dilemmas of love – a must if you were gripped by ‘We Need To Talk About Kevin’’
Harper’s Bazaar
‘perceptive and highly original’
Closer
Cosmopolitan
`Shriver gives us another passionate novel...Like Sliding Doors, the tale
splits into two, following the dramatic turns of each choice. Brilliant.' --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
splits into two, following the dramatic turns of each choice. Brilliant.' --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
First things first - this book isn't a sequel to We Need to Talk About Kevin. A fairly obvious point to make, but one that really does need making. Because this seems to be the expectation of many reviews that I have read. Certainly, Kevin is an amazing and poignant book, and if you haven't read it yet, then where the hell have you been? However, as a writer, Shriver has the ability to write about a wide and varied range of subject matter. This is what good writers do. If you really want to learn more on high school massacres, then rent out Bowling for Columbine.
So, if you can get Kevin out of your head for five minutes, then please turn your attention to The Post-birthday World. And this is one novel that really is deserving of your attention. In the first chapter, Irina is faced with a life changing choice: does she stick with her decent, reliable yet slightly dull long-term partner Lawrence, or does she give it all up for a life of passion and unpredictability with hard living and exciting snooker player Ramsey? The book then branches into two; in alternate chapters it shows what happens when Irina leaves Lawrence, and what happens when she stays.
The result is an entrancing read. Now, I'll be the first to admit that snooker is not the sexiest of sports. But, as with Shriver's other sports novel Double Fault, it's almost not what Shriver writes about but the way she writes about it. On paper, her subject content sounds fairly dull; snooker, middle age people falling in love, the politics of Northern Ireland. And yet she still manages to intrigue and draw the reader in, and to make them care. Plus, anyone who is able to take the dull relation of the sports world and make it sound interesting and even a little bit sexy will always get my admiration.
The Post-birthday World is also a brilliant observation on the nature of relationships and love. Are we ever really happy with what we've got; should we choose to stick or should we twist and gamble it all for something greater? And in the end, are we left with the same result anyway?
Unlike Kevin, this book won't make you gasp at the end, and it won't make you shocked or horrified. But it might make you think, and change how you look at the world just a little. Which is as good a result as any.
So, if you can get Kevin out of your head for five minutes, then please turn your attention to The Post-birthday World. And this is one novel that really is deserving of your attention. In the first chapter, Irina is faced with a life changing choice: does she stick with her decent, reliable yet slightly dull long-term partner Lawrence, or does she give it all up for a life of passion and unpredictability with hard living and exciting snooker player Ramsey? The book then branches into two; in alternate chapters it shows what happens when Irina leaves Lawrence, and what happens when she stays.
The result is an entrancing read. Now, I'll be the first to admit that snooker is not the sexiest of sports. But, as with Shriver's other sports novel Double Fault, it's almost not what Shriver writes about but the way she writes about it. On paper, her subject content sounds fairly dull; snooker, middle age people falling in love, the politics of Northern Ireland. And yet she still manages to intrigue and draw the reader in, and to make them care. Plus, anyone who is able to take the dull relation of the sports world and make it sound interesting and even a little bit sexy will always get my admiration.
The Post-birthday World is also a brilliant observation on the nature of relationships and love. Are we ever really happy with what we've got; should we choose to stick or should we twist and gamble it all for something greater? And in the end, are we left with the same result anyway?
Unlike Kevin, this book won't make you gasp at the end, and it won't make you shocked or horrified. But it might make you think, and change how you look at the world just a little. Which is as good a result as any.
52 of 56 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Before you spend time reading my review instead of the wonderful "The Post-Birthday world", let me tell you at the start - it's fantastic and you must rush out straight away to buy a copy. Then clear your diary till you've finished it!
The writing is accomplished, the story is compelling, but it is all the little asides, the philosophising about life that for me really takes Shriver's work out of the realm of the ordinary. Again and again while reading this book I was astounded at how she seemed to have written down - very eloquently - thoughts that have been jumbling about in my head for years. Some passages were so personally relevant to me, I felt she must have got inside my head somehow. Perhaps it's just that the theme she expounds upon is universal and perhaps many readers will feel the same way I did.
The story centres about Irina. She has been in a long-term relationship with stable, good-but-boring guy Lawrence. While Lawrence is away one night, she ends up going out for dinner with Ramsey the ex-husband of a former friend. Ramsey is a dapper, sexy, famous snooker player. They have a great night, end up going back to his house and at the end of the first chapter we find them just about to kiss.
Chapter two begins the story of what happened after the kiss. Subsequently we find there is a second chapter two which starts in a world where the kiss did not happen. The book proceeds in this fashion - two of each chapter showing what happens in each possible world.
We've all been there - wondering what would have happened if I left/didn't leave a certain partner. Would my life have been better if I opted for sexy rather than stable? Should I have abandoned security and gone for the dangerous option? If you've ever found yourself wondering what life would have been like IF ONLY ... then you have to read this book and see what happens in each of the post-birthday worlds.
The characters in the book are brilliantly drawn and achingly real. The arguments and rows are so authentic that you feel part of them. You won't find any two-dimensional stereotypes here - all the characters have their good and bad points, their strengths and flaws. There are no goodies and baddies.
Irina is much softer than the female characters in 'We Need to Talk about Kevin' and 'Double Fault' and I was really glad about this. While I loved those two books, I really wanted to see Shriver take on a more gentle character. I found Irina easier to relate to .. perhaps just because she's more like me.
I can't recommend this book highly enough. It was my best read of the year so far ... and that's saying something! Go out and get it and prepare to be absorbed!
The writing is accomplished, the story is compelling, but it is all the little asides, the philosophising about life that for me really takes Shriver's work out of the realm of the ordinary. Again and again while reading this book I was astounded at how she seemed to have written down - very eloquently - thoughts that have been jumbling about in my head for years. Some passages were so personally relevant to me, I felt she must have got inside my head somehow. Perhaps it's just that the theme she expounds upon is universal and perhaps many readers will feel the same way I did.
The story centres about Irina. She has been in a long-term relationship with stable, good-but-boring guy Lawrence. While Lawrence is away one night, she ends up going out for dinner with Ramsey the ex-husband of a former friend. Ramsey is a dapper, sexy, famous snooker player. They have a great night, end up going back to his house and at the end of the first chapter we find them just about to kiss.
Chapter two begins the story of what happened after the kiss. Subsequently we find there is a second chapter two which starts in a world where the kiss did not happen. The book proceeds in this fashion - two of each chapter showing what happens in each possible world.
We've all been there - wondering what would have happened if I left/didn't leave a certain partner. Would my life have been better if I opted for sexy rather than stable? Should I have abandoned security and gone for the dangerous option? If you've ever found yourself wondering what life would have been like IF ONLY ... then you have to read this book and see what happens in each of the post-birthday worlds.
The characters in the book are brilliantly drawn and achingly real. The arguments and rows are so authentic that you feel part of them. You won't find any two-dimensional stereotypes here - all the characters have their good and bad points, their strengths and flaws. There are no goodies and baddies.
Irina is much softer than the female characters in 'We Need to Talk about Kevin' and 'Double Fault' and I was really glad about this. While I loved those two books, I really wanted to see Shriver take on a more gentle character. I found Irina easier to relate to .. perhaps just because she's more like me.
I can't recommend this book highly enough. It was my best read of the year so far ... and that's saying something! Go out and get it and prepare to be absorbed!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I loved Lionel Shriver's ''We Need to Talk About Kevin'' so when I found a copy of ''The Post Birthday World'' I snapped it up. Four chapters later I realised the two books were worlds apart (no pun intended). I found ''The Post Birthday World'' to be tedious and drawn out. The book centres around Irina & Lawrence who are in a long term relationship. Ramsey Acton as a well known snooker player is a hero to Lawrence as the sport is one of his passions. Through a get together on Lawrence's birthday one year the plot (such as it is) develops and the relationship between the three people expands. I see where the ''Sliding Doors'' comparison comes from but I found this did not work in the form of a book. The character of Ramsey Acton and his strange South London accent does not ring true. I ploughed through the book but I did not enjoy it and found it dry, boring and too drawn out at 478 pages (probably 400 pages too long).
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
excellent read
Lionel Shrivers, The Post-Birthday World is a very well written and interesting read,this is the fourth of her novels I have read and enjoyed them all they are so diverse
Published 12 days ago by nightman
A wonderful "what if" love story
As has been previously mentioned, this is not "Kevin". It is not a follow up to that book, nor is it connected in any way, shape or form with it, so readers simply looking for a... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mike N
Devastated to have finished reading!
I cannot understand how a reviewer can assert that they are displeased with this book. I, too, purchased this book after reading We Need To Talk About Kevin, which I enjoyed,... Read more
Published 3 months ago by hshm
Thought-provoking
What would happen if you kissed someone who wasn't your partner...?
This is the big question in Lionel Shriver's thought-provoking book about the choices we make and how... Read more
This is the big question in Lionel Shriver's thought-provoking book about the choices we make and how... Read more
Published 3 months ago by susie
Literary
I am a little conflicted about this book. I actually really love snooker and enjoyed all of the exquisite details of the sport but I struggled with the accent of Ramsey Acton, the... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mahoneywoo
A devastatingly good book
If you liked the Gwyneth Paltrow movie Sliding Doors, you will love The Post-Birthday World.
While Lionel Shriver is better known for her equally well crafted book, We... Read more
While Lionel Shriver is better known for her equally well crafted book, We... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Louise at The Reading Experiment
Too close for comfort
I had read We need to talk about Kevin and was disturbed by it,which is one of the things I look for in a good book. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Victoria Holland-Howes
Shows how one decision can affect so many lives
I loved this book, I couldn't put it down. In a relationship, we want security and stability but also passion and excitement. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Ms. J. E. Rhymes
The most insightful thoughts about love.
I was amazed to see any negative comments about this book.I can only surmise that there are some people out there who are not prone to self reflection. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Andy Hamilton
Wince-inducingly true to life
This is a fantastic if harrowing read for anyone who has ever left a relationship, or indeed stayed in one. Think Sliding Doors written by someone with a brain. Read more
Published 9 months ago by HC1977
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