- Hardcover: 372 pages
- Publisher: HarperCollins; 1st. Edition edition (3 Mar 2003)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0007137648
- ISBN-13: 978-0007137640
- Product Dimensions: 19.8 x 13.6 x 3.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 774,248 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Jenny Colgan has carved out some highly individual territory as a writer of great warmth and humour; she is a clear-eyed observer of human nature, as ready to extend sympathy to her characters as she is to be sardonic about their foibles. With Working Wonders, this brand of humorous writing is satisfyingly in evidence once more, wedded this time to a complex and intriguing plot.
Arthur Pendleton has led an unexciting life, working as a town planner and slowly realising that his life holds few surprises. Then he encounters the head of a team of management consultants, the beguiling and beautiful Gwyneth Morgan, a woman Arthur finds himself intimidated by. Her job is to inspire Arthur and his ill-assorted team of planners to take on a daunting task--ensure that Coventry becomes the new European city of culture. Looking around at such colleagues as nerdish computer expert Sven and the unhappy (and long-suffering) Cathy, Arthur becomes increasingly dispirited. And then, astonishingly, Gwyneth shows signs of being attracted to him, and (even more surprisingly) his team begins to fire on all cylinders with ideas. But which is more achievable: beginning a relationship with the intriguing Gwyneth, or making Coventry appear interesting? The elements that made Jenny Colgan's earlier books bestsellers are firmly in place here: quirkily observed characters, capricious plotting and a truly involving sense of the way in which most of us live our lives. Both Arthur and Gwyneth are beautifully drawn, and even if the basic theme (dull hero and brighter heroine in a non-metropolitan culture clash) may owe something to David Lodge's Changing Places, it's none the worse for that; this is an enchanting read. --Barry Forshaw
Review
‘Funny, magical and moving.’ TIME OUT
‘A sharp, witty love story.’ OBSERVER
'With the humour and warmth that have made her previous books bestsellers, she expertly transforms Arthur Pendleton's bid to make his home the new European City of Culture (and sweep ice-cool Gwyneth off her feet at the same time) into a delicious comedy. Will melt even the
hardest of hearts.' RED
‘hugely entertaining and very funny.’ COSMOPOLITAN
‘Colgan’s witty book perfectly captures the frustrations and petty vexations of office life.’ SHE
PRAISE FOR JENNY COLGAN:
‘What really sets Jenny apart… is this: she is very, very funny’ Express
‘Compulsively comical’ Cosmpolitan (of Amanda’s Wedding)
‘Colgan is on top form with her latest outrageous romp’ Cosmpolitan
‘Wonderful, warm and resonant’ Hello
‘Jenny Colgan is one of the leaders of the pack… and this will delight her legion of admirers. Fast-paced, funny, poignant and well-observed’ Daily Mail
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Poor Trees!,
By
This review is from: Working Wonders: She is very, very funny (Paperback)
I usually enjoy the jenny colgan/katie fforde type novel - quirkily and warmly themed, perfect for light reading. This book however was disastrous. I felt colgan was trying to become to 'lit' with the bizarre and unsuccessful attempt at introducing a modern day arthurian legend. She wasnt comfortable in this almost fantastical realm of fiction and the book felt muddy and trapped. Give it a miss.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
not her best,
By
This review is from: Working Wonders: She is very, very funny (Paperback)
At first it seemed boring, but I forced myself to continue reading it as she has written some good books, it started to get a bit interesting in a "weird book" kind of way and I thought maybe it would be worth getting to the end. Totally disappointing. The end is awful, I was utterly disgusted. I wouldn't recommend anybody to part with their hard-earned cash for this.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely terrible,
By Emer (Waterford Ireland) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Working Wonders: She is very, very funny (Paperback)
This is the worst book i have ever read. It has taken forever to finish reading and the only reason i continued to read it was just to see what it was all about. Dont waste your money or your time on this book. I found it very confusing and all over the place.
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