Join Amazon Prime and get unlimited Free One-Day Delivery. Already a member? Sign in.

 

or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
 
   
More Buying Choices
352 used & new from £0.01
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
Love is a Four Letter Word
 
See larger image 
Share your own customer images
Publisher: learn how customers can search inside this book.

Love is a Four Letter Word (Paperback)

by Claire Calman (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
RRP: £6.99
Price: £5.49 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
You Save: £1.50 (21%)
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
In stock.
Dispatched from and sold by Amazon.co.uk. Gift-wrap available.

Only 3 left in stock--order soon (more on the way).

Want guaranteed delivery by Saturday, July 11? Choose Express delivery at checkout. See Details
10 new from £0.06 340 used from £0.01 2 collectible from £0.01

Frequently Bought Together

Customers buy this book with Cross My Heart and Hope to Die by Claire Calman

Love is a Four Letter Word + Cross My Heart and Hope to Die
Price For Both: £12.48

Show availability and shipping details

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Cross My Heart and Hope to Die

Cross My Heart and Hope to Die

by Claire Calman
4.0 out of 5 stars (3)  £6.99
Lessons for a Sunday Father

Lessons for a Sunday Father

by Claire Calman
5.0 out of 5 stars (8) 
Getting Rid of Matthew

Getting Rid of Matthew

by Jane Fallon
3.3 out of 5 stars (101)  £4.15
I Like it Like That

I Like it Like That

by Claire Calman
4.2 out of 5 stars (10) 
Rubbish Boyfriends

Rubbish Boyfriends

by Jessie Jones
4.6 out of 5 stars (8) 
› Explore similar items

Product details

  • Paperback: 320 pages
  • Publisher: Black Swan (13 Jan 2000)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0006391877
  • ISBN-13: 978-0006391876
  • ASIN: 0552998532
  • Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.6 x 2.4 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 314,514 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in this category:

    #1 in  Books > Fiction > Authors, A-Z > C > Calman, Claire

    •  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review
Nobody could fail to be won over by the self-deprecating charm of Claire Calman's introduction to her first novel: "despite popular demand that she should go back to magazines, she is now working on another book". Actually, that's good news for readers--those who pick up this sharp and witty meditation on sex and the other element that occasionally goes with it, Love is a Four Letter Word, will definitely be looking out for the second novel.

Calman's heroine Bella is trying to remember what sex is like. Wasn't it something that happened somewhere between the talking-and-going-out-to-dinner bit and the sobbing-and-eating-too-many-biscuits bit? But she is determined to fall off her sexual wagon before she becomes a virgin again ("all sealed over like pierced ears if you don't wear earrings for too long"). But there's one thing Bella is not prepared to hear again: the "L" word. Her body might be making hormonal demands, but she's resolute in not wanting the emotional baggage of love again. Nobody will be surprised, of course, to learn that she's back up to her neck in romantic trouble again--and why is it she always ends up with the wrong kind of man? Like all the best comic novelists, Calman crams her perky narrative with a host of highly diverting characters to surround her beleaguered heroine. The plotting, too, betrays no sign of first-novel inexperience: the situations that contrive to sink Bella deeper in the mire are all as imaginative as they are funny. And Calman's narrative voice always sounds just the right note, as when Bella is ironically considering becoming a nun:

Mother, I'm joining a convent. You'll never seen me again. Who knows, in her austere cell she might even take up painting again. Alone, the patterns of her thoughts would be clear and vibrant, shocking the virgin paper with their boldness, her brush caressing and seductive. She snorted at herself: Saint Bella of the Divine Brushstrokes.
--Barry Forshaw

Mavis Cheek
‘Claire Calman’s book has a real dash of soul, and a mighty likeable heroine’

See all Product Description

Tag this product

 (What's this?)
Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items.
Your tags: Add your first tag
 
See most popular tags
 

Customer Reviews

30 Reviews
5 star:
 (20)
4 star:
 (6)
3 star:
 (3)
2 star:
 (1)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (30 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars An incredibly funny heartfelt book, 20 Mar 2000
By A Customer
I don't know when I've last enjoyed a book as much as I enjoyed LOVE IS A FOUR LETTER WORD. I couldn't put it down from the moment I started it. It literally does make you laugh and cry at the same time. Bella, the heroine, is such a great character, impossible not to like. At first you think it's yet another 'Oooh, my relationship went wrong' novel, but it's SO MUCH MORE than that. I really urge you all, if youj're thinking about buying this book, stop thinking. Buy it! You won't regret it, and you'll read it again and again. More from Claire Calman please!
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Warm, witty and unexpectedly poignant, 31 May 2000
By A Customer
Don't be put off if you think the cover looks like yet another girly beach read. This is in a class of its own. I read it only to get my friend who was going on and on about it to shut up. It is funny, but not in the punning, brittle way that you find in too much modern fiction now. You soon find yourself drawn into the heart of the book and caring deeply about the very real characters. I especially like the tense relationship between the heroine and her mother, which is subtly done. I can't believe the person on this reviews section who didn't finish it - how can you review something if you haven't even read it? Try it, even my boyfriend loved it, though he didn't want to be seen reading anything with 'Love' in the title in public!
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars modern take on "truly madly deeply", 23 Jul 2002
I have to agree with other readers: this book should certainly NOT be judged by its cover. It's unbelievable how misleading a book-cover can be, especially in these...slippery days of thousands of chic-lit books hitting the bookstore shelves.

Claire Calman's book has some chic-lit characteristics- the love affair, the good friends helping our heroine (Bella) & having endless drinks with her. The difficult family. But there the resemblances end. This book was a lovely surprise for me: I read it in one sitting, & felt weird when it ended. OK OK, I know this all sounds tacky, but it's true that I enjoyed this book, & especially the lovely, true-to-life relationship between Bella & Will.

One of my favourite plays ever is "Truly madly deeply" & this book (as others have noted) reminded me of a lighter version of that play. Bella finds it hard to leave the past behind & to trust herself & her life. What came to mind as I was reading this book is the old saying that "it's hard to be sad, but it's even harder to be happy".

Oh, and by the way: the book is very funny, too.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Cute book
Quite a sweet book, romantic. But it did take a while to get going, I thought. The good thing is that with one central character, you could really get to know her, and what makes... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Kate S-B

4.0 out of 5 stars Not what I expected and definately worth a read
Having just finished reading "Love is a Four Letter Word", I know what my fellow reviewer means when they say they felt weird after reading this book. I do too, inexplicably. Read more
Published on 16 May 2005 by jm_bradley

4.0 out of 5 stars A romance with depth
I really enjoyed reading Love is Four Letter Word. The characters are warm, humourous and likable and really draw you in to their world............ Read more
Published on 14 April 2003

3.0 out of 5 stars Good, but quite annoying
I thought this was going to be one of the funniest books I've ever read, judging from the other reviews that is!! Read more
Published on 11 Mar 2003 by N. Stubbs

5.0 out of 5 stars A very special book
I enjoyed this immensely. The twist halfway had been me fooled when you find out what has really happened in the past. Read more
Published on 8 Jun 2001

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent 1st Novel
This is a look at a 30-something woman who doesn't just float through life drinking and sleeping around life so many others suggest. Read more
Published on 16 Mar 2001

5.0 out of 5 stars I can see why everyone recommended it
I'm still reading this book but I love it, and I can't put it down. Claire Calman's style of writing is so witty and true to life, and it's made me laugh out loud on several... Read more
Published on 14 Mar 2001

3.0 out of 5 stars Good but not as good as the next one!
This was a good holiday read. I'm afraid that's the best way to sum it up, don;t get me wrong there was nothing bad about it, but it just didn't hit the spot! Read more
Published on 6 Mar 2001 by bradgirl

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved it
Heart-felt, surprising, sad, deeply emotional, hilarious, all in one book. I recognized parts of myself in the main character (some of them things I hope I've grown out of) and... Read more
Published on 4 Oct 2000

4.0 out of 5 stars a wonderful and captivating book
Although this book revisits a theme covered by a number of books of its genre, I found myself being slowly drawn into an unexpected story line. Read more
Published on 4 Oct 2000 by nikkiclarke40@hotmail.com

Only search this product's reviews


Customer Discussions

 Beta (What's this?)
This product's forum (0 discussions)
  Discussion Replies Latest Post
  No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
  [Cancel]


Active discussions in related forums
   
Related forums

Listmania!

Create a Listmania! list

Look for similar items by category

Feedback

Fun for Everyone

Christmas Gifts
Achieve over 15,000 RPM with our great range of Powerballs.

›Shop the Powerball store

  

Beauty without the Beast

Olay Regenerist Daily 3 Point Treatment Cream
From au naturel to party glam, we have all the best names in cosmetics and skincare.

›Discover Beauty at Amazon.co.uk

  

Up to 50% off Dental Care

Braun Oral-B Professional Care 6000 Rechargeable Toothbrush - Pack of 2
Put a sparkle in your smile with up to 50% off selected Oral-B and Philips rechargeable toothbrushes.

›Up to 50% off power toothbrushes

  

Treat Someone

Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificates--available in any amount from £5 to £500 With an Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate, you can get them what they want (even if you don't know what that is).

›Learn more about Gift Certificates

  
Ad

Where's My Stuff?

Delivery and Returns

Need Help?

Your Recent History

  (What's this?)
You have no recently viewed items or searches.

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.

Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.
Continue Shopping: Top Sellers
The Girl Who Played with Fire
The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson
4.5 out of 5 stars (72)£3.86
 Breaking Dawn (Twilight Saga)
Breaking Dawn (Twilight Saga) by Stephenie Meyer
4.1 out of 5 stars (457)£6.49
 The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
4.1 out of 5 stars (161)£3.99
 The Host
The Host by Stephenie Meyer
4.2 out of 5 stars (80)£3.86

amazon.co.uk Amazon Home
International Sites:  United States  |  Germany  |  France  |  Japan  |  Canada  |  China
Business Programs: Sell on Amazon  |  Fulfilment by Amazon  |  Join Associates  |  Join Advantage
Customer Service  |  Help  |  View Basket  |  Your Account
About Amazon.co.uk  |  Careers at Amazon
Conditions of Use & Sale |  Privacy Notice  © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. and its affiliates