Irish Girls About Town (Paperback)

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Review
This is an eminently readable collection of short stories by Irish women writers including Cathy Kelly and Maeve Binchy. Moving between romantic, sad and downright funny the plots and characters are full of zest for life. Many of the stories show women triumphing over men and over themselves. More poignant were those where the central character stuck fast to her self-deception. The Unlovable Woman by Annie Sparrow is one of the most enjoyable. A mysterious clairvoyant contacts Millie just as she loses out in yet another relationship. He tries to teach her that it is her own unloving attitude that prevents her from making relationships. The reader sees the message clearly but not Millie. She cannot see the true devotion of Fergus who worries and cares about her but takes him for granted. Because she does not learn the story twists back to where it began and the same failed relationship. Colette Caddle's story, Moving, is a happier piece. Sara's old flame, Tim, appears just as reliable Will and her family are starting to irritate her. For a moment Tim's attractions look like holding her again. However, she learns something about him and about herself and can learn to appreciate Will all over again. This story strikes a very human chord as all marriages go through doldrums and need renewal and reappraisal. The grass in this story only looks greener and Sara understands her life in a way the 'unlovable' Millie does not. Maeve Binchy writes on another familiar theme about families and ageing parents and true friendship. Nora, returned from Italy where her husband has died, has barely begun a new relationship when her sisters and brothers decide she shall be the one to look after their mother. Her friend, Brenda, can see clearly how she is being cheated and taken advantage of as the family pressurise Nora into moving in with the mother. Only strong action will free Nora and Brenda is a good enough friend to take that action and show Nora her family for what they really are. This anthology has added value because it is designed to raise money for two important charities, Barnado's and the Society of St Vincent de Paul. The variety of stories by well-known and rising authors offers an intriguing mixture and the book brims with good humour. (Kirkus UK)

Product Description
An irresistible collection of short stories, some hilarious, some heartbreaking, from the most popular contemporary Irish women writers. Poignant, hilarious, heartwarming in turn, this anthology includes never-before-published short stories by some of the best-known and best-loved Irish writers, including Maeve Binchy, Marian Keyes, Cathy Kelly, Julie Parsons, Deirdre Purcell, Joan O'Neill, Morag Prunty, Colette Caddle and many more. It also includes stories by up-and-coming Irish stars like Annie Sparrow, Catherine Barry and Marisa Mackle. While some stories will have you laughing out loud, others will have you reaching for your hanky: but they all display their own peculiar brand of Irish charm. And it's all in a very good cause: 1 pound from every copy sold will go to Barnardo's children's charity, and the Irish charity, The Society of St Vincent de Paul, which aims to alleviate poverty throughout the world.

10 Reviews 5 star:  (7) 4 star:  (1) 3 star:  (1) 2 star:  (1) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.4 out of 5 stars (10 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Most Helpful Customer Reviews   109 of 111 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant!!!, 30 April 2002 By  marian.flynn@aerlingus.ie (Mayo, Ireland) - See all my reviews This is probably the funniest book I've read in ages. It is a perfect holiday read with stories that will have you in stitches. Even my man thought it was funny. Some of my favourite Irish writers are in this collection and also new writers that I hadn't yet heard of but will be definitely looking out for in the future! Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)   67 of 68 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly enjoyable mix of laughs, crys & girly nonsense., 15 April 2002 By A Customer Ive always been a huge fan of Irish writers and their brilliant wit. So I was expecting a lot from this collaboration and I wasnt dissapointed. There were the offerings from the established authors ie: The fantastic Marian Keyes and Maeve Binchy but there was also less familiar irish talent on offer. Although the stories are short the charecters are established well & you do familiarise yourself with their situations as you would a full length novel. In short this book is funny, sad, serious and a great distraction from normal life all in one book. To end on a cheesy cliche I couldnt put it down. Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)   42 of 43 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars A holiday read - even if you're not on holidays!, 19 May 2003 By A Customer I had meaning to buy this book for a long time and I must say when I got around to purchasing it I wasn't dissappointed. Apart from one or two stories which didn't exactly 'set my world alight' this was over all a great collection by Irish women writers and I was delighted to discover some new Irish writers like Catherine Barry, Julie Parsons, Marisa Mackle and Colette Caddle. Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this) Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review › See all 10 customer reviews...		Most Recent Customer Reviews 2.0 out of 5 stars Noncommital entertainment Irish girls about town is a collection of very chick littery shortstories, made as a light read. However, I got a little irritated about the many tales just revolving about a girl... Read more Published 2 months ago by Nan 5.0 out of 5 stars A great find! I recently bought 4 books with short stories by Irish and Scottish women -- and the first two were a disappointment. Read more Published on 4 April 2005 3.0 out of 5 stars A hit & miss affair As an avid reader I often run out of my own books & turn to my wife's collection. She had recently bought this but had not yet read it so I though I would give it a go (anything... Read more Published on 3 Aug 2004 5.0 out of 5 stars Well worth the money Buying this book is money well spent as it's the type of collection you'll want to leave on the bedside locker and dip in and outt as you please. Read more Published on 21 Jul 2004 by Zara 4.0 out of 5 stars *A real girlsbook!!!* Hilarious, funny and interesting, is what I think about this book! It is very funny, and I couldn't help laughing out loud when I was reading it. Read more Published on 22 Mar 2003 5.0 out of 5 stars A collection of mad-cap adventures that will make you laugh Sisters are doing it for them selves! the literary talents of Maive Binchy and Marian Keyes have once again run riot around this witty collection fo short stories. Read more Published on 10 April 2002 5.0 out of 5 stars A laugh-out loud roadtrip around Ireland Just finished Irish Girls About Town and I can't stop smiling! This giggle-a-second collection of short stories has had me sniggering throughout my lunch breaks all week. Read more Published on 7 April 2002 Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews › See all 10 customer reviews...

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