Nappy Nattering (Babyville - Jane Green)

Member Name: TigerTiger

Product:	Babyville - Jane Green
Date:	16/02/02 (150 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very easy enjoyable read, Deals with sensitive issues extremely well, Likeable characters who you start to care about

Disadvantages: ?

Jane Green is a real people person. To date she was written five books, Straight Talking, Mr Maybe, Jemima J, Bookends and now Babyville. They have all covered topic relevant to life today, including the search for Mr Right, the many Mr Wrongs, infidelity, HIV and the battle to lose weight, to name but a few. The focus on all her books though really is on the people, the importance of their friendships, relationships and their emotions. Green's formula works though and Jane Green remains one of my favourite authors, forging ever ahead of Helen Fielding. I eagerly await her books and each time I have sat and read them in one sitting, hooked, eagerly turning the pages.This new book is no exception, only this time she is dealing with babies, as the title "babyville"suggests. Yet once again the book isn't just about babies (i'd be running a mile if it was!!). Instead it is about people, their relationships and the effect that children, or the lack of them can have on their lives.

"Babyville" is split into three sections, one for each of the main female characters, Julia, Maeve and then Sam. Although the novel features all three of them and their partners/ friends, it switches to different viewpoints so we see the whole picture, rather than just one narrow view. I really liked this approach, as just as you have got inside one of the characters heads you switch to another and the story continues from there. The story isn't told three times from three different viewpoints though. Instead the story swaps and continues from someone elses view. The sections are as follows:-

~~~Julia~~~

The first section introduces us to Julia and her partner Mark. They have been together for years and have just got into the pattern of staying together because it it easy. In order to try and fix their relationship Julia decides that they should try for a baby and Mark agrees.This is something which many people try to do in life an
d it is interesting to see the mentality that drives someone to see this as their only option to save a loveless relationship.

Julia's section follows their attempts at getting pregnant and the affects that the inability to do so has on their already strained relationship. All of a sudden babies are all Julia thinks about and obsessed with her cycle she starts to drive everyone mad including herself.It is heartbreaking to see what potential infertility can do to a couple and the silly things they will try just to get that one egg fertilised. However, at breaking point and falling apart Julia makes the decision to leave and go to NewYork to stay with her best friend Bella. Taking a break from work and Mark she head off across the ocean, but does she ever return??

~~~Maeve~~~

Maeve is the type of girl that flits between relationships and enjoys a commitment free life. She is particularly adverse to children (I can empathise on that one!) and doesn't see them in her future at all.

When Julia decides to take time off to go to New York Maeve steps in to replace her at work in the media company. However, as the novel progresses Maeve seems to step into Julia's shoes in more ways than one. After a one night stand with Mark she finds herself pregnant. Typically those that want to get pregnant don't and the ones that don't do. The whole situation seems to be dreadful, but as the novel progresses Maeve has a change of heart and maybe her and Mark can find a future together afterall.

~~~Samantha~~~

"Babyville" ends with Samantha who has just had her first child. She thought it would be easy and that she would take to it like a swan to water, she was wrong. Motherhood was not what she expected and she isn't sure that she likes it. Her body is no longer her own, she misses work and staying at home every day is driving her crazy.

Then there is the situation with her husband Chris.
He tries so hard, but all of a sudden he is living with a stranger. Motherhood has changed his wife, and his marriage. As the couple struggle to cope with the arrival of a baby Samantha meets Dan, the husband of Chris's friend Jill. Her obsession with him grows as he makes her feel more than just a mother. Yet how healthy is this obsession and will her marriage survive it?

"Babyville" is well structured and it follows through the lives of all three women.I liked the fact that all three women were very different, but yet all were likeable. This suprised me as when Maeve gets pregnant by Mark and starts seeing him you want to hate her because in the first section you got to like and care about Julia so much. However. after just a few pages you like Maeve and she isn't so bad afterall. All three have been successful career woman as well, and so are intelligent, articulate women, but they also all have a vulnerable side which Jane Green demonstrates well. She is dealing with serious issues and she does so with much sensitivity.

Jane Green writes well.It is very chatty and relaxed in style and you can just sit and turn the pages enjoying it as you go. I read the whole novel in a afternoon, it would also be the ideal book to take away on holiday though. If you have read any of her other novels you will know what insight she has into life basically. Some of the things the characters were thinking I found myself going "I know exactly how they feel!" I feel at ease with Green, her books and style of writing. If you have not tried Jane Green I highly recommend her.If you liked Helen Fielding, Marian Keyes or Lisa Jewell then you will probably love her, as I rate her above all of them.

Whilst writing this Jane Green was expecting her second child and so babies were obviously on her mind. However, even me, the most un-maternal person I know enjoyed "Babyville" thoroughly. I spent about £14 on it in hard back,
however now it is available for £6.99 in paperback so I believe.

Summary: