Book is a four letter word too (Love Is A Four Letter Word - Claire Calman)

Name: donnaford

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Product:	Love Is A Four Letter Word - Claire Calman
Date:	22/05/02 (119 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy to read, Free, Interesting

Disadvantages: Not a 'classic'

A free book is always a good thing as far as I'm concerned. For the price of a magazine (most commonly £2.70) I got something I can flick through (in this instance 'She') as well as a book to pass some time. Bargain!

The only problem with these women's magazine freebies is that sometimes they are dire, not good enough to wipe your bum on! With that in mind I didn't have high expectations of 'Love is a Four Letter Word.' High hopes can often lead to great disappointment, which is probably why this book pleasantly surprised me. The central character, Bella, is someone most women can relate to in some way. I am a fellow list writer, although I'd never leave stacks of boxes around my house for weeks/months.

THE AUTHOR

The first page of the book gives us Claire Calman's background. Claire has previously worked in women's magazines, book publishing, editing and writing as well as being a poet and broadcaster. Strangely enough the day I first picked up this book I read one of Claire Calman's short stories in 'You', The Mail on Sunday's magazine supplement.

'Love is a Four Letter Word' is Claire Calman's first novel; it was first published in 2000. She has since written 'Lessons for a Sunday Father' (2001) and 'I Like it Like That' (13th May 2002).

COVER

The cover of this book (mint green with pink writing interspersed with Jammie Dodgers) gave me a bad first impression. Yes, it looks bright and cheery but it also gives the impression of being a sickly love story. This book may be "chick lit" but it also has a deep side to it and an interesting twist.

PLOT

To tell you too much about the plot would spoil the surprise. All I can say is that it centres on Bella, her passion for art and her fear of love/commitment/abandonment and rejection.

STYLE

'Love is a Four Letter Word' is very easy
to read because it is written in a very informal way. Whilst it is hardly book of the year or stylistically perfect it is a very entertaining and touching read.

CHARACTERS

* Bella Kreuzer:
A single 30-something woman who gives up her fast-paced job in London to move to a quiet town in Kent. Bella embarks on buying a new house, starting a new job and making a fresh start.

We can tell that Bella has been hurt in the past, and that she has a fraught relationship with her mother, Alessandra. As the book progresses, Bella's painful past unravels. I have to say I was surprised and moved by these revelations.

* Will AKA "Springy Hair":
Bella meets Will Henderson at a poetry reading and later enlists his help in transforming her garden. Will is your average nice guy who falls in love with Bella. He is an adorable, sensitive character but I don't know any men like him.

* Viv & Nick:
Bella's best friend and her long-term partner. Viv is there for Bella through good and bad times. We don't really get an in-depth view of Viv and Nick's characters; they are just on the perimeter to show how loveable Bella is.

* Nick's cousin, Julian:
Clueless, self-absorbed man whom Bella has a brief and uncomfortable fling with.

* Alessanda & Dads (Gerald):
It is evident from the beginning that Bella and her mother don't get along. Whilst she always calls Gerald 'Dads', she almost always calls her mum 'Alessandra'.

Alessandra is very cold yet elegant. Bella feels like she has to live up to her mother's standards in the hope of gaining her approval/love. Her mother's detachment is so painful to Bella that she responds with bitterness and hostility.

Dads in stark comparison is warm, loving and a doting father.

* Will's mum, Fran:
Unlike Alessandra, Fran is kind, warm and slightly eccentric. She makes Bella feel very we
lcome.

* Will's sister, Helen, and her children (William and Abigail):
Helen helps Bella to realise where her hostility stems from and tells her to confront her mother.

* Patrick, Bella's ex:
Bella constantly refers to him so it is as if he is in the book despite his absence.

* Patrick's family:
Provide a direct contrast to Bella's parents. Bella gains the love and support from them that Alessandra is unable to provide.

FINAL IMPRESSIONS
I would recommend this book, although I'm not sure I'd pay £6.99 for it. I read it in no time at all, although the first couple of chapters were a little slow. Funny in places and moving in others, I'm glad I read this book.

4 stars.

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