| Product: |
My Legendary Girlfriend - Mike Gayle |
| Date: |
21/03/08 (141 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Super easy to read escapism
Disadvantages: Not much substance
I, as I'm sure I've mentioned before, am not a very well read individual. I have a grade 'C' in English Literature GCSE, and have to ask my wife the meaning of 'big words' on a fairly regular basis. Basically I'd struggle on Countdown. Suzi Dent would look down on me (well Suzi always strikes me as a nice lady, she'd probably disguise her disdain to safeguard my feelings).
But don't get me wrong, I'm not looking for your pity or sympathy, I'm not an idiot (believe it or not). I can do mathematics to a slightly above average level (I'd do ok at the numbers bits on Countdown, 'One from the top and five from anywhere of your choosing Carol', and boyish wink to camera. Not so smug now are you Dent!) and I can programme the timer on pretty much any video recorder that's put in front of me, I'm just a bit rubbish with the English language n'stuff. By the way this little review preamble is just to set the scene before I take on my next book review.
So a couple of months ago I made a conscious decision to improve the standard of my literature intake. I had a look around Amazon to see what I could buy. I browsed the genre's - 'Classics' - yes, some classic literature that's what I need. But hang on, maybe if I struggle with today's language, writing from over 100 years ago is going to be a bit much for me. One step at a time David, one step at a time.
'Modern Classics' - now that's more like it. It's modern so there'll be none of this 'And foresuth Guinevere did but hark whence Heratio's carriage was upon thee' (I know what you're thinking, yes I did have to bribe the examinations board for that grade C in English Literature) type malarkey. But it still has 'Classics' in its title so it ticks the culture box. Sadly at this point I got distracted by one of the other genres, 'Lad Lit', and I forgot about my Classics quest.
To those of you who have never encountered the phenomenon of Lad Lit (I'd never heard of it before, but then I don't think I've ever mentioned this but I'm not a very well read...) it's quite obviously the male version of 'Chick Lit' - lady books which have a central woman character who will meet a number of men, including one who will be instantly obvious as the man she's meant to be with for the rest of her life, but things just don't seem to quite happen and it looks like they never will. And then in the last chapter of course they do get together and live happily ever after, and we've all had a lovely time getting to the wonderfully predictable ending. Or so I'm told, ahem, being a man I obviously wouldn't read such books...right ok, I've read one of my wife's, 'The Nanny' I believe it was called. I just wanted to read a book and it had the brightest most colourful cover and everyone knows that's what you should judge books on.
Anyway, I've often heard Chick Lit referred to as fluff. Very easy to read stuff. So.... Lad Lit eh? Yeah, let's forget about the classics and get me some man fluff! (yes, yes I am aware how gay that sounds, but I'm writing a review on men's Chick Lit, I left my balls at the door when I started this review).
Ok. So, let's talk about the actual book. Our main character is Will Kelly, who has just moved to London to become an English teacher in a comprehensive school. His job isn't really that relevant as the book's timeline runs from a Friday afternoon to the Monday morning. Will is a man who's been drifting through the last 3 years of his life ever since his longterm girlfriend Aggi dumped him. He thought she was perfect and that they'd be together forever, but out of the blue she left him broken hearted. Will can be a fairly pathetic character and I didn't instantly warm to him, but I found his character, and my liking of him, grew as the book went on. He whines about his ex-girlfriend for the whole book, but fortunately it's fairly entertaining whining. The other leading ladies in the book are Will's recent one night stand Martina, his friend Alice, and a previous occupant of Will's flat, Kate. We get to experience the weekend of Will's 26th birthday and his relationships with these four women.
Like I said earlier, this book is very easy to read. It's not going to win awards for innovative storylines or take you on any sort of magical life altering journey. But that doesn't mean it's not worth reading. Mike Gayle gives a man's perspective of things well (though you'd expect this, what with him being a man and all), even though elements of the plot are ridiculous fantasy, there are true aspects of male attitudes and lifestyles picked up on and humorously portrayed. The only book that I've read of a similar nature that I can think of is Nick Hornby's 'About A Boy', and I'm not saying it's on a par with that, because it's not, but it's not a million miles away. Even though this was my first foray into Lad Lit, I can safely say Mike Gayle writes this style well and successfully takes you along with Will on his journey.
I certainly don't think this is a book for everyone, but if you're a man who likes romantic comedies (it's ok, it's nothing to be ashamed of), for example, or a woman looking who's a fan of Chick Lit, this probably will be the sort of book that'll appeal to you.
*** Other Info ***
I bought the book from Amazon.co.uk where it's currently for sale for £3.00, though the rrp is £6.99.
ISBN No. 978-0-340-71816-2
Paperback: 368 pages
Published: Flame
My Legendary Girlfriend was Mike Gayle's first novel, he has 6 others available to buy:
Mr Commitment
Dinner for Two
Wish You Were Here
Turning Thirty
Brand New Friend
His 'n' Hers
Summary: Great easy to read Lad Lit
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