| Product: |
One-Hit Wonder - Lisa Jewell |
| Date: |
02/10/01 (27 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: emotionally powerful, Lisa Jewell fans will love it
Disadvantages: Convenient 'cosy' ending
It becomes apparent from the early stages of One Hit Wonder that this is sort of a 'whodunit'. I say 'sort of', because one-hit-wonder singer Bee Bearhorn has by all accounts committed suicide. However, her half-sister, Ana, and best friends Lol and Flint find it hard to believe that anyone as outgoingly strong and confident as Bee could possibly find reason to kill themself. And so the three of them embark on a quest to discover what befell Bee Bearhorn, and why.
Those who have read Lisa Jewell's previous books, Ralph's Party and Thirty-Nothing, will be expecting a fun and romantic story. They won't be disappointed - but they will get something extra. The biggest difference between One Hit Wonder and Jewell's previous work is, without doubt, the emotional impact of this book. The sadness of Bee's life, that she has been unable to show to even her close friends and family, will hit you. The desperation that Ana feels in trying to uncover the mystereous life and death of her half-sister will frustrate and excite you simutaneously.
A significant element of One Hit Wonder is the relationship that Ana has, and Bee had, with their mother. A seemingly bitter and twisted attention and sympathy-seeker, Gay has made life hell for her two daughters. Learning more about her and watching as other people try to break her cold exterior is a sometimes difficult, but thoroughly captivating experience.
The romance element of One Hit Wonder comes when Ana and Flint engage in their investigations, finding themselves more and more drawn to each other. Each character is completely likable and, despite the two of them being very different characters, the romance works. They both struggle to come to terms with the idea that Bee could have killed herself, and they both feel guilt. Again, the emotional impact is felt strongly by the reader.
The adventure takes various pathes and has been cleverly constructed to show yo
u only as much as the writer wants you to see. Some developments are expected, others highly shocking, but they are all exciting. The only criticism, and it is a small one, relates to the very last few pages. The story appears to fall together too perfectly for everyone involved (with the obvious exception that someone has died!). A bit too sweet-smelling, perhaps.
One Hit Wonder is an easily read but tough-on-the-emotions novel. You will thoroughly enjoy learning what happened to Bee Bearhorn. The few occasions when we get to see Bee in action directly are cherished, because they are so rare. You actually feel privileged to be seeing Bee in action, rather than learning about her from other people. You realise you are in the company of somebody special.
Definitely Lisa Jewell's best work to date and entirely recommended.
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