Monday, August 6, 2007

Second Chance

This is the newest book by the author Jane Green who is a British novelist now living in the States. I came across Jane Green many years ago when I picked up "Jemima J." and "Mr. Maybe" and fell in love with her writing (this is classic chick literature) and because of that have read everything she's ever written and would always check to see if she's come out with any new books whenever I'd go to the bookstore. So you could imagine my delight when I came across this book! Unfortunately ... it wasn't what I expected.

There were way too many storylines and at times it was hard for me to follow. Not only this, I felt as though there were characters in the story that she kind of threw in there for good measure but didn't really follow through with what happened to them. Or she would throw a character in there but it just added to the confusion because there was yet another storyline (even though it may have been brief) to follow.


The story is this: There is a group of friends from highschool that were very tight but they had lost touch for 20 years or so. There was one member of the group however, Tom, who had kept in touch with all of them individually. The group is reunited under horrible circumstances when they find out that Tom has been killed in a terrorist attack in NY. Tom's death propels them into evaluating their lives and a lot of them go through major life changes. They are reunited and help eachother through such a hard period and manage to stay close throughout the book. Each of these friends seem to go through some pretty tough ordeals after Tom's death (a divorce, an unwanted pregnancy, celebrity tabloid issues ... yes, one of the friends just so happens to be a famous actress).


I think that what made this book a little difficult to follow is that you are presented with such a huge blow (the death of Tom) and then are presented with huge blows after that (with all of Tom's friends) and it's just too much. She could have easily written 2 or 3 different stories from this one book.


I wasn't too keen on this book but I do recommend Jane Green as an author. If you pick up any of her books then start with either "Jemima J." or "Mr. Maybe". Those were the books that made me love her as a writer.

8 comments:

megabrooke said...

thanks for the review you reading machine you!
i have heard of mr. maybe, but not of this one. i tend to like chick lit type books, so i will check out the other two first.
thanks!

Airam said...

This book was just released and I didn't realize it was out until I stumbled upon it. Don't read this one though. It's not as good as the others.

armalicious said...

I loved Jemima J - it was my frist Jane Green book. I saw this book at B&N a few weeks ago and almost picked it up. Maybe I'll wait and get it at the library?

Airam said...

Definitely wait! Dang if we lived closer you could've just borrowed mine!!!

brandy said...

Yep, Jemima J was my first Jane Green book too. Man. I hate that this one didn't live up to your expectations, that's such a let down.

Airam said...

Yeah me too. This is pretty much one of the only books of hers that I had this reaction.

HLOGS said...

I've had Jemima J recommended to me but have never checked it out. Must add this to my library list

Amber @ A Little Pink in the Cornfields said...

I have to agree, if this was the first Jane Green book I read I probably wouldn't adore her as much as I do!