The Big Love

Rating:
Summary: A THOUGHTFUL, REFRESHING DEBUT
Review: "Dumped" is really an unpleasant word. And well it should be because it sure hurts when it happens to you. Just ask Alison Hopkins, the recently walked-out-on heroine of Sarah Dunn's witty, thoughtful, refreshing debut.

His name is Tom, and she loved him with all her heart. He's only the second guy she's had a really serious relationship with, and all in the world she did was send him to the supermarket before their dinner party. But, Tom, in the way of many handsome, carefree guys, just can't quite bring himself to commit so he goes back to his former love.

What's Alison to do, and what did she do wrong? This exploration of the ins and outs of love is an original. Raised in a strict religious home she now wonders if her problem is that she hasn't had enough experience with men. So, she responds when her boss at the weekly newspaper where she writes a relationship column shows an interest in her. Her best friend predicts that Tom will come crawling back on his hands and knees. If he should, does Alison want him after the pain he has caused?

The conundrums she faces and the self appraisal that a girl undergoes when love turns sour are delightfully read by voice actress Eliza Foss who personifies a very appealing Alison leaving listeners to wonder why Tom didn't know a good gal when he had her.

- Gail Cooke

Rating:
Summary: I have a big love....
Review: for "The Big Love." There is more here than meets the eye. Lovely writing style, a protagonist you root for (the poor thing was hit over the head -- figuratively speaking -- so much as a child with Bible/Jesus/God stuff, that it took her 11 years of therapy to deal with her neuroses, and they're still not fully resolved). But she's bright, and funny, and you'll like (no, LOVE) spending time in her company.

How can you not love a novel that references Dorothy Parker, Nora Ephron, "When Harry Met Sally....," and a heroine who keeps a picture of Woody Allen at her workstation?!

Buy this debut novel. It's so good you'll want to read it twice!, as I did.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: Great fun.
Like someone walking through life...reading our thoughts.
Laughing with us,crying with us (and ok... maybe obsessing a little).
A unique voice looking at life and finding what is true.
READ THIS!

Rating:
Summary: loved this book
Review: I hate flying, but I read this book on the plane and ended up enjoying my flight because of it. The voice of the main character was smart, funny and engaging. I recommend it!

Rating:
Summary: "The Big Love"
Review: I listened for it in the car - great for mindless reading on your way from work! Pretty non-typical, a times funny and bold. I enjoyed it.

Rating:
Summary: LOVE THE BIG LOVE
Review: I LOVE THIS BOOK. THE CHARACTER OF ALLISON WAS SO TERRIBLY RELATABLE . I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN. IT WAS SO SMART AND WITTY. I TOTALLY RECOMMEND IT.

Rating:
Summary: inner monologue of a therapy session...
Review: it takes awhile to get accustomed to Dunn's rambling narrator and her loopety-loop logic, but once you get the hang of it, this book is a fine read. at times it seems a bit contradictory to have an evangelical Christian narrator (albeit a lapsed one) who curses, engages in extramarital sex and slurps down red wine but that makes Alison more real. a breezy, enjoyable read...

Rating:
Summary: Big Fun!
Review: THE BIG LOVE is a fun and sexy book. I finished it in no time and highly recommend it. It may not be a literary masterpiece, I make no promises on that, but you lose yourself in Dunn's story, from beginning to end. You can't say that for many books!

BIG recommendations: Lisa Glatt's A GIRL BECOMES A COMMA LIKE THAT.

Rating:
Summary: Couldn't Put it Down for Even a Second!
Review: This book made me laugh out loud many times! The main character, Alison was down to earth, smart, thoughtful and witty. Sarah Dunn really understands the complexity of the female psyche and is a master of dialogue. Can't wait for her next novel!

Rating:
Summary: The big "eh"
Review: This novel is easy to read and even a bit amusing in parts, but it is lacking description, or any real character development, and the plot is predictable and mediocre. There's a big marketing push for the book, but it's really not worth the hype.

For good women's fiction, check out Sarah Salway, Kathleen Tessario, and Lisa Jewell. Those women know how to write great stories and write them beautifully.