Babyville

Rating:
Summary: The grass was greener in Ms. Green's other novels....
Review: I'm suprised to be one of the first reviewers who didn't particularly like Ms. Green's latest book! After loving Jemima J and Mr. Maybe, I was eagerly anticipating the arrival of Babyville. Although the book is well written with likeable characters; I just couldn't get into it or relate. Maybe it's because I'm nowhere near considering having a baby. Of course that's the main focus of this novel. Babyville is three women's stories and their very drastic conceptions (or attempt at conception) and the drama that goes along with having a child. The first woman is Julia, a high end tv producer who's trying to save her relationship with her boyfriend and fill a void by having a baby. The next is Maeve who has the same job as Julia and would rather die than have a child at this stage in her career. And the third is Sam, Julia's best friend, who's pregnant with her first child. I have to say the book would be great for anyone who's planning on having a baby, is pregnant, or just had a child. But if you're not at that stage in life, it's a little hard to relate to.....

Rating:
Summary: Moving Out Of Chick Lit - Into Mommy Lit
Review: For those who have loved Jane Green's work in the past, as I have, this exploration into the next phase of life (committed relationships with offspring) was a welcome and wonderful trip. Green's previous work (Bookends, Mr. Maybe, and Jemima J) are some of my favorite books and I think Ms. Green is a wonderfully talented storyteller. I'm really glad to see her moving in a more mature and complex genre. I think it's time - and I look forward to more of it.

As for this newest book, "Babyville" revolves around the lives of three very different women. Seeming perfect Julia, who is a successful TV producer, career driven Maeve who gets faint with the mention of motherhood and mother in training Samantha, who can't wait to buy those maternity clothes. Of course, things don't go as they expect (otherwise, why write the book) and it's those twists and turns that make this a great Jane Green experience.

I really enjoyed this one --- it gets better with age, and I suggest a couple reads to really appreciate it. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Cheers!

Rating:
Summary: SO good!
Review: Jane Green does it again! I never fear when I pick up one of her novels. I liked how the seperate storys wove around eachother. Great, great read!

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining
Review: I really liked this book, which, believe me, is unusual! I had previously read "Jemima J", and though I don't remember much about it, I know I didn't care much for it. In fact, I was very trepidatious about buying another Jane Green book. But the title intrigued me (as I had recently had a baby myself), so I gave it a try. I'm glad I did. The writing was consistent through the entire book and the characters were likeable. Sure, maybe some of the situations were a little far-fetched, but this isn't epic literature we're talking about. It was an amusing, quick read that I enjoyed from beginning to end.

Rating:
Summary: Babyville was entertaining!
Review: This book was fantastic. I have a 9 month old baby and related to every character in one way or another. That's what made it so funny to me! A definate good read, especially if you are staying home with a baby right now, or trying to conceive or have friends who have babies!

Rating:
Summary: this book is terrible!
Review: This book is SO badly written, I couldn't even believe it was published. Green's approach to writing consists of introducing her characters and then launching into three or four pages of expository prose about them, their background, their issues, their baggage. She's incapable of revealing her characters through their words and actions alone, so she just outright explains to the reader everything you need to know about them from the get-go, and then tells the (very predictable) story.

And the stories themselves were insultingly simplistic. Apparently, if you are suffering severe, crushing depression, all you really need to do is to move to a new city and get a change of scenery--no need to struggle any further with this overwhelmingly complex and difficult disease, just move to New York! Or, alternatively, suffer a terrible humiliation that reminds you, in the space of a few hours, of why your life is worth living and erases all your misery as if you had never felt it! And the cure for all self-absorbed, career-driven, loveless women is as simple as getting knocked up: then they will spontaneously morph into caring partners, nurturing mothers, selfless helpmeets, totally eradicating the personality they have inhabited for the previous 30 years.

What a load of garbage!

Rating:
Summary: Babies Here,There and Everwhere!
Review: This was my first time reading a Jane Green novel and I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. BABYVILLE by Jane Green was an awesome story about babies and "thirty-something parenthood".
The story focuses on three characters. Julia, Maeve, and Sam are as different as night and day.
Julia, married to her loving husband Chris is feeling unfullfilled in her marriage after she gives birth to their son George. Maeve is a single woman living the good life, satisfied with her career, and sees no relationship or kids in her near future. Julia has been with her live-in boyfriend Mark for six years, but they are by no means "in love", but simply "in like". The two feel that if they have a baby, that will change the direction their relationship is going... to bad they are having problems with conceiving and that brings even more strain into their already dwindling relationship.

The book is broken down into three parts, each part telling each woman's story. Maeve's "I don't want a relationship, and the sight of a stroller makes me break out into a rash" attitude is quickly tested with an unexpected pregnancy. Sam thinks that running off with her friend's sexy husband is the answer to her depressing life of being a full-time mother.
This is another book where the characters were well thought out, and well brought together in the end. Jane Green has truly taken chick-lit to another level with this and I will definitely be picking up her other books. 5 Stars for BABYVILLE!


Rating:
Summary: Read it now!
Review: This book is fabulous. I loved how all the characters went together. Maeve's story was the best. Stope what you are doing, and go read this book. You will thank me when you are done.

Rating:
Summary: FUN AND REALISTIC.......
Review: In this novel Jane Green focuses on three very different British women, in very different places in their lives, whose worlds are actually intricately intertwined:

Julia - Golden Girl of the office, who lives with the Golden Boy of the office--lawyer Mark. Although they seem to be the ideal couple, all is far from perfect in their world. Julia is convinced that a baby is the answer, and finally Mark agrees, and the race to conceive begins. But try as they might, no baby is produced, creating even more friction in the relationship. Julia is sure Mark is to blame for their lack of fertility, and when Mark realizes this their entire world implodes. Julia receives the opportunity to travel to New York City to visit a friend, and she jumps at the chance for some much needed "space." Both Mark and Julia rediscover the fabulous individuals that they once were during their estrangement....should they make this new arrangement more permanent?

Maeve - When Julia escapes to NYC, Maeve is hired temporarily to replace her in the office. The consummate career girl, Maeve is all about fun, herself, and her career. Until an unexpected turn of events turns her life upside down...and Maeve must reevaluate what is important in her live.

Sam - Julia's best friend, new mom Sam is overwhelmed...by mommyhood, wifehood, and the occasional frumpiness and feelings of unattractiveness that often accompany the former. Then the husband of a friend seems to take an interest in her...and Sam becomes obsessed with him, fantasizing constantly. Until a hurtful, unintended revelation forces Sam back to reality..and gives her a renewed appreciation for her own family.


Although not quite as witty as I was hoping and thought this tale could be, it nonetheless made for quite a good read. Extremely realistic in its simplicity.


DYB

Rating:
Summary: FABULOUS book!
Review: I LOVED this book. If you've ever had kids, or wanted to have kids, you will so identify with this book. It covers everything from infertility to postpartum depression.

I love that Jane Green is writing for a slightly older audience. I'm in my 30's and a lot of the chick lit books seem too young for me. But this one was right up my alley.