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Summary: My Favorite Book Ever
Review: I read this book for the first time about two years ago, when I was 19, and although the intended audience is about ten years older than that, I related to so much of this book. My favorite part is a tie between two scenarios I will describe briefly so I don't ruin anything: 1.) When Claire, the main character, describes what happens when a young woman is forced to spend the night with a young man--not out of choice, but because she has no way of getting home. [The scenario Claire descibes is so TRUE that when it happens in real life, my best friend and I call it a "Watermelon night" after the title] 2.) When Claire describes what happens when a couple in love breaks up and remains "friends". My only 2 complaints with this book are that the reader never gets a clear reason as to why James (Claire's husband)leaves her, and other things he does later in the story that I don't want to ruin, and that, as another reviewer put it, Adam's role in the story is a little too convenient and too good to be true. Rachel's Holiday is also very good, although much, MUCH heavier, and I love how Claire is brought into the story (as Rachel's oldest sister), especially a very humorous moment when Rachel and her friend, Brigit, meet some fellow native-Irish boys in a New York bar.
Rating: 
Summary: Good book despite minor flaws
Review: I've grown accustomed to Keyes' style--to her female heroines who need a major shot of self-esteem, her stream-of-conscience writing, and in particular, her predictability. If it were any other author, it's that last one (predictability) that would spoil the books. I generally have a tough time getting through a book if I know the ending thirty pages into the story. Keyes' books are different though, and I can't explain why. All I can say is that I love them. This one was no exception. Keyes' captures Claire's postpartum/dumped-woman depression with style. We watch her plummet and wonder if she'll pick herself up, and we feel sorry for her new daughter for having such a screwed up mother and maternal family. However, as Claire drags herself out of the dumps, we discover that we actually LIKE this family. They're quirky, but it works (and not to get off the subject, but it helps to explain the characters in Rachel's Holiday, another Keyes' book). Besides the aforementioned predictability, the book is great. I was a little shocked to learn that Claire's two-timing husband was SUCH a horrid person, considering how Claire describes him at the beginning of the book. Although the change in her perception of him is realistic--it reminds me of a woman married to an abusing louse. She only sees the good until she's reached the breaking point, and when reality sets in, it changes not only her view of him but her personality and outlook on life. Watermelon is another light and fun read. This book won't change the world or your view of it, and it certainly won't change your life. It will do exactly what it's meant to do though; it'll let you escape into a fictional world for a day.
Rating:
Summary: Watermelon is a Winner!
Review: I really can't add anything to the rest of the reviews, but I have to add my praise. When you consider that this was Marian Keyes' first novel, it's all the more astounding. Funny, poignant, sexy ' it has it all. Claire is a likeable heroine ' she's not perfect, but she's not a real pain that you have to struggle to like (as is her little sister Rachel in the equally wonderful 'Rachel's Holiday'). Claire stumbles around (and who wouldn't in her place?) but ultimately learns how to deal with life on her own (with her beautiful baby, despite what horrible sister Helen says!) The only marks of 'first novel' are the men ' James turns out to be a horrid, pathetic person and we don't really get any insight early on to this. Adam is a bit too, too, too good to be true ' but that's OK. Keyes' paints a more rounded picture of Claire, her sisters, and her mother. (In 'Lucy Sullivan' and 'Rachel's Holiday' Keyes manages to round out all of her characters better, but the humor and 'romance' gets darker than it is in 'Watermelon'). All in all, Keyes turns out magnificent books ' full of humor, quirky characters, and lessons about life. I highly recommend this book as a starting place ' but don't stop here! I can hardly wait to read Last Chance Saloon.
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Summary: a great read...
Review: I love Marian's books. I just finished this - and I really enjoyed the characters. I also read Rachel's Holiday, which is even better!! A must read! :)
Rating:
Summary: great book for which i miss male reviews !
Review: At first I had some problems with the style the book is written in, but very soon I was too deep into the story to let it interfere with the fun of reading it.
It's really one of the better books, that give those of us men, who are interested in the way a female psyche & their thoughts (& their resulting actions) work, interesting insights.
A really entertaining book about something, that can happen to every one of us; seen thru the eyes of an emotionally intelligent woman that doesn't let herself go.
Marian Keys can keep up her funny kind of storytelling over the whole book, the basic topic being everything else than funny. Really fascinating ! I will read her other novels, too !
Rating:
Summary: Marian Keyes is fantastic!
Review: I have read all of her books, and this was the first one I read by her, and I was HOOKED! Totally funny, and the characters are something else! Everyone I know that has read this has loved it.
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Summary: Not one bad seed in this Watermelon!!
Review: I've had this book sitting, waiting patiently to be read on my book shelf for quite some time. Wow, am I I glad I finally picked it up!! I read this book in 3 days and put off friends and several hours of sleep to get through it. The main character, Claire is so three dimensional I was able to relate to many of her sentiments, struggles, and triumphs. Her thoughts were depicted to perfection, to the point where I wondered if the author, Marian Keyes, had been through similar instances in her life and written a diary to go back to her thoughts later on while writing Watermelon. I loved Claire's 'analyze everything to death' character and all of the messes she got into (& out of). This is really a novel about relationships, heartbreak, & survival. Most women will relate to & love this fun book!
Rating:
Summary: Fun read, kinda predictible but great language
Review: Well, I have to admit I wasn't all that surprised by her husband leaving her in the first chapter - that was made pretty clear on the cover. The character goes through the expected anger, denial, bargaining, etc. and the ending was WAY too convenient but the internal dialogue that the character had was a HOOT to read. It reminded me of a kind of female version of "High Fidelity" - in a "is that what we really think?" kind of way. I really enjoyed reading about the quirky family in Dublin. Indeed, the main character is neurotic, obsessed, and very similar to Bridget Jones and Ally McBeal but that seems to be the trend in female characterization - not something I'm overjoyed about but, hey, it's fun to read.
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Summary: Loved Every Minute of It
Review: I have to say, to begin, that this unfortunately hits home with me. It was very refreshing to read about someone else going through what I experienced. I found many similarities between the main character, Claire, and myself. A unique combination of self-doubt, self-confidence, strong mother instinct, humor, and everything rolled into one. It covers her feelings and experiences from the time her husband leaves her and her newborn child for another woman and how she deals with it. Some of the parts were so funny I laughed out loud. The whole book was very intriguing and hilarious. You couldn't help but root for her and wonder what is going to happen next. I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it. I wish she would do a sequel.
Rating:
Summary: Great vacation read
Review: Brought it with me on vaction, thought it a great light read. The only problem was I finished it way too fast. The author grabs you right away when she discribes the main character just having a baby and then her husband entering the room to say he's leaving her. SHOCK! SHOCK! SHOCK!
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