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Summary: Self indulgent whining
Review: I was very disappointed by this book. The main character, Tasha was the most annoying I have come across in some time. She wasn't even a likeable person. She was whiny, self indulgent, judgemental and materialistic. I found myself wanting her to end up alone and surrounded by cats instead of - predictably - falling for the platonic friend. I almost felt sorry for him. By the end, I was willing him to go off with somebody else.
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Summary: To all Jane Green Fans...
Review: I'd read 'MR. MAYBE', 'JAMIMA J.' and 'BOOKENDS' (my personal favorite) all of which I absolutely adored, so once my new favorite authors first book 'STRAIGHT TALKING' was released here in the states I had to pick it up! I was not disapointed in the least, 'STRAIGH TALKING' has glints of all of the hunor and flare that, as fans, we have come to expect from Green. While some of Green's latest books have gone on to more serious topics such as marriage and motherhood 'STRAIGHT TALKING' features a group of four very single friends as each trying to find love and happiness while having a lot of fun in the process!
While 'STRAIGHT TALKING' may not be quite up to the standards we have come to look for from this author, you have to remember that this is her first novel and true Jane Green fans will love it. Moreover, if you have read some of her later books such as 'BABYVILLE' or her most recent 'TO HAVE AND TO HOLD' and are looking to read something more akin to her earlier works than definitely pick this one up.
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Summary: Rollercoaster Fiend Slows and Takes the Carousel
Review: In Jane Green's "Straight Talk," we find Tasha making bad relationship choices. She goes for the quick and fast which invariably break her heart. Bachelor number is Andrew...he loves...Andrew. Being a TV producer for a top British morning show, Tasha is used to egos so she gives a lot more than she gets. They were together (and one of those couples you love to hate) for a long time and it seemed to work until he wanted out. Needless to say, there was another woman involved. After this long relationship, Tasha sort of roams. Thank goodness she has her best bud, Simon. He is always there and they have such a good time together. He's just too dependable and pedestrian compared to Tasha's past men. Also in the periphery is Simon. He is a Hugh Grant type of bachelor...loads of fun but don't think of commitment. Once again Jane Green keeps me turning the pages. She has become one of my favorite authors. Her characters are glaringly imperfect which endears them to me. I like reading about people who are on the path of self-destruction but find the epiphany. If you enjoyed any of Jane's books in the past, this is one for the collection. However, if you are considering reading one of her books, I would recommend Mr. Maybe or Bookends as a better start. They are a little lighter and will get you hooked on Jane's writing style.
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Summary: I loved this book! One fo her best...
Review: Jane Green is one of my favorite authors. First Jemima, then Mr. Maybe, and now Straight Talking. It just keeps getting better.
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Summary: Very Sex and the City-ish- Minus the Loveable Characters
Review: Jane Green writes what most of us only dare to think- not say. The tone of this book, and the raw portrayal of Tasha's feelings, the narrative voice, are what kept me reading. I was disappointed with the lack of attachment I felt toward all the supporting characters- there was a lack of description and understanding when it came to these key figures. I found myself wondering just why Tasha was friends with these people (perfect example is Andy whom she never says anything nice about), what bonded them together, etc.. Their descriptions were so shallow that I felt a total disconnection from them, and this left the book as a whole completely unmemorable. There were even lazy, cryptic suggestions of things that had happened in Tasha's childhood, which were then never carried out or explained. In general, everything that happens to these characters seems rushed and choppy- most likely because the reader never knows the characters well enough to understand why they do what they do. The group of four wildly different girlfriends who meet for brunch at the same place every weekend was a lame and obvious (in your face!) rip-off from Sex and the City. Emma is Charlotte. Andy is Samantha, need I go on? Aside from the weak relationships, the book ended exactly how I knew it would from page six- but not without a few turns and surprises along the way. Given the amount of time that went into describing Tasha's relationship with Simon, I felt a bit jipped when he never appeared later in the story, especially given his friendship with Adam- it just seemed like there could have been a few more plot twists there. For me, character development is what makes a book great. While this book was entertaining, it was nothing more than that.
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Summary: One of the WORST books I've ever read!
Review: Like another poster wrote, if this had been my first Jane Green book I would NEVER have read another. It was just that bad.
The main character is admittedly stupid, but what she doesn't understand (Jane) is that the main character is also extremely despicable.
Tasha, is vain, snobbish, foul mouthed (when she doesn't need to be) conceited, and a complete slut. I mean she will sleep with anything wiht a pulse, blaming it on her not so amazing parents. This is a woman in her 30's that acts like a 16 year old. She's supposedly educated and classy (HAHAHAHA), worldly and EXTREMELY SOPHISTICATED (WHAT A JOKE), yet blames her parents for making her have bad relationships with men. I really hated this character through and through. The only redeeming friend was "Mel" who Tash and the rest of her friends liked DESPITE the fact that she wasn't like them (BEAUTIFUL, SLIM AND SOPHISTICATED). Wow how kind of you to sacrifice your high standards to let such a loser in so close to your perfect circle of friends. Meanwhile Mel is the only normal, kind, together person (after a rocky start with her own men problems), while the others were the biggest losers ever written about.
Then she finds the perfect man who of course she cannot deal with because he might actually want to care for her rather than just using her.
She treats him like garbage and he actually says he'll wait for her. WHAT???!!! There is no way a man with 1/2 a brain who is decent (as this one was built up to be) would be totally betrayed and a day later be saying he'll always love you and will wait for you. Then it gets even more ridiculous after that.
When they meet and she can't believe he'd moved on. OMG, I could barely contain my anger towards her.
She is such a sickening character to me that the last thing I wanted was for her to have a happy ending, she did not deserve one.
The writing itself was HORRIFIC! I honestly cannot believe they published this book. I thought it was a mess from every angle.
I'm just sorry I could not give it a ZERO star!
On a better note I have enjoyed some of her other books. She always rights a bit on the snooty side, but normally her characters are very likable. THere are always men problems, but the other women you can relate to and they had in themselves very redeemable characteristics, like being sensitive and caring, having some dignity.
Tasha wouldn't know a redeemable characteristic if it came up and bit her. HORRIBLE!
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Summary: Rich spoiled girls, boring non-problems ...
Review: Ok well I'm getting old - I must confess I found it impossible to sympathise or indeed comprehend in any way the behaviour of the heroine in this novel. Either young women have changed out of all comprehension or the novel was written by an alien whose sole knowledge of the human race was based on watching badly written sitcoms. I was never convinced that Tash felt anything other than sexual attraction or a need to gain status out of her relationships and as for the advice given by her friends - well I longed to bang their heads together! There are supposed to be sucessful thirtysomethings? Plenty of thirteen year olds have a far deeper insight into what makes successful relationships. The debates about sacrificing passion for lasting happiness in relationship to Tash's feelings for Adam made my head hurt - I shudder to think that impressionable young girls are being given the impression there there IS no middle ground between trying to force yourself to fall in love with a platonic friend and falling into bed with every man you meet! I was never even remotely convinced that Tash really loved Adam and their whole relationship just seemed incestuous and a bit icky ... The motto of the whole book seemed to be - anything to get a man and not be on your own and frankly I found it a bit sad to see the same old stereotypes about marriage recycled from the sixties. However I believe in actually Jane Green only writes from the viewpoint of a small section of women, lucky to belong to an affluent social class where they have little else to worry about ...
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Summary: Not the best from J. Green
Review: Read Mr. Maybe -- this was too long winded for me to be interesting. I kept reading but just so I could say I finished it.
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Summary: Good Classic Chick-Lit
Review: Straight Talk is good traditional chick-lit. A main character that is torn, confused and aging. Supporting characters that are both male and female tight knit friends. And of course there is the love triangle and guy who you hope she gets with throughout the story. This is along the same lines as the rest of her novels with small variations that make it worth the read.
If you aren't into happy ever after, fluff chick-lit, then this story isn't for you.
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Summary: Slow Start but keep reading!
Review: Straight Talking is a hard book to explain. The first half makes you think there is no plot but the second half is unbarable and you just can't put it down! Tasha is an unlikable character but so much of her makes you think about yourself. The book really picks up in the second half so don't give on Jane Green! She keeps her high status of an AMAZING chick lit author with Straight Talking!
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