Rating: 
Summary: What she did for a baby!
Review: As she did in her first book, Animal Husbandry, Laura Zigman entertains her readers with both a witty and poignant read in her new book Dating Big Bird. The plot of this book is not a new one, but in this skilled writer's hands we really come to care about Ellen Franck, a 35 year old single woman who hears her biological clock ticking away. Ellen has a good job, a nice apartment and one lovely 4 year old niece who suggests she takes Big Bird to bed with her to keep her compnay. And then Ellen, in one of the more humorous chapters of the book contemplates what it would be like to have a child with Big Bird. But being a bit more realistic Ellen thinks about her choices for parenting which include Malcom, her present lover who is emotionally frozen since his young son died several years before. As Ellen struggles to make sense out of her relationship and the passage of time, Ellen's sister and boss give birth to their second children leaving Ellen totally desparate to have a child even if she's alone. I did enjoy this book and it will most likely provide readers with a light summer offering but every reader must also be prepared for some serious moments which offset the humor and wit. And while today there are other novels and many magazine articles about this subject, Dating Big Bird is one of the better fiction reads one can experience on this topic.
Rating: 
Summary: Amusing (mellion108)
Review: For whatever reason, I find myself reading a lot of "chick lit" lately. Considering that my first love is horror, I'm finding it interesting to read the same things that so many of my friends are reading. I got this book without ever intending to read it, but I opened it and had to finish it.
Ellen Franck is yet another in a long line of successful, single, and neurotic New York City residents to grace the pages of novels in recent years. She works for a world-famous designer, and she dates Malcolm, a professor who is profound, kind, and impotent in more ways than one as a result of the death of his son. Now Ellen finds herself "staring down the dark side of thirty-five" and contemplating her future. She knows one thing: She wants a baby. She is crazy for her niece, Nicole ("The Pickle"), and she experiences heartbreak everytime she sees someone pushing a stroller on the street. What is a thirty-something gal to do when she doesn't have a viable partner to help her create a Little Pickle of her own? Well, if you're Ellen, you give yourself nine months to thoroughly research all your options, to drive everyone around you insane with baby talk, and to continue to obsess about every small detail of your life.
This is a super-fast read (I finished it in just a few hours), and it doesn't require a lot of deep thought. There are no life mysteries resolved in these pages, but Zigman manages to make this an amusing, fun read that is probably perfect to read on a day at the beach or in a few hours curled up on your sofa on a rainy day. Aside from Ellen's own obsessions, there aren't a lot of complex issues at work here. Also, if you are one of the women in her 30s who has never felt that desire to create a Little Pickle (like me), you might find it difficult to relate to Ellen's quest. Warning: This is the epitome of Chick Lit, and I don't think testosterone is allowed to open the cover.
(mellion108 from Michigan)
Rating:
Summary: It was over only too soon.
Review: I bought this book on a whim, only to bring my order to 25 dollars to qualify for free shipping. Ironically, this was the best of the lot! One of the best books of the type that I have read, I would recommend to anyone who liked the book or movie by the same author, "Animal Husbandry." The book was entertaining and I read it in one sitting! A great read for the money!!
Rating: 
Summary: Quick read, but could have been better
Review: I bought "Dating Big Bird" because the title caught my eye. The book is right for someone on a plane or car ride, but it lacks any real emotions. I thought that the writer could have added a few more chapters at the end. I read it and got off of my self, but don't think that I will be reading any more book by Ms. Zigman again.
Rating:
Summary: Big Bird Could Do Better
Review: While this book is a quick read and can keep you somewhat entertained, it's rather simplistic. I saw the movie "Someone Like You," based on Zigman's first novel, "Animal Husbandry" and was glad I didn't read the book. I wasn't really impressed with the characters or the storyline. And I'm not very impressed by the characters or the storyline in this new novel either. You may think it's because of my male perspective, but I love romantic comedies. These, I don't. I can see Ashley Judd narrating this current story just like the previous one. And it doesn't make it any better. Anyway, this is a good read for you if you like simplism. And if you like that I just made up my own word (simplism) then you'll love that Zigman's main character creates her own mind-numbing word, too. Just like creating a "theory" in Animal Husbandry. One more criticism before I go: the author spoonfeeds the readers with details that aren't necessary and implied. For example, when the main character's boyfriend says something, we don't need an explanation of why he said it. We know why. We're familiar with his background. We get it. Just move on with the story. Sorry to be so negative. It's a great story if you don't care about what you read and don't have a lot of time to concentrate. It's quick and simple. Although so is microwaving meat, but you wouldn't pick that over a charbroiled steak, would you? :)
Rating: 
Summary: Funny, and all too true
Review: Dating Big Bird is not the story of a woman desperate for a baby, nor is it the tale of a career woman suddenly in the midst of a mid-life crisis. It is not about a woman's relationship with an emotionally unavailable partner, or the sudden need to reevaluate everything she once thought important. Characterizing this story in any of these ways would be an oversimplification.
Ellen Franck is a normal, mid-thirties woman with a fantastic job, decent friends, a normal family, and a relationship. But the satisfaction of living the good life is eluding her. What exactly would make her life perfect? Like many people of her age and station in life, she realizes a baby would make her life complete. She's not just looking for a plaything, or "someone to love me". She wants the whole relationship, and craves the mother-child bond so much it hurts. But how does she make the fairy tale come true without a soulmate? And when she knows her fairy tale won't be the traditional kind? What Ellen wants is what some of us have, and others can only dream of: that perfect relationship that can only exist between mother and child, the perfect love you feel for that little person that calls you "Mom".
As Ellen navigates her way through her career, coworkers, family, friends, and relationship with a man not emotionally in the same place as she is, her needs and wants clarify in her mind. And she brings her readers along on a very funny journey to the realization of where she really wants to be.
Zigman has a great way with words. This story is very funny, and her descriptions of the other characters will leave you snickering out loud. The dialogue is real, and the supporting cast seem very familiar--we must all know people similar to these. Women of all ages will relate to this story, whether you have kids or not. Great light reading, engaging until the end.
Rating:
Summary: A good book!
Review: If you are looking for an easy reading, this is the book you should have. I bought it on a sale and wasn't sure what to expect. I enjoyed reading it, it is quite funny too. It is the story of a sucessfull 35 year old woman who is so obsessed with her niece that she realized it is time for her to have a child of her own. The story brings the up and downs that her decision can have towards her life and others.
It is a good and very fast reading book(I finished in one day!).
Hope you like it, Ana
Rating:
Summary: What a delighful read!
Review: This is a delightful story about a woman who wants a baby but is unable to find a man who is willing to raise a family with her. Ellen reminds me of me before I got married and got pregnant with my twin sons. It is a book for every woman who wants babies to relate to! Ellen is 35 and fearful of never having children. She and a friend from high school start hatching plans on how to attract men to fulfill their dreams of having a family ~~ only there were hitches along the way. Some were hilarious and some were just sad. And it's a quick read ~~ one that will enchant the reader till the last page is turned. I enjoyed it ~~ it's one of the cutest books I've read in quite a while ~~ and it was easy on this tired mom's mind. =) 9-18-02
Rating:
Summary: Great read
Review: I took book with me among 6-7 other beach books. I read the others in a snap. But I could easily see that Zigman is different from otherr beach books. She has a different style. I would not call this book a typical Red Dress Ink chick book.. There is more. It is not a shallow, predictable, easy to read book. Zigman makes you think, she teaches you. It is a great read. I liked it a lot, and still finished it within a day. Now that I am back from my vacation, I am going to buy her other book and read it.
Rating:
Summary: A Quick Read
Review: Read this one even faster than I read "The Firm." Wish it had been longer ... would have loved to find out what happened "the day after." If you liked Animal Husbandry, you'll like this one.
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