The Best of Friends

Rating:
Summary: Dreary domestic drama
Review: After reading and enjoying Joanna Trollope's book "Other People's Children," I looked forward to reading "Best of Friends". I was very disappointed.

The story revolves around 2 families--Hilary and Laurence and their 3 sons, and Gina and Fergus and their only child Sophy. When Fergus leaves for greener pastures, everyone is shocked--Gina is a rather unpleasant, emotionally unstable person, and she begins to lean on her old childhood friend Laurence and his overworked wife, Hilary for emotional support. Hilary, who co-owns and manages the family hotel rejects the role--she has enough people to carry! Laurence, however, falls into the trap of "helping" Gina emotionally.

The only character that I found even remotely interesting and believable was Sophy's grandmother, Vi. The other main characters, Fergus, Gina, Laurence and Hilary just didn't seem real--Hilary was especially difficult to swallow--even though she remained one of the most pleasant characters in the book.

The teenagers Gus, George, Adam and Sophy were utterly unbelievable. Teenagers don't think like this--at least none that I've ever known. Trollope's teenagers were mature, stable, sensitive, considerate, kind, industrious, thoughtful (the adjectives continue...). Unfortunately, since a great deal of the drama was presented through Sophy, the book was rather spoiled for me.

Furthermore, in the edition I had, there were at least two spots where the author confused the female characters and used the name "Gina" instead of "Hilary." Picky, picky picky, but it annoyed me.

Rating:
Summary: Another "Poor little Women" novel....
Review: Gina and Lawrence are the main characters of the book. The were best friends in childhood and that friendship continues into adulthood. Both are married to other people and when Gina's marriage ends she ends up in at Lawrences house being comforted in his arms. His wife is somewhat understanding but feels that Gina often outstays her welcome. Gina goes through every "poor me" emotion from the divorce and it gets obnoxiously annoying! Will someone please write a book where the betrayed women moves on and becomes strong without having to virtually distroy her teenage childrens' lives too?!!!

I won't go into detail of what happens next in case you decide to read this boring novel but let's just say that it's predictable, yet boring, with no really likeable characters. Very flatly written! I give it 2 stars...

Rating:
Summary: Passably entertaining
Review: I had heard of Trollope before and when I got a gift certificate last summer for my birthday, I thought I would give her a try since I am enamored of all things English. I am slightly disappointed that this book is just ok ~~ not as riveting nor as compelling of a read as I had hoped. It's entertaining enough to get through the whole book ~~ but it leaves with more questions than it's worth.

This book is about one marriage that falls apart, leaving the daughter in the center of the marital storm. Then her mother decides that she's in love with her best friend, Laurence, whom she has known since she was a teenager. Laurence then embarks on an affair with Gina, leaving his family behind in a mass of confusion ~~ which also left me, the reader confused.

I understand about affairs, love affairs, romances dying and marriages ending ~~ but this book barely skimmed the emotions of the characters involved. It barely even touched upon the damage of trust and the brokenness of promises and dreams. Even the affair between Gina and Laurence barely had any substance to it ~~ Sophy's story was more relevant in this book and she's just a confused daughter trying to find her place in the world. This book also has a touch of unreality to it as well ~~ a dreamland and so vague.

It's an ok novel ~~ I mean, I finished it, didn't I? But it's not enough of an opportunity for me to try Trollope again. Others might find this book riveting and compelling enough to read ~~ and I hope so. It's just not my cup of tea, unfortunately.

6-1-04