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145th out of 152 books
—
183 voters
Life Drawing For Beginners
by
Roisin Meaney (Goodreads Author)
From the author of Semi-Sweet comes a delightful new novel about the art of friendship, love, and (still) life. When Audrey Matthews offers an evening class in life drawing, all she's looking for is a little extra pocket money and something to fill her Tuesday nights. So she hires a model and recruits five students - each of whom have their own reason for being there. For...more
Paperback, 432 pages
Published
August 14th 2012
by 5 Spot
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Audrey Matthews, 37, teaches an evening class for adults in “life drawing” – i.e., drawing the human body with the help of a live, nude model. Although Carrickbawn in Ireland is a small town, the students enrolled don’t appear to know one another and haven't signed up with the intention of meeting anyone else. But by the last session, much has changed for the members of the group – even for Audrey, who, amusingly, is oblivious to the catalyzing effects of the class.
Discussion: This is such a lov...more
Discussion: This is such a lov...more
When I finished this book I really wanted to learn to draw. I realize that wasn’t the author’s original intention when she wrote the novel, but it is an interesting result all the same. She presented a fun book of adults coming together over an activity that I felt a longing for the activity itself. That is pretty powerful stuff.
Ms. Meany brings together a large cast of diverse strangers in an almost farcical way over the course of several weeks to give us touching stories of love, confidence, h...more
Ms. Meany brings together a large cast of diverse strangers in an almost farcical way over the course of several weeks to give us touching stories of love, confidence, h...more
This story is made up of a cast of characters who each come from diverse backgrounds and some are on a quest to find themselves, while others just need to feel a sense of belonging. Audrey Matthews, the lead character of the story, decides to start a class for beginners in life drawing. Yes, life drawing is one of those classes where a nude model stands, sits, or poses in the center of the classroom and everyone sketches what they see. Some of the characters know nothing about drawing and some j...more
My Review:
This book was an easy read. While it has a lot of very interesting characters and a neat story line, there were times that seemed just a tad bit slow. But that is the only thing that I could say was a not for me.
The characters were kinda neat to get to really know. And for that you will need to read yourself to find out what I mean by that.
Author Roisin Meaney is a great writer and I will be checking out more of her books for sure. Her writing style here was interesting and even tho...more
This book was an easy read. While it has a lot of very interesting characters and a neat story line, there were times that seemed just a tad bit slow. But that is the only thing that I could say was a not for me.
The characters were kinda neat to get to really know. And for that you will need to read yourself to find out what I mean by that.
Author Roisin Meaney is a great writer and I will be checking out more of her books for sure. Her writing style here was interesting and even tho...more
I enjoy slice-of-life books. When I came across a review of this novel, I thought it'd be right up my alley and in a sense it was. But...
The writing was good and easy to follow, in spite of the fact that the pov changes every few pages and that we're following myriad characters' stories.
I got the sense from this novel that life's a *itch and then you die. Only two of the stories came to some sort of conclusion; the rest were left hanging. The ending is kind of hopeful but meh.
I felt like I was...more
The writing was good and easy to follow, in spite of the fact that the pov changes every few pages and that we're following myriad characters' stories.
I got the sense from this novel that life's a *itch and then you die. Only two of the stories came to some sort of conclusion; the rest were left hanging. The ending is kind of hopeful but meh.
I felt like I was...more
A one-day delightful read
A charming look into the lives of five students in a drawing class in Ireland. It began small – five students, a model and a teacher. Then, like the ripples in a pond, each life expands, touching other lives. Each layer of revelation enriches the story, making it more textured and colorful. Lives overlap and intertwine, with surprises, laugh-out-loud moments, a tear or two, and a satisfying end.
The story is well-paced, with descriptions that bring the characters and t...more
A charming look into the lives of five students in a drawing class in Ireland. It began small – five students, a model and a teacher. Then, like the ripples in a pond, each life expands, touching other lives. Each layer of revelation enriches the story, making it more textured and colorful. Lives overlap and intertwine, with surprises, laugh-out-loud moments, a tear or two, and a satisfying end.
The story is well-paced, with descriptions that bring the characters and t...more
As an artist and single mother, I really enjoyed the change of pace in this genre of book. It is definitely one that I would watch if it were a movie. In fact, it is my opinion that Hollywood keep this book in mind for a movie in the future. The title of the book suits it best than the one before, and I would recommend this book to anyone who reads this type of genre, be an artist or not, a single mother or not. However if you happen to be one or the other or both such as myself, then I still th...more
Oct 13, 2012
Mrs Mommy Booknerd http://mrsmommybooknerd.blogspot.com
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
review-for-mmbbr-s
There are fun stories that come to us, that inspires us and LIFE DRAWINGS FOR BEGINNERS is one the those books. There are elements of love, friendship, art and a sense that things may not always be as they appear wrapped into this novel.
Many diverse characters come together in an evening drawing class that Audrey Matthews decides to run to fill a hole she has in her life. When she sits at the registration table waiting to see if the class will fill she slowly meets several very different people,...more
Many diverse characters come together in an evening drawing class that Audrey Matthews decides to run to fill a hole she has in her life. When she sits at the registration table waiting to see if the class will fill she slowly meets several very different people,...more
This book was a light hearted and fun view of a small group of adults that come together for a life drawing class. The points of view of the story changes between the characters every few pages. I enjoyed reading each perspective and how as the individuals get to know one another their opinions change.
Each if the characters is struggling to find something and each is lonely in their own right. There are several themes of single parents and the particular issues they may face.
Each of these dive...more
Each if the characters is struggling to find something and each is lonely in their own right. There are several themes of single parents and the particular issues they may face.
Each of these dive...more
I won this book from Good Reads...and I LOVED it! Audrey is such a NICE girl that you love to love! She's got strikes against her but she still gets up each day with a smile. I was wondering how all the characters she met up with each day would ever become woven together .. but it happened, and delightfully. I really enjoyed the book. Thanks!
Roisin Meaney's "Life Drawing for Beginners" is a perfectly tangled web of seven individuals and the relationships they share in common with residents of a small Irish town. From the beginning, the author manages to intertwine the very different lives of each individual who participates in the drawing class; the colorful instructor, the single mom nude model, the wealthy diva, the handsome foreigner, the antisocial single dad, the preschool teacher, and one other. I enjoyed this story thoroughly...more
I had a really hard time getting going on this book and keeping track of who each of the characters were since their lives intersected in so many different ways. About a hundred pages in though I really started liking the book and really liked how their lives interested in so many ways.
I received this as a FR giveaway. This book was a fun, quick read, with enjoyable characters. It's about an art teacher who offers an evening life drawing class, and the students and model that are in her class. It was interesting to see how the people were connected and how your actions can affect others. I thought the characters were well-developed and it was fun to read about them because they were all diverse. My only complaint is that I wish the ending were a bit longer and drawn out, so th...more
My second First Reads win! Lots of characters & a good story. Makes me want to draw.
Upon completion: a sweet ending, left me very hopeful for some of the characters. The author did a good job of tying together many characters. I want to read more of her books.
Upon completion: a sweet ending, left me very hopeful for some of the characters. The author did a good job of tying together many characters. I want to read more of her books.
3.5 stars - rounded up
Good story of the intertwined lives in a town in Ireland. There's a bit of romance, friendship, dogs, heartbreak, and coming together, all centered around the evening life drawing class. Lives are changed, better or worse. I was a little disappointed in the ending, I felt like it was an abrupt wrap up of a complex story. It was a very quick read, when given the time to sit down and focus, enjoyed the writing very much.
Rec'd as GoodReads First Reads for free in exchange for...more
Good story of the intertwined lives in a town in Ireland. There's a bit of romance, friendship, dogs, heartbreak, and coming together, all centered around the evening life drawing class. Lives are changed, better or worse. I was a little disappointed in the ending, I felt like it was an abrupt wrap up of a complex story. It was a very quick read, when given the time to sit down and focus, enjoyed the writing very much.
Rec'd as GoodReads First Reads for free in exchange for...more
{Disclaimer: I received this book for free through Goodreads FirstReads.}
I wasn't expecting much from "Life Drawing For Beginners", but though most of the plots are rather cliché, they're endearingly so. As the title suggests, the book centers around the students of an art class, but it expands to cover most of the town of Carrickbawn and all the little connections that often make the world seem small. For the most part, the book combines fluff and human drama into an entertaining mix that, whil...more
I wasn't expecting much from "Life Drawing For Beginners", but though most of the plots are rather cliché, they're endearingly so. As the title suggests, the book centers around the students of an art class, but it expands to cover most of the town of Carrickbawn and all the little connections that often make the world seem small. For the most part, the book combines fluff and human drama into an entertaining mix that, whil...more
Author Roisin Meany creates a lively tale of intertwined lives in this novel.
At first, from the title and plot summary, it might seem that this will be just be a variation on the cooking school novels, in which disparate people come together for a class and then end up in various happy combinations as a result. But, happily, this is not the case with Meany’s tale. Those taking the class already live lives which are quite intertwined, but they just aren’t aware of how closely. As the classes prog...more
At first, from the title and plot summary, it might seem that this will be just be a variation on the cooking school novels, in which disparate people come together for a class and then end up in various happy combinations as a result. But, happily, this is not the case with Meany’s tale. Those taking the class already live lives which are quite intertwined, but they just aren’t aware of how closely. As the classes prog...more
I just couldn't manage to get the characters straight or begin to care about their problems. It could be me and my current mindset; who knows? I probably won't try it again unless I forget that I ever picked it up.
I liked this book. I read it late into the night, it has been awhile since I read a book that I stayed up late to finish.
Delighful fun story, really enjoyed reading it. If you like works by Maeve Binchy, you will enjoy this author too.
Well regardless of the reviews on the jacketcover I found this book extremly difficult to read or to comprehend. The writer writes as if she is an absentminded valley girl who blurts extraneous character background info in the middle of the real story. It is like listening to a hiccup--you are not sure if you are going forward or backward. I would not recommend this book to anyone. It might just be worth reading if the author did not feel the reader had to know every tiny detail of each characte...more
Life Drawing For Beginners was an easy read. The storyline was good and I loved the way the characters all intertwined with each other outside of the class. There were times the book got a little slow but not so much it was discouraging to read. The characters are diverse and you get to know each of them. Of course, there are some characters you will like and others who you will dislike. Roisin Meaney does a great job describing them either way. :-)
I won this book through a Giveaway. It is a goo...more
I won this book through a Giveaway. It is a goo...more
Excellent book, highly recommend!
Feb 11, 2013
Karen Aleta
added it
Quick read, very sweet.
lovely. glass of wine and settle in with this one.
view 1 comment
Turned the page and was disappointed it was finished. I wanted more.
Won this book from first reads, thanks! When I read the first page and, saying these people will be a part of each others lives. I knew I was hooked already! What a way to bring a great book into the works. Loved it!!!
Sep 24, 2012
Katharine
marked it as to-read
I won this on First Reads and am anxious to get my copy and start reading!
I love this book! At first I was a little confused keeping track of everyone but I quickly caught on. This book was wonderful! I can't wait to read more from the author. I'm already loaning it out to someone at work and I can think of several others who would enjoy it as well. It's delightful. It's heart wrenching. It'll have you smiling. It'll make you want to cry. Over all a happy book filled with characters that felt like friends. Read it!
Very Maeve Binchyesque. I greatly enjoyed this.
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Born on 3rd September.
A published author of nine books for adults and two for children, Roisin has also written numerous articles for journals and newspapers. She worked as an advertising copywriter for a number of years, and brings a vast amount of experience to the editing team. Her first novel, The Daisy Picker, won a Write a Bestseller competition. Her third novel, The Last Week of May reached...more
More about Roisin Meaney...
A published author of nine books for adults and two for children, Roisin has also written numerous articles for journals and newspapers. She worked as an advertising copywriter for a number of years, and brings a vast amount of experience to the editing team. Her first novel, The Daisy Picker, won a Write a Bestseller competition. Her third novel, The Last Week of May reached...more
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