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100th out of 185 books
—
113 voters
The Yummy Mummy
by
Polly Williams (Goodreads Author)
In the tradition of Little Earthquakes, Babyville and I Don't Know How She Does It: the effervescent, canny, and downright delightful debut of Polly Williams, a spirited new voice in women's fiction.Amy Crane's daughter, the exquisite and sweet-tempered Evie, is six months old. any Amy -- who's trying to decide whether to resume her high-pressure job in PR -- adores her. B...more
Hardcover, 384 pages
Published
January 2nd 2007
by Hyperion
(first published August 31st 2006)
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I started reading this book for my book club, and initially thought it was pretty typical british chick lit. However, there is an actual story line to follow, and being a new mummy myself, I could relate to the psyche of the main character. Overall, an engaging, quick read.
Libro letto in un baleno grazie alla scrittura scorrevole e alla semplicità della trama (diciamo che non bisogna fare un grosso sforzo per seguirla). Non avevo aspettative per questo libro, ma sono rimasta lo stesso delusa. La protagonista è Amy, una poco-più-che-trentenne con una bellissima e adorata bimba di sei mesi. La gravidanza di Amy è stata inaspettata, ma il suo compagno ne è rimasto così felice da inghiottire l'orgoglio e trasferirsi armi e bagagli nell'appartamento della sua ragazza....more
My review of this book is this. Knowing yourself is difficult after being defined as a "mother". I think the main character got lost. And although I don't identify with the fact that she completely sold her soul for a pair of designer shoes, I think that every mother goes through that period where they compare themselves to other mothers. And unfortunately this particular mother got lost in silliness of how she should look and less about her family. I liked it... puts in in perspective.
Very easy to read; does well to explain those little differences of culture [it's set in london & though I was raised in Turkey, I have lived about 2.5x that in the states:]
The wording flows well and allows the reader to know precisely what the main character is thinking, even if you don't know all the intreges of everyone else and the ploys against her. I would like to stress those of you that can't stand "emotional train-wreched ppl" or "those women that don't believe in themselves" don't...more
The wording flows well and allows the reader to know precisely what the main character is thinking, even if you don't know all the intreges of everyone else and the ploys against her. I would like to stress those of you that can't stand "emotional train-wreched ppl" or "those women that don't believe in themselves" don't...more
I really enjoyed this book, and perhaps really enjoyed it because it a new mother coming to terms with her new life, which is something I can relate to. It was easy to read and I could not put it down.
Amy tries to adjust to the challenges of new motherhood while getting her pre-mommy body back and keeping her relationship in tact. However, her boyfriend is getting more than a little irritated with her new ways and her new friends. Amy doesn't know where to turn or who to trust. Very good story. Keeps you hooked.
The book was fine; nothing special, except for the glimpses into my... I mean Amy's... life right before/after her baby is born. The insecurities, weight gain/loss, struggle of self identity are all there in black and white. I think I was expecting more, so I was just a little disappointed.
Sep 03, 2008
Erika
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
fun-loving women
Recommended to Erika by:
cousin
New mummy overwhelmed with child, boyfriend and life. Trying to maintain the status quo and ignoring her own fears and feelings. Through a path of self improvements and discovery she discovers peoples true identities...including her own.
This is another one of those books on women who can't handle motherhood, let themselves go. It was an okay read, but just didn't keep my attention the way some other takes on this topic have done before.
I hated it because the main character seems to sell her soul and her relationship for the approval of a horrible woman. I couldn't relate to her at all.
This was a good book, it had humour and it had something that everyone can relate to, whether it being a new mum or not being happy with your image or lifestyle and wanting to change who you are. My favourite character was Nicola, as she seemed really grounded and caring but very assertive when it was needed. This is my third book read my Polly Williams, and it won't be my last. The only negatives I found in the book was that - it was slightly predictable and some of the story wasn't needed.
I w...more
I w...more
One woman's struggle to fit back into her old self. Amy Crane is in crisis. Six months after the birth of her baby, Amy still looks pregnant and can't remember the last time she had a wax, or an orgasm. Motherhood is stirring up disturbing questions about her own childhood. And she suspects her boyfriend is cheating. Enter Alice, yummy mummy superior, on a mission to transform Amy's body, and love life. As Amy swaps breast pads for Botox and climbs out of a vortex of self-doubt, her libido awake...more
Aug 11, 2007
Az
rated it
1 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
those who regularly enjoy drama-based trash
this is one of the ugly side effects of working in a library. you scan things in and every so often you go "oh, this looks interesting." not to mention, if you check it out, it's one less thing you have to shelve. sometimes this is a good thing, sometimes it becomes a horrendous mistake.
guess which one this was.
i have no pity for emotional wrecks, mostso those whose major regret is not being able to fit into her "skinny" jeans. there were a few good attempts to take about class, but they refus...more
guess which one this was.
i have no pity for emotional wrecks, mostso those whose major regret is not being able to fit into her "skinny" jeans. there were a few good attempts to take about class, but they refus...more
I picked this from a small library for escapist fun and it did not disappoint. I'm very fond of books set in England. The only lost mark is for some predictability. You really can't begrudge Polly Williams that: it was best for her character. I was almost about to dock Ms. Williams another star for being so thin and gorgeous on her jacket photo, but I couldn't. She writes with such rawness and honesty about the vicissitudes of a new mother's body that I loved her anyway for the compassionate ren...more
This is a story of Amy Crane, a new mother, redefining herself. After having a baby she doesn't like how she feels about herself. She meets Alice a sexy mom who offers advice on being a "yummy mummy". It took me a while to get into this book. I really didn't like the main character for the first half of the book. I couldn't understand why Amy was buying into Alice's shallowness. Midway through the book I began to understand Amy and couldn't but the book down.
This book started off a little depressing, because the main character is a new mom who is overwhelmed and frumpy and unhappy with her life. However, it's funny to read about her interactions with the "yummy mummies", and then to watch her evolve into one herself.
This book is very much the British humor and style of writing, and reminds me a little of a Jane Green novel. This is my favorite of her books.
This book is very much the British humor and style of writing, and reminds me a little of a Jane Green novel. This is my favorite of her books.
Although not normally a fan of 'chick lit' I actually really enjoyed this book. As a fun little read its a great book. Not having children myself, it was quite difficult to relate with the 'yummy mummy' but I still found her journey very touching and think Polly WIlliams creates a very fun and convincing character in Amy Crane.
Overall this was a nicew read - great for lazy summers on a beach!
Overall this was a nicew read - great for lazy summers on a beach!
This book is a great read for anyone who has gone through the life altering event of being pregnant. It grasps expertly the feeling of your body not being your own anymore, even after having the baby. It shows how the mother can often times feel invisible after having gone from her own person to someone that another human so totally relies upon. It dragged me in and I was held captive until the very last page.
New Mom has a variety of new friends. Old ones, New ones, rich ones, poor ones. It was a bit hard trying to keep everyone straight. The new child was well behaved at all times, which I can’t say I minded. Her new rich posh friends, where the most entertaining, as books like these go. As you can tell, this book didn’t really make an impression on me.
Grade: C-
Grade: C-
3.5 Stars So, yeah, it's fluffy chick lit, but it's clearly written by someone who knows what she writes, which gives it slightly more depth than chick lit about shopaholics and man problems. As the mom of two, one of whom is under a year old, I know all too well how easy it is to get so caught up in full-time motherhood that you start to forget who you are. And, really, you reach a certain point where you just want the old you (you know, the one who actually showered, wore makeup, and didn't we...more
Chick lit at its best and worst. Great exploration of young single mother trying to figure out who she is now that she finds herself with a beautiful baby girl. But some of the language & sex are just over the top for me. Very graphic descriptions in some cases. But I enjoyed reading it enough for the story that I kept with it.
If you like British novels, you'll probably like this one. It moves a little more slowly than American books tend to, but it's still a good read--especially for mommies (most especially for mommies with young babies). The book is very relatable and touches on insecurities that all new moms go through.
Another "I need to read this so I can sell it" books. Quick, beach read though I had a hard time relating to this woman after a while. I get the insecurities (and certainly struggled with them too), but at some point I got tired of her moping and wanted her to just pull it together already!
I almost never gave 4 stars to a chicklit but this one really caught me! And from a British writer, what a nice surprise. The mommyhood described in this book is really spot on, from crazy organic moms to the socialite moms with botox appointment =) I enjoyed this so much and recommend it for all mommies out there =)
Surprisingly charming chick/mommy lit I found for free in our mailroom! Williams is better at turning a witty phrase than other writers in the niche (there were a few lines I wanted to jot down), and she approaches her subject satirically, but not sardonically.
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Ok... I actually enjoyed this book. I like the writers voice and I appreciated the honesty. It was refreshing to explore this world amongst the British. Surely, female issues of body image, acceptance and love are indeed universal.
Most of this book was good, the scenes are feeling grabbing - I really identified with how she so often felt. But it also light and fluffy - it seems very un real life, but saying that alsovery good reading!!
This wasn't a bad book but it wasn't a great book either. Predictable story and 2D characters. This was brain-Taco Bell. Seemed like a good, cheap option but I felt a little nauseated afterwards.
I actually found this book a bit hard to get through. I didn't relate to Amy Crane as I thought I might having a son and remembering quite clearly when I felt my freedom and old life disappearing into mommyhood. Unfortunately, I didn't relate to anything else. Maybe if I had joined two baby clubs? Too much needless paragraphs and not enough development.
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I've written stories and poems since I was a kid, and am delighted that making up stories is now my 'proper job.' Before I started writing fiction, I was a journalist - I still freelance for magazines and newspapers - but I always planned to write a book 'one day'. My moment came after the birth of my first child. I thought, shit, it's now or never! That sense of urgency - and my experiences as a...more
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ps--clearly I am a yummy mummy
Mar 26, 2007 08:13pm