by
3.66 of 5 stars
"Kennedy is a world class writer."--The New York Times Book Review

A brilliant American debut from one of Scotland's most a... read full description

reviews

Feb 01, 2009
Stephen rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Wow! A love story like no other as my excursions into Scottish literature continue. A.L. Kennedy is daring to be sure. I was captivated by the tension in this novel between God and kink, with a strange compromise found in the end. The two main characters are unforgettable: one a repressed, abused, unhappy housewife mourning her loss of a sense of God; the other a self-help guru who also happens to be something of a compulsive pornography addict. Through all the feelings of disgust and shame, More...
2 comments like (1 person liked it)
Jul 18, 2011
Vanessa rated it: 3 of 5 stars
I have chosen to mention this book for several reasons.

1. I have it open on my bed.

2. Today I read A.L. Kennedy's blog in The Guardian and was struck by her disdain for marketing her own books. Let me do it for you, Alison, I need the practice.(See footnote).

3. We are always told that people don't buy short stories. Ahem! I bought these short stories. That proves something, doesn't it? I would rather read Original Bliss than all her other books put together. More...
2 comments like (1 person liked it)
May 06, 2011
Katie M. rated it: 4 of 5 stars
I read So I Am Glad: A Novel ages ago and remember it as odd and sweet and moving. After years of vaguely meaning to read another A.L. Kennedy I finally picked up this one, and had exactly the same reaction to it. It's sort of about God and domestic violence and porn addiction but it's actually about two people who don't believe they are deserving of love and what happens when they meet. And it's just lovely. More...
Oct 25, 2008
Susan rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I don't know when I've read a book of serious fiction where I've been both enchanted with the language and unable to put the book down. This short book I read in a little over a day and that a holiday as well where I was busily taken up with other things.

I'm currently trying not to by new hardbacks so I bypassed Kennedy's new novel, Paradise, for an older novel. It came just as I was packing to leave for my sister's for the holiday. It was small and seemed a likely thing to read on More...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Aug 17, 2009
Sheri rated it: 2 of 5 stars
Original Bliss was different, I am still not sure if I liked it or not. Edward was strange and Helen was almost pathetic, but I could not help liking her. The sex scenes were pornographic, so those who do not like graphic "sexual" detail should not read Original Bliss. It was a unique love story.
Jul 11, 2007
Molly rated it: 3 of 5 stars
I liked this and I didn't like it. Trying to write a review for this book has proved particularly difficult (this is my third attempt). Kennedy again proves adept at creating unique, damaged, and undeniably human characters. However, unlike Paradise (a later novel), the characters here were harder for me to get a grasp on. Particularly Helen Brindle. Perhaps it's my own difficulty in understanding how someone could be THAT devoted to their own faith.
I guess what matters is that I wa More...
Jun 05, 2010
Sharonm rated it: 4 of 5 stars
An abused wife and a self-help guru who is a pornography addict meet and fall in love. This odd relationship is beautifully, if sparsely, drawn as Kennedy reveals this awkward relationship.
Nov 21, 2010
Camilla rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Se volete leggere la mia recensione, basta cliccare sul link :)</p>

http://bibliomaniarecensioni.blogspot.co...

Mar 20, 2009
Lindsay rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Nothing short of life-altering. This book is BY FAR, the best thing I've ever read "for school!!!"
Mar 19, 2011
June anne rated it: 2 of 5 stars
first foray into A L Kennedy - been meaning to for ages - watch this space...

Well, now that I've read it - found it slightly disturbing and not hugely satisfying
Nov 14, 2008
Rachel rated it: 3 of 5 stars
i wish i could give three and half stars. after a somewhat tedious 50 pages, the story finally begins to pick up and i finally started to care about the characters. from it's boring start it quickly segues into some very disturbing sexual content. there is violence in this book, but what i was so imperssed with, was kennedy's ability to turn some very despicable behavior on its head and to get me to like and root for these people. it's a very unlikely love story, but maybe that's why it was so s More...
Feb 20, 2010
Luann rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I was thinking about how much I liked this novel the other day and how that fondness is akin to what I feel for the movie "Secretary." Both challenged my definitions of love and both had a deep tenderness for those who find that love in unconventional places. Kennedy is a fierce writer and not everyone's cup of tea -- I don't often recommend for that reason. But she's also brilliant and a remarkable technician, IMHO, and this is perhaps my favorite of the half dozen I've read.
Mar 30, 2008
Diana rated it: 3 of 5 stars
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here
Sep 21, 2007
Elisascalise rated it: 4 of 5 stars
A book full of contradiction; both what you love and hate most about humans. Deals with some harsh subject matter without being melodramatic. Really like it.
Jun 02, 2007
G rated it: 3 of 5 stars
A lopsided love affair, and well-written, but I didn't emotionally connect as others have.
Jan 01, 2008
Dragana rated it: 2 of 5 stars
Purposefully stuttering prose crafty, but too far-fetched in an unpleasant way.
Jul 30, 2009
Lily rated it: 5 of 5 stars
five stars
Feb 11, 2012
N is currently reading it
Jan 23, 2012
Valerie rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Jan 29, 2012
Agnieszka rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Jan 12, 2012
Josh rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Jan 12, 2012
Victoria rated it: 2 of 5 stars
Jan 09, 2012
Sam marked it as to-read
Jan 07, 2012
Dean rated it: 2 of 5 stars
Jan 01, 2012
Smeraldina added it
Dec 24, 2011
Devyn marked it as to-read
Dec 23, 2011
Jacqueline marked it as to-read
Dec 11, 2011
B. added it
Nov 29, 2011
Can marked it as to-read
Jan 29, 2012
Hanna_in_hult marked it as to-read