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This Charming Man
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'Everybody remembers where they were the day they heard that Paddy de Courcy was getting married'.
But for four women in particular, the big news about the charismatic politician is especially momentous...
Stylist Lola has every reason to beinterested in who Paddy's marrying - because she's his girlfriend, yet she definitely isn't the bride-to-be ... Journalist Grace wants ...more
But for four women in particular, the big news about the charismatic politician is especially momentous...
Stylist Lola has every reason to beinterested in who Paddy's marrying - because she's his girlfriend, yet she definitely isn't the bride-to-be ... Journalist Grace wants ...more
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I've read This Charming Man in one ago. Two nights go, or to be more precise, sometime between midnight and six am. It wasn't because it was one of the best books I've ever read. It was more that I was feeling rather horrid, couldn't sleep and decided that I might as well read my way through the night. Not that it wasn't a good book. It was, actually, a surprisingly good read.
The cover and the synopsis make you think chic-lit but you're be wrong. It is a book about abuse. Sexual, mental and phy ...more
The cover and the synopsis make you think chic-lit but you're be wrong. It is a book about abuse. Sexual, mental and phy ...more
Nov 28, 2007
Faye
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
englishirishauthors,
mariankeyes
I am so disappointed in this book! I believe I have read everything Marian Keyes has published, and I had such high hopes.... Many other reviewers have given a synopsis of this book, so I'll not repeat their words. The following are among the reasons I am so distressed.
The first 75 pages of this book (and periodically throughout the rest) are written in the voice of Lola, one of four female main characters. The writing style is the most maddening Bridget-Jones-text-message mess you can imagine! ...more
The first 75 pages of this book (and periodically throughout the rest) are written in the voice of Lola, one of four female main characters. The writing style is the most maddening Bridget-Jones-text-message mess you can imagine! ...more
WARNING!! If you have been, or are, a victim of domestic violence, please be aware that this book depicts the violence and the situations very graphically. Ensure that you are ready to confront this imagery.
I give this book 5 stars if you are not reading it as a beach read, typical chick lit book, or even a typical Marian Keyes book. This is a powerful story that can be very disturbing (even if you have not been a victim of domestic violence). The "voice" of Lola is written in very annoying frag ...more
I give this book 5 stars if you are not reading it as a beach read, typical chick lit book, or even a typical Marian Keyes book. This is a powerful story that can be very disturbing (even if you have not been a victim of domestic violence). The "voice" of Lola is written in very annoying frag ...more
Marian Keyes makes me veer from insane giggling to fury to sorrow at/with her characters. She can be so funny and then make you feel such empathy for the protagonists. This book has four narrators who all have a relationship (of some sort) with Paddy de Courcy, a slick Irish politician. Issues in This Charming Man include domestic violence, alcoholism, depression, and severe lack of self-confidence - and it's still filled with humor that made me laugh like crazy.
One of the narrators is an alcoho ...more
One of the narrators is an alcoho ...more
Apr 27, 2008
Jonathan McNamara
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
anyone with a grain of emotional sense
Shelves:
just-read
I stayed up all night reading this brilliant book. marian Keyes has never come across as being afraid of tackling huge and important psychologically real issues. Make of that what you will. Under the girlish covers of her books I've always found pertinent issues; In 'This Charming Man' the issues are corrupt politicians, battered girlfriends, underhanded antics at work; steadfast firm friends as well as a wickedly funny turn involving cross-dressers (not trannies though one of them is gay). The
...more
Just a fantastic book - but I'll be honest I really hope this isn't representative of real Irish politicians behaviour 😁
I don’t have much to say about this book other than that I’m pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t just another forgettable chick-lit. I wanted something light and fluffy to read, but damn this book sure does have its share of complexities and depth.
I did struggle with the language structure at first (in Lola’s chapters), but it maybe owing to my ignorance of Irish English dialect. I had to check if the rest of the book was written in that fashion and thank goodness it wasn’t. So I continued. For ...more
I did struggle with the language structure at first (in Lola’s chapters), but it maybe owing to my ignorance of Irish English dialect. I had to check if the rest of the book was written in that fashion and thank goodness it wasn’t. So I continued. For ...more
4.5 ☆
I absolutely loved this clever, clever book.
In light of Beach Read’s latest release and the issue with its marketing, I think it’s important to say this book is not (purely) the nice read you might expect from the title (there are however, many charming men in this). There are some triggers: extreme violence against women, verbal and emotional abuse, sexual abuse and alcohol abuse. That said, in true Marian fashion This Charming Man is most definitely a comedy. What I love about her and wh ...more
I absolutely loved this clever, clever book.
In light of Beach Read’s latest release and the issue with its marketing, I think it’s important to say this book is not (purely) the nice read you might expect from the title (there are however, many charming men in this). There are some triggers: extreme violence against women, verbal and emotional abuse, sexual abuse and alcohol abuse. That said, in true Marian fashion This Charming Man is most definitely a comedy. What I love about her and wh ...more
Apr 16, 2008
eRin
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
read-in-2008,
chick-lit
Lola. Grace. Marnie. Alicia. Four very different women with one connection: Paddy de Courcy. Told from each of the four women's viewpoints, This Charming Man explains how each of the women is deeply affected by this one man. All of the women are struggling with something, despite her outwardly normal appearance. The story starts with the announcement of de Courcy's engagement and the women's different reactions. From there we get to see why each woman reacted in her own way--and the reasons are
...more
DNF and hated what I did read
Years ago I read my first book by Marian Keyes called "Is Anybody Out There." I adored it and thought it was really exceptional. So I sought out and read everything else I could find by this author, hoping to recapture that feeling, but was disappointed every time. Somehow I forgot that, and bought this one at a used book store because the plot sounded good.
The first chapter focused on an unlikeable, unsympathetic nitwit of a female character and it was written in a ...more
Years ago I read my first book by Marian Keyes called "Is Anybody Out There." I adored it and thought it was really exceptional. So I sought out and read everything else I could find by this author, hoping to recapture that feeling, but was disappointed every time. Somehow I forgot that, and bought this one at a used book store because the plot sounded good.
The first chapter focused on an unlikeable, unsympathetic nitwit of a female character and it was written in a ...more
I liked this book, but do not read if looking for funny, uplifting read. The reviewers on back of dust jacket have obviously not read book or have seriously different sense of humor than I do.
Book is story of five/six various women who have all come into contact with same politician man who is quiet frankly shit, he's a shit man and is very very nasty. This book is each woman's road into ruin via this horrid politian as it deals with issues such as abuse, cross dressing, rape within a relations ...more
Book is story of five/six various women who have all come into contact with same politician man who is quiet frankly shit, he's a shit man and is very very nasty. This book is each woman's road into ruin via this horrid politian as it deals with issues such as abuse, cross dressing, rape within a relations ...more
My favorite book I've read this summer is, This Charming Man, by Irish author, Marian Keyes. I'm a huge fan of hers and have read all of her books. They've been thoughtful, delightful and entertaining. But This Charming Man weaves together compellingly stark portrayals of alcoholism and domestic violence in a serious, yet sassy, page-turner that isn't, strangely, depressing. The women in the book come together to confront their abuser and, while not all of their issues are immediately resolved,
...more
This was a re-read and I'm so glad I have started to re-read because this is such a brilliant story with all the skills Keyes possesses to climb into other people's psyche and reveal their deepest thoughts and feelings. Her combination of dark humour and serious issues makes for a hugely entertaining and moving read.
Truly excellent - I am sad that I have finished this book - I am missing the characters already!
Original reveiw:-
Chick Lit at its best! Compelling story of four different women linke ...more
Truly excellent - I am sad that I have finished this book - I am missing the characters already!
Original reveiw:-
Chick Lit at its best! Compelling story of four different women linke ...more
Jul 14, 2008
Emma
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
Most women
Recommended to Emma by:
Boss at work
You know what? I expected to read this book and think, urgh there's another chick-lit same-old same-old. I'm not the biggest fan of chick-lit but I can happily flit into the genre when I fancy something light-hearted.
I didn't find this predictable, though, which is my usual qualm with chick-lit.
Lola is easily the funniest and most engaging of the characters; I found myself looking forward to her bits the most. Grace is sarcastic, witty, and the woman that binds all the plots together.
Marnie is t ...more
I didn't find this predictable, though, which is my usual qualm with chick-lit.
Lola is easily the funniest and most engaging of the characters; I found myself looking forward to her bits the most. Grace is sarcastic, witty, and the woman that binds all the plots together.
Marnie is t ...more
889 pages and I read it in 8 days, so that probably says it all. Marian Keyes tells the story through the eyes of four women all connected with said 'Charming Man,' Paddy de Courcey. Paddy is charismatic, powerful and women go weak at the knees when he appears....oh and he is violent and manipulative.
It's a very fine book in that it deals with serious issues of domestic violence and manipulation and yet (as in all her books) is very funny.
I think you could pick up any Marian Keyes book and enjoy ...more
It's a very fine book in that it deals with serious issues of domestic violence and manipulation and yet (as in all her books) is very funny.
I think you could pick up any Marian Keyes book and enjoy ...more
I found this book disappointing. The different fonts for different voices were not needed and rather aggravating. The clipped voice of Lola was beyond annoying. I just couldn't see the requirement. It was insulting to the reader as if we couldn't tell the difference between the voices.
I've no problem with the subject matter - but what the hell did these women find charming about him?? With only a few snapshots of his bullying violence - how could we see what they saw in him? He is a manipulator ...more
I've no problem with the subject matter - but what the hell did these women find charming about him?? With only a few snapshots of his bullying violence - how could we see what they saw in him? He is a manipulator ...more
I was telling my daughter-in-law recently how I give all the books I review either three, four, or five stars, because I don't finish the ones I would rate as one or two. This Charming Man nearly fell in that latter category. A great deal of time was spent developing the stories of Lola, Grace, and Marnie. Grace wasn't in bad shape, but the other two women were hard to take. Lola and Marnie were both struggling in their work because they were in such bad psychological states they couldn't do bas
...more
Dear Ms. Keyes,
Sometimes I cringe over my reading selections and dawdle before diving in... That is how I tend to approach your writing. Then I dive and there is nothing that can pull me away. As an author within the genre of chick litterers, you excel, charming the likes of me again and again.
I love your awareness of intimate violence and how state mandates regarding citizenship and immigration sustain and extend. How eloquent, daring, and ethical is Dee in this regard! I love the wit, kink, a ...more
Sometimes I cringe over my reading selections and dawdle before diving in... That is how I tend to approach your writing. Then I dive and there is nothing that can pull me away. As an author within the genre of chick litterers, you excel, charming the likes of me again and again.
I love your awareness of intimate violence and how state mandates regarding citizenship and immigration sustain and extend. How eloquent, daring, and ethical is Dee in this regard! I love the wit, kink, a ...more
Reviewed by Claire Allan
I doubt there has been such an eagerly awaited book as Marian Keyes' This Charming Man - how we have watched eagerly over the past two years as news of her latest book filtered out. There was going to be a character called Lola in it. It was going to deal with domestic violence. It was going to be very, very long (hurrah!).
My excitement reached a peak when I discovered a copy just in time for my holidays and as I stroked the gorgeous purple cover I was dying to dig in - b ...more
I doubt there has been such an eagerly awaited book as Marian Keyes' This Charming Man - how we have watched eagerly over the past two years as news of her latest book filtered out. There was going to be a character called Lola in it. It was going to deal with domestic violence. It was going to be very, very long (hurrah!).
My excitement reached a peak when I discovered a copy just in time for my holidays and as I stroked the gorgeous purple cover I was dying to dig in - b ...more
After an initial love affair with Keyes, I went off her. Her earlier novels, the ones I'd found at least, each focused on one member of a family, and I was getting weary of them - started forgetting who was who, etc.
But This Charming Man is a treasure. In the two weeks it took me to finish it, I have fallen in love with Grace and her unique family, Lola and her trannie, and a boatload of other characters as they work so hard to figure it all out.
This Charming Man is the first book ever to occupy ...more
But This Charming Man is a treasure. In the two weeks it took me to finish it, I have fallen in love with Grace and her unique family, Lola and her trannie, and a boatload of other characters as they work so hard to figure it all out.
This Charming Man is the first book ever to occupy ...more
Sometimes, I don't know why it happens to me, that I get stuck without books to read at the most inappropriate moment. Now, I also read Kindle books so it's not a problem for me but this time, I accidentally downloaded the wrong book. And why is that? You'll probably think that's because it's a story that is more suitable for women than for men - that's not the reason. Or because the book itself is too long and doesn't end - that's not the reason either.
So what is it? Easy! In my opinion, this b ...more
So what is it? Easy! In my opinion, this b ...more
“This book was a totally new experience for me but I’m glad I tried it.”
Read this review in its entirety at Under the Covers Book Blog ...more
Read this review in its entirety at Under the Covers Book Blog ...more
Gosh, another great Marian Keyes book - just when I thought she couldn't get any better. I don't want to make any rash statements here, but I don't think that Marian Keyes is writing "chick lit" (god, how I hate that term) anymore. She's writing serious fiction that also happens to be hilarious in places. Must admit that the first chapter or so of Lola's story threw me off a bit, kept checking to make sure the entire book wasn't written in that diary style, but after a while it totally grew on m
...more
I think it's safe to say that Marian Keyes is becoming one of my favorite authors as I'm still reading this book, and no I haven't read anything else by her, but you just know when you stumble upon a good author that is loved by many fans. She's so good in writing a character and making you feel what they do whether you like them or don't, it's all about keeping it real with her, dramatic but with a sense of humor, well rounded characters and interesting plot that keeps you on the edge flipping
...more
Reading this book is quite a departure from my usual taste. I used to read a lot more Women’s Fiction when I was younger and that was really before I found a real interest in reading. Marian Keyes has been an author that I’ve been meaning to read for a while now. However, THIS CHARMING MAN turned out to be a different book than I expected.Usually within Women’s Fiction and Chick-Lit in particular, you’ll find humor and an overall lighter tone. This book does have that upbeat banter but the t ...more
There was something about this book that totally drew me in and made me struggle to put it down. I think maybe it was the way it just felt so real - I was totally caught up in each of the characters' stories and found myself caring greatly about all of them. Marian Keyes is brilliant at tackling difficult issues in a sensitive yet honest manner and that made this book even more readable.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Paddy de Courcy: 'charismatic', 'charming'? Really? Sadly, as with the other characters, I'm afraid I didn't like him. Not so much a problem (after all who says you have to like a character to enjoy them?) if I hadn't been so disappointed that there wasn't one of them I did like, that I didn't manage for whatever reason to engage with any of them in anything other than the most superficial of ways.
And it wasn't only the characters. Alas This Charming Man wasn't to my taste as far as writing goes ...more
And it wasn't only the characters. Alas This Charming Man wasn't to my taste as far as writing goes ...more
I thought This Charming Man was fantastic - it's still has Marian Keyes' usual qualities, in that I laughed out loud in places and cried in others but is very differently written than her previous books. One part in particular, when Grace's family try to give up smoking and how it affected them made me laugh and cry at the same time - oh such familiar feelings! Other parts, especially the graphic description of domestic violence had me shuddering and in tears.
The way that Marian Keyes portrays M ...more
The way that Marian Keyes portrays M ...more
A light and funny read, this book touches on some serious matters such as domestic abuse and alcoholism. The four female characters have one common denominator, the charming politician Paddy de Courcy. Their struggle to break away from his entanglements and the support they find in each other become very relevant in the current #MeToo era.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Around the Year i...: This Charming Man, by Marian Keyes | 1 | 21 | Jan 15, 2017 05:50PM | |
| YA Buddy Readers'...: This Charming Man by Marian Keyes -- starting February 15th | 18 | 20 | Feb 23, 2015 11:21PM | |
| The Book Vipers: October-December 2013 Read Along - This Charming Man by Marian Keyes - NO SPOILERS | 9 | 45 | Dec 10, 2013 11:49AM |
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Marian Keyes (born 10 September 1963) is an Irish novelist and non-fiction writer, best known for her work in women's literature. She is an Irish Book Awards winner. Over 22 million copies of her novels have been sold worldwide and her books have been translated into 32 languages. She became known worldwide for Watermelon, Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married, and This Charming Man, with themes includ
...more
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First, I will like to express my surprise and my gratitude for such a thorough analysis of this book. The way that you wr ...more
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