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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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Sev
I agree with Joy. She is writing quickly, for herself. The font used for her looks like handwriting, in fact.
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
Nov 28, 2007
Faye
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
mariankeyes,
englishirishauthors
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
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
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
Apr 16, 2008
george
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
chick-lit,
read-in-2008
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
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
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
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
3,5
Si tuviera que describir este libro, sería impactante. La autora nos hace partícipes de una realidad cruda y desgarradora, pero real. La forma de abordarlo de manera tan cargada de tacto y sensibilidad, me ha llevado a darle las cuatro estrellas. Por momentos puedes palpar esa desesperación, pero también se adereza con momentos muy cómicos y cotidianos. Como en todo no es todo sombras, si no que los personajes, poco a poco van abriendo la puerta a una realidad mucho más luminosa.
Si tuviera que describir este libro, sería impactante. La autora nos hace partícipes de una realidad cruda y desgarradora, pero real. La forma de abordarlo de manera tan cargada de tacto y sensibilidad, me ha llevado a darle las cuatro estrellas. Por momentos puedes palpar esa desesperación, pero también se adereza con momentos muy cómicos y cotidianos. Como en todo no es todo sombras, si no que los personajes, poco a poco van abriendo la puerta a una realidad mucho más luminosa.
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
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
This is one of the best, yet one of the hardest Keyes' books I've ever read.
“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
Read this review in its entirety at Under the Covers Book Blog
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
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
Jul 20, 2016
Dana Al-Basha دانة الباشا
marked it as to-read
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
own
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 topi ...more
Я буду скучать о доброй Лоле. Жаль, что это standalone роман. Чем дальше, тем она мне больше нравится. Душевно и без соплей. И без шорткатов.
War garnicht so meins. Habe es abgebrochen.
Taí uma história que eu não estava esperando de jeito nenhum!!
O que eu pensava que ia conseguir com o livro, e o que a autora me apresentou, são duas coisas totalmente diferente.
Eu achava que a historia era sobre uma mocinha que se apaixonava pelo mocinho da capa, um irlandês gostosão e meio safado, e que os dois iam ter uma série de desencontros amorosos, mas que iam terminar juntos no final. Ledo engano!!
O tal mocinho da capa, o Paddy, é um político e está mais para vilão da história. Logo no ...more
O que eu pensava que ia conseguir com o livro, e o que a autora me apresentou, são duas coisas totalmente diferente.
Eu achava que a historia era sobre uma mocinha que se apaixonava pelo mocinho da capa, um irlandês gostosão e meio safado, e que os dois iam ter uma série de desencontros amorosos, mas que iam terminar juntos no final. Ledo engano!!
O tal mocinho da capa, o Paddy, é um político e está mais para vilão da história. Logo no ...more
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
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
Um livro escrito de uma forma diferente para abordar um tema tão difícil como a violência domestica exercida por "homens" que não o são, e que sempre são encantadores para os outros.
Quem começa a ler este livro pensa que vai ser uma leitura divertida, e é ,pois a autora aligeira o tema principal com passagens bem divertidas mas no fundo o tema da violência é muito bem desenvolvido, e mostra como as mulheres violentadas levam tempo a compreender que isto não é amor, e como vem-se metidas em relaç ...more
Quem começa a ler este livro pensa que vai ser uma leitura divertida, e é ,pois a autora aligeira o tema principal com passagens bem divertidas mas no fundo o tema da violência é muito bem desenvolvido, e mostra como as mulheres violentadas levam tempo a compreender que isto não é amor, e como vem-se metidas em relaç ...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Around the Year i...: This Charming Man, by Marian Keyes | 1 | 17 | Jan 15, 2017 05:50PM | |
| YA Buddy Readers'...: This Charming Man by Marian Keyes -- starting February 15th | 18 | 19 | Feb 23, 2015 11:21PM | |
| The Book Vipers: October-December 2013 Read Along - This Charming Man by Marian Keyes - NO SPOILERS | 9 | 44 | Dec 10, 2013 11:49AM |
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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“I sighed. "What is life but fleeting moments of happiness strung together on necklace of despair?”
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