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Take Someone Like Me
Libby always thought her life was well-ordered, charmed even: three gorgeous daughters, a husband who adores her, friends to see her through thick and thin. But lately, with one daughter in a constant fit of teenage sulks, a ten-year-old questioning everything in the universe and beyond, and a husband who seems to see her mainly as the manager of school runs, ironed shirts and a well-stocked fridge, motherhood is showing some of its distinctly uglier sides. But Libby soldiers on, taking her youngest to an environmental group to find answers to all those pesky universe questions, navigating egg-shells to confront her oldest about that tell-tale silver-foil packet of 21 tiny pills and cramming in some time for rekindling the spark in her marriage after the eight o'clock news.
Until one day, she's had enough. She used to have more to talk about than the PTA and the price of apples at the supermarket; she used to have something to drive her life, a purpose behind things. And she wants that back - or at least some of it. So when she meets Daniel, attractive, passionate and engagingly spontaneous, she knows the turning point has come. But as domestic disaster and emotional calamity descend on the Blake household, Libby soon realizes that it's not simply a matter of starting all over again...
Until one day, she's had enough. She used to have more to talk about than the PTA and the price of apples at the supermarket; she used to have something to drive her life, a purpose behind things. And she wants that back - or at least some of it. So when she meets Daniel, attractive, passionate and engagingly spontaneous, she knows the turning point has come. But as domestic disaster and emotional calamity descend on the Blake household, Libby soon realizes that it's not simply a matter of starting all over again...
- GenresChick Lit
432 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 16, 2009
Yes, I'm a man and I read chick lit. Jayne Buxton won me over with the delightfully surprising and oddly titled, Lessons in Duck Shooting. Take Someone Like Me is not a book title which would have otherwise grabbed my attention, but it is nonetheless equally captivating.
This is a very everyday suburban family tale with realistic drama played out by realistic characters. Two things rescue it from being mundane: the author's humour, and her gift of expression. Also adding to the pleasure were the twin perspectives of mother and fifteen year old daughter. This was very insightful, especially when they were reflecting on the same event.
Nothing much interesting happens until well into the back end of the novel but I was never bored. I had a sense of exactly where the story was heading, and I cared enough about the characters to read on to find out what would happen in the climax. It was actually a twin climax which hung on the "will she/won't she" question. The outcome was, from my point of view, very satisfying.
I loved Take Someone Like Me and highly recommend it.
This is a very everyday suburban family tale with realistic drama played out by realistic characters. Two things rescue it from being mundane: the author's humour, and her gift of expression. Also adding to the pleasure were the twin perspectives of mother and fifteen year old daughter. This was very insightful, especially when they were reflecting on the same event.
Nothing much interesting happens until well into the back end of the novel but I was never bored. I had a sense of exactly where the story was heading, and I cared enough about the characters to read on to find out what would happen in the climax. It was actually a twin climax which hung on the "will she/won't she" question. The outcome was, from my point of view, very satisfying.
I loved Take Someone Like Me and highly recommend it.
October 30, 2020
A book about a woman 'stuck' at home and the extent to which she is satisfied with that situation. I listened to this as an audio book as it served my purposes.
September 21, 2024
Ahiaruhe, sept 24
February 8, 2012
i requested this one from the library because i had liked _ Lessons in Duck Shooting_. It wasn't quite as moving for me, but worth the read.
The last book I read was Middle Age by Oates. It may seen odd but i find this a good following book. It is much more light-hearted but both are about life-changing influences and decisions. Although less serious than death, there are several serious issues in the book and the decisions the characters make are consequential.
I take it as a good thing that at this point in my life these books don't make me want to change my life in any significant way. Instead they make me think about how much of what I could want that I already have and remind me to treasure and appreciate it. They make me think about my priorities and the importance of sticking to them despite my serious health problems and the pressures of the world. If i gave up or spent my time wallowing in self pity about the impossible, i'd lose too much of both myself and the life I want.
The last book I read was Middle Age by Oates. It may seen odd but i find this a good following book. It is much more light-hearted but both are about life-changing influences and decisions. Although less serious than death, there are several serious issues in the book and the decisions the characters make are consequential.
I take it as a good thing that at this point in my life these books don't make me want to change my life in any significant way. Instead they make me think about how much of what I could want that I already have and remind me to treasure and appreciate it. They make me think about my priorities and the importance of sticking to them despite my serious health problems and the pressures of the world. If i gave up or spent my time wallowing in self pity about the impossible, i'd lose too much of both myself and the life I want.
July 31, 2011
The market is saturated with second grade 'chick lit'. Take Someone Like Me fits right into this category.
I wondered why I was wasting my time on this drivel half way through, and decided that usual mother-is-ignored and daughter-wants-to-have-sex story has been done to death.
Buxton needs to make it a bit more interesting if she wants my attention.
I wondered why I was wasting my time on this drivel half way through, and decided that usual mother-is-ignored and daughter-wants-to-have-sex story has been done to death.
Buxton needs to make it a bit more interesting if she wants my attention.
February 3, 2015
3 1/2 stars (I'm rounding up to balance out the negative reviews)
I enjoyed the writing, but I found the main character frustrating. Yes, her family takes her for granted, but rather than doing anything to improve the situation, she practically promotes it.
I enjoyed the writing, but I found the main character frustrating. Yes, her family takes her for granted, but rather than doing anything to improve the situation, she practically promotes it.
April 21, 2017
Nice story about typical family life with 3 teenage girls in the house. Good story.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews