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Why Mummy #1
Um Gim-Tónico para a Mamã
Um gim-tónico para a Primeiro dia de escola. Este ano, vou acertar em cheio em todos os assuntos da escola das crianças. Consigo aguentar tudo! Este ano não vai repetir-se o que aconteceu no ano passado. Sim, este ano, vai ser definitivamente melhor: Não vou gritar com as crianças, deixá-las comer batatas fritas ou brincar com os iPads. E, certamente, não vou deixar-me cair no sofá no fim do dia, bebendo vinho e murmurando «Que nojo de vida!» repetidamente. Infelizmente, ainda não consegui comprar as lancheiras ou marcar as aulas de jiu-jitsu e ainda terei de começar a gostar de chá verde (parece-me asqueroso). Também ainda não sei fazer tranças, mas tenho a convicção serena de que esses são apenas meros detalhes dentro do meu grande plano mestre…
Bem-vindos ao mundo da mamã...
O papá gosta de gadgets; o pequeno Peter e a pequena Jane gostam de provocar incêndios, tentar matar-se um ao outro e fazer com que a mamã tenha de beber uns copos; e o que a mamã precisa é de descansar e desconectar-se...
A mamã fez 39 anos. O que vê à sua frente é um futuro deprimente, cheio de convites para assistir a aulas avançadas de ioga e para clubes de leitura educadíssimos onde todos afirmam estar «alegres» depois de um copo de Pinot Grigio e dizem coisas como: «Vá lá! Não me digas que vais beber outro copo!»
Contudo, a mamã não quer entrar nesse crepúsculo de mulheres com penteados sensatos que «vivem para os seus filhos», que competem no pátio da escola a falar das suas façanhas e das atividades extracurriculares dos seus rebentos e que se gabam das suas férias mais recentes. Nem pensar, o que a mamã faz é agarrar num bom copo de vinho e resmungar «Que nojo de vida!» várias vezes. Até se lembrar da ideia fantástica que teve...
Bem-vindos ao mundo da mamã...
O papá gosta de gadgets; o pequeno Peter e a pequena Jane gostam de provocar incêndios, tentar matar-se um ao outro e fazer com que a mamã tenha de beber uns copos; e o que a mamã precisa é de descansar e desconectar-se...
A mamã fez 39 anos. O que vê à sua frente é um futuro deprimente, cheio de convites para assistir a aulas avançadas de ioga e para clubes de leitura educadíssimos onde todos afirmam estar «alegres» depois de um copo de Pinot Grigio e dizem coisas como: «Vá lá! Não me digas que vais beber outro copo!»
Contudo, a mamã não quer entrar nesse crepúsculo de mulheres com penteados sensatos que «vivem para os seus filhos», que competem no pátio da escola a falar das suas façanhas e das atividades extracurriculares dos seus rebentos e que se gabam das suas férias mais recentes. Nem pensar, o que a mamã faz é agarrar num bom copo de vinho e resmungar «Que nojo de vida!» várias vezes. Até se lembrar da ideia fantástica que teve...
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 19, 2017
1537 people are currently reading
7691 people want to read
About the author
Gill Sims
42 books297 followersGill Sims is a bestselling British author and blogger.
Sims is the author of Why Mummy Drinks which was the Sunday Times Fiction Bestseller of 2017, Why Mummy Swears published in 2018, and Why Mummy Doesn't Give A **** published in 2019.
In 2016, she began her Peter and Jane blog, which quickly gained a viral following. Her blog offers a comical response to issues facing parents. She has also written postnatal depression for Netmums. Sims has been regularly profiled as a leading proponent of a "Mummy Blogger."
She lives in Scotland with her husband, two children and border terrier, 'Judgy Dog'.
Sims is the author of Why Mummy Drinks which was the Sunday Times Fiction Bestseller of 2017, Why Mummy Swears published in 2018, and Why Mummy Doesn't Give A **** published in 2019.
In 2016, she began her Peter and Jane blog, which quickly gained a viral following. Her blog offers a comical response to issues facing parents. She has also written postnatal depression for Netmums. Sims has been regularly profiled as a leading proponent of a "Mummy Blogger."
She lives in Scotland with her husband, two children and border terrier, 'Judgy Dog'.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,321 reviews
June 14, 2021
On the surface, this is a humorous look at a middle-class, middle-aged couples marriage with an appalling new-age leech of a sister-in-law and a pretentious mother-in-law. But it goes two layers deep, and it made me very sad.
The agreement between the husband and wife is that he is the major earner and she works part-time and does all the child care, housework, and anything else that he doesn't want to. And in common with a lot of husbands and fathers he doesn't want to do much. He doesn't want to take time off work to deal with the children, he doesn't want to put them to bed, he doesn't want to babysit on the one night out his wife wants with her friends, he doesn't want to cook, do any shopping, take her out for the evening, in fact he doesn't want to do anything he doesn't want to. And doesn't. And he feels secure in this because he "brings home the bacon" and thinks she can't leave him so long as he is the provider.
Do we women not know men like this? Do we not know women who work and do the laundry, the ironing, the shopping, the getting the children to school and their after-school programs, who take time off work to take them to the doctor and have dinner ready on the table when the husband, tired from a day in the office, comes in from work?
But she has an idea for a blog and an app, 'beat the middleclass mummies' which he puts down because it isn't proper earning work like he does. Just some silly idea a woman might have.
Her appalling sister-in-law and her husband and their unruly, un toilet-trained, "the only thing we own is our soul" (and therefore what's the problem with me using all your things when they aren't really 'your's') and the Great Goddess in the Sky will provide for us says our Coven or some such rubbish. She has no notion of work, but wants to be a free spirit sponging off her brother.
Her rather well-off parents-in-law descend from their house in France to add to the work our Mummy has to do. They drink, there are boring, repeated stories and only her father-in-law sees that his daughter-in-law is the bottom of the pile, used by everyone, and with no way out. His solution, pour her another drink.
Things absolutely deteriorate when there is a big row over her overspending on the shopping although it is mostly his sister and her insistence on organic, non-gluten wholefood from specialist shops. Mummy says, do you think I have time to traipse around the supermarkets to save a few pence on this item and that? His sister comes with her brood and her campervan having left her unfaithful husband and not wanting to actually work, decides she will leech again off her brother and sister-in-law. She would like her own house in France, but her parents are suddenly short of money.
After this he spends months being cold to her, scarcely talking. He is the one with the power, he is the one bringing home the money, until there is a crisis, they don't have enough money to pay all their bills. Then he admits he has stolen her password to see how her website is doing (she abandoned it giving in to the ridicule she faced from her husband) and it has made a lot of money, Sixty Thousand Pounds in sold apps. Now he is all apologetic and tells her how much he loves her, how beautiful, clever and wonderful she is and how he was a afraid she would leave him now she has the money and he doesn't. He recognises that was all he had to offer her, that he wasn't a good husband at all.
So what does she do, well of course she tells him she loves him, he's still so handsome, and she is so, so lucky to have him. That is after all the selfishness and recent emotional abuse he has heaped on her. Why do women do this?
The upshot is that she is persuaded that the little cottage she wanted, that the expensive handbags and shoes she desires are just not really going to bring her the emotional and spiritual satisfaction of buying a house in France and letting her sister-in-law live in it. So she does.
Some women are idiots unto themselves. Yes I see why she drinks, it's a few hours of fuzzy pleasure not having to face up to the realities of her life and her absolute stupidity of putting up with a man and his family who use her. Falling in love is a dizzying emotion, but the love that comes in marriage brings with it rights and duties, and the duties are all on her side.
Although this is the story of the book. It wouldn't really spoil reading it, and it is humorous, and Mummy is beautifully-drawn (the rest of the characters are somewhat caricatures, but that fits the story-telling). And I know her I love her and I would talk strongly to her about taking control before she ends up frazzled and 50 in a tracksuit everyday with grown-up children, no career and no social life, while he with his exotic foreign business trips will undoubtedly find diversions here and there, and then where will she be?
She could have gone the entrepreneur route, she could have laid down some rules for being a marriage of partners rather than man and his doormat, but she didn't. Ultimately how we women are brought up to be selfless supports of family and men got the better of her. If a man says you are beautiful and swears he loves you forever, what more do you want? She put aside all her knowledge of his lazy, selfish, controlling ways and ahhh, she conforms to type, submission to love, what can be holier?
The agreement between the husband and wife is that he is the major earner and she works part-time and does all the child care, housework, and anything else that he doesn't want to. And in common with a lot of husbands and fathers he doesn't want to do much. He doesn't want to take time off work to deal with the children, he doesn't want to put them to bed, he doesn't want to babysit on the one night out his wife wants with her friends, he doesn't want to cook, do any shopping, take her out for the evening, in fact he doesn't want to do anything he doesn't want to. And doesn't. And he feels secure in this because he "brings home the bacon" and thinks she can't leave him so long as he is the provider.
Do we women not know men like this? Do we not know women who work and do the laundry, the ironing, the shopping, the getting the children to school and their after-school programs, who take time off work to take them to the doctor and have dinner ready on the table when the husband, tired from a day in the office, comes in from work?
But she has an idea for a blog and an app, 'beat the middleclass mummies' which he puts down because it isn't proper earning work like he does. Just some silly idea a woman might have.
Her appalling sister-in-law and her husband and their unruly, un toilet-trained, "the only thing we own is our soul" (and therefore what's the problem with me using all your things when they aren't really 'your's') and the Great Goddess in the Sky will provide for us says our Coven or some such rubbish. She has no notion of work, but wants to be a free spirit sponging off her brother.
Her rather well-off parents-in-law descend from their house in France to add to the work our Mummy has to do. They drink, there are boring, repeated stories and only her father-in-law sees that his daughter-in-law is the bottom of the pile, used by everyone, and with no way out. His solution, pour her another drink.
Things absolutely deteriorate when there is a big row over her overspending on the shopping although it is mostly his sister and her insistence on organic, non-gluten wholefood from specialist shops. Mummy says, do you think I have time to traipse around the supermarkets to save a few pence on this item and that? His sister comes with her brood and her campervan having left her unfaithful husband and not wanting to actually work, decides she will leech again off her brother and sister-in-law. She would like her own house in France, but her parents are suddenly short of money.
After this he spends months being cold to her, scarcely talking. He is the one with the power, he is the one bringing home the money, until there is a crisis, they don't have enough money to pay all their bills. Then he admits he has stolen her password to see how her website is doing (she abandoned it giving in to the ridicule she faced from her husband) and it has made a lot of money, Sixty Thousand Pounds in sold apps. Now he is all apologetic and tells her how much he loves her, how beautiful, clever and wonderful she is and how he was a afraid she would leave him now she has the money and he doesn't. He recognises that was all he had to offer her, that he wasn't a good husband at all.
So what does she do, well of course she tells him she loves him, he's still so handsome, and she is so, so lucky to have him. That is after all the selfishness and recent emotional abuse he has heaped on her. Why do women do this?
The upshot is that she is persuaded that the little cottage she wanted, that the expensive handbags and shoes she desires are just not really going to bring her the emotional and spiritual satisfaction of buying a house in France and letting her sister-in-law live in it. So she does.
Some women are idiots unto themselves. Yes I see why she drinks, it's a few hours of fuzzy pleasure not having to face up to the realities of her life and her absolute stupidity of putting up with a man and his family who use her. Falling in love is a dizzying emotion, but the love that comes in marriage brings with it rights and duties, and the duties are all on her side.
Although this is the story of the book. It wouldn't really spoil reading it, and it is humorous, and Mummy is beautifully-drawn (the rest of the characters are somewhat caricatures, but that fits the story-telling). And I know her I love her and I would talk strongly to her about taking control before she ends up frazzled and 50 in a tracksuit everyday with grown-up children, no career and no social life, while he with his exotic foreign business trips will undoubtedly find diversions here and there, and then where will she be?
She could have gone the entrepreneur route, she could have laid down some rules for being a marriage of partners rather than man and his doormat, but she didn't. Ultimately how we women are brought up to be selfless supports of family and men got the better of her. If a man says you are beautiful and swears he loves you forever, what more do you want? She put aside all her knowledge of his lazy, selfish, controlling ways and ahhh, she conforms to type, submission to love, what can be holier?
October 12, 2017
This is a comic insight into the life of a middle class family and the travails of life that disrupt all efforts to be more organised. It is written in the form of a diary, Ellen is a woman looking to change her mess of a life with her recalcitrant young children, Peter and Jane, and her tech obsessed husband, Simon, and family dog. Her turning 39 awakens all her insecurities and fears about the process of aging, she is determined to be more fashion conscious and improve her image, and be the more perfect and organised mother. So she draws up plans, gives us insights into how her actual life has been. Like all the best laid plans, they scarcely survive the realities of life. There are the stresses of the school gate mummies, Lucy Atkinson's perfect mommy and The Coven, always perfectly turned out, with whom Ellen can barely compete. Although the occasional Dad at the gate sends hearts aflutter.
The children do not appreciate her healthy meals or her attempts to expand their cultural horizons with visits to Museums etc. or do extra curricular activities. Simon can barely cope with being in sole charge of Peter and Jane. She is reaching for that glass of wine more and more frequently. Then there is Christmas, with Simon and Ellen's sisters with their huge broods arriving, how to cater for this mass influx of mayhem and madness? Ellen has an idea for an App. This novel is particularly likely to be appreciated by parents who recognise the picture of middle class family life it portrays, the state of the marriage, yearnings for life before children, and how children dispose of plans adults may have for them. There are plenty of comic touches which will delight readers, although I did feel the odd irritation with Ellen now and then. A light and entertaining read. Many thanks to HarperCollins for an ARC.
The children do not appreciate her healthy meals or her attempts to expand their cultural horizons with visits to Museums etc. or do extra curricular activities. Simon can barely cope with being in sole charge of Peter and Jane. She is reaching for that glass of wine more and more frequently. Then there is Christmas, with Simon and Ellen's sisters with their huge broods arriving, how to cater for this mass influx of mayhem and madness? Ellen has an idea for an App. This novel is particularly likely to be appreciated by parents who recognise the picture of middle class family life it portrays, the state of the marriage, yearnings for life before children, and how children dispose of plans adults may have for them. There are plenty of comic touches which will delight readers, although I did feel the odd irritation with Ellen now and then. A light and entertaining read. Many thanks to HarperCollins for an ARC.
November 14, 2021
"Wine is my friend."
More like whine. Incessantly. About everything. And everyone. Mweh. I wanted to drink while reading this. Maybe I should have, I may have enjoyed it more.
Ellen tells her story via diary type entries. Kind of like a "day in the life". She is a tired working mother of a young family, her scary 39th birthday is looming (ooooooo!), or is it her 40th? Whatevs. She day dreams of the "perfect" life while living the exact opposite. She wishes for the day to be over so that it's wine o'clock. Sometimes when things get really bad she hits the gin. Repeat.
This book raised a few wry smiles, but that's it. The funniest part for me was the Xmas from hell spent with her sister-in-law and her hubby Amaris & Bardo (previously known as Louisa & Kevin). Born again hippies, with an ever growing brood of progeny, they were pretty grubby, annoying & had hygiene habits that left a lot to be desired. But at least they were mildly amusing. Or maybe this part of the book was amusing as it was not filled with the me, me, me angst.
I also liked the pet dog, very much. The way he kept giving Ellen disapproving looks after she'd had another blinder was brilliant "The dog could not look more disgusted with me if he tried." Way to go Fido!
Most of the observations in this book are full of first world problems. Petty rivalries at the school gate, in the park, amongst the mothers, between the neighbours, facebook stalking, drinkies with an old love. Blah, blah, blah. It was one giant whingefest with lots of sweary acronyms I've never heard of before, which confounded me as they were said after her "adorable moppets" messed something up or her hubby annoyed her. Ouch. Lots of cattiness and spite thrown in for good measure. Yawn.
It's a shame that the repetitive snarkiness took away from some moments which made me think I'd opened another book. There was one section where Ellen was travelling on a bus in the evening and she could see into people's lit homes. Which got her thinking about their lives and what other people would think if they were looking at her home at night. That was touching and quite beautiful. Then it was back to the wine/gin bottle.
There were a few of these glimmers of a decent story, which had me hopeful. Parts where there was an actual story being told, rather than just a snippet of whatever. Then it was back to the sweary acronyms/wine/gin for the "eleventy billionth" time in the book. Which is another thing that grated. The phrase "eleventy billion" must have been used that many times. Or maybe it just felt like it.
What Ellen needs is a cup of tea, a Bex and a good lie down. Hang on, maybe that's what I need.
It certainly goes to show that humour is in the eye of the beholder.
It took me sooooo long to finish reading this. I had fifteen pages left, which I managed to speed read before our Bookclub meeting. Literally.
I had to look up what FML* stood for. Groan. Really?? Well there's a snippet of information I didn't need to add to my already overcrowded brain.
Hmmm...this was a Bookclub pick that bombed out**. Bah! Humbug!
(BTW, the consensus from Bookclub was a thumbs down...at least it wasn't just me that struggled with it).
Life's short. There are plenty of other books to read. Choose wisely. This is 330 pages of my reading life that I'm not getting back.
2.5 ✩ The half star is because it had a happy ending.
* FML. For when you can't even be bothered to swear properly, but abbreviate the words. While pouring another drink.
** Apparently the characters here originally appeared on a blog which was very funny. I'll take my Bookclub people's word for it, who read the blog (and then suggested we read the darn book - grrrr).
More like whine. Incessantly. About everything. And everyone. Mweh. I wanted to drink while reading this. Maybe I should have, I may have enjoyed it more.
Ellen tells her story via diary type entries. Kind of like a "day in the life". She is a tired working mother of a young family, her scary 39th birthday is looming (ooooooo!), or is it her 40th? Whatevs. She day dreams of the "perfect" life while living the exact opposite. She wishes for the day to be over so that it's wine o'clock. Sometimes when things get really bad she hits the gin. Repeat.
This book raised a few wry smiles, but that's it. The funniest part for me was the Xmas from hell spent with her sister-in-law and her hubby Amaris & Bardo (previously known as Louisa & Kevin). Born again hippies, with an ever growing brood of progeny, they were pretty grubby, annoying & had hygiene habits that left a lot to be desired. But at least they were mildly amusing. Or maybe this part of the book was amusing as it was not filled with the me, me, me angst.
I also liked the pet dog, very much. The way he kept giving Ellen disapproving looks after she'd had another blinder was brilliant "The dog could not look more disgusted with me if he tried." Way to go Fido!
Most of the observations in this book are full of first world problems. Petty rivalries at the school gate, in the park, amongst the mothers, between the neighbours, facebook stalking, drinkies with an old love. Blah, blah, blah. It was one giant whingefest with lots of sweary acronyms I've never heard of before, which confounded me as they were said after her "adorable moppets" messed something up or her hubby annoyed her. Ouch. Lots of cattiness and spite thrown in for good measure. Yawn.
It's a shame that the repetitive snarkiness took away from some moments which made me think I'd opened another book. There was one section where Ellen was travelling on a bus in the evening and she could see into people's lit homes. Which got her thinking about their lives and what other people would think if they were looking at her home at night. That was touching and quite beautiful. Then it was back to the wine/gin bottle.
There were a few of these glimmers of a decent story, which had me hopeful. Parts where there was an actual story being told, rather than just a snippet of whatever. Then it was back to the sweary acronyms/wine/gin for the "eleventy billionth" time in the book. Which is another thing that grated. The phrase "eleventy billion" must have been used that many times. Or maybe it just felt like it.
What Ellen needs is a cup of tea, a Bex and a good lie down. Hang on, maybe that's what I need.
It certainly goes to show that humour is in the eye of the beholder.
It took me sooooo long to finish reading this. I had fifteen pages left, which I managed to speed read before our Bookclub meeting. Literally.
I had to look up what FML* stood for. Groan. Really?? Well there's a snippet of information I didn't need to add to my already overcrowded brain.
Hmmm...this was a Bookclub pick that bombed out**. Bah! Humbug!
(BTW, the consensus from Bookclub was a thumbs down...at least it wasn't just me that struggled with it).
Life's short. There are plenty of other books to read. Choose wisely. This is 330 pages of my reading life that I'm not getting back.
2.5 ✩ The half star is because it had a happy ending.
* FML. For when you can't even be bothered to swear properly, but abbreviate the words. While pouring another drink.
** Apparently the characters here originally appeared on a blog which was very funny. I'll take my Bookclub people's word for it, who read the blog (and then suggested we read the darn book - grrrr).
April 27, 2018
2 stars
I have to start this little review by saying firstly that I am not a mummy. So I guess I may be a little bit more judgemental over this poor pathetic mummy who is quite negative, jealous of the other pretending to be more together mummies and feels victimized by both her kids and her husband.
Rude, crude and sometimes disgusting, the main character can't stop saying FML, Oh God Oh God, Shaggin, shitfaced, dicking about, Eleventh billion, and Moppets. She even uses the f word, not only near her kids but to them. They are quite small.
She appears to be obsessed about getting her friend Hannah laid by a new guy she's fantasizing about called Sam, who is actually gay! She's constantly inviting people over to her place and every instance is a complete disaster I.e. Fireworks party, Christmas party, Pancakes...
She also doesn't seem to like her kids. But this as was a heart warming as it got on Mother's Day..."Breakfast would have been a challenge at the best of times. But, managing to eat half cooked scrambled eggs seasoned liberally with chunks of shell, served on burnt toast, with a tepid cup of tea coloured milk on the side, ALL with a tequila hangover is testimony if ever there was one to the strength of a mother's love". She also doesn't appear to like her husband who by her own admission adores her. She won't let him say anything nice to or about her, and she accuses him of not doing this at the same time.
There's not a lot of humour here, nothing to learn. I couldn't wait until the end.
I have to start this little review by saying firstly that I am not a mummy. So I guess I may be a little bit more judgemental over this poor pathetic mummy who is quite negative, jealous of the other pretending to be more together mummies and feels victimized by both her kids and her husband.
Rude, crude and sometimes disgusting, the main character can't stop saying FML, Oh God Oh God, Shaggin, shitfaced, dicking about, Eleventh billion, and Moppets. She even uses the f word, not only near her kids but to them. They are quite small.
She appears to be obsessed about getting her friend Hannah laid by a new guy she's fantasizing about called Sam, who is actually gay! She's constantly inviting people over to her place and every instance is a complete disaster I.e. Fireworks party, Christmas party, Pancakes...
She also doesn't seem to like her kids. But this as was a heart warming as it got on Mother's Day..."Breakfast would have been a challenge at the best of times. But, managing to eat half cooked scrambled eggs seasoned liberally with chunks of shell, served on burnt toast, with a tepid cup of tea coloured milk on the side, ALL with a tequila hangover is testimony if ever there was one to the strength of a mother's love". She also doesn't appear to like her husband who by her own admission adores her. She won't let him say anything nice to or about her, and she accuses him of not doing this at the same time.
There's not a lot of humour here, nothing to learn. I couldn't wait until the end.
September 28, 2024
As I expected this would be, this book was hilarious. You can imagine this to be a book about a woman with young kids, a husband, and a job that she juggles daily. Her coping mechanism tends to be alcohol - mostly wine. If you presume that, then you are correct.
However, this can be read as more than just a humorous book. It is a sort of social commentary. We are all guilty of class discrimination, mostly just joking about lowlifes, snobs, wannabees, hard workers, and never-workers, but at times we do act on it, be it consciously or not. In Why Mummy Drinks Gill Sims puts it down in words. The judgment passed on others in different social circles forms part of the hilarity. We have all seen the cliches of parents dropping their kids off at school but dressed to be seen, the businessmen speaking loudly at lunch so everyone can look over at them in their expensive suits and be impressed. Yes, ok the Wankers!!
It is rare for me to actually laugh while reading anything but I did with this book. The unflushed toilet with the turd sticking up was straight from my memory bank - thanks, son. However, I can't give more than three stars because the text just became too repetitive, always "I need wine", always the same mishaps and after about 75% of the book, it really was done.
However, this can be read as more than just a humorous book. It is a sort of social commentary. We are all guilty of class discrimination, mostly just joking about lowlifes, snobs, wannabees, hard workers, and never-workers, but at times we do act on it, be it consciously or not. In Why Mummy Drinks Gill Sims puts it down in words. The judgment passed on others in different social circles forms part of the hilarity. We have all seen the cliches of parents dropping their kids off at school but dressed to be seen, the businessmen speaking loudly at lunch so everyone can look over at them in their expensive suits and be impressed. Yes, ok the Wankers!!
It is rare for me to actually laugh while reading anything but I did with this book. The unflushed toilet with the turd sticking up was straight from my memory bank - thanks, son. However, I can't give more than three stars because the text just became too repetitive, always "I need wine", always the same mishaps and after about 75% of the book, it really was done.
July 20, 2019
. A fabulous book Why Mummy Drinks with the diary of an exhausted mum. I adored reading this diary which is written from September to August. I can certainly see why the announcement of this book caused a sensational reaction online.
August 2, 2021
Поняла, что меня адово бесит вариант так называемого британского юмора, когда человек ни одной фразы без сарказма не говорит, вот прямо жопа отвалится, если мамаша скажет серьезно, что она заебалась, и дайте ей хоть денёк отдохнуть или поработать спокойно.
dnf-shelf
August 24, 2019DNF @ around 30%
This book was so incredibly unfunny - it felt like it was just a load of complaining. It was supposed to make me laugh, but kind of brought me down instead, cause the "normal life" the main character seems to be leading (and trying to get you to relate to her) is just so... Damn depressing. Not a good read. I could barely push myself through the third that I managed to read.
This book was so incredibly unfunny - it felt like it was just a load of complaining. It was supposed to make me laugh, but kind of brought me down instead, cause the "normal life" the main character seems to be leading (and trying to get you to relate to her) is just so... Damn depressing. Not a good read. I could barely push myself through the third that I managed to read.
January 21, 2018
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Bridget Jones meets motherhood; searingly honest, highly amusing, good entertainment all round.
For any person born in the 70s / 80s, their teen years were probably much supported by the hilarious Diary of Adrian Mole, then their feckless 20-something years back up by Bridget Jones' Diary. If you brought into those two books, and you're now a 30-40 year old, raising kids and peering towards 'middle-age', you'll adore this.
Why Mummy Drinks is a brutally honest, often amusing appraisal of:
a)being a working mum
b) raising children that have a frequent tendency to embarrass you and
c) drinking far too much as a consequence.
Right from the start, it sets the tone; outlining the 'ideal day' (offering the 'precious moppets' a choice of 'wholesome homemade breakfasts', serenely walking to school etc.) vs the grim reality of telling aforementioned moppets to 'disengage themselves from bastarding electronic devices' and legging it to school with moments to spare.
We're then immersed in Ellen's chaotic, madcap life, raising Peter and Jane, coping with her husband's irritating habits, designing an app, while defending herself against the 'coven' of yummy mummies in the playground. She befriends Sam, an uber-fit dad who happens to be gay, and together, they and her other friend Hannah spend a lot of time getting sozzled, particularly when there are relatives staying at home.
Ellen's frosty relations with her relatives are where much of the hilarity comes from - especially hippyish, feckless Louisa, who lets her youngest child poo where it pleases. There are many other laugh-out-loud moments in the book (the dangerous fireworks made me particularly chuckle), and several wince-worthy events that most parents will 100% relate to.
At times, I did find Ellen and her lifestyle a little bit cringeingly privileged and middle-class, and her decisions at times were a little unpleasant, yet conveyed as acceptable within the book. However, given this was her diary, this seems fair! Likewise, my attention was waning slightly in the middle, but hauled right back on track before long, which made me glad I persisted through the slightly slow section.
Overall, a really fun, lighthearted read - a nice change from all these bleak, weighty tomes that dominate the book shops (or maybe it's just me, continually investing in grim novels, tee hee!). If you loved Bridget Jones' antics, you'll definitely love this.
Bridget Jones meets motherhood; searingly honest, highly amusing, good entertainment all round.
For any person born in the 70s / 80s, their teen years were probably much supported by the hilarious Diary of Adrian Mole, then their feckless 20-something years back up by Bridget Jones' Diary. If you brought into those two books, and you're now a 30-40 year old, raising kids and peering towards 'middle-age', you'll adore this.
Why Mummy Drinks is a brutally honest, often amusing appraisal of:
a)being a working mum
b) raising children that have a frequent tendency to embarrass you and
c) drinking far too much as a consequence.
Right from the start, it sets the tone; outlining the 'ideal day' (offering the 'precious moppets' a choice of 'wholesome homemade breakfasts', serenely walking to school etc.) vs the grim reality of telling aforementioned moppets to 'disengage themselves from bastarding electronic devices' and legging it to school with moments to spare.
We're then immersed in Ellen's chaotic, madcap life, raising Peter and Jane, coping with her husband's irritating habits, designing an app, while defending herself against the 'coven' of yummy mummies in the playground. She befriends Sam, an uber-fit dad who happens to be gay, and together, they and her other friend Hannah spend a lot of time getting sozzled, particularly when there are relatives staying at home.
Ellen's frosty relations with her relatives are where much of the hilarity comes from - especially hippyish, feckless Louisa, who lets her youngest child poo where it pleases. There are many other laugh-out-loud moments in the book (the dangerous fireworks made me particularly chuckle), and several wince-worthy events that most parents will 100% relate to.
At times, I did find Ellen and her lifestyle a little bit cringeingly privileged and middle-class, and her decisions at times were a little unpleasant, yet conveyed as acceptable within the book. However, given this was her diary, this seems fair! Likewise, my attention was waning slightly in the middle, but hauled right back on track before long, which made me glad I persisted through the slightly slow section.
Overall, a really fun, lighthearted read - a nice change from all these bleak, weighty tomes that dominate the book shops (or maybe it's just me, continually investing in grim novels, tee hee!). If you loved Bridget Jones' antics, you'll definitely love this.
September 19, 2017
Not as funny as the Facebook blog and written too much in the style of Bridget Jones which seems old fashioned nowadays.
I'll stick to the better written and far whitier blog.
ARC via Netgalley
I'll stick to the better written and far whitier blog.
ARC via Netgalley
September 17, 2023
Utterly hilarious and sooo relatable, perhaps not the copious amounts of alcohol bit but definitely the rest of it.
I especially loved the bits where she lists how her day will go and then lists how it's actually went. We all have bits of Ellen in us with the juggling work and home life, crazy and oh so annoying family members (Louisa! WTF!), friends, neighbours, other mummies and the husband!
Full of spit your wine out moments it's and easy, quick and addictive read and I'm looking forward to finding out next Why mummy swears! FML!! Hahaha IYKYK!
I especially loved the bits where she lists how her day will go and then lists how it's actually went. We all have bits of Ellen in us with the juggling work and home life, crazy and oh so annoying family members (Louisa! WTF!), friends, neighbours, other mummies and the husband!
Full of spit your wine out moments it's and easy, quick and addictive read and I'm looking forward to finding out next Why mummy swears! FML!! Hahaha IYKYK!
September 3, 2019
This was a laugh out loud, stupid book and I enjoyed every moment. I’d like to say I couldn’t put it down but I took my time with it because it made my face hurt if I read it for long periods of time 😂.
January 15, 2024
Što bi rekla drugarica Nađa: nisam majka, ali mogu da popijem. 🍷
November 24, 2017
Glad i only paid a pound for this in the Kindle daily deal. Not my normal sort of book at all but i wanted something light after the last book i'd read and i wasn't aware of the blog it has grown from, though i do feel i've read dozens of similar 'Mummy' blogs along those lines.
Disappointingly snobbish ('I was so very Jeremy Kyle today') and full of 'mummy' cliches that have been so prevalent over recent years, not to mention a suddenly successful app that magically generates a couple of hundred thousand pounds (most stand alone apps make nowhere near that) - this book demonstrates why i stopped going on Mumsnet when i was stuck at home on maternity leave.
Disappointingly snobbish ('I was so very Jeremy Kyle today') and full of 'mummy' cliches that have been so prevalent over recent years, not to mention a suddenly successful app that magically generates a couple of hundred thousand pounds (most stand alone apps make nowhere near that) - this book demonstrates why i stopped going on Mumsnet when i was stuck at home on maternity leave.
November 26, 2020
Bridget Jones meets motherhood meets Shopaholic.
I don't have anything bad to say about this book. In fact, it seems to be a long time since I've laughed out loud reading a book. The story was so recognizable being a mum myself. Maybe that's why I felt such a strong connection with this book.
There were a lot of scenes where I thought:' Yes, been there too!'
It was full of swearing and very comical, but it makes the job of being a mother, having a household and working a more bearable when reading this, when feeling that you're not alone and that there are mothers who struggle just as you. Maybe strange, but I felt a strong connection with the mum Ellen. Like I understood her and we've been in the same situations.
If you're looking for any depth in this story, you won't find any. It's more written as a diary who gives an insight in Ellen's life.
Motherhood isn't a walk in the park and this book gives it a humoristic twitch which a lot of readers would appreciate.
I don't have anything bad to say about this book. In fact, it seems to be a long time since I've laughed out loud reading a book. The story was so recognizable being a mum myself. Maybe that's why I felt such a strong connection with this book.
There were a lot of scenes where I thought:' Yes, been there too!'
It was full of swearing and very comical, but it makes the job of being a mother, having a household and working a more bearable when reading this, when feeling that you're not alone and that there are mothers who struggle just as you. Maybe strange, but I felt a strong connection with the mum Ellen. Like I understood her and we've been in the same situations.
If you're looking for any depth in this story, you won't find any. It's more written as a diary who gives an insight in Ellen's life.
Motherhood isn't a walk in the park and this book gives it a humoristic twitch which a lot of readers would appreciate.
May 30, 2018
Ellen really could be anyone of us. She's heading towards a big milestone in her life and she is doing her best to try and be the perfect mother and wife. Well as we only to well know, life is never that easy and even though we may fancy ourselves as being a bit of a Mary Poppins, sadly that is probably more just wishful thinking!
This book will make you so glad you've read it and make you realise that your own family life is very much a normal one. People may portray a totally different image at the school gate, but what goes on behind closed doors is more than likely very similar to your own. None of us are perfect and we all have good intentions but we do the best with what we have. Through Ellen she reminds of us this but brings a lot of humour into it also.
Even though Ellen at times could be very selfish, I loved her character overall. When she needs to step up to the mark she does and she had me routing for her a long the way. From issues with extended family to the everyday issues you would have at home, this book really does have it all and really makes for a highly enjoyable read.
Why Mummy Drinks is an absolute must read that will brighten up your day. It reminded me very much of Bridget Jones and what her diary would be like when married with children. If anything it should be every women's bible!
This book will make you so glad you've read it and make you realise that your own family life is very much a normal one. People may portray a totally different image at the school gate, but what goes on behind closed doors is more than likely very similar to your own. None of us are perfect and we all have good intentions but we do the best with what we have. Through Ellen she reminds of us this but brings a lot of humour into it also.
Even though Ellen at times could be very selfish, I loved her character overall. When she needs to step up to the mark she does and she had me routing for her a long the way. From issues with extended family to the everyday issues you would have at home, this book really does have it all and really makes for a highly enjoyable read.
Why Mummy Drinks is an absolute must read that will brighten up your day. It reminded me very much of Bridget Jones and what her diary would be like when married with children. If anything it should be every women's bible!
December 12, 2017
Where to begin? Was this book enjoyable? Mostly, yes. Was I enthralled? No.
Maybe because I’m not a mum this book didn’t really do anything for me. Was it witty? Yes. Did I want to keep reading? No. I found myself putting the book down after each diary entry and doing something else before picking it back up again. I also skipped a bit in the middle.
Down to personal taste, I think there are better books of this ilk out there but nevertheless, it’s a quirky, witty read. Just not to my usual taste or humour. 3 stars isn’t so bad!
Maybe because I’m not a mum this book didn’t really do anything for me. Was it witty? Yes. Did I want to keep reading? No. I found myself putting the book down after each diary entry and doing something else before picking it back up again. I also skipped a bit in the middle.
Down to personal taste, I think there are better books of this ilk out there but nevertheless, it’s a quirky, witty read. Just not to my usual taste or humour. 3 stars isn’t so bad!
July 31, 2022
Disappointed :(
I felt she tried too hard to be funny so it didn't feel natural.
Also, I am a mum to 6 children aged between 7 and 18, so I thought I would find this book relatable but I didn't at all. This lady is far too middle class, precious and slightly over Privileged for me to relate to.
I love the blog so I'm quite sad that I just didn't like this at all, gave up just over half way in.
I felt she tried too hard to be funny so it didn't feel natural.
Also, I am a mum to 6 children aged between 7 and 18, so I thought I would find this book relatable but I didn't at all. This lady is far too middle class, precious and slightly over Privileged for me to relate to.
I love the blog so I'm quite sad that I just didn't like this at all, gave up just over half way in.
April 22, 2023
Кумедна книжка, повна яскравих і життєвих ситуацій. Щось а la «Щоденник Бріджит Джонс», тільки про маму двох дітлахів, яка поєднує роботу та їхнє виховання. Прочитала з задоволенням!
April 24, 2018
A weighty subject coated with light words and humour, Why mother drinks ... tries to pinpoint the frustrations and tribulations of modern motherhood. The need to be a paragon of virtue who has unending patience and good will.
Children are supposed to be angels ..but any right witted parent will know that though they look like Angels, they often behave like devils. And Ellen has two devilish specimens in the form of Jane and Peter who test her patience sorely.
Simon, her ever absent (either mentally or physically) spouse doesn't do much to help; or if at all, does grudgingly and further spoils things.
Here we see Ellen dealing with devilish kids, hers as well as others, trophy mummies, irate head teachers, troublesome in laws ... meeting up with old paramour, making friends with yummy men and welcoming new neighbours.
She also develops an app called why mummy drinks, which changes her life to some extent .
Was a hilarious read, and I could resonate with many a thing, but Ellen experiences and retaliates more vividly than me. At least five fold than an ordinary mother does she suffer mishaps and indignities ... if I am permitted to consider myself as representative of the average mother .
Why I read this?
Came across the title being discussed in Senior Reading Raccoons, a Facebook group of readers, and was captivated by the title and blurb.
Children are supposed to be angels ..but any right witted parent will know that though they look like Angels, they often behave like devils. And Ellen has two devilish specimens in the form of Jane and Peter who test her patience sorely.
Simon, her ever absent (either mentally or physically) spouse doesn't do much to help; or if at all, does grudgingly and further spoils things.
Here we see Ellen dealing with devilish kids, hers as well as others, trophy mummies, irate head teachers, troublesome in laws ... meeting up with old paramour, making friends with yummy men and welcoming new neighbours.
She also develops an app called why mummy drinks, which changes her life to some extent .
Was a hilarious read, and I could resonate with many a thing, but Ellen experiences and retaliates more vividly than me. At least five fold than an ordinary mother does she suffer mishaps and indignities ... if I am permitted to consider myself as representative of the average mother .
Why I read this?
Came across the title being discussed in Senior Reading Raccoons, a Facebook group of readers, and was captivated by the title and blurb.
January 4, 2021
I won't lie, I toyed with the idea of not including this in my GRC this year, as I'm embarrassed to have read this. Where to begin. This is probably the worst book I've read in a very long time. 300+ pages of asinine nonsense. For context, I was gifted it for Christmas as 'a book I would actively hate' and challenged to finish it. A cruel joke, which for reasons unknown to me I have taken to its conclusion.
Why I hated this book:
- It's hours of my life never to be fucken' returned
- Tired diary format
- Excessive and unironic use of 'FML', a term last used by emo teenagers circa 2009
- Unhealthy relationships that left me feeling frankly depressed about the portrayal of marriage and long term relationships in 'bestselling' literature
- Two dimensional, yt characters and a total lack of diversity
- A hearty disregard for grammar
- And just so we're clear: the hours of my life I'll never get back
Why I hated this book:
- It's hours of my life never to be fucken' returned
- Tired diary format
- Excessive and unironic use of 'FML', a term last used by emo teenagers circa 2009
- Unhealthy relationships that left me feeling frankly depressed about the portrayal of marriage and long term relationships in 'bestselling' literature
- Two dimensional, yt characters and a total lack of diversity
- A hearty disregard for grammar
- And just so we're clear: the hours of my life I'll never get back
September 30, 2017
I can't tell you how excited I was to find out that the woman behind the Peter and Jane Facebook page was publishing a novel. If you follow Peter and Jane you will already know how hilarious each post is as this exhausted mum tries to balance working, looking after the house and dealing with her 'precious moppets' and invariably ends each day with a drink of something and a photo of said drink - and Judgy Dog of course. The novel follows Mummy, Ellen, throughout a year and is written in the form of a diary as she tries to be more organised and less frazzled!
This is one of the funniest books I have read for ages. Every page genuinely raises at least a smile if not a spluttering laugh! My own 'precious moppets' are now well past the age of Peter and Jane so I no longer have the morning rush of getting them ready for school, gently 'encouraging' them to find the clothes they say are nowhere to be found but are actually exactly where they left them and finding a crushed up note in the bottom of the bag advising that it is National Book Day and can they come dressed as an animal character from a book..... Oh yes, it's all coming back to me - I feel your pain Mummy! No wonder she mutters FML so often. Alcohol plays a large part in getting Mummy through her evenings, especially on FIAF. (I'm not going to say what either of those stands for but let's just say that one of the Fs features VERY frequently in Mummy's vocabulary!)
In the book Mummy is constantly thwarted in her efforts to have well turned out, well rounded children who she has delightful little chats with and goes on lovely walks in the countryside with. They won't eat her lovingly prepared healthy food, look in horror at the idea of improving visits to art galleries etc and Daddy (otherwise known as Gadget Twat) longs for a 'simple lasagne', little knowing how much effort it takes to make said dish. His plaintive cries when failing to cope with his little dears if Mummy is out for a while made me laugh and I think that many stay at home parents will recognise the other parent not really understanding just what they do all day with the children. It's not all sitting about having coffee with the other mums!
Why Mummy Drinks is due out just in time for the October half term holiday - not that any Mummy will have time to read it then as she'll be busy occupying her little darlings - ie spending a fortune on visits to museums, leisure centres, cinemas and so on - but do buy it anyway to read when you get a spare minute. It's a book that's easy to dip in and out of with its diary style entries. I am sure that any parent will recognise themselves or their children in the book though I'd just like to point out here that I definitely did not have the copious amounts of wine and gin which Mummy drinks. Oh and eleventy billion is definitely my favourite number!
This is one of the funniest books I have read for ages. Every page genuinely raises at least a smile if not a spluttering laugh! My own 'precious moppets' are now well past the age of Peter and Jane so I no longer have the morning rush of getting them ready for school, gently 'encouraging' them to find the clothes they say are nowhere to be found but are actually exactly where they left them and finding a crushed up note in the bottom of the bag advising that it is National Book Day and can they come dressed as an animal character from a book..... Oh yes, it's all coming back to me - I feel your pain Mummy! No wonder she mutters FML so often. Alcohol plays a large part in getting Mummy through her evenings, especially on FIAF. (I'm not going to say what either of those stands for but let's just say that one of the Fs features VERY frequently in Mummy's vocabulary!)
In the book Mummy is constantly thwarted in her efforts to have well turned out, well rounded children who she has delightful little chats with and goes on lovely walks in the countryside with. They won't eat her lovingly prepared healthy food, look in horror at the idea of improving visits to art galleries etc and Daddy (otherwise known as Gadget Twat) longs for a 'simple lasagne', little knowing how much effort it takes to make said dish. His plaintive cries when failing to cope with his little dears if Mummy is out for a while made me laugh and I think that many stay at home parents will recognise the other parent not really understanding just what they do all day with the children. It's not all sitting about having coffee with the other mums!
Why Mummy Drinks is due out just in time for the October half term holiday - not that any Mummy will have time to read it then as she'll be busy occupying her little darlings - ie spending a fortune on visits to museums, leisure centres, cinemas and so on - but do buy it anyway to read when you get a spare minute. It's a book that's easy to dip in and out of with its diary style entries. I am sure that any parent will recognise themselves or their children in the book though I'd just like to point out here that I definitely did not have the copious amounts of wine and gin which Mummy drinks. Oh and eleventy billion is definitely my favourite number!
November 28, 2017
Book reviews on www.snazzybooks.com
With every page offering some form of entertainment or hilarity, Why Mummy Drinks is a witty, sharp novel full of fun and craziness!
Though I don't have any kids myself, I found this novel to be really entertaining and amusing. I could picture the situations very well, despite not having been through it myself, and this shows was a fab writer Gill Sims is.
Why Mummy Drinks is both delightfully sweary and comical, with some hilarious situations peppered amongst the more 'everyday' tasks (which are also very funny) of trying to juggle kids, husband and work - certainly no mean feat. Though there are moments when I didn't like Ellen's actions and felt a bit irritated by her, wondering why she was doing that, I can really appreciate this entertaining story and I really enjoyed reading it, from first page to last. I imagine that, if I had kids and had been through all this myself, it would be even more entertaining and relatable.
Definitely recommended if you fancy a light-hearted, easy read and good laugh!
With every page offering some form of entertainment or hilarity, Why Mummy Drinks is a witty, sharp novel full of fun and craziness!
Though I don't have any kids myself, I found this novel to be really entertaining and amusing. I could picture the situations very well, despite not having been through it myself, and this shows was a fab writer Gill Sims is.
Why Mummy Drinks is both delightfully sweary and comical, with some hilarious situations peppered amongst the more 'everyday' tasks (which are also very funny) of trying to juggle kids, husband and work - certainly no mean feat. Though there are moments when I didn't like Ellen's actions and felt a bit irritated by her, wondering why she was doing that, I can really appreciate this entertaining story and I really enjoyed reading it, from first page to last. I imagine that, if I had kids and had been through all this myself, it would be even more entertaining and relatable.
Definitely recommended if you fancy a light-hearted, easy read and good laugh!
May 9, 2018
This book was okay- but I was hoping for so much more. The first few chapters annoyed me, as it was completely reliant on a series of stereotypes- the dad who spends too much time at work, the mum who does all the child care and housework, the stay at home mums, the working mums etc. etc. I was really hoping that this book would break away from this, and have something different to say, alas not! It felt like a bit of a rip off of Bridget Jones if I'm honest with all the above mentioned stereotypes thrown in for good measure.
However, it was very readable and I enjoyed the story as it unfolded. There were a couple of laugh out loud moments, but it was definitely not as funny as I was expecting.
All in all, if your looking for a funny reflection on modern day parenting there are better books out there. Try 'I don't how she does it' or 'Sam Avery: Learner Parent' both of which are far better and less reliant on tried and tested formulas. If your looking for an easy read, and enjoyed Bridget Jones then this might be for you.
However, it was very readable and I enjoyed the story as it unfolded. There were a couple of laugh out loud moments, but it was definitely not as funny as I was expecting.
All in all, if your looking for a funny reflection on modern day parenting there are better books out there. Try 'I don't how she does it' or 'Sam Avery: Learner Parent' both of which are far better and less reliant on tried and tested formulas. If your looking for an easy read, and enjoyed Bridget Jones then this might be for you.
May 6, 2019
funny novel in diary form of a mother who drinks to escape but felt though was still slightly middle class though but did enjoy it, was an easy read
March 30, 2019
Despite not being a mother myself, I can't help but feel that parents everywhere will identify with Ellen, and her thoughts on parenthood.
Written as a sort of diary / in date sections over the course of a school year, you see how Ellen dreams of having the perfect family, with incredibly well behaved kids, and doting husband, and then you are shown the hilarious reality of her situation,
Not only do we see Ellen's family but we also see snapshots in detail of two other vastly different parenting styles, from Ellen's sister Jessica, and sister-in-law Louise. Which makes for an unforgettable experience,
At times Ellen is quite whiny, other times she is making fairly accurate observations, what I do know is she has over the course of the book got under my skin and I am now eager to read the next book in the series.
For me not the quickest of reads, but after a certain point, I found I was enjoying it more and more, to the extent I was racing to finish it.
Written as a sort of diary / in date sections over the course of a school year, you see how Ellen dreams of having the perfect family, with incredibly well behaved kids, and doting husband, and then you are shown the hilarious reality of her situation,
Not only do we see Ellen's family but we also see snapshots in detail of two other vastly different parenting styles, from Ellen's sister Jessica, and sister-in-law Louise. Which makes for an unforgettable experience,
At times Ellen is quite whiny, other times she is making fairly accurate observations, what I do know is she has over the course of the book got under my skin and I am now eager to read the next book in the series.
For me not the quickest of reads, but after a certain point, I found I was enjoying it more and more, to the extent I was racing to finish it.
January 24, 2022
E o carte scrisă din perspectiva unei mamei. Cum e viața ei în cadrul familiei și ce relație are cu copiii ei. Ce mănâncă, ce beau. Ce relație are cu soțul ei, cu prietenii și cu familia extinsă, etc.
Pe lângă faptul că e amuzantă, reflectă, pe alocuri, sută la sută, provocările vieții de părinte, mai ales a unei mame.
Pentru că, deseori, tații nu sunt cei mai implicați în această perioadă a vieții de familie și aici nu știu a cui e vina, ori a mamelor că își iau prea multe responsabilități pe umerii lor, ori a societății că educă două categorii de părinți: mame și tați.
Ellen, eroina acestei cărți, se simte obosită și mereu depășită de situație în ceea ce privește educația copiilor săi. Fiecare necaz este stins cu un pahar de vin, în unele zile cu mai multe pahare de vin, care aduc cu ele dureri de cap și mahmureală. Pe lângă asta, Ellen, este extrem de atrasă de gura lumii, cea virtuală, de pe Instagram, cât și din viața reală, cum altfel?!
În spatele rețetelor de socializare știți și voi cum e: multă tristețe și o realitate care nu e ambalată cu niciun filtru.
Mi-a plăcut că la acest capitol autoarea a găsit de cuviință să discute cu prietenele ei despre nefericire, perfecțiune în aparență, viața ideală și că la toți oamenii există probleme, nu numai la ghinioniști. Așadar, tratează și teme serioase.
Cartea e scrisă în stilul "Jurnalul lui Bridget Jones", pe unii această abordare s-ar putea să nu-i încânte sau amuze deloc, dar pe mine m-a prins și am de gând să citesc și celelalte cărți. Citiți și voi, s-ar putea să vă placă.
Pe lângă faptul că e amuzantă, reflectă, pe alocuri, sută la sută, provocările vieții de părinte, mai ales a unei mame.
Pentru că, deseori, tații nu sunt cei mai implicați în această perioadă a vieții de familie și aici nu știu a cui e vina, ori a mamelor că își iau prea multe responsabilități pe umerii lor, ori a societății că educă două categorii de părinți: mame și tați.
Ellen, eroina acestei cărți, se simte obosită și mereu depășită de situație în ceea ce privește educația copiilor săi. Fiecare necaz este stins cu un pahar de vin, în unele zile cu mai multe pahare de vin, care aduc cu ele dureri de cap și mahmureală. Pe lângă asta, Ellen, este extrem de atrasă de gura lumii, cea virtuală, de pe Instagram, cât și din viața reală, cum altfel?!
În spatele rețetelor de socializare știți și voi cum e: multă tristețe și o realitate care nu e ambalată cu niciun filtru.
Mi-a plăcut că la acest capitol autoarea a găsit de cuviință să discute cu prietenele ei despre nefericire, perfecțiune în aparență, viața ideală și că la toți oamenii există probleme, nu numai la ghinioniști. Așadar, tratează și teme serioase.
Cartea e scrisă în stilul "Jurnalul lui Bridget Jones", pe unii această abordare s-ar putea să nu-i încânte sau amuze deloc, dar pe mine m-a prins și am de gând să citesc și celelalte cărți. Citiți și voi, s-ar putea să vă placă.
February 19, 2018
First of all, I didn’t buy this book, a friend gave it to me. A very middle class friend who struggles with her children, and desperately wants to do a perfect job balancing home and work.
My own children are in their twenties now. And guess what? I miss them being young! I miss standing in the playground, being given stick men drawings. I miss the mess, the noise, I miss making eggy bread in the mornings.
So Gill Sims’ book seemed like a long, spoiled rant to me, with the odd funny bit in it, hence the two stars. She’s obviously read a lot of Bridget Jones and copies the short sentence, diary like style.
Ellen, the main character, should start counting her blessings, start a gratitude diary and remember not everyone can have children, a nice house and fairly comfortable life.
My own children are in their twenties now. And guess what? I miss them being young! I miss standing in the playground, being given stick men drawings. I miss the mess, the noise, I miss making eggy bread in the mornings.
So Gill Sims’ book seemed like a long, spoiled rant to me, with the odd funny bit in it, hence the two stars. She’s obviously read a lot of Bridget Jones and copies the short sentence, diary like style.
Ellen, the main character, should start counting her blessings, start a gratitude diary and remember not everyone can have children, a nice house and fairly comfortable life.
January 30, 2021
První letos dočtená knížka - a pro tuhle pozici skvělá kandidátka!
Je tam pár drobností, ale opravdu drobností. "Proč máma pije" je geniální název, po kterém se začínáte bát, že knížka jeho slibům nedostojí. Že bude plytká, ordinérní a nudná. Ale můžu vám slíbit, že není.
Ellen je sice trochu nezodpovědná a má trochu přehnanou zálibu v nových botách, jako snad proboha všechny angloamerické hrdinky (proč?!?), ale jinak je vážně skvělá. Knížka postrádá nějaké zásadní dějové veletoče, ale není nijak zvlášť předvídatelná a opravdu mě bavila. A ne, že bych chtěla snižovat vážnost alkoholismu matek, ale... Jestli jste máma, a pijete, jste nejspíš docela normální. Protože každá máma má svoje proč.
Je tam pár drobností, ale opravdu drobností. "Proč máma pije" je geniální název, po kterém se začínáte bát, že knížka jeho slibům nedostojí. Že bude plytká, ordinérní a nudná. Ale můžu vám slíbit, že není.
Ellen je sice trochu nezodpovědná a má trochu přehnanou zálibu v nových botách, jako snad proboha všechny angloamerické hrdinky (proč?!?), ale jinak je vážně skvělá. Knížka postrádá nějaké zásadní dějové veletoče, ale není nijak zvlášť předvídatelná a opravdu mě bavila. A ne, že bych chtěla snižovat vážnost alkoholismu matek, ale... Jestli jste máma, a pijete, jste nejspíš docela normální. Protože každá máma má svoje proč.
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