NOT ... Mad About the Boy!
.... Sighs of disappointment all round this month as we met at The Angel of Corbridge to discuss Helen Fielding's 'Mad About The Boy'. Having waded through 'Silas Marner' last month, this selection was supposed to provide light relief in the shape of an easy read, following a character that we all know and love and can empathise with. Sharing in Bridget's ups and downs as she faces life as a widow with two young children. It would seem that Helen Fielding's idea of the life of a single parent is widely different to that of most people. She seems to inhabit an indulgent London bubble where work is an optional extra and the school run can be delegated to the hired help whenever the hangover is too vicious. Bridget is now 51, but clearly her advancing years and life experiences have had no effect on her attitude and behaviour, she remains self obsessed, disorganised and, quite honestly, throughly irritating!
.... Fielding fails to make the reader care about any of the characters, all of whom are shallow, glib and self indulgent. Bridget's circle of friends are one dimensional and immature. The return of Daniel Cleaver as the children's God Father is implausible, given his role as arch villain in the last two novels. It seems at best odd and, at worst, an attempt by the author to secure a role for Hugh Grant when the book becomes a movie. Lets hope Bridget doesn't get the job as screen writer or we could have a long wait!
.... The style in which the book is written doesn't quite work as it jumps between a diary, tweets and narrative. It seems disjointed and repetitive and prevents the reader being drawn into the story which doesn't really get going until the last third of the book. Some of the exchanges on Twitter are unintelligible, but, on a positive note, its good to see an author embrace new technology. Helen Fielding raises some interesting points regarding the effect of the internet on everyday life, both for children and adults, but fails to pursue them, instead returning to the same old problems faced by an ageing woman determined never to grow up.
.... 'Mad About The Boy' goes on the unfinished pile, three Hussies couldn't get past the halfway mark. Most people, if they are lucky meet ' Mr Right ' once in a lifetime. Bridget seems to think it her right to meet him again and again and it would seem that Helen Fielding's concept of 'Mr Right' is mysterious, stern, aloof , muscular and handsome with the obligatory country pile ( no new-build owners need apply!) It's easy to guess from early on in the story who Bridget will end up with.
.... Only one Hussie finished the book and that's a shame as the last third is much more like Helen Fielding's earlier work. As the story shifts its focus away from toy boys, back to the school gates it becomes far more engaging. Fielding offers some insightful observations about different types of parents. Bridget's life as a mother is far more interesting, readers who are of a similar age and stage to the protagonist can empathise with her plight. We've all seen the over dressed mothers at school pick up time with ridiculously big handbags and sunglasses, vying for position as top dog. Desperate to show how in control and successful they are, when in fact, as Fielding points out, things are not quite as rosy as they seem! Would you rather have a faithful husband or a big handbag? If the whole book had focused on life at the school gates, without a detour into the murky world of internet dating, it would have been an excellent addition to the Bridget trilogy. It would also have benefitted from more interactions with the mysterious Mr Wallaker. We await the movie, bets are on for who will play
Mr Wallaker, Colin Firth perhaps?
Can you spot the difference in the picture? Look carefully!!
.... On a more positive note, a last minute change of venue found us back at The Angel of Corbridge. On previous visits we had been disappointed, but this time it was an all round thumbs up. Good food, good service and a warm and cosy atmosphere, although a touch over-priced for pub grub.
.... Our next book is the very popular unputdownable novel ....
THE HUSBAND'S SECRET by LIANE MORIARTY
.... We have planned to review this book next month in The Feathers Inn, Hedley on the Hill, Stocksfield. An award winning Gastro Pub! Join us soon to digest our thoughts!!
January 2014
