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| image from Britmums bookclub |
This book by Clare Christian and Elisabeth Kent is one that sounded like it had the potential to be a really funny read. Unfortunately it wasn't quite my cup of tea.
It openly revolves around the stereotypes of the playground mums and dads and I did find myself smiling at various points as I recognised the traits of some of the mums described in myself or some of the people I encounter at the school gates.
As a book as a whole it is basically a list of these various stereotypes like Sporty Mum, Chav mum, Helicopter mum, Wannabe wag mum, Midlife crisis dad and the list goes on.
It sets out to be a fun lighthearted read and is relatively short as a book. But it didn't engage or inspire me to keep reading. In fact if it wasnt for the fact that I had agreed to review the book I don't think I would have finished it.
I suppose I had hoped for it to be something more. Having read The secret life of a slummy mummy by Fiona Neill a few years ago, I recognised many of the playground stereotypes in that book but thought that they were brilliantly interwoven as characters within a proper novel with a context, story and plot behind it.
If this book had done the same, taken a handful of the stereotypes, given them names and given us an insight into their personalities and life stories then I think it could have been a hit. I think it's a great concept but just missed a trick when it came to executing the idea.
As it was it would be perfect as a joke gift or a naff secret santa present but sadly not much else.
This book was sent to me as part of the Britmums book club. All opinions are my own.
You can see what others thought of this book on the Britmum's linky here. It has received some really great reviews so far so as I said it might be a case of it just not being my cup of tea.
Here are some of my previous Britmums book reviews:
- Above All Things by Tanis Rideout: A Britmums Bookclub Book Review
- Britmums Book Club Book Review: Quiet by Susan Cain
- Britmums book review: The Judas Scar, by Amanda Jennings
- Britmums Book Club Book Review: The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka
- Hippy Dinners Britmums book club book review
- My animals and other family by Clare Balding
Sorry you didn't like it. I found it funny but agree it isn't like a novel. In fact I have even read a novel of the same title, and it didn't live up to that
ReplyDeletethere were definitely parts of it that made me giggle but it was just my least favourite style of book out of all the bookclub reads so far.
DeleteBrilliant review Rebecca, so important I feel for us to be honest and I also feel a book such as this would probably not keep my interest. xx
ReplyDeleteI agree with you so much on this one Rebecca. You expressed what I was trying to say very well.
DeleteThanks Rachael and Kate for your comments. x
DeleteI'd have enjoyed it more if it was half the size. I can see what you mean about it missing a trick, by not fleshing out the characters and concentrating on fewer. A different kind of book, but I guess this one is more about dipping in and not reading cover to cover.
ReplyDeleteyes that is exactly it - i would rather get to know a few characters and read a proper novel i think but at least i know that is what i prefer and i would not have known that if i had not read it.
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