Kate Long - The Bad Mothers Handbook

[Louise]

ok, not my usual type of book but I gave it a go.

It is full of gritty Northen humour (which is probably why I enjoyed it so much).

The story is set in Wigan and is the tale of three generations of women from the same family living out their own lives.

Nan is suffering with dementia
Mum is suffering with an adolescent daughter
and Charlie is suffering with her mum and nan!

When I was reading this story I felt very involved with the characters, in particular, charlotte.
I could really identify with this kid, it was like reading my own life story at some points (michelle if you ever read this you will know what I mean).

The humour and wit was good but the story did jump about as each women told their side of each situation, this can be quite offputting sometimes.

The ending I thought left plenty of scope for a sequel as a lot of loose ends were left dangling, slightly annoying really because when you get to the end your left wanting to know what heppened next.

Ah well, it was a good read and kept me entertained, if anyone wants to borrow it just let me know and Ill chuck it in the post.

Lou x

[Maureen]

Just finished this book.

I agree with Louise - I enjoyed this book .....also think there will be a sequel :nothing:

[Angel]

i've been in 2 minds about this one - having picked it up a couple of times and put it back! Perhaps anyone -else has read and enjoyed it before I commit to buy? :read:

[Maureen]

Angel......it is the type of book which you will be able to finish in once sitting if left in peace......not taxing at all.

[Angel]

Thanks Maureen - I will probably get it for when I next go on holiday as it's a light-weight read.

[Kell]

I've just bagged me a copy of this as the result of a swap with a colleague. looking forward to reading it!

[Kell]

I've just finished it & reviewed it too. I was going to put it in here, bt I forgot, so I made a new thread. I might have a go at moving it in a minute...

[Kell]

The Bad Mother’s Handbook
Author: Kate Long
ISBN # 0330419331
Publisher: Picador
1st Published: 2004
365 pages

What do you get when you put three generations of women from the same family in the same house, with no men to act as buffers? You get flying hormones, raging arguments & a whole lot of love. Charlotte is 17 & stroppy; Nan is 79 & pretty much embarking on her 2nd childhood; & in the middle, there’s Karen, who at 33-years-old, thinks it’s about time she got to live her own life, rather than looking out for everyone else.

This funny, witty look at the ever-changing relationships between these 3 women is wonderfully handled & I found myself giggling every other paragraph. I found I could sympathise with each of the characters in turn, even when they were at logger-heads with each other, & I was constantly looking forward to how the next disastrous moment would play out. Having each chapter broken into sections told by each of them in turn also gives a unique perspective on the situation at hand & means the reader is often one small step ahead of the characters in terms of what they’re thinking, but never in terms of where the story is leading. Very cleverly done.

It’s not the kind of book I would usually choose to read, but, after hearing good things from others, when it came up in a swap, I grabbed it & I’m very glad I did. It’s an entertaining read that whiles away the hours nicely. I’d recommend it as either a beach-read or something to get into on one of those days when you’re just not feeling your best – it’s guaranteed to put a smile on your face, no matter how low you’re feeling when you start.

Rating: 7/10