Bookends

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Jane Green

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Pages: 2 (Audio Cassette)

ISBN: 0141802359

Pub: Penguin Audiobooks

Pub date: 2000-01-06

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 301574

Editorial Review:

Having worked her way up to the stressful top of a London ad agency, Cath yearns to open her own book shop. As luck would have it, Lucy, wife of Cath's old uni friend Josh, longs to run a café. Together they find a suitable site and Bookends is born. Although the café/shop gives the book its title, it is something of a minor sub-plot. The main focus of Bookends the novel is on the single malcontents Cath and Si, their circle of friends and their lives, hopes and dreams. Life is not always as straightforward as they might have hoped but the deep bonds of friendship prove unshakeable.
Hadyn Gwynne is the perfect choice for the voice of the striving North London thirtysomething, her interpretation of the characters is both convincing and unforced. Listening to this audio book is, at times, like becoming illicitly absorbed in someone else's conversation--the listener is allowed real insight into the lives and changing fortunes of a group of old friends. Gwynne is especially good in the moving exchanges between Cath and Si, evoking real pathos as the two characters come to terms with some shattering news. Bookends is not a perfect novel but this audio adaptation is thoroughly entertaining and unexpectedly moving. --Sarah Crawford

Duration approx 3 hours

Reader Reviews:

Fabulous Easy Read (1/1 people found this helpful)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, this is the 2nd book of Jane Greens that I've read and I've found them both to be nice easy reads, the type of book that you can put down and go back to without losing your place or having to re-read the last page because you've forgotten what happenned last.

I don't agree with some of the comments that Si should be the main character, it would totally change the aspect of the story, and lets face it what could you possibly say about Cath.

I'll definately be reading more.

Bookended (2/2 people found this helpful)

Jane Green presents a flawed look at love in all its forms in "Bookends," a tale of friendship and relationships. It's an entertaining light read, written in a brisk fashion with some interesting character conflicts, but the lead character never develops any spark of life.

They were all pals at college: glamourous Portia, mousy Cath, lovable gay Simon, and low-key Simon (whom Portia seduced to keep him "in her thrall"). Except for Portia, they have all stayed friends. But now Cath has been burned by a bad relationship and shies away from men. Josh is married to everywoman Lucy and has a hellspawn child and an icy nanny. And Si is desperately seeking his soulmate, only to ensnare himself with a vicious philanderer.

Reenter Portia, more glamourous and beautiful than ever, and a successful TV producer... of a soap that closely mirrors her pals' lives. An elaborate dance of suspicion begins, as Cath and Simon believe that Lucy and Sim's marriage hits a rough spot, and that Simon is straying back to Portia. When Si is diagnosed with HIV, friendships are strained and secrets come unravelled -- with surprising results.

There's nothing new or unexpected about "Bookends," except for a throwaway subplot that Green tacks in late in the book. Perhaps the most intriguing thing is Portia's true nature -- is she a heartless manipulator? A glamorous slut? A sweet woman with devilish allure? Green keeps you guessing right up to the end.

Her writing is pretty snappy and quick, and she weaves the subplots together without a lot of fuss or plot holes. Cath's sort-of-romance is underdeveloped, though, the identity of Portia's lover is obvious, and the HIV story feels contrived. But it is pretty entertaining to watch what is essentially a small-scale soap opera unfold, complete with marital strife, unfaithful lovers, bratty kids, sexy nannies and a Dark Exotic Mystery Woman.

The one flaw in an otherwise good cast is Cath herself -- she's too timid and annoying to be likable. Si is an excellent character though, and adds extra depth and poignancy to the cliched lovable gay pal. His struggles and longing for true love make you want to hug him. Josh and Lucy are good as the ideal marrieds who hit a rough patch.

An almost-perfect cast redeems a by-the-numbers novel about friendship and relationships. Not to mention a veiled lesson about not jumping to conclusions. "Bookends" is a fun guilty pleasure, if a lightweight one.

Brilliant read (0/0 people found this helpful)

It's a very girlie chick lit read but highly worthwhile. I have loved all of Jane Green's books that I have read but probably more so this one than any other. The charaters are loveable and I just kept wanting to read until I got to the end as I just couldn't put it down which for me is a real first! I would recommend this to anyone who wanted a good book to read. Be warned a small part in it is sad but it doesn't spoil the overall story at all!

Bloody Brilliant! (1/1 people found this helpful)

I have just literally finished reading this book and i had to come on here to say how good it was. i read it in 3 days, which for me is quick. however i just couldnt put it down. the characters are so acuratley described and the plot was never dull. i will certainly be reading more of jane green's novels.

Give it a go-it's worth it! (0/0 people found this helpful)

From the first page I was hooked. The reader is taken on an emotional and at times, painful journey through the lives of the key characters. My initial expectations of the book were superseded by a story written in an honest and thought provoking way. Jane Green takes a realistic look at the complexities of modern day life which as we know doesn't always quite go to plan.

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