Pure Fiction

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Julie Highmore

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Pages: 336 (Paperback)

ISBN: 0755306074

Pub: Headline Book Publishing

Pub date: 2004-01-05

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 275854

Reader Reviews:

Pure Fiction (5/7 people found this helpful)

This book was fantastic. I have not read her other book, but I thoughly enjoyed this one. Unlike some modern authors she does not go into the physical relatioships of teh people in her book but goes into the personal relatioships. I could not put it down. There was always a reason to contiue to read it, the tales of all the characters were fascinating and completly believable. You had to read it from start to finish to find out what happened to the characters, it left you wanting more.

Very enjoyable read! (3/3 people found this helpful)

I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who hasn't yet read one of Julie Highmore's books.

The story centres around a set of diverse characters in a reading group. As in her other book, the author treats the reader to some hilarious observations as we follow the characters through their highs and lows.

Its not a long read, so if you are thinking of taking a book on holiday this summer or have just got a few hours to spare I would recommend you buy this book.

Can't wait for the next one!

Uplifting (6/7 people found this helpful)

I absolutely loved this book. It was just what I needed during a spell of flu. The way the extremely unlikely bunch of characters who join this Oxford book group find their
lives getting tangled (Kate and Ed setting up home together, Zoe and Donna both caught up with a reprobate MP) is cleverly crafted and leads to them gelling as a group at
the end. Gideon, the English lecturer, is the exception, being on an altogether different planet throughout most the book! Pure Fiction's greatest plus is that it's very witty
and I found myself regularly chuckling out loud. My one criticism is that I'd have liked some of the scenes, which were told from different viewpoints, to be longer. But if
you know anyone needing a bit of a lift, buy it for them!

Chick lit for the highbrows? (2/3 people found this helpful)

A page turner and easy read for a rainy Sunday afternoon. Well written, although full of cliched characters (the fledling writer and new ie caring daddy, the over-ambitious career woman and failed mother, the feisty artist and her unruly daughter, the arrogant college lecturer, the horny politician, the single, working-class mother who wants to better herself etc.) except for the librarian (nice touch this - not the usual fuddy duddy type). If you expect to learn a bit more about how the group relates to each other via the books they read, you'll be disappointed. Most of the people don't even read the books they are supposed to (surprised?) but honestly - who in the world could keep up with a book group that meets every week?? Has Ms Highmore ever been to a reading group? Also, there's a hell lot of eating going on in the book (the cover gives a hint of culinary pleasures to come) - but, thankfully, the reader is spared any recipes.

Pleasant, if slightly irritating reading, recommended for those who feel they need a break from the more serious fare they would usually read.

A really good second novel (5/6 people found this helpful)

This is a really good second novel and no disappointment to those (like me) who adored Julie Highmore's first book, Country Loving. Like her first book, Pure Fiction follows a group of characters - who spring to life as recognisable people the moment they appear on the page - with plot lines that become increasingly tangled, improbable and interesting. But this book is more urbane, the wit is drier and some of the plot lines slightly darker. Most of the various and interesting characters in Pure Fiction are portrayed sympathetically, but she takes an amusing poke at hypocritical, sex-crazed politicians and pompous college lecturers.

Highmore's key strengths as a writer are her keen eye for characters and her even keener ear for real-life dialogue. And she's very, very funny. Recommended.

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