You need to read this book if you are under the impression that other human beings know what they're doing, and they've got their shit together.... they don't!! And we witness that realisation through the eyes of Nell, who is in her 40's and struggling with what life has thrown her way! It was touching, hilarious, so relatable ( a little too relatable at times worryingly!!), and was full of all those 'yes' moments that had me laughing and commiserating in equal measures!! A perfect read!!
Nell is back in London, after living the seemingly perfect life in L.A with her fiancee running their own business! But the business went bust and so did the relationship! So she know has to pick up with friends who have all moved on to different stages in their lives - the married, mortgaged, kids part of life - and she is feeling like an alien in their world! They have become part of the showy off brigade - comparing their lives, achievements, who is the busiest, possessions... you get the drift - while Nell is just left noticing all that is going wrong with her body now she's in her 40's! Why do our bodies do this to us??!!
But her life changes when she gets a job writing obits for a local paper and she becomes friends with one of the ladies she interviews and it's an extremely unlikely friendship with the wonderful Cricket! We all need to be more like Cricket! She has just lost her husband and Nell finds an instant connection with this woman, who has lived her life differently to those around her. She married late, had no kids but lived her life the way she wanted to. They both seem to inspire one another to move on with their lives and seeing them getting out and about together and have new experiences was just so wonderful and touching! They are both very good influences on one another! Cricket is also finding herself 'shunned' by old friends since the death of her husband - having someone single around couples upsets the balance - and it really showed up the insensitivities of others.
I adored the way this story is written - it showed the consequences of life's heartbreaks and the moments of joy that make it all worthwhile. The humour for me was spot on, I found myself laughing so often when a situation connected with my own experiences and using the month by month way of exploring the story allowed it to flow so well. When Nell starts up a podcast, really for herself, she doesn't expect it to connect with so many and thinks of it as just a way for her to unload all her feelings - I am sure many podcasts and blogs are all started with the same intention!
Nell shares the moments with her family and all that entails, the expectations, the disappointments and the joy! There's the competing with friends new friends, who just live to outdo you, the unexpected discovery when she helps Cricket clear out some old clothes, and the honesty of friends who let you into the secret that all is not perfect in their worlds too despite appearances!!
Loved it!
Nell is back in London, after living the seemingly perfect life in L.A with her fiancee running their own business! But the business went bust and so did the relationship! So she know has to pick up with friends who have all moved on to different stages in their lives - the married, mortgaged, kids part of life - and she is feeling like an alien in their world! They have become part of the showy off brigade - comparing their lives, achievements, who is the busiest, possessions... you get the drift - while Nell is just left noticing all that is going wrong with her body now she's in her 40's! Why do our bodies do this to us??!!
But her life changes when she gets a job writing obits for a local paper and she becomes friends with one of the ladies she interviews and it's an extremely unlikely friendship with the wonderful Cricket! We all need to be more like Cricket! She has just lost her husband and Nell finds an instant connection with this woman, who has lived her life differently to those around her. She married late, had no kids but lived her life the way she wanted to. They both seem to inspire one another to move on with their lives and seeing them getting out and about together and have new experiences was just so wonderful and touching! They are both very good influences on one another! Cricket is also finding herself 'shunned' by old friends since the death of her husband - having someone single around couples upsets the balance - and it really showed up the insensitivities of others.
I adored the way this story is written - it showed the consequences of life's heartbreaks and the moments of joy that make it all worthwhile. The humour for me was spot on, I found myself laughing so often when a situation connected with my own experiences and using the month by month way of exploring the story allowed it to flow so well. When Nell starts up a podcast, really for herself, she doesn't expect it to connect with so many and thinks of it as just a way for her to unload all her feelings - I am sure many podcasts and blogs are all started with the same intention!
Nell shares the moments with her family and all that entails, the expectations, the disappointments and the joy! There's the competing with friends new friends, who just live to outdo you, the unexpected discovery when she helps Cricket clear out some old clothes, and the honesty of friends who let you into the secret that all is not perfect in their worlds too despite appearances!!
Loved it!