Anonymous reviewed Straight Talking on
Helpful Score: 2
Native Brit Green (Jemima J; Mr. Maybe) had a hit in England with her first novel when it was published there in 1997; it follows the lives of four women (or "ladettes") through lunch dates, new mates and heartbreaks. Career-minded Tasha, who has clawed her way up the ladder of British television to be a producer for a popular a.m. chat-fest, narrates in a brisk, snappy monologue. Although she prides herself on her stylish clothes and glamorous job ("I'm generally thought of as strikingly attractive," she notes), what she really needs is the love of a good man. The problem? She's a sucker for rakes who make her pulse race, treat her horribly and break her heart. Smitten with commitment-phobic Simon, Tasha gets to know his best friend, Adam, to whom she turns for support when Simon calls it quits. Adam and Tasha become great friends-until he announces he loves her. "These are the words I've longed to hear. For years I've dreamed, of being in this situation, of sitting on a terrace, lit by candlelight, facing a man who I love, who tells me he love me too. But this is Adam," Tasha moans. "I love Adam but I don't want his tongue in my mouth, his hand on my breast, his body in my bed." Eventually, Tasha decides to give dating Adam a try, but her desire for passion continues to haunt her until she's forced to choose between warm stability with Adam and scorching hot sex with a handsome stranger. Though this volume has some of the familiar Sex in the City/Bridget Jones's Diary spark, it's neither as charismatic nor humorous as Green's later works.
Helpful Score: 2
Jane Green is one of the wittiest authors I know of. Maybe it is just because I latch onto British humor more than I do my homelands but what can I say I really do enjoy her writing style. Straight talking follows the life of Tasha a producer in television who is no different than the rest of us. She has had her ups and downs, had a man break her heart, dated and dated again. Waited by the phone that never rings, who hasnt done that a time or two?
This book is as with the others fantastically written and very cheeky. While I admit I could see the writing on the wall with Adam well before the big reveal, I think it was set up so we could see it that way. She wanted us as the reader to see what Tasha couldnt, and still couldnt until she lost what she had. Straight talking attacks the age old adage you dont know what you got till its gone. I wont tell you what happens because that of course would ruin the book, but I recommend this one to read. If you like chic lit you will like this book, if your new to chic lit I still think you will like this book.
This book is as with the others fantastically written and very cheeky. While I admit I could see the writing on the wall with Adam well before the big reveal, I think it was set up so we could see it that way. She wanted us as the reader to see what Tasha couldnt, and still couldnt until she lost what she had. Straight talking attacks the age old adage you dont know what you got till its gone. I wont tell you what happens because that of course would ruin the book, but I recommend this one to read. If you like chic lit you will like this book, if your new to chic lit I still think you will like this book.
Helpful Score: 1
This book was an insult to my intelligence. I find Jane Green's misogynistic, materialistic outlook on life to be nothing short of disturbing. This is the second book I have read by her and both have featured pathetic heroines obsessed with men and dubious of their own worth. If JG thinks her readers will identify with these characters she is insulting her audience.
Helpful Score: 1
I had read a different title by Jane Green (Jemima J) and really liked it so i bought this book. Truthfully, it wasn't my cup of tea. It was well written enough, it just felt fairly shallow. at least more shallow then i typically like.
