Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Release Date: March 10, 2005
Format: Mass Paperback
Pages: 388
Source: Library Loan
Genre: Chick Lit, Book to Movie Adaptations
Review Date: May 2, 2012
Rating: 3 bookmarks
This was a book club selection. I probably wouldn’t have picked up this book on my own, as I don’t read a lot of Chic Lit. Since I’m always up for something new, I was excited to give this book a go. I knew a movie existed before I read this book but I hadn’t seen it, so this book review is clear from the movies influence.
I liked Giffin’s writing style. With Rachel as the narrator, I still felt that I got a good understanding of the other characters and their points of view. The story wasn’t lopsided toward Rachel. I like the character development, and I liked the pace of the story. It was entertaining and I can see why it was made into a movie. Lots of drama.
I didn’t find any of the main characters even remotely likeable. I appreciate when I’m able to connect with at least one of the major players in the story, and this time I could not. I didn’t feel even sorry for any of them. What can we say about the two most unsavory main characters? Darcy and Rachel! Two utterly unfortunately friends. They have the most dysfunctional relationship I have ever seen. Self absorbed, self indulgent, spoiled Darcy and not as pretty, quiet, lay down and be a doormat Rachel. Neither one of these ladies are the “good” one. They are both majorly flawed and I would not like to be friends with either of them.
The several of the secondary characters had more sense than the main characters! Rachel’s friends Ethan and Hillary both seemed to have the most sense and were able to help influence Rachel in the right direction when it came to dealing with Dex and getting perspective on Darcy. Thank goodness for them providing some balance and sense of reason to the story. They added some kind of balance back to Rachel’s inner dialog resulting from her lack of confidence. Speaking of Dex, oh, let’s not even go there because in my humble opinion he is pretty lowly. I don’t really even get why Rachel wants such a weak guy. In addition to lowly Dex, throughout the book Marcus keep reappearing as a possible suitor for Rachel. There is a twist concerning Marcus towards the end of the book! I won’t spoil if for those who haven’t read it, but it does sort of explain why Darcy keeps pressing Rachel for updates on she and Marcus. There were a few other supporting characters sprinkled in, but they were forgettable.
I got the vibe that Giffin’s was trying hard for us to feel so bad and/or sorry for Darcy, that she actually wanted us to excuse the fact that she was cheating with her best friends man! I think of these situations in the most basic way, two wrongs don’t make a right. Period. Despite how awful Darcy treated Rachel, there is no excuse for cheating with Dex. I really wanted to like Rachel, I wanted to root for her to get her man, but at the same time, I felt she was wrong and that stopped me from liking her character.
All in all, the book was an easy read, pretty entertaining and has a good dose of drama. The pace was decent and I was able to read the book pretty quickly. This book is what I would consider light summer reading. The book also brought some very good conversation for the book club, and it would be a good pick for that purpose.
Release Date: March 10, 2005
Format: Mass Paperback
Pages: 388
Source: Library Loan
Genre: Chick Lit, Book to Movie Adaptations
Review Date: May 2, 2012
Rating: 3 bookmarks
This was a book club selection. I probably wouldn’t have picked up this book on my own, as I don’t read a lot of Chic Lit. Since I’m always up for something new, I was excited to give this book a go. I knew a movie existed before I read this book but I hadn’t seen it, so this book review is clear from the movies influence.
I liked Giffin’s writing style. With Rachel as the narrator, I still felt that I got a good understanding of the other characters and their points of view. The story wasn’t lopsided toward Rachel. I like the character development, and I liked the pace of the story. It was entertaining and I can see why it was made into a movie. Lots of drama.
I didn’t find any of the main characters even remotely likeable. I appreciate when I’m able to connect with at least one of the major players in the story, and this time I could not. I didn’t feel even sorry for any of them. What can we say about the two most unsavory main characters? Darcy and Rachel! Two utterly unfortunately friends. They have the most dysfunctional relationship I have ever seen. Self absorbed, self indulgent, spoiled Darcy and not as pretty, quiet, lay down and be a doormat Rachel. Neither one of these ladies are the “good” one. They are both majorly flawed and I would not like to be friends with either of them.
The several of the secondary characters had more sense than the main characters! Rachel’s friends Ethan and Hillary both seemed to have the most sense and were able to help influence Rachel in the right direction when it came to dealing with Dex and getting perspective on Darcy. Thank goodness for them providing some balance and sense of reason to the story. They added some kind of balance back to Rachel’s inner dialog resulting from her lack of confidence. Speaking of Dex, oh, let’s not even go there because in my humble opinion he is pretty lowly. I don’t really even get why Rachel wants such a weak guy. In addition to lowly Dex, throughout the book Marcus keep reappearing as a possible suitor for Rachel. There is a twist concerning Marcus towards the end of the book! I won’t spoil if for those who haven’t read it, but it does sort of explain why Darcy keeps pressing Rachel for updates on she and Marcus. There were a few other supporting characters sprinkled in, but they were forgettable.
I got the vibe that Giffin’s was trying hard for us to feel so bad and/or sorry for Darcy, that she actually wanted us to excuse the fact that she was cheating with her best friends man! I think of these situations in the most basic way, two wrongs don’t make a right. Period. Despite how awful Darcy treated Rachel, there is no excuse for cheating with Dex. I really wanted to like Rachel, I wanted to root for her to get her man, but at the same time, I felt she was wrong and that stopped me from liking her character.
All in all, the book was an easy read, pretty entertaining and has a good dose of drama. The pace was decent and I was able to read the book pretty quickly. This book is what I would consider light summer reading. The book also brought some very good conversation for the book club, and it would be a good pick for that purpose.
Get the Kindle version here:Something Borrowed
