Behaving like adults
by Anna Maxted | Literature & Fiction | This book has not been rated.
ISBN: 0099439883 Global Overview for this book
ISBN: 0099439883 Global Overview for this book
Registered by servalan of Sydney CBD, New South Wales Australia on 4/13/2005
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
4 journalers for this copy...
Amazon.co.uk Review
Anna Maxted is not one to shy away from difficult and emotionally traumatic issues. Here in Behaving Like Adults she tackles date rape having dealt with bereavement in her first book, Getting Over It, and with eating disorders in her second novel, Running In Heels. It sounds grim--"doomed chick lit"--but the joy of Anna Maxted's books (and they are joyful, despite everything) is the humour and sympathy of her writing.
The heroine of this story is Holly, who runs a dating agency. She split up with Nick, her childish boyfriend of five years, because "he didn't know how to make an effort in a relationship" (he lives on "hygiene's edge" not washing or talking enough, and being a generally lacklustre dating companion). She decides to throw a party to celebrate the success of her business and chooses rich and arrogant Stuart as her date for the evening. He brings Holly home, pushes her to the floor, and rapes her, and she doesn't tell anyone. As she says: "as long as I skated along the surface of my composure, I was fine. There was more underneath, I knew, but it was dark and cold and deathly and I refused to go there."
The rest of the novel deals with the repercussions of the rape, with Holly trying to carry on as normal, but being unable to. She is forced to redefine her life and her relationships, especially with Nick. Behaving Like Adults is well observed, moving, funny and intensely readable. --Eithne Farry
Anna Maxted is not one to shy away from difficult and emotionally traumatic issues. Here in Behaving Like Adults she tackles date rape having dealt with bereavement in her first book, Getting Over It, and with eating disorders in her second novel, Running In Heels. It sounds grim--"doomed chick lit"--but the joy of Anna Maxted's books (and they are joyful, despite everything) is the humour and sympathy of her writing.
The heroine of this story is Holly, who runs a dating agency. She split up with Nick, her childish boyfriend of five years, because "he didn't know how to make an effort in a relationship" (he lives on "hygiene's edge" not washing or talking enough, and being a generally lacklustre dating companion). She decides to throw a party to celebrate the success of her business and chooses rich and arrogant Stuart as her date for the evening. He brings Holly home, pushes her to the floor, and rapes her, and she doesn't tell anyone. As she says: "as long as I skated along the surface of my composure, I was fine. There was more underneath, I knew, but it was dark and cold and deathly and I refused to go there."
The rest of the novel deals with the repercussions of the rape, with Holly trying to carry on as normal, but being unable to. She is forced to redefine her life and her relationships, especially with Nick. Behaving Like Adults is well observed, moving, funny and intensely readable. --Eithne Farry
Taking to ABC for puppymummy!
Servalan brought me a massive pile of books to read - all very much appreciated!
Journal Entry 4 by puppymummy at 2014 Melbourne Convention in -- Controlled Release, Victoria Australia on Thursday, April 10, 2014
Released 10 yrs ago (4/11/2014 UTC) at 2014 Melbourne Convention in -- Controlled Release, Victoria Australia
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Will be released at the Convention, on the table to be picked up and read or wild released. Travel safely, little book :)
Another Puppymummy pick that I hadn't recorded too many books I have to do something
Happy Birthday Catsalive
Journal Entry 7 by catsalive at Rooty Hill, New South Wales Australia on Saturday, September 17, 2016
Thanks, Billbooks.
Journal Entry 8 by catsalive at North St Marys Community Centre in North St Marys, New South Wales Australia on Friday, October 14, 2016
Released 7 yrs ago (10/14/2016 UTC) at North St Marys Community Centre in North St Marys, New South Wales Australia
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Left for the book exchange trolley.