2008-07-18 Second chance? Second Rate!

I have been a fan of Jane Green for many years and have read all her books. I would never describe Green as producing a literary classic, but on the whole, her books are well written and normally turn into 'page turners'. So what went wrong with Second Chance? Firstly, I found myself disliking Holly the main character immensely. A self obsessed , big house owning mother whose au pair looks after the two kids whilst she illustrates the odd greeting card for a living is not someone I can readily identify with. Secondly, it felt like Green had to evolve Marcus, Holly's husband, into a monster in order to justify her flirtation and subsequent cheating. After all, in the beginning of the book he is portrayed as a bit work obsessed, and possibly a little brand/label conscious. However, by the end of the book, he becomes this angry, rude, arrogant, cheat yet with no character formulation. Maybe Green felt that this may allow Holly to become slightly likable?

I was also confused as to Holly's reaction to her friends Tom's death, given they had had no contact for months and months. Also, the idea that Tom's (the deceased) Mother want's to have lunch with Holly whilst she drones on about how miserable her marriage is, seems laughable! Oh and obviously, Holly is this 'perceptive, creative, free-spirited' Mother Theresa type that everyone adores!

Really not my cup of tea, no page turning moments, no humor and by the way a bizarre use of the word 'Stoic'. Must have been used in almost every paragraph at the funeral!