Omaha World Herald (Nebraska)
3 women, 3 sides to this fun story Review
Sue Story Truax
Popular Irish author Marian Keyes has another winner in "The Other Side of
the Story."
Keyes' writing is cheeky and fun, making the thick book a fast-paced read. "The Other Side" is a perfect summer novel.
It's sure to appeal to fans of her earlier works, including "Sushi for Beginners," "Last Chance Saloon" and "Lucy Sullivan Is Getting Married."
In "The Other Side," three spunky women -- Gemma in Dublin, Lily in London and Jojo in London -- share the spotlight.
Gemma plans parties and other big events for a living. Her life becomes an event when longtime best friend Lily takes up with Gemma's boyfriend, Anton.
Then Gemma's life becomes a big event: Her dad leaves her mam.
To cope, Gemma writes hilarious alternative realities for herself, her parents and the traitorous Lily. Gemma emails these to friend Susan in Seattle. Susan thinks the missives are good enough to be published.
London-dwelling, guilt-ridden Lily never expected to betray Gemma by falling in love with Anton, but what does the heart know? Lily does freelance writing while looking over her shoulder as she imagines nefarious ways Gemma will get even.
To cope, Lily writes a fablefairy tale for herself. Anton thinks the story is good enough to be published.
Jojo, an American in London, is a rising-star book agent for writers. (Can you see how the female trio's nexus will form? Don't think too hard about it.)
Jojo also is having a not-sosecret affair with the married CEO of the company she works for.
Gemma's e-mail stories make me think of the tangled, hilarious, radio-serial plots of Mario Vargas Llosa's "Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter." I always got caught up in Vargas Llosa's script writer's stories, only to be jerked back to reality thinking "that doesn't seem right."
Ditto with Gemma's tales.
While in reality Gemma's mam has fallen apart, Gemma writes to Susan:
"It is now six weeks since Dad has left and Mam is doing great. She's lost three stone, got blond highlights, a discreet face-lift, and a thirtyfive-year-old boyfriend. They are going on holidays together to Cap Ferrat. She's still refusing to learn to drive but it doesn't matter because her new man (Helmut, he's Swiss) always sends a car for her or else picks her up in his red Astin Martin with gull-wing doors."
"The Other Side of the Story" is a big-hearted tale full of fun and comeuppance for those who deserve it.