5.7.09

Running in Heels by Anna Maxted


I have been meaning to read this Anna Maxted book for years and finally bought a copy and finished it this weekend! We follow the character of Nat, who begins the story by saying:
To say that Babs is my closest friend is rather like saying that Einstein was good at sums. And if you've ever had a best friend, you'll know what I mean. Babs and I had such a beautiful relationship, no man could better it. And then she met Simon.
So Babs has got married and moved out of the flat that she shares with Nat into her new life with Simon. Nat does not take this too well at all. She seems to have a problem in seeing reality, whether that be about her new boyfriend, her career, her best friend's marriage or what she sees when she looks into the mirror. I really enjoyed Anna Maxted's style of writing, she is extremely witty yet also offers the reader many poignant moments throughout the story. One of the main subjects in this book took me completely by surprise and I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't read it. I will say though that an extremely difficult subject is dealt with brilliantly, it is very clear that the author put a lot of time and effort into researching this area.
The characters in this book are very well created, I loved Nat's mother and found her completely believable. However, I could not take to the character of Babs at all, even when she was trying to help Nat, I couldn't warm to her. You can't like everyone though can you?
It didn't take me long at all to read this book as the character of Nat totally drew me in and I was willing her to get her life back on track right up to the last page. I know that this book is pretty old but if any of you, like me, have not got round to reading it then I would urge you to get a copy as I thought it was excellent.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've never read this but it sounds like a good book, I might have to put it on my to read list!

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Anonymous said...

sounds cute. Love the cover.

Novelicious said...

Oh Man, I love this book, and still get peeved that Anna Maxted doesn't seem to be writing fiction anymore! Ace review :) x

Kirsty

Dot said...

Violet- I really enjoyed it, you should give it a go!

Novelicious- Thank you, just popped over to look at your blog and it's wonderful, think I will be popping back a lot!!!

Bookalicious Ramblings said...

Sounds like an interesting book, I'll add it to my wishlist!

Also, I see you're reading The Lost Daughter - how is it? I look forward to reading your review as I've heard so much praise for that book, I'm curious if it's really that good!

Dot said...

bookalicious- I'm really enjoying The Lost Daughter- it's very difficult to put down!!

Unknown said...

Hello, it's Anna here - thank you so much for that lovely review of RIH! I do still write fiction - but my latest novel, Betrayal, I wrote as Sasha Blake. PW called it 'part social commentary, part thriller' - I call it a bonkbuster, hence the new identity - I'm not sure I could face my grandma reading it. Anyway, I won't go on, but if you are by any chance interested, I have a new website entitled, imaginatively, annamaxtedbooks. Anyway, thank you again - that review made my day. Ax

Dot said...

Anna- thank you for visiting my blog and taking the time to add your lovely comment! I really loved Running in Heels and I shall definitely be getting a copy of Betrayal!

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