What do You think about Getting Over It (2001)?
Hmmm. I originally read this book when I was 21 and at the time was obsessed with it. Then I read Anna Maxted's other books and didn't like them nearly as much.Now that I've reread it, I'm kind of surprised at how much my taste in books has changed.All right, there was a lot to this book that I liked: dealing with grief and the anger we feel toward the person who was died (whether through unresolved issues, anger with the death itself, etc), inability to cope with said grief and anger, and trying to relate it to the issues directly surrounding us.But the book was a slow read at times, and I found myself despising the mother. And although Maxted has a great sense of humor and had very dry observations, I think that her heroines tend to be cold and not multi-faceted. But I don't know, that could just be disappointment with my newfound observations. In any case I still enjoyed reading it.
—Abigail Hillinger
This is the second Maxted book I've read and I'm seeing a pattern - or is it a formula? Selfish, self-absorbed, shallow working girl from a very dysfunctional family tries to sort out her love life, stumbling through several inappropriate relationships and alienating "her true love" until he sees through her snarky exterior to the potential within and they go off happily ever after. Hmmmph. It was ok for the first book. But to repeat the formula is like eating leftovers, not as good the second time. And yet, the book does somehow draw you in. Not sure why. I certainly would never want to be friends with either main character in the Maxted books I've read thus far - they're mean, spiteful and seemingly incapable of treating people well. It's hard to enjoy a book when the characters are so unlovable. So, I'm torn. The book is funny in places, and Maxted can certainly turn a phrase. But do I want to try another of her books, on the off chance that the plot will be different? Stay tuned...
—Jill Manske
After having lost her father to a heart attack, Helen's world crashes down. Well, her life has never been perfect anyway. After all, she has a menial job at a woman's magazine, drives an old Toyota, has had her share of bad boyfriends, lives with the roommate from hell, her mother is the mother of all drama queens, her friends always seem to be perfect, and her cat, Fatboy, is the only man in her life. While she tries to deal with her mother's grief, Tom -- a charming veterinarian -- sweeps Helen off her feet. But will he stick around after having witnessed Helen's embarrassing tequila incident? There are some memorable and incredibly funny moments in this novel.
—Lindsay green
