Status
Available
Description
Tara, Katherine and Fintan - best friends since they were teenagers in Knockaway, County Clar, in the days of legwarmers, pink stretch jeans and Duran Duran. Now in their early 30s, they live in London where they are still bound together. But fate is about to step in and alter their lives.
User reviews
LibraryThing member Lukerik
A couple of years ago I read a World Book Night edition of Rachel's Holiday. It's a proper novel with themes and an unreliable narrator. When I went to get more of her books I was appalled to find she was being marketed as Women's Fiction and it put me off. I've read a couple of Women's Fictions
Anyway, I took a risk on this and I can see why they take this marketing route. We're definitely in women's fiction territory. There are a number of scenes which are devoted to the trying on of new lipsticks. However, the standard of writing is better than usual. Keyes is fully conversant with the English language and writes with a cheeky comicality in a cartoony style. She appears to have warmth for her fellow humans. There's nothing here which required me to think but I don't think this is because she has contempt for her audience: it seems inclusive more than anything. Even a stupid person could read this novel without getting too confused.
This leads me to problems though. 600 pages without having to engage my brain was a real struggle for me. Sometimes her cheekiness descended into flippancy. There was a lack of artistic focus to the whole thing, leading to extraneous, half formed scenes which bloated this flaccid belly of a book to a completely unnecessary (did I mention?) 600 pages.
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that I'd caught through Bookcrossing and I think, more than anything, I was angry that women should be so disrespected by writers and publishers. Why should the standard of fiction marketed at women be so much worse than that marketed at me?Anyway, I took a risk on this and I can see why they take this marketing route. We're definitely in women's fiction territory. There are a number of scenes which are devoted to the trying on of new lipsticks. However, the standard of writing is better than usual. Keyes is fully conversant with the English language and writes with a cheeky comicality in a cartoony style. She appears to have warmth for her fellow humans. There's nothing here which required me to think but I don't think this is because she has contempt for her audience: it seems inclusive more than anything. Even a stupid person could read this novel without getting too confused.
This leads me to problems though. 600 pages without having to engage my brain was a real struggle for me. Sometimes her cheekiness descended into flippancy. There was a lack of artistic focus to the whole thing, leading to extraneous, half formed scenes which bloated this flaccid belly of a book to a completely unnecessary (did I mention?) 600 pages.
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LibraryThing member kikianika
I didn't expect to like this one, because I found the blurb rather blah, and it seems to be rather mainstream, but it was good. I liked the character-driven plot and found the twist at the end enjoyable. I'm going to read her other books as well now.
LibraryThing member Bookmarque
Phew. This is the first book I’ve gotten through in a month. Seriously – everything I’ve picked up has remained unfinished. Nothing actually got my attention and held it. So is that saying much for this book that I’ve actually finished it. Not really. It wasn’t all that great. It was a
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combination of Bridget Jones and East Enders. But it was entertaining and I did finish it Show Less
LibraryThing member bibliobbe
OK, so I’m starting to get what people see in Marian Keyes. Sure, the dialogue is snappy, if not exactly credible, and you know that there’s a happy ending in there. But if it’s chicklit you’re after, I think there are better examples of it than this lot. People just aren’t like this, and
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the plot is so transparent that getting to the end becomes so predictable you wonder if it’s worth it. But if you want to read a book on a wet weekend and disengage your brain at the same time, Ms Keyes is for you. This one is inoffensive, soppy and unbelievable. Show Less
LibraryThing member Bonni208
This is a cute book that tells the story of three friends: Tara, Katherine, and Fintan. Each has their struggles in the love department, which are interrupted by Fintan's illness. People assume at first that Fintan has HIV, since he is gay, but it turns out he has cancer and this crisis brings the
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friends together like never before. Fintan ends up challenging his two friends to make drastic changes in their love life, all in the spirit of living their lives as if they only have six months left to live. Show Less
LibraryThing member twilightlost_2
I have really enjoyed the other Marian Keyes books I have read, but this one didn't do it for me. The ending was predictable and I just wanted the shilly-shallying to be over so they could find their happy ending.
LibraryThing member asummerwasting08
A cute, fluffy romance novel--all hail the Irish! Good humor and nice characters, though rather pigeonholed. However, the climaxes of the book--when the abused girlfriends get to tell their lousy boyfriends off--are not nearly satisfying enough. I wanted much more tongue-lashings. :)
LibraryThing member Deesirings
Despite having very little plot, this character driven novel was quite an engaging read. The quote on the cover - "A comforting doorstopper of a read that's as addictive as solitaire" (Daily Mail) -- sums it up quite well. The novel revolves around three characters --Tara, Katherine and Fintan --
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childhood friends from Ireland who are now thirty-ish and living in London. Show Less
LibraryThing member kikilon
I didn't expect to like this one, because I found the blurb rather blah, and it seems to be rather mainstream, but it was good. I liked the character-driven plot and found the twist at the end enjoyable. I'm going to read her other books as well now.
LibraryThing member ilovethebooks
I haven't read this yet, but it was recommended to me.
LibraryThing member traciragas
I haven’t met a Mirian Keyes book I haven’t loved yet. Like my requisite favorite books, this one had conflicted characters and people that went through the dirt and came out a little harmed but happier and more alive. I thought this was a powerful story of true friendship and making sure you
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truly live your life. Show Less
LibraryThing member lieslmayerson
I have read an alarming number of Marian Keyes' books and they never fail to entertain -- this one was no exception. I always read them guiltily as they probably do not contribute greatly to my knowledge base. She has a formula and themes and it works. I recommend this to any woman who wants to
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turn off her brain and do some fun beach side, pool side, or vacation reading. Show Less
LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
Three friends who have been together since forever in Ireland now live in Ireland and have to deal with their complicated love lives.
LibraryThing member Summermoonstone
Wonderful!!! The lives of three friends from Ireland - Tara, Katherine and Fintan. They moved to London together but have now grown into their 30's and live separately. Still the best of friends they share the ups and downs of life. Read it in only a couple of sittings. The book is finished and I
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feel I have lost a group of friends Show Less
LibraryThing member jayne_charles
One of the better books I read during my mid-twenties Chick-Lit phase. This was written with a generous helping of wit. I particularly liked the smug media character who considered it a bad week when he didn't get at least one pair of knickers in the post.
Like most books of this genre, it is
Like most books of this genre, it is
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frequently clear which way the plot is going, making the journey there seem to drag a tad. The dieting plotline I found a bit patronising. On the other hand, this was one of the few books I have read to feature a character from Huddersfield, the town of my birth! Shame he was such a miserable git.....the accent was spot on, though. Four stars. Show Less
LibraryThing member mojacobs
I normally like a bit of chicklit now and again, but this was VERY fluffy indeed! I finished it, but was annoyed with myself for it: I kept being irritated by the blatant way the writer plays on the feelings of the readers and by the utter simplicity of everything: values, relationships, illness
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even. So why did I finish it? Chicklit must be powerful stuff - even this kind of it. A bit like a big bag of crisps when really you should be having a proper meal: you just can't stop and you hate yourself for it. Ah well, at least it's cured me of the chicklit urge for a while!” Show Less
LibraryThing member Tara714
This book is not as deeply hilarious as the cover states, in fact I didn't find it hilarious at all. What I did find was that it is unexpectantly good. When I first started reading it one of the characters I found annoying and I really could have cared less about the other ones. As I continued to
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read it, I couldn't put it down. It is heart felt and realistic. It is about a group of really close friends who live mundane lives until one day when tragedy strikes they are forced to try and improve themselves. It's a little bit of sex in the city mixed with a little bit of bridgette jones. A great read for someone who just wants to get lost in someone else's life for a couple of days. Show Less
LibraryThing member CherieReads
It took me a few chapters to really get into this book, but once I did I couldn't put it down. It was very entertaining - funny at points, sad at others. I was a little disappointed in the ending, though. Everything was wrapped up nicely, but it all happened within one or two chapters. It was
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almost too abrupt of an ending. Show Less
LibraryThing member wareagle78
Quite good Brit chick-lit centering around a three friends from Ireland who have stayed close after moving to London. When one is stricken with Hodgkin's Disease, he challenges the other two to live each day as if they had but six months left.
Keyes' characterizations are wonderful, the three
Keyes' characterizations are wonderful, the three
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friends and the others in their circle become alive in the pages. I look forward to reading more from this author. Show Less
LibraryThing member gogglemiss
This started out a bit slow, but it soon turned into an absorbing read. I haven't read MK for a long time, but I enjoyed it.
LibraryThing member ElizabethCromb
Good lightweight read. Fun character exploration of 30-something Irish trio living in London. Their lives, loves and problems.
LibraryThing member ariebonn
I borrowed this book from a friend a couple of months ago and only got to it now. I read books depending on what I feel like next, and after my last one I really needed a chick lit book. I was so glad I had this one at hand! I have read several of Marian Keye's books and I like her style, so I was
Last Chance Saloon is the story of three best friends, Tara, Katherine, and Fintan. Now in their early thirties, they have known each other since their childhood. They moved to London together to start a new life, and seven years later Tara is stuck in a bad relationship, but with struggling with her weight and the fear that this was her last chance at love, she is afraid to move on. Katherine is single, well organized, and very successful in her career. The last thing she needs is a man to mess it all up for her so being single forever is her solution. Fintan has it all, a great job, a healthy relationship, and lots of friends. His life couldn't be better. That is until he gets ill, and circumstances force them all to reevaluate their lives.
This book represents real life situations and characters which you can easily identify with. The way each of them deal with the situation is very realistic, with a few things blown out of proportion to keep it light. The plot itself is not as great, but the characters more than make up for that in my opinion. A funny thought I had while reading this books was that they all have full time jobs, but do they ever get any work done?! I guess I'm jealous of how relaxed life at the office seems to be for them, in a time when twelve hour non-stop days are a norm for me! With Marian Keyes' books I am always a little sad when they come to an end, and this was no exception. Tara, Katherine, and Fintan are the kind of characters you find yourself missing after finishing the book.
Although this is not the best book I have read by Marian Keyes, I enjoyed reading it nonetheless and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of her books. At this point 'Anybody Out There?' is still my favorite of hers!
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looking forward to immerse myself in her characters.Last Chance Saloon is the story of three best friends, Tara, Katherine, and Fintan. Now in their early thirties, they have known each other since their childhood. They moved to London together to start a new life, and seven years later Tara is stuck in a bad relationship, but with struggling with her weight and the fear that this was her last chance at love, she is afraid to move on. Katherine is single, well organized, and very successful in her career. The last thing she needs is a man to mess it all up for her so being single forever is her solution. Fintan has it all, a great job, a healthy relationship, and lots of friends. His life couldn't be better. That is until he gets ill, and circumstances force them all to reevaluate their lives.
This book represents real life situations and characters which you can easily identify with. The way each of them deal with the situation is very realistic, with a few things blown out of proportion to keep it light. The plot itself is not as great, but the characters more than make up for that in my opinion. A funny thought I had while reading this books was that they all have full time jobs, but do they ever get any work done?! I guess I'm jealous of how relaxed life at the office seems to be for them, in a time when twelve hour non-stop days are a norm for me! With Marian Keyes' books I am always a little sad when they come to an end, and this was no exception. Tara, Katherine, and Fintan are the kind of characters you find yourself missing after finishing the book.
Although this is not the best book I have read by Marian Keyes, I enjoyed reading it nonetheless and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of her books. At this point 'Anybody Out There?' is still my favorite of hers!
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LibraryThing member rata
The three main characters, Tara, Fintan, and Katherine were as different as chalk and cheese, but they had a great friendship and were comfortable and relaxed in each other’s company. Tara had a bit of a problem with food and I found myself finding similarities between my own relationship with
Katherine was too stand offish to be real, she was portrayed as a strong, confident woman on the outside but had obviously been hurt at some point in her life and this made her push people away. Joe (a gentleman) a work colleague tried to make an impression on her – her responses were cruel and cutting, this annoyed me, her office name Ice Queen was appropriate, but there was nothing regal about her in my mind.
Fintan was flamboyant and fabulous, a true drama queen albeit a male. His lover, Milo “Italian Pony" was your typical down trodden character, more so once Fintan was diagnosed with cancer – it was a real turning point, not just for his character but for everyone. They all seemed to re-evaluate their own situations especially after Fintan makes a couple of difficult requests of Tara and Katherine. Absolutely loved the characters - Fintan's mother and brother who come from Ireland to London to visit. Their country ways and outlook on life had me laughing as they were like fish out of water in London.
Lorcan (super stud) is an ar... hole, he is a horrible character who enters the story early on and you read about his predatory behaviour and wonder where he fits with the main characters. This becomes known at the end and makes sense of Katherine's defensive wall that she has built around herself.
Overall, this enjoyable read revolves around three friends and their reaction and coping mechanism in response to Fintan becoming seriously ill. A mixture of heart-wrenching moments, balanced out by some very funny moments, provides you as a reader a ride on an emotional roller coaster.
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food and hunger as hers. Her relationship with her boyfriend Thomas annoyed me, as I wanted her to snap out of it and tell him where to go. Katherine was too stand offish to be real, she was portrayed as a strong, confident woman on the outside but had obviously been hurt at some point in her life and this made her push people away. Joe (a gentleman) a work colleague tried to make an impression on her – her responses were cruel and cutting, this annoyed me, her office name Ice Queen was appropriate, but there was nothing regal about her in my mind.
Fintan was flamboyant and fabulous, a true drama queen albeit a male. His lover, Milo “Italian Pony" was your typical down trodden character, more so once Fintan was diagnosed with cancer – it was a real turning point, not just for his character but for everyone. They all seemed to re-evaluate their own situations especially after Fintan makes a couple of difficult requests of Tara and Katherine. Absolutely loved the characters - Fintan's mother and brother who come from Ireland to London to visit. Their country ways and outlook on life had me laughing as they were like fish out of water in London.
Lorcan (super stud) is an ar... hole, he is a horrible character who enters the story early on and you read about his predatory behaviour and wonder where he fits with the main characters. This becomes known at the end and makes sense of Katherine's defensive wall that she has built around herself.
Overall, this enjoyable read revolves around three friends and their reaction and coping mechanism in response to Fintan becoming seriously ill. A mixture of heart-wrenching moments, balanced out by some very funny moments, provides you as a reader a ride on an emotional roller coaster.
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Awards
Whitcoulls Top 100 Books (96 — 2008)