Bookends: A Novel - Hardcover

Green, Jane

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0767907809 ISBN 13: 9780767907804

Publisher: Broadway Books, 2002

Synopsis

On the heels of her national bestsellers Jemima J and Mr. Maybe, British sensation Jane Green delivers a sparkling tale of old friends reunited and old jealousies rekindled.

Catherine Warner and Simon Nelson are best friends: total opposites, always together, and both unlucky in love. Cath is scatterbrained, messy, and–since she had her heart broken a few years back–emotionally closed off. Si is impossibly tidy, bitchy, and desperate for a man of his own. They live in London’s West Hampstead along with their lifelong friends, Josh and Lucy, who are happily married with a devil-spawn child and a terrifying Swedish nanny, Ingrid.

All’s well (sort of) until the sudden arrival of a college friend–the stunningly beautiful Portia, who’s known for breaking hearts. Though they’ve grown up and grown apart from Portia, the four friends welcome her back into the fold. But does Portia have a hidden agenda or is she merely looking to reconnect with old friends? Her reappearance soon unleashes a rollicking series of events that tests the foursome’s friendships to the limit and leaves them wondering if a happy ending is in store.

Fortunately, Cath has plenty to take her mind off Portia’s schemes–like her gutsy decision to leave her job in advertising to fulfill her dream of opening a bookstore. And then there’s James, the sexy real-estate agent who keeps dropping by even after the bookstore deal is done. With his irresistible smile and boyish charm could he be the one to melt Cath’s heart?

Told with Jane Green’s captivating wit and flare, Bookends is above all a story about friendship–its twists, turns and complications–and how it weathers the challenges of love, ambition, marriage, and, most of all, growing up. Warmhearted, sophisticated, and full of delicious surprises, Bookends is Green’s most dazzling novel yet.

About this title

Review:

Bookends, Jane Green's third comic novel of contemporary love and lust, proves beyond a doubt that when it comes to light reading, plot is everything. Bookends makes a great case study because it has little going for it besides plot. Dialogue? Stilted. Characters? Clichéd. Writing style? Sloppy. And yet the book is well-nigh impossible to put down. A few friends meet at university: Simon, the chirpy gay character; Portia, the glamour girl; Josh, the adorable, unpretentious catch; and Cath, the overweight, insecure narrator. Portia strays from their crowd, but the other three remain friends into their 30s. Now successful Londoners, each faces a personal crisis: singleton Cath leaves a secure job to start a bookstore; Simon looks for love; Josh's marriage goes through growing pains. And then Portia, as intimidating and elegant as ever, wanders back into their lives--with surprising results. Green is a past master of the ugly-duckling-turned-swan story. Cath's transformation--neatly echoed by the changes in the lives of her friends--is completely addictive. Plot does indeed rule. --Claire Dederer

From the Back Cover:

"Green gives readers a loably imperfect protagonist, a heart-to-heart narrative voice and a bumpy, error-strewn highway to romance. Bottom line: Pluck it off the shelf."
-People

"A near-perfect romantic wish-fulfillment fantasy...only the coldest hearts will not be warmed."
-Kirkus Reviews

"Single or spoken for, you'll find a character you can relate to in this page-turner about dating, marriage, parenthood, career goals, jealousy and of course love."
-iVillage

"You'll love this one...a bit of candy perfect for the bath, pool, or beach."
-Lexington Express

"Page-turningly irresistible...[Green] has perfect pitch."
-Connecticut Post

"Quick, witty, unputdownable and perfect beach reading. Don't miss it."
-Mirror (London)

"A hugely enjoyable novel about love and friendship."
-Express (London)

"The author of the successful Mr. Maybe does it again."
– She (London)

"Funny and poignant--you'll devour it in one sitting."
-Comopolitan (London)

About this edition

• Publisher: Broadway Books
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0767907809
• ISBN 13: 9780767907804
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 358