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| Edition |
Paperback |
| List Price
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$15.00
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$10.20
(Save 32%)
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| Published by | Plume |
| Release date | 2008-05-27 |
| ISBN | 0452289440 |
| Availability | Usually ships in 24 hours |
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The New York Times bestseller by one of the best-loved authors in women?s fiction
With this life-affirming tale of friendship and fate, Jane Green once again shows why she is a nationally bestselling author with legions of loyal fans. The story of a group of people who haven?t seen each other since they were best friends in school, they reunite when one of them dies in a terrible tragedy. Recapturing the intimacy of their younger days, they are each surprised at the impact their encounter brings. Warm, witty, and as wise as ever, Second Chance will strike a chord with anyone who is still trying to figure life out.
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Customer Reviews - courtesy of Amazon.com ( Marked4Sale.com is not responsible for review content )
Sweet Reunion Story
This is a sweet, light story about a group of friends from high school who have lost touch and moved on with a life of their own, with the exception of Tom. He was the one string that kept in touch and tied them all together. He had a very special, touching relationship with each of them, and when Tom died in an unexpected and tragic terror attack, it brought everyone back together.
Each friend had their own troubles to find a way to deal with, without Tom. Once they got back together, they helped each other through break ups, alcoholism and families. Of course there is a happy ending and they suddenly remain in contact from that point on, but sometimes it takes a tragedy to show you what's important.
If Soap Opera were a book genre...
If Soap Opera were a book genre, this book would be a soap opera. Lots of personal drama, lots of dialogue. The drama sinks to melodrama too often for my taste, such as when a newly fatherless child comes up to her grieving mommy at the microphone DURING the funeral (uh...yeah) and says as clear as a bell, "Is this heaven, Mummy? Can we see daddy now?" And one main character is named "Saffron," who of course grows up to be a famous movie star. (Well, with a name like Saffron, what else is she going to grow up to be?)
Speaking of the children, I never got a sense of how old they were. The author treats them like toddlers most of the time, such as in the funeral scene I just mentioned. But later they're playing Monopoly with the adults.
My biggest problem with the book is that it is 100% pro divorce. I had a huge problem with the breezy "I'm unhappy! He's a jerk! I've had it! I deserve a divorce!" approach to the dissolution of a family, and the heck with the kids. The main character here completely, and I mean COMPLETELY, disregards her children's possible feelings. I say "possible" because the children are never even mentioned in this regard, as if as long as they are babysat by good good friends of mummy's, and as long as they have their biscuits and films on the telly, and have their mummy...all will be fine for them, of course! of course! Why even mention otherwise?
Speaking of mummy and biscuits, the Brit speak is very tiresome. Some slang and idioms translate okay--like I know the car's "boot" is the trunk. But I never heard teasing called "give him the piss" or whatever, and that phrase, repeated twice, stopped me cold and dragged me out of the story, which isn't that deep to begin with.
A fun enough read, and I bet I'll remember Holly, Will and "Saff" for a while, so not a total loss if you are not bothered by casual, serial divorce, and you like a light chick lit read. And I'm not just giving you the piss.
Second Chance
Enjoyed this fiction novel. Well written and a delightful story of old friendships and how much they mean as we grow older.
Boring and reads like other novels of late....
"Second Chance" focuses on the lives of former school friends who are brought back together after one of their old friends, Tom dies in a terrorist attack (yep you read that right a terrorist attack). As usual (or in her most recent novels) Jane Green has way too many characters going through turmoil constantly that does not allow the reader to really engage with any of them.
The characters:
Holly, (who I think Green wants to portray as the main heroine) a mother of two, married to a controlling husband, and now thinks that Tom was the love of her life and who is now dealing with having a crush on Tom's brother.
Saffron, a Hollywood actress who is having an affair with a married Hollywood actor and is also a recovering alcoholic.
Olivia, has broken up with her long-time boyfriend.
Paul, who has been trying to have a baby with his wife.
I think Jane Green would have been better served in just writing a novel focusing on one main character as it went I ended up finishing the book and just being glad that I was done with it and didnt care about any of the characters. All in all this was a very disappointing read for me and I think I am going to skip buying anymore of Jane Green's novels unless I hear some positive things about it.
Wish I hadn't purchased this book
I've read "Babyville" by Jane Green and it was ok, not amazing to the point where I would refer the book to friends and colleagues, but just "ok" ... nothing to rave about; so I thought purchasing "Second Chances" would change my mind and give author Jane Green another (second) chance for me to get into her way of writing, but alas, no chance.
I could not get through chapter 2 of this book, until I wanted to throw it into the firey pit and never buy another Jane Green book. I would've made myself finish the book, but couldn't put that punishment onto myself. I will return the book and purchase another (non Jane Green books, of course).
Sorry, I thought I could like this author's way of writing, but not going happen.
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