Book Review: Life Swap

Book: Life Swap (US Title: Swapping Lives)

Genre: Chick Lit / Contemporary Fiction

Author: Jane Green

Cover Critique:

These days, with easy-to-use softwares that can produce amazing graphics, there is an abundance of beautiful covers in the market. So, quite tough to grab reader’s attention with something unique which can stand out among other books sitting on stands. In this case, the superb quality of what’s inside the book, does not match with what’s outside, i.e. the cover!

There have been so many covers over the years due to re-print and new editions of the book (as you can see below!). I like the latest one which I posted at the top, though I think it can be made a lot more attractive with better graphic skills. Since, this is not a judging factor as to how well the book is written, I will not cut any points because of a slightly let-down cover.

Book Blurb:

From the outside Vicky Townsley would appear to have it all. Features Director of the hugely successful Poise! magazine, she lives alone in London, is single and seriously successful. But she'd give it all up in a heartbeat for marriage, children, and a house in the country. Amber Winslow on the other hand, has exactly what Vicky Townsley wants; a huge stone mansion in Connecticut, children and a busy charitable commitment for the local Women's League.

But Amber isn't happy either. She hasn't found quite the fulfilment she had expected from being a full-time wife and mother, so when she spots a double page spread in Poise! magazine asking married readers to life swap with a glamorous, single journalist in London, she sits down and writes a letter. But she never expects to be picked... (Courtesy: Amazon.com)

Review:

While browsing through local bookstore, I picked up this book and what a gem I discovered! This is the first book I read from Jane Green (I am surprised I did not know about this best-selling author before!). I am looking forward to reading her upcoming release, “The Patchwork Marriage” (already put it in my Amazon Wish List so I can buy it as soon as it releases!).

This book tells the story of two women who are desperately wishing for something that they do not have. As you can easily figure out from the blurb, Vicky is a thirty plus single woman from London, who wishes to have a married life with a loving husband, beautiful kids, big house and a cute dog. On the other side of the Atlantic, there lives Amber whose life includes all these above-mentioned things but she is still not satisfied emotionally and longs to fill the void inside her.

Both women wonder as to what it is like to live their dream-life but when they are given the opportunity to step in other person’s shoes, they realise how difficult it is and it turns out to be a journey for them to rediscover themselves and figure out what they actually want from life.

Whether you are single or married, this book will touch your emotional chords in many ways. With Jane’s addictive and inspiring writing, your thoughts will keep circling around these two women and you will be turning pages swiftly to know what will happen until the end of the book. I myself read those 480 pages in one sitting, because I just could not seem to get Jane’s heroines out of my mind.

Unlike most chick-lit novels having plastic heroines, Jane has created life-like, real characters that you can easily empathize and sympathize with. They make you think if this situation happened to you, you may have reacted the same way. I love to read about characters who are flawed and imperfect, having quirks and madness that we can all relate to and this book did just that!

Among the supporting cast, I loved how the character of Richard changed from being the embodiment of all-perfect to vulnerable and messed up. My most favourite character has to be little Grace, who in many ways is the real-Amanda - a reflection of what she used to be before she became “the desperate social climber itching to get out”. I was so glad to see that Jane did not chose the predictable ending but left it open-ended though on a positive note.

By constructing a modern and realistic story, showing how the dynamics of relationships have changed over the years, “Life Swap” is a well-crafted and mature novel written in the most heart-warming manner by Jane Green. It is an indirect commentary on the social skills such as dating, marriage, love, sex and parenting and yet manages to stay engaging and exciting with the right amount of humour and a touch of glamour here and there.

One of my favourite books are those which enlighten me and entertain me at the same time and this book did both skilfully! I would love to quote a beautiful line from this book which is so uplifting. I know it has been said before many times but some things should be reminded in life again and again, so here it is:

“It’s not what you think about that matters in life, it’s what you actually do about it”.

Do I still need to tell you that you must read this book if you have a mature taste that goes beyond pretty shoes and pink nails? Highly recommended for those who have ever considered “the road not taken”.

Review Girl Rating: 10/10

To purchase this book, click here.

About the Author:

Jane Green is a former journalist who gave up her job on the Daily Express to write a real woman's account of being single in the city. That account became Jane's first novel, Straight Talking. A huge success, Straight Talking was followed by ten more bestselling novels: Jemima J, Mr Maybe, Bookends, Babyville, Spellbound, the Other Woman, Life Swap, Second Chance, The Beach House and Girl Friday. Jane lives with her husband and children in Connecticut.

Here is an interesting latest interview I found of her and thought her fans would love to listen to it. Enjoy!

Book Review: Unimagined

Book: Unimagined – A Muslim boy meets the West

Genre: Autobiography/ Contemporary Non-Fiction/ Memoir

Author: Imran Ahmad

Cover critique:

Different covers have been released since the publication of this book in 2007. Even the tag line keeps on changing, to give it an updated look. The cover given above is the one that I have purchased so I thought to use its tagline. Though the most recent title of this book is, "Unimagined: Muhammad, Jesus and James Bond". I like the colour scheme used in the above given cover, red and white, far better than the rest of the covers. The only thing which remains constant in all covers is Imran Ahmad's childhood picture, which I think is a very creative idea for a book of this genre. It is a cute and fun idea to keep the cover interesting unlike other non-fiction book covers. I think all covers are good but I could not help noticing this cover in Indonesian language (Below: Centre). I find it the most apt and convincing (kind of funny too!) for this entertaining and amusing memoir.

Did anyone notice the edited picture with Jaguar XJS (his favourite car) in his hand?
 If you notice closely, it is absent in the rest of the covers!

Review:

The book is about the journey of a Pakistani born Muslim who is brought up in a British culture in the 1960’s. With poignant incidents from his life, told in the most profound and hilarious way possible, this memoir exposes the perspective of a Muslim who learns to find a middle path and a balance between the two contrasting cultures. The chapters unfold his yearning to be counted as a part of the Western society while staying intact with his roots.

As East meets the West, there are colliding notions and preconceptions, in the wake of socio-political identity mayhem whose undercurrents are felt as we read between the lines of his stories. The cultural and religious demarcations get dissolved one by one, as he goes through small yet life-turning events. He recalls the days gone by fondly, while shifting from one stage of his life to another, which result in the development and metamorphosis of his own thoughts and concepts to ultimately achieve an identity for himself in this struggle for “fitting in” the Western society.

The book kicks off with his mother’s extremely difficult labour to finally deliver him into this world, described in just two pages in a filmy manner with the “heavy downpour” and a “splash of humour”. The very beginning sets the reader in the mood for forthcoming adventures and the whimsical overtures of this witty and clever writer. As we learn about his coming “second” in the Karachi Bonnie Baby Contest and his frustration on not winning the well-deserved first prize, he takes us with him to Manchester where his family arrives as “immigrants”. In the most human and gentle way, he paints the excruciating facts of the 60’s and 70’s Britain, needless to say which is quite different from present Britain.

The bigger issues of “racial discrimination”, “international affairs”, “political upheavals and historical events like India-Pakistan war”, “religious misconceptions between Christians and Muslims” are intertwined smartly with the descriptions of his school and college life through smaller issues like “peer pressure”, “jealousy”, “notions of sexuality, love and marriage”. The heaviness of these topics vanishes off with the remarkably funny anecdotes from his past life which made me laugh out loud while turning the pages swiftly to read it in one go.

The vivid memories of his childhood start from getting tricked by junior con artists and losing his precious Tarzan bubble gum cards collection, to participating in the Metropolitan Police school quiz. Getting bullied in the school as a shy kid to becoming a confident boy who passes the entrance exam to the local grammar school, he crosses many u-turns to enter his adult life. The writer goes on to narrate his brief interactions with the opposite sex, the questions which arise in his mind and the innocent answers which he devises, as a result of watching television shows:

“Unfortunately, it wrecks my theory of reproduction.......So, it’s not the getting married that causes pregnancy; it’s the going to bed together. As a result of this act, mind must trigger off the physical process of pregnancy”.

Then we come to know about his utmost desire to look and behave like his favourite hero, James Bond and to own and drive a car which he drives in the movie series, “Jaguar XJS”. As he blatantly writes:

“I have a longing for this kind of persona: that of Simon Templar or James Bond. A handsome and brave adventurer, loved by beautiful women and admired by all.”

The bold and honest approach, with which the writer discloses the secrets of his heart and mind, is truly worth-praising and made me feel that I was reading about a real person with faults and errors. Unlike many memoirs with diplomatic handling and tedious approach, this book served fresh and candid style of writing an autobiography. I was totally engrossed from its first chapter till the last because the writer manages superbly in generalizing his story with so many of us, so that we can relate to his life. It is indeed a thought-provoking book which can be read on many levels. Being born and bred in Pakistan and living in England, the book helped me gain an insight into globalization and the constantly changing face of British as well as Muslim culture.

The book is thin with its short and crisp chapters but contains thick matter, especially if one likes to dissect the psychological ramifications of experiences in one’s life. I could not find any negative points as there is not a single dull moment and one rarely stumbles upon such a great piece of literature. It is going in my “favourite books collection” as I will surely be reading it again and again. As it is both enjoyable and mind-boggling, I would highly recommend it! 

To buy this book, click here.

Review Girl Rating: 10/10

 

About the Author:

Imran Ahmad is an impressive public speaker and has appeared on many media platforms such as BBC television, Sky television, SBS television (Australia), Voice of America television, Press TV, National Public Radio, BBC radio (many times), Radio Australia, and ABC Radio National (Australia). Besides writing his successful memoir, he has travelled all over the world as part of his corporate career. Want to know more about the author? Then go to his website by clicking here.