Getting Over It: A Novel [Hardcover]

Anna Maxted (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 16, 2000

"Maybe it will be good for you to be on your own for a bit."
"Why?" I say in a bored tone.
Lizzy dabs her mouth with her napkin (her perfect lipstick remains perfect) and declares, "You've got to be happy alone before you can be happy with someone."
"Liz," I say, "did you read that in GirlTime?"
"I might have," says Lizzy airily. "So?"
"I wrote it."

Wickedly funny and unfailingly honest, Getting Over It charts the misadventures of Helen Bradshaw, a caustically charming twenty-something who isn't exactly living out her dreams. She's a lowly assistant editor at GirlTime magazine, drives an ancient Toyota, and has a history of choosing men who fall several thousand feet below acceptable boyfriend standard. Not to mention that she shares an apartment with a scruffy, tactless roommate, her best girlfriends are a little too perfect, and the most affectionate male in her life -- her cat, Fatboy -- occasionally pees in her underwear drawer.

Then Helen gets the telephone call she least expects: Her father has had a massive heart attack. Initially brushing off his death as merely an interruption in her already chaotic life (they were never very close, after all), Helen is surprised to find everything else starting to crumble around her. Her pushy mother is coming apart at the seams, a close friend might be heading toward tragedy, and, after the tequila incident, it looks as though Tom the vet will be sticking with Dalmatians. Turns out getting over it isn't going to be quite as easy as she thought.

Hilarious, wise, and compulsively readable, Getting over It marks the debut of one of the freshest, boldest new voices in women's fiction.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Had Maxted published this sharp, witty tale of a British woman's love life and real life before the Bridget Jones phenomenon, Fielding's novel might have been noted as a pale comparison. Written in a hip, readable, often poignant and always funny style, protagonist Helen Bradshaw's story is set in modern-day London, where the 20-something editorial assistant comes to terms with her father's death and her own life. The plot spans one year, beginning with the day Helen learns of her father's fatal heart attack. Helen struggles with faithless boyfriend, Jasper; her self-centered but sexy landlord, Marcus; and her solipsistic "best friend," Michelle. Meanwhile, her demanding and unsupportive boss at GirlTime magazine cracks the whip. A complex part of Helen's healing process is repairing her relationship with her overbearing mother, Cecilia, who, though she mourns her husband inconsolably, eventually finds new direction in her life. Helen discovers real love in the patient and humorous veterinarian, Tom, and she learns enough about real friendship to hold onto her loyal, true buddies Lizzy, Luke and Tina, saving the latter's life in the process. As she stumbles from one crisis to another, Helen is always likable, even if the decisions she makes often make the reader want to give her a good shake. Although the narrative tackles many issues, from the loss of a parent to the horrors of domestic violence, Maxted's bouncy, upbeat tone never falters. Revealing a touch for comic timing and versatility, she paints scenes of hilarious pratfalls, biting sarcasm and heart-wrenching pathos. While comparison between this work and Fielding's is unavoidable, Maxted's laugh-out-loud debut novel will come out ahead. (June)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Maxted, contributing editor to Cosmopolitan UK, has a quick wit and creates amusing characters in her first novel. Helen, the thirtyish heroine, is a features writer for a trendy women's magazine. She's reeling with grief at the sudden death of her father, and her stress is compounded by the neediness of her mother and grandmother. Helen has plenty more on her plate--she is being evicted from her apartment, she is trying to save a friend who is being abused by her fianc?, and her neurotic cat suffers a series of psychosomatic ailments. Behind the hilarious one-liners, there's a serious theme: it's tough for a young person to "be in charge" when a parent dies. Unfortunately, the appeal of this likable, if nonessential, novel will be limited in the United States by its many British colloquialisms. In addition, the book is far too long and loaded with slapstick scenes; its episodic content would have worked better as linked short stories. For larger collections.
-Joyce W. Smothers, Monmouth Cty. Lib., Manalapan, NJ
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow; 1st edition (May 16, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060393203
• ISBN-13: 978-0060393205
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (148 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,457,902 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

93 of 96 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific and Funny, August 14, 2000

By 

Elizabeth Hendry (New Jersey USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Getting Over It: A Novel (Hardcover)

Getting Over it is a fabulously funny novel and you'd have to be a complete sourpuss not to enjoy it. There were countless times as I read the novel that someone asked me what I was reading because I was laughing out loud. Anna Maxted has a tremendous talent and I look forward to reading anything else by her (hurry, please!). Getting Over It adds an additional, interesting layer over the typical humourous single woman in London story in that Helen, our heroine, must deal with the sudden death of her father and all of the complications that ensue (emotional problems, dealing with her mother, etc.) And yes, it is a romantic comedy, so we see her meet a guy, lose him, etc. All of Maxted's character's are terrific and entertaining. What really makes this book unique, however, is the humor. I highly recommend this book, but I warn you--don't read this in a crowd if you are prone to embarrassment, you won't be able to stop yourself from laughing out loud.

46 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wickedly funny and compelling read, August 4, 2000

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CoffeeGurl - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Getting Over It: A Novel (Hardcover)

I have fallen in love with this book! The comic timing is precise and the story is infectious and enchanting. Anna Maxtet is -- without a doubt -- one of the funkiest and boldest new voices in contemporary fiction. Helen Bradshaw is a great heroine; Bridget Jones has got nothing on her!

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. Getting Over It is one of those rare treasures that should be read again and again. I strongly recommend this title. Now roll along and get it!

49 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Sequel Please!, July 10, 2000

By 

Sue Olsen "susanolsen" (San Francisco) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Getting Over It: A Novel (Hardcover)

I first picked up Getting Over It, read the back cover, and immediately put it down due to lack of interest. Days later I was still desperate for a new book and, almost reluctantly, decided to give it a try. What a giant surprise! After reading so many generic books about the modern day life of a 20-30 year old woman, Getting Over It was anything but generic. After reading a book with Anna Maxted's witty style it's hard to go back to another author. No one is as creative, hilarious and insightful as Anna Maxted. She captures our insecurities while also showing our strengths. A book not only about romantic relationships but about those with our parents and friends as well. My mom has now read it and is recommending it, as it not only made her laugh, but gave her insight into her own relationship with her mother. Please write a sequel!