Customer Reviews

London Is the Best City in America

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

London is the kind of book you read because the author is just that good. At its most basic form, the storyline is not terribly innovative, overall - girl is in love with boy, girl leaves boy behind, girl is faced to revisit and analyze her decision some years later in order to grow beyond where and what she is. An earlier customer review stated "the book's message seems to be: you've got to make choices, and they must be realistic...what a surprise." The unexpected part of all this, though, is that the author has taken a template of so many relationships, so many lives, and crafted a way to tell you a story that you very well may already know - and yet don't want to miss a word. She talks to you, in a friend's voice, inviting you to participate in the journeys of these characters to which she has gifted life.

Put simply, you will *feel* when you read this. It's the kind of stuff that makes you smile and smirk and cry - sometimes really cry - and close your eyes after passages. The type of prose that you want to re-read out loud to someone else, sort of like sharing song lyrics that resonate. The type that's both personal and communal. Soon after I started, I found that I could only comfortably read it at home because I couldn't be honest enough anywhere else to really experience it the way that I unconsciously, unwillingly, inevitably did, every time.

Ms. Dave's art puts the reader in a place of self-reflection - striking a most impressive balance of suspending one's own reality while simultaneously discovering it. She has the ability to accurately detail the unspoken, unchartered territory of one's heart and give the reader an experience that is unexpected but hoped for all the while. I'm very pleased that a movie will be made from it, for the sole reason that both book and author will continue to receive well-deserved recognition. I also know, however, that a film will never manage to convey the details so beautifully articulated here, and that no matter how good the actor, there will be many emotions you'll feel when you read that are much more powerful than those you'll see.

This book, this author, does that. It is, wholly, a gorgeous debut.

Dave's book is funny, and real, and sad in the best ways imaginable -- you will feel for this family of characters, appreciate your mom, be reminded of all the hard questions about life and love, and wish, more than anything, for your own happy ending. A+ !!

I received my copy on Saturday and spent the whole weekend reading it- I couldn't put it down. London is the Best City in America is funny and so smart. I really connected to the main character Emmy and didn't want the story to end. I found out about Laura Dave after reading about her in a magazine- I'm so glad I found her and can't wait for her second book!

Considering the fact that this book has been in Amazon's "bargain bin" for a while, and that I only found the synopsis mildly intriguing, I was SHOCKED to find that this is one of the best novels I have read in a very long time!

No question about it, what makes this book so great are the characters - the story is technically rather slow-moving, and not terribly complex, taking place over one weekend. However, you will never notice or care about the pace of the plot because you will be so enthralled with the characters. Even the less likeable ones are still loveable and humorous in their own way. Every character in the novel is presented as a very "whole" human, with flaws and talents, reasons to love them and reasons to hate them; it is this completeness that endears them to you so much. You find yourself struggling along with the main character, constantly wishing for opposing outcomes to the story, because you want everyone to end up happy. The authenticity of the relationships and personalities in this novel are what make it shine. Nothing else needs to be said, you must see for yourself - do not miss out on reading this great novel!

Grade: A

Laura Dave is an extremely talented author! She has this ability to touch her readers through her beautifully written story. This is by far the best written story I have read in a very long time. As the previous reviewer mentioned earlier, although the story is not altogether original, Ms. Dave conveyed a very touching and personal story that made me reflect on my own life and journey. The reader must be prepared to laugh and cry. A definite must read!

This book is sweet and funny and a little bit heartbreaking. It's the kind of book that makes you remember. If you liked Dive From Clausen's Pier by Ann Packer, or Girl's Guide to Hunting and Fishing by Melissa Bank, I think you'll really enjoy this little ruby of first novel. Treat yourself to a tall gin and tonic and this book, on a hammock.

My girlfriend passed me this book after she stayed up into the morning reading it. It appeared to be targeted at women, but I loved it and raced thru it almost as quickly as my girlfriend had. This author is fully committed to her voice in a way that I haven't read in a while. Reading her is a kind of cozy, old-times feeling like hanging out with your high school best friend many years later.

The story is actually more about the narrator's brother than the narrator herself -- a welcome surprise for this male reader. But a welcome surprise also because this isn't some kind of story about a woman so self-involved that she can't see the world around her. Emmy, the narrator, adores her brother and, only through her very genuine but complicated love of her brother, does she begin to see her own issues.

Also, the writing is incredibly funny. Highly recommended for men and women.

I'm a big fan of Reese Witherspoon, so when I heard that she was optioning London is the Best City in America, I just had to pick it up and see what was so special about it, and once I did pick it up, I couldn't put it down. I even took it on a road trip and read it during the drive. I never read in a moving car due to motion sickness, but the story had completely grabbed my focus that I didn't feel sick one bit.

Laura Dave told an excellent story through the eyes of Emmy Everett. You can feel the lonliness and emptiness when Emmy recollects moments in the past, the stressful present and even future possibilities, for both Emmy and her brother Josh. Even though it seems like Josh's story is the main focus, Emmy's life gets an equal amount of, if not more, time in the spotlight. The story pokes at your insecurities and your worries. You suddenly find yourself fearing, in a caring sense, for the characters, wondering what will happen to them on the next page, then the next and essentially the end.

It's unpredictable and heartwrenching. Seemingly little moments are important and meaningful. Th story feels real and I can't wait to see how it'll translate on the big screen. Although I really hope that it'll become a movie, I already know I love the book more.

I loved the book and intend to read it several times, which I rarely ever do. The pacing was slow but completely appropriate. It was an easy read. Everything flowed well. Laura Dave's style is definitely my taste and I wish that she already had more books published. I can't wait for what she's going to give us next. I would actually love to follow up on Emmy Everett some time again.

You won't want to put this book down. I read it over the fourth of July - perfect timing and I could relate to almost every character. I already passed it on to a friend and copied a few pages from what the mother had to say in the end. Very inspiring.

I could not put this book down, I neglected everything around me, even my 5 month old! He had his father ;)
There was never a dull moment in this story, you feel so connected to the story as if you are there. It's funny, heartwarming & fun! I wanted more when I finished it! I look forward to the movie starring Reese W., so I've read.... This is a must to read :)