Running in Heels [Kindle Edition]

Anna Maxted (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Is using men and then complaining about how tough it is being a single woman funny? Maxted apparently thinks so, since that is the basis for the first third of her sophomore comic effort (following the well-received Getting Over It), before it veers without warning into the psychology of eating disorders and self-hatred. Natalie Miller, 20-something Londoner, is less than enthusiastic about her sensible boyfriend, Saul. To make matters worse, her best friend, Babs, is getting married, leaving Natalie feeling abandoned. So Natalie takes up with a bad boy who wants to teach her how to be bad, too. Soon, Natalie's hair begins falling out an early warning signal that she's taken her flirtation with anorexia too far and it's Babs to the rescue, functioning as both savior and voice of reason as Natalie gets her comeuppance, finally realizing that people shouldn't be judged by their bodies and that she needs to accept herself. While Maxted, former associate editor of Cosmopolitan UK, understands anorexia well, she has crafted a singularly unsympathetic heroine, one for whom taking up Pilates represents a major life-change. When self-absorbed and childish Natalie complains to her mother that she's sick of being quiet, three-quarters of the way into this bloated whine-fest, fatigued readers will wish that not talking enough really was her problem. Never mind the breakneck pace implied by the title; this one plods along in plimsolls, far too long for a Britcom. Agent, Deborah Gelfman. (June 1)Forecast: Maxted scored big with Getting Over It, and her latest, with its sassy yellow jacket, will likely be a popular beach accessory this summer. Still, this isn't the frothy fun one might expect, and sales probably will slump when word gets out.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Maxted's Getting Over It was accused of being a Bridget Jones clone, but it was more than that. Now the Cosmopolitan U.K. contributing editor expands her repertoire with this story of Natalie, who fears she's all alone when best friend Barbara marries.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 658 KB
• Print Length: 432 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0060988258
• Publisher: HarperCollins e-books (October 13, 2009)
• Sold by: HarperCollins Publishers
• Language: English
• ASIN: B000FC2902
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (95 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #224,074 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Witty and Entertaining, May 31, 2001

By 

"ej22" (Provo, UT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Running in Heels: A Novel (Hardcover)

Running in Heels is a deliriously funny romp through Natalie Miller's life. It is thoroughly entertaining and tackles some fairly serious issues along the way. While at times frustrating, Natalie is a lovable character and has some of the funniest friends in London apparently. Although not as good as Getting Over It (one of my all time favorite books), if you liked it, you will definitely like Running in Heels.

Anna Maxted has such a grasp on human emotions and behavior, I felt at times as though she had seen my innermost thoughts and put them on paper. I applaud her honesty and sincerity. You won't be able to put this book down until you've turned the last page!

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Running in heels would have been more fun..., December 11, 2003

By 

Dianna Johnston "Compulsive Reader" (Joplin, MO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Running in Heels: A Novel (Paperback)

I had really high hopes for this book, especially after loving Anna Maxted's first book, Getting Over It. I am sad to say that Running in Heels did not match up to my expectations.

While not a bad book by any means, I did have a problem with it. The main character has major issues, and it was frustrating reading about her troubles without her doing anything about them. Of course, I understand that there are a lot of people like that in real life, but for some reason this book rubbed me the wrong way anyway.

Running in Heels tells the story of a woman named Natalie who spends a whole lot of time mourning her best friend, who recently got married. She also indulges in a good-for-nothing boyfriend, whines a lot, and -- out of the clear-blue -- suddenly has an eating disorder. That's pretty much what the book is about. It is definitely not a plot-driven story, but more of a slice-of-life sort of thing. And while that may be okay for some, I prefer a little more meat and substance to my books, and Running in Heels did not provide that for me.

This, of course, is just my opinion. I'm sure there are a lot of people out there who would enjoy this novel. It all depends on what you like reading and what you are looking for. On the upside, I do not regret the time I spent reading this book.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another great novel by Maxted, June 26, 2001

By 

Shaz "oi-you!" (Naples, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Running in Heels: A Novel (Hardcover)

When I read the Publishers Weekly review of this book, I felt disappointed. Months of waiting for a new Maxted book, and it gets panned by a critic. Apparently I'm one of the few people who liked this book. Helen Bradshaw, our (s)hero in "Getting Over It" was a much more likable character, someone we could easily be friends with. Natalie Miller (the first-person storyteller in RIH) is a continent of dysfunctional issues; anorexia (which eventually turns to a flirtation with bulimia), parental abandonment, and bordem that leads to ditching her boyfriend and dating a "bad boy". To make matters worse, Nat's best friend Babs gets married and (as a newly married couple usually does)finds she has less time to pursue her friendship with Nat. Working as PR rep for a London ballet company does nothing to help Nat see the error of her non-eating ways, either. Nat's father left them when Nat was a teenager, leaving her mother to coo and coddle her older brother Tony, but left Nat to wallow in the "I'll never be good enough" puddle. All this crazy factors help the reader to understand why Natalie is the way she is. Most people saw it as her being a whiner; I saw a girl with enormous issues that couldn't get out of her own way. I thought this novel was a very honest portrayl of a girl with body and abandonment issues, something too many girls are struggling with today (read "Reviving Ophelia"). WHy did I like it so much? Maxted's hilarious and brilliant humor is still present amidst the serious stuff- I still maintain she is one of the masters of funny similes and expressions. If you're hemming and hawing on whether or not to get this book, don't go by what the critics say. Read and decide for yourself. Defenitely not as great as "Getting Over It", but so what? I applaud Maxted on drifting into unchartered territory. Besides, she never promised to write "Getting Over It II", did she?