Customer Reviews

Ten Men

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

 

 

I checked this book out of the library based on the promise of the first sentence, in a Chapter entitled "The Virgin": "It is one of the wonders of the twenty-first century that a beautiful, brilliant and broad-shouldered man could reach almost forty without someone, somewhere convincing him it was time to drop his guard -- or his underpants." Shades of Jane Austen, I thought, could be amusing. Unfortunately, not very amusing after all. The narrator cutely names all her lovers, The Virgin, The Schoolmaster, The Lawyer, The Lover, The Lord, The Billionaire, The Actor... and recounts in excruciating detail her pathetic encounters. Seems to be a thinly-fictionalized memoir, and really, who cares? The only ones who were any good were quickly dropped, and she unaccountably and boringly chases after the cads. Waste of time, and waste of a good premise.

I picked up this book thinking it was an interesting premise. I thought it would be a somewhat light summer read. But was I in for a surprise! It's more dark than fun, more eerie than uplifting. At times, I had trouble imagining the events of the book occuring in the 21st century. Or maybe it's just my lack of experience with British aristocracy, ie the Lord and the Billionaire (2 of the 10 men).

It's different .... if you want some darkness and eerieness in a novel, read this. Also, the writing style was quite beautiful. I'd recommend it for the writing style and the poetry of the words in itself. It's just not a story that will leave you exhilarated.

In assessing this book as chick-lit? It's really a very well defined genre right now, and just because the protagonist sleeps with ten men, doesn't make it chick-lit. The novel is dark and dreary (really); the main protagonist comes across not as courageous but as immesurably whiny.

I'm surprised at the reviews and reviewers also, one of whom dubbed this a true successor to Bridget Jones--there is no way Gray can measure up to Fielding's witty style.

The book has very few redeeming features. The writing is leaden, weighs you down (where was her editor?) and add to that the darkness of the book, it's suffocating.

There's a blurb at the back from some Suzanne Finnamore who felt "inadequate as a writer more than once" upon reading this book. Well. All I can say is if THIS book makes you feel inadequate, perhaps you shouldn't quit your day job.

I agree that the story is a bit dark, but I loved the authors writing style and use of language. These men are based on the authors past relationships(so I've read in an interview), so its not "average chick lit". However, I would recommend this book for the prose alone.