The Other Side of the Story: A Novel [Paperback]

Marian Keyes (Author)

Book Description

Release date: April 11, 2006

Jojo Harvey is a dead ringer for Jessica Rabbit and the most ferocious literary agent in town. A former NYPD cop, she now lives in London making million-dollar book deals while trying to make partner at her firm . . . all the while sleeping with the boss man.

Lily Wright is an author who believes in karma, and is waiting for the sky to fall after stealing her former best friend's man. Though her first book failed to sell, her life turns upside down when her most recent book becomes a huge bestseller.

Gemma Hogan is an event designer extraordinaire, but her personal life is nonexistent after losing the love of her life and her best friend in one fell swoop. To make matters worse, her father has just left her mother. While taking care of her mother, she e-mails a close colleague about her frustrations, who in turn forwards the hilarious e-mails to a famous literary agent named Jojo Harvey, who just happens to represent her former friend, now enemy, Lily Wright. . . .

Written in the charming and chatty voice that has become Marian Keyes's signature style, this hilarious and heartwarming novel proves there are three sides to every story . . . especially in the world of publishing!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This rambling, chatty audiobook draws listeners in slowly (sometimes painstakingly so) as it follows the lives of three dynamic women—jilted Gemma Hogan; literary agent Jojo Harvey; and bestselling English author Lily Wright, who "stole" Gemma's boyfriend Anton. Gemma, hurt and betrayed by her best friend's actions, must put her emotions on hold to care for her mam after her dad takes off with a younger woman. Reader Donnelly enthusiastically captures Mam's dour Irish voice and Gemma's younger, more innocent one. Her energetic reading style also helps sustain readers during the book's plodding moments, such as when Keyes describes the happenings of Gemma's work day, her drive home, her trips to the chemist and so on. The details don't let up when the story abruptly shifts its focus to Jojo, who works at a prestigious London firm. Donnelly doesn't quite capture Jojo's American accent, but the English accent she adopts for Lily is spot-on. On the whole, Donnelly does a fine job narrating this marathon-length audiobook, and though it takes a while for the pace to pick up, listeners will be wrapped up in the characters' lives by the story's end.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

The impressively prolific Irish novelist is back with yet another delightful tale featuring three clever, totally mad women. Gemma Hogan is going through a bit of a rough patch, and it all starts with her haircut. Although she thinks she looks like Liza Minnelli in Cabaret, her friends keep greeting her with the words, "Live long and prosper." In addition, her dad has run away from home. She must tend to her incredibly needy mom while juggling her job and trying to recover from losing the love of her life, Anton, to her friend Lily "Every Man for Myself" Wright. Gemma has serious vengeance issues. Meanwhile, Lily, feeling terribly guilty about Gemma's unrequited love for Anton, has written a runaway best-seller and embarked on a home renovation spree with the profits, all of which is threatened when her second novel tanks. Her literary agent, ambitious Jojo Harvey, has done the previously unthinkable--become involved with her married boss. Packing every page with her trademark one-liners, the insightful Keyes has the ability to examine life, love, and work issues with great wit and aplomb. Sex and the City junkies will find a suitable replacement here--one with considerably more warmth and without the ugly clothes. Joanne Wilkinson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 528 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks; Reprint edition (April 11, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060731486
• ISBN-13: 978-0060731489
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 6.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (297 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #324,112 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Marian Keyes lived in London for ten years before returning to her native Dublin. After receiving a law degree and studying accounting, she began writing short stories in 1993. She is the author of three previous novels--Watermelon, Lucy Sullivan Is Getting Married, and Rachel's Holiday--all major bestsellers around the world.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Ok, But Not Great June 2, 2004

By Danielle

Format:Hardcover

I was very excited that Marian Keyes was coming out with a new book. I loved Lucy Sullivan, One Chance Saloon, Sushi for Beginners and, to a lesser extent, Watermelon. However, I found this one disappointing and a bit boring. I never felt emotionally attached to any of the characters, which with Keyes past books I had. I liked Gemma in the beginning, but by the end was sick of her. Lily was way to whinny and her and Anton's love at first sight was just too neat to justify the situation. Jojo's relationship problems just dragged on for too long that by the time the inevitable happened, I didn't care. Overall, that was probably my biggest problem with this book, everything was too prolonged, I would have liked to see more action.

On the plus side, Keyes did do a wonderful job of interweaving the main characters' stories. Even though I was disappointed with this book, I was still able to get through it relatively quickly, which is a testament to Keyes terrific writing style.

18 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved this book! June 1, 2004

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

I loved this book. I have read all of Marian's books and this was one of my favorites. I really felt like I knew these people by the end of the book and I couldn't wait to see how their story lines would be resolved. I enjoyed the format of the book - with several chapters at a time devoted to each character.

Marian, if you read the reviews (like Lily did...) way to go. I loved this book and have already recommended it to all of my friends.

29 of 37 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars What Goes Around Comes Around....Or Does It? April 15, 2004

By Antoinette Klein TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Hardcover

Marian Keyes' latest is a true gem which transports the reader to the thirty-something singles life of Dublin and London. With empathy and humor she tells the story of very believable women whose lives intertwine.

Gemma Hogan is a Special Events Planner in Dublin. She has recently lost the love of her life, and to make matters even more unbearable, said love is now happily ensconced with her former best friend Lily and the child they have together. Gemma seems to have enough heartbreak, but now her father has left her mother for his secretary, and Lily has not only captured Gemma's boyfriend but has written a best-selling novel, something Gemma has always wanted to do.

Meanwhile, Lily is not only wracked with guilt over the aforementioned theft of affections, but also having trouble coping with a non-working mate and the lack of money they must exist on. Child-care mishaps and a second novel that is more of an embarrassment than a bestseller add more pressure to Lily's life.

Jojo Harvey, a Jessica-Rabbit clone, enters the picture as the literary agent who represents Lily. But Jojo the dynamic businesswoman is also Jojo the homewrecker as she guiltily pursues a relationship with her very-married boss.

Add one more catalyst in the form of Susan, former best friend of both Gemma and Lily, who has moved to Seattle, Washington. Susan becomes Gemma's sounding board via email and is privvy to the intimate details of Gemma's disheveled life, her desperately needy mom, her non-boyfriend, and a certain chemist who fills prescription after prescription for her. Susan thinks the emails are so interesting to read that she wants to share them. Taking a calculated risk, she sends them to Jojo Harvey who agrees they would make a great book.

It's a merry-go-round of emotions with revenge, rejection, and disappointment having their day along with all the accompanying pandemonium of this inside look into the life of writers, editors, and publishers. It's Marian Keyes doing what she does best---telling a contemporary tale with all the humor and sadness that fills life. This is believable fiction that will appeal to everyone....except perhaps Mr. Burt Reynolds who does not fare too well in this one.