INCONCEIVABLE (Mass Market Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Despite their repeated efforts, Sam and Lucy Bell, the loving yet infertile protagonists of British comedian Elton's (Popcorn) romantic comedy, cannot conceive a baby. When Lucy decides that their childlessness is at least partly due to the stress brought on by their efforts to conceive, she insists that they each keep diaries, to privately sort out their thoughts and emotions. The two diaries tell the story, with often hilariously divergent perspectives on the couple's reproductive struggle. Yet sperm tests, full-moon "bonks" on Primrose Hill, annoying New Age home remedies and Lucy's long-distance "adoption" of an endangered baby gorilla are not their only concerns. Sam, a frustrated would-be writer, is in the middle of a creative block, and he is also on the verge of losing his less-than-enthralling job as an executive at the BBC. Lucy, meanwhile, is being pursued romantically by a dashing but arrogant clientDshe's a film agentDand against her wishes, Sam is secretly using their troubles and diaries as inspiration for the screenplay he is finally writing. Despite his betrayal, Sam remains sweetly endearing. Elton captures the spirit of the modern bloke and the confusion that arises from a desire to be sensitive to one's partner's emotional needs while fulfilling traditional expectations of manhood. Laced with hip, witty asides, this he-said she-said comedy handily overcomes a somewhat sluggish start and manages to be both touching and laugh-out-loud funny. The book may receive some attention via the film Maybe Baby, based on this novel, directed by Elton and released in Australia this past August. (Dec.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From Booklist

Trying to become pregnant can turn sex into an act of forced labor and drudgery. Fortunately, talents like the U.K.'s Elton can turn it all on its head to create a laughing-out-loud novel in which Lucy, using thermometers, New Age remedies, and specimen jars, "keeps trying," and husband Sam, who's a BBC executive, "keeps going along with it all." As this marital tragicomedy unfolds, readers are made privy to the couple's alternating diary entries, thus seeing them as they see each other and themselves, all too often a most incongruent mix. Though married for more than a decade, these two, like so many couples, seem to know precious little about each other and even less about themselves. Lucy's demands almost drive Sam insane, and the stress of "trying" eventually strains their marriage until they hilariously and hurtfully betray each other. Elton strives for a balance between tearful poignancy and belly laughs, and, happily, often succeeds in this clever, entertaining, and timely novel. Whitney Scott
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 366 pages
• Publisher: Transworld; 1st Paperback Edition edition (June 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0552146986
• ISBN-13: 978-0552146982
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #823,148 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Ben stretching the limits, June 16, 2002

By	Michael J Harrington (Phoenix, Arizona USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Inconceivable (Paperback)

Ben took a chance on this one, writing from 'his' and 'hers' side, as he has always been keen on presenting an equal view of the hell that males and females must go through in life itself.

This is a daring book, written by a man to capture both 'sides' of the subject of the difficulty of having a kid when it doesn't happen 'naturally'. Ben pulls it off like a champ - he is one funny guy, yet very sensitive and intelligent on his approach to any subject he writes about. You end up getting a great laugh out of today's trials and tribulations of life. As other reviewers had said, it is worthwhile getting to know some of the British 'slang' to get more out of the book, however this book does not require a full translation, so American readers should not have too much trouble as the context will tip most off.

This is not his best work (check out Gridlock or Stark), however it has the signature Elton humor throughout, and not the kind that takes someone from Great Britian to understand. (He has left the enjoyment 'at home')

The bottom line is that any one in need of reading a book with a bit of humor that raises an issue or 2, this is your cuppa!

happy reading,
mike

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not anywhere near as good as his earlier work, February 18, 2002

By	J.Michael Campbell (Right Here) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Inconceivable (Paperback)

I have read all his other work over the years and come to expect twisting plot turns every bit as funny as his writing, however in this book nothing could be further from the case. It is due the format being basically a 'novel a clef' (a book made up of letters like Dangerous Liaisons) and it's is so predictable its annoying. Honestly -- you could start reading at page 208 (in my UK version) and still not miss anything in the conclusion. Except that is for as many similes as could humanly be fit onto each page. If I had a penny for each one I could recoup the cost of this book and pay for the cab ride there. The scenes are repetitious, just slightly modified- as is much of the commentary and it seems Ben is writing just to listen to himself talk at times. It probably took as long to write as it does to read and if it wasn't from the ''important and mouldbreaking'' (Elton, 26) Ben Elton it would be very hard to find in bookstores. My advice: read Stark; read Gridlock; read Popcorn; read This Other Eden -- but don't waste your time on this. Or start at page 208.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful read, March 6, 2001

By	chicago mom (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Inconceivable (Paperback)

This is the first book I've read by Ben Elton, and I don't think it will be the last. It was a truly wonderful book particularly focusing on both sides of the infertility issue. I found it to be a very accurate portrayal, and it touched a nerve, as I am currently trying to start my own family. So I can definitely relate. Even so, I know that I would have enjoyed the book even if I didn't know any better.

Although the issue of infertility can be stressful for couples, he puts it into a funny, and yet very realistic spin. And I far more enjoyed reading Sam's narrative of events as opposed to Lucy's. I realize that it's a burdensome situation for both of them, yet I think that Lucy's character could have been written with maybe a little more sympathy. I found it hard to like her (my only complaint).

At first, I had to become accustomed to the writing style of the book. It's written as two diaries put together, almost like a 'he said', she said scenario. Truthfully, I wasn't pleased when I learned of that, but as time went on, I slowly lost focus of that and instead found myself eager to see the very polar opposite reactions to the same situations exemplified from both Sam and Lucy.