Book Review: Sushi for Beginners by Marian Keyes

Disclaimer: This is my personal opinion. Proceed at your own risk. And spoiler ahead. 

I chanced upon this book in Central Market, nearly completing my mission to finish her writings.

 

This time around, it is about three women who felt their lives are crumbling apart. Lisa was a career-oriented woman, always trying outdo everyone, killing everyone's hope and making remarks that degrade others. For so long, she has been eyeing the editor role in Manhattan, only to find herself being flung to Ireland.

 

Then there was Ashling who happened to work in Ireland and tried to get a job in a magazine. She was lucky enough because she was taken by the company which took Lisa. Good luck? Not just yet because she felt that her bosses do not like Miss Fix-It.

 

And then there was Clodagh, Ashling's bestfriend. Despite a loving husband, two kids and no worry for money, Clodagh felt everything was a drab. She tried find a way to spice things up. She tried looking for a job and then turning it down.

 

Lisa was not being nice to Ashling, Ashling tried to treat her right (well, she does that to everyone) and Clodagh end up stealing her bestfriend's boyfriend (again). And what a mess that turned out to be.

 

Lisa's life got sorted, Ashling found someone for her and Clodagh got the mess she asked for.

 

All in all, the book is as funny as other Keyes' writing. The title was for the part when Jack Devine (who don't really like Ashling in the beginning) taught her on how to eat sushi when she found out her good-for-nothing comedian boyfriend was two-timing her.

 

I was particularly interested in Clodagh's ending though. She had an easy life; two extremely cute kids, a loving and good-looking husband, good looks but instead of being grateful, she kept asking for more. Instead of sorting things out with her husband, she decided to have an affair. Of course she was happy for like two minutes before the sky caved in. Her husband left her and even divorced her, cancelled her credit card and really having to struggle for both kids this time and lost Ashling as her bestfriend. It got me into thinking, she could have done something to spruce up her life instead of getting involved with a guy who 'Bellaz-moi'-ed her right?

 

Conclusion: Definitely for light reading (am taking a break from Stephen King's story) and expect to be tickled with Keyes antics. Recommended reading but beware because it is very addictive.

 

P/S: Now reading 'Me and Mr Darcy' from Alexandra Potter. Read Girl Meets Ape from Chris Manby but to mediocre to review.