ARA Review by Neil Uys of The LIfe and Times of Angie Bardot
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Neil Uys
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ARA Review by Neil Uys of The LIfe and Times of Angie Bardot
[Following is an OnlineBookClub.org ARA Review of the book, The LIfe and Times of Angie Bardot.]
The Life and Times of Angie Bardot
Angela Bardot
Review by Neil Uys
After thirty-six years of trying to ‘play the role of perfect wife’, Angie’s marriage falters when her husband spends time pursuing an ambition to become a standup comedian, and then comes to an abrupt end when she discovers text messages between her husband and ‘Her’. She is not willing to forgive her husband, as this is the second ‘Her’, the second time he has strayed from his marriage vows. She leaves and a troublesome time ensues. She struggles on through Part One of her story entitled ‘HELL NO’.
Angie moves in with her son whilst scouting for a place of her own and waiting for the house to be sold. She takes a trip to Australia believing that the sale is concluded. There are problems with her airline tickets and whilst travelling she gets word that the sale had fallen through and the house needs to be refurnished to make it look ‘lived in.’ Angie then gets a place of her own, but the home is flooded by a sewage leak upstairs. Angie travels again, this time to Italy, where she suffers blood clot in her leg. After returning home, she begins to seek out new relationships via online dating. Angie’s daughter is obsessed with her carrying condoms, a discipline that she is lax about. She laments about her husband and his fads – golfing, fishing boating and others. At times one laughs out loud and of course there are times when want to cry with Angie.
The divorce is finally concluded and Angie moves on to Part Two of her story, ‘HELL YES’. But the transition is not without the ‘Hell’ followed by a few p’s.
Angie strides into her life as a single available woman. She retires from her job. She gains confidence in herself as an attractive person. Angie finds a new potential partner that she refers to as ‘Dreamboat’. Angie is not naïve in this relationship and as he also proves to be at times ‘Titanic’ and other times ‘leaking canoe.’ Angie is however now equipped to deal with him and his inconsistencies. There is no conventional ‘happily ever after’ but rather a growing inner strength in Angie.
This tragicomic tale is well written and holds the attention of the reader. The narrative is mostly conveyed in the first person past tense, but occasionally turns to the present tense where the author steps out of herself and engages in a sort of conversationalist tone with the reader, referring to Angie Bardot in the third person. This works well, giving more insight into Angie’s character. It also breaks up the main narrative, creating diversions and setting up other scenarios.
I would say that the probable target readership would be persons in middle age who might have some personal identification with the woes and joys of Angie, but her story should also appeal to younger readers who are embarking on the journey of life and relationships. If one must be negative, the narrative is at times a little repetitive, but this is a minor criticism, taking THE LIFE AND TIMES OF ANGIE BARDOT from a five to four star read.
4 out of 5 stars.
***
View The LIfe and Times of Angie Bardot on Bookshelves
The Life and Times of Angie Bardot
Angela Bardot
Review by Neil Uys
After thirty-six years of trying to ‘play the role of perfect wife’, Angie’s marriage falters when her husband spends time pursuing an ambition to become a standup comedian, and then comes to an abrupt end when she discovers text messages between her husband and ‘Her’. She is not willing to forgive her husband, as this is the second ‘Her’, the second time he has strayed from his marriage vows. She leaves and a troublesome time ensues. She struggles on through Part One of her story entitled ‘HELL NO’.
Angie moves in with her son whilst scouting for a place of her own and waiting for the house to be sold. She takes a trip to Australia believing that the sale is concluded. There are problems with her airline tickets and whilst travelling she gets word that the sale had fallen through and the house needs to be refurnished to make it look ‘lived in.’ Angie then gets a place of her own, but the home is flooded by a sewage leak upstairs. Angie travels again, this time to Italy, where she suffers blood clot in her leg. After returning home, she begins to seek out new relationships via online dating. Angie’s daughter is obsessed with her carrying condoms, a discipline that she is lax about. She laments about her husband and his fads – golfing, fishing boating and others. At times one laughs out loud and of course there are times when want to cry with Angie.
The divorce is finally concluded and Angie moves on to Part Two of her story, ‘HELL YES’. But the transition is not without the ‘Hell’ followed by a few p’s.
Angie strides into her life as a single available woman. She retires from her job. She gains confidence in herself as an attractive person. Angie finds a new potential partner that she refers to as ‘Dreamboat’. Angie is not naïve in this relationship and as he also proves to be at times ‘Titanic’ and other times ‘leaking canoe.’ Angie is however now equipped to deal with him and his inconsistencies. There is no conventional ‘happily ever after’ but rather a growing inner strength in Angie.
This tragicomic tale is well written and holds the attention of the reader. The narrative is mostly conveyed in the first person past tense, but occasionally turns to the present tense where the author steps out of herself and engages in a sort of conversationalist tone with the reader, referring to Angie Bardot in the third person. This works well, giving more insight into Angie’s character. It also breaks up the main narrative, creating diversions and setting up other scenarios.
I would say that the probable target readership would be persons in middle age who might have some personal identification with the woes and joys of Angie, but her story should also appeal to younger readers who are embarking on the journey of life and relationships. If one must be negative, the narrative is at times a little repetitive, but this is a minor criticism, taking THE LIFE AND TIMES OF ANGIE BARDOT from a five to four star read.
4 out of 5 stars.
***
View The LIfe and Times of Angie Bardot on Bookshelves
