Great Reads "Grows Up" brings you great books that are not suitable for younger readers- Nora Roberts, Jilly Cooper, Alice Sebold and more.

Thursday, August 23, 2007

"Riders" by Jilly Cooper

I should start off this review by saying I'm no prude. I've read Nora Roberts, Danielle Steele...but neither of them can hold a candle to Jilly Cooper when it comes to writing sex. I think it's the difference in cultures. The sex is frank and honest, not flowery and romantic. The characters take what they want, don't care who they hurt, and yet I still read all 900+ pages of it.

"Riders" centers around several Brit horse riders- dashing but exceedingly arrogant Rupert Campbell-Black, his good guy best friend Billy, Jake- who hates Rupert with a passion and the women that surround them and love them. The book follows them over several years and competitions and chiefly surrounds Rupert and Jake. I can't say that I really liked either of them, particularly Rupert who is so mean to the woman he marries, bordering on verbal abuse. Jake is better than Rupert, but still has an affair on his loving, supportive wife (though at least he does feel bad about it in the end). But despite their cavalier attitudes toward sex, I did find them to be interesting characters. I kept waiting for Rupert's change, but never got one. I wanted him to be redeemed, but instead he got what he deserved (though not enough punishment in my opinion). The story ends on a more romantic note, and I just discovered that there are five sequels to this book. I can't say for sure that I'll read them, but I wouldn't be surprised to find myself hunting a couple of them down just to find out what happens- does Rupert finally get redeemed by true love? That's a book I'd like to read.

If you like sexy beach reads, this definitely ranks up there with the best of the genre. Be warned, though. The talk of sex is blunt, and definitely rated "R" for language.

Gathering Roses: Ellen Weisberg

"Gathering Roses" is a new novel by fellow New Englander Ellen Weisberg, and is the story of co-ed Lori who still carries the scars of adolescense and continually makes the bad decision concerning men- well one man in particular, Nick Warren. The two meet while Lori starts up at intern at a local radio station. He's completely not her type, but she finds herself drawn to him anyway.

Lori's self-esteem, or lack thereof, make her the perfect candidate for the success of Nick's advances. He's crass and clearly interested in only a physical relationship. Despite instinctively knowing that, she things she can change him. Even though Lori knows Nick will not change, she finds herself seeking him out and encouraging their physical relationship. As a reader, you find yourself not only identifying with Lori (what woman hasn't been attracted to that "bad boy" at least once), but wanting to smack her upside the head at the same time. Her moods spiral around depression as she continually doesn't get what she needs from Nick, and in truth, she's not even really sure what it is that she wants, as she's broken up with a perfectly nice guy to be with Nick.

But when Lori discovers a secret about Nick, she realizes why he acts the way that he does and that he's giving her all that he's capable of giving. Lori cotinues their on and off again relationship, but slowly discovers more about herself and realizes that she's worth more. Their relationship continues mostly on her terms until it can't continue any longer.

Some of Lori's growth comes through her interactions with her friends- Rutherford, whom she primarily e-mails with, and Angela, who is even more messed up than Lori, and a hard character to read- because of her own emotional issues, she frequently reads into Lori's statements the wrong way and overreacts often. She borders on being a toxic friend, but the two eventually are able to work through their problems. Rutherford, one of Lori's male life-long friends, helps her to realize how Nick will never change and often explains the inner workings of the male mind.

"Gathering Roses" has been described as a young adult novel, but as I feel that terms applies more to books for ages 11-16, I don't think it's appropriate for those ages. There isn't much more than some swearing and innuendos, but the subject matter would hold more for adults than teens. It's a pretty good book with relatable, if not frustrating characters. The back and forth of "I know I should dump him, but I can't bring myself to" at times made me crazy- it was like reliving certain moments from my own life with friends. I wanted to shout "AHHHH- just do it!" I think most female readers will identify with Lori and Angela as they could really be any one of us and Weisberg has done a great job with that.

Proceeds from the book are to go to the American Heart Association in honor of the friend Weisberg lost.