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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to be offended about OMG what a complete Aisling

70 replies

MrsIntrigued · 22/08/2018 09:37

I recently read an article about the book OMG what a complete Aisling and a lot of what the authors said about their main character could have been written about me. AIBU to be annoyed/offended given that they say it started as a Facebook joke and have now made a 3 book deal and planning a film out of it?? See below quote - what is actually wrong with any of those things and why would it make someone want to run a mile from you?

'Aisling writes “suits you” under pictures of people holding babies on Facebook. As well as being a slave to brown mascara, she’s also dedicated to bootcut jeans. She can’t get her head around why people love avocados so much. And as for brunch! What’s wrong with sticking to eggs at breakfast and a nice big sandwich at 1pm? Now, she might sound like the type of person you’d run a mile from, but Aisling is a great friend, a good laugh, and will definitely mind the handbags on a night out.'

OP posts:
MintTulips · 22/08/2018 10:18

Brown mascara? What's wrong with that?

Everything

Original poster
MrsIntrigued · 22/08/2018 10:22

MintTulips like??

OP posts:
toomanychilder · 22/08/2018 10:31

what is actually wrong with any of those things and why would it make someone want to run a mile from you?

Nothing! The authors, and the readers, love Aisling. She's pure dotey.

I'm more of a Niamh from Across the Road/Majella hybrid personally Wink

There is a 50,000 strong FB group for OMGWACA full of lovely stories about Memmehs and notions and the like, you should try it.

(and don't ever complain about a book you haven't read, Ais wouldn't)

GrumpyCatIsMySpiritAnimal · 22/08/2018 10:31

I still wear bootcut jeans Blush

whoaskedyou · 22/08/2018 10:32

I haven't read the book but did hear the authors being interviewed on the radio about it. It confused me a little as they seemed very nice but there's a background tone of sneering at someone who is not accepting the perceived way of doing things, fashion, social trends etc It's the country hick, the slightly out of step frump - affectionately regarded but gently ridiculed. Mean girls? Dunno...

I also think brown mascara is a better choice for some women than black!!

toomanychilder · 22/08/2018 10:33

It's not mean girls at all! There is no sneering, and if there is its at themselves. Is this a case of English people not getting an Irish sense of humour?

IfIWasABirdIdFlyIn2ACeilingFan · 22/08/2018 10:37

If you read the book you will get it. It’s written from Aisling’s perspective. She isnt sneering at herself. It’s lovely.

Jackiebrambles · 22/08/2018 10:37

I've read the book and Aisling is lovely! The brown mascara thing had passed me by. It's all about her and her finding her way, but there's no sneering at her whatsoever.

Syfychannel · 22/08/2018 10:37

Is this a case of English people not getting an Irish sense of humour?
Yes! I don't understand half this thread.

Original poster
MrsIntrigued · 22/08/2018 10:39

whoaskedyou - that's how it seemed to me too.

toomanychilder - maybe you've hit the nail on the head

OP posts:
Camomila · 22/08/2018 10:54

Just read the blurb. I'm not Irish but Aisling sounds nice and I'd be mates with her. It doesn't seem sneering at all, just normal country girl meets big city chick lit.

FlatPackFurnitureCompAnyone · 22/08/2018 10:54

In the first chapter she wakes up in the horrors the morning after attending a big wedding and realises, aghast, that it's 10.52 and the cooked breakfast (included in the price) finishes at 11. She makes it downstairs in time with seconds to spare.

I'm not Irish (nor British) but I now want to read the book on the strength of that alone! It reminds me of something my in-laws would do, they make me laugh but/and I love them dearly Grin

If they slept in and actually MISSED breakfast like that (horrors) we'd never hear the end of it. FIL: "Doris, do you remember that time we....." and then MIL's face would fall. "Tut tut, yes, that was a real shame." Grin

dueanotherchange · 22/08/2018 11:14

First, this thread should probably be moved to Craicnet as I think there's definitely an element of people not from Ireland not getting the humour and you'll get a better explanation there.

Also, while I think you technically have to be from outside the Pale to be a culchie, so Emer McLysaght and Sarah Breen aren't (from Kildare and Borris respectively), they're not from Dublin so do bring a point of view that I thinks stops it being mean girls. In fact, I think they're a bit meaner about Sadhbh.

I think there's a bit of Aisling in all of us, even those of use from South County Dublin (doesn't make us bad people) and I loved it and am looking forward to the second book. Not sure about the film though. I have a VERY clear picture of Aisling in my head and if they cast Amy Huberman or someone, it will make me cross. Although I do love Amy Huberman.

notWORKzilla · 22/08/2018 11:17

Part of the premise of Aisling is that there is a bit of Aisling is all of us, it's not meant to be sneery at all.

the full description of the character is

We all know an Aisling. She's your stereotypical friend who carries her court shoes to work in a bag while pounding the pavement with her MBTs on the walk in from Rathmines. Aisling loves a Colours Night in the Portobello and a cheeky Coors Light in Mc Gowans of Phibsboro. She keeps all of her Laser receipts and checks them off against her bank statement. She has a loyalty card from both Tesco and Dunnes but not Marks and Spencer, have you seen the prices in there? Aisling loves a good bit of drying and thinks tumble driers are a sinful waste. She enjoys a good removal and heads home to (insert appropriate culchie location here) whenever Mammy needs her to be a good daughter. Aisling doubles up on contraception...using both anti-babby pills and french letters...just in case. Although she has been seeing Generic John for 5 and a half years and has never even had a scare. Aisling has NEVER dyed her hair BUT bear in mind...don't get too smug. We ALL have a bit of Aisling in us .**no offence intended to people actually named Aisling. We should have gone with Majella.

IfIWasABirdIdFlyIn2ACeilingFan · 22/08/2018 11:17

Ooh I didn’t know there was to be a film!! Who would make a great Aisling?

toomanychilder · 22/08/2018 11:25

Also, while I think you technically have to be from outside the Pale to be a culchie, so Emer McLysaght and Sarah Breen aren't (from Kildare and Borris respectively

Borris is definitely culchie land! It's a Ballygobackwards....

CassandraLamontaigne · 22/08/2018 11:29

No OP, Aisling is a lovely girl and as pp have said, we all have a bit of Aisling in us. It's a very affectionate book, have a read and see what you think.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 22/08/2018 11:36

I want to read the book now, it sounds interesting and I love reading about other cultures.

It's easy to feel 'pricked' when somebody makes fun or a derisory comment about something that you personally hold true or dear. I think the trick is to pay them no mind at all.

It's women that seem to do that, some of them anyway, hence the many catty comments on threads about what people (other women) are wearing. They can't help themselves. Ignore - and then ignore. I don't meet people like that in RL, just on here.

Kool4katz · 22/08/2018 11:41

Oo, I'm off to order the book now. Sounds just grand.

EleanorRigbey · 22/08/2018 11:55

Sounds just grand

Lol.....'grand' is my most used word.

Work colleague (not Irish) 'How are you?'
Me (Irish): 'Grand'
Work colleague: 'How are you getting on with that task?'
Me: 'Grand'
Me: ' My dog died, sob, sob'
Work colleague: 'That's so sad, how are you?'
Me: 'Grand'
Work colleague: Hmm

Back to the point it's a lovely read, don't know why you are offended Op when you haven't read the book. Maybe the self-deprecating Irish humor gets lost on non-Irish.

InsomniacAnonymous · 22/08/2018 11:58

Syfychannel "I don't understand half this thread."

Well, you're doing better than me. I don't understand any of it. Confused

toomanychilder · 22/08/2018 11:59

It's not that confusing is it? What is it that you don't get?

IfIWasABirdIdFlyIn2ACeilingFan · 22/08/2018 12:03

How can you not understand this thread? 😂

Original poster
MrsIntrigued · 22/08/2018 12:05

Wow, I certainly didn't expect to get this many responses! I'm not Irish and have followed most of the thread without confusion (except for culchie which was kindly explained). As I said I think I would probably enjoy the book but I don't believe the authors were writing it in a self deprecating way. Not the book I object to at all, more the attitude of the authors from the article I read which sounded belittling to anyone with Aisling-like traits!

OP posts:
fifig87 · 22/08/2018 12:07

lso, while I think you technically have to be from outside the Pale to be a culchie, so Emer McLysaght and Sarah Breen aren't (from Kildare and Borris respectively

Borris is definitely culchie land! It's a Ballygobackwards....

It surely is! And all the surrounding areas! Think of sheas pub now.

Still havent read the books. Must download it later.
An Amy Huberman kind would make a good Aisling in the film

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