The English Roses - what do you think?

[Frenchgirl]

Not sure whether books qualify (really) as products, if they're good then no. However this being Madonna's book it probably is just another product... (hence topic choice). Anyway, have just received the English Roses today and will read it to dd tonight, just wondering what you all think about it???

...not much then....

Frenchgirl, IMO this is just another money making exercise out of Madonna, coz her music has gone and hit rock bottom.
The fact that she doesnt even know who Enid Blyton is an insult.

you cynic!!!

not being a cynic frenchgirl just letting you know what my opinion is

I didn't buy it because I can't imagine Madonna being remotely in tune with children...

doormat I think you're probably right, I bought it out of curiosity and coz i liked the illustrations.

Surely the best way to judge would be to read it and then say something?

true scooby- she hasnt even changed a nappy is a rumour that will not go away. Lucky bitch

Aaahhh beetroot, I am not alone!!!! My dd's 4 too so it should be interesting, let us know.

I think it's just rubbish (haven't read it mind, just extracts and reviews - don't want to make her even richer!) What I find so offensive and stupid is the idea that the one kid who gets bullied at school is the one who is beautiful, slim, good at sport and clever. What utter cr*p! Look back at your own schooldays...does that sound remotely likely? This book not about real children but about Madonna herself - it's just all me, me,me. 'Oh, poor me, I'm so beautiful and talented and you are all just jealous." Grrr.
Agree that the illustrator looks good, so the pictures are beautiful but the po-faced humourless text makes me want to puke. Give me a proper children's writer any day.

well I gave the book to dd yesterday after school, she really loved the illustrations, and immediately said 'look, it's cinderella and the wicked step-sisters', which is not far from the truth... Then we sat down to read it and she was very interested and once I'd finished was desperate for me to read it again. So she really enjoyed it. As for me, I thought it was just about OK storywise, I love the pictures though. I thought madonna's style was clumsy, and trying too hard. I'll read it again to dd when she asks but won't suggest it myself. It'll be interesting to see what questions dd asks on subsequent readings, as I wonder how much she really understood.

Message withdrawn

wow madonna's popular isn't she?..... I only wanted to talk about the book you know, I am not a madonna fan, just curious about a highly publicised book, if that makes me shallow then so be it! oh well...

dadslib - are you my dh in disguise?!! You sound just like him!

I haven't had chance to look at the book yet but will have a look in Borders tomorrow.
Apparently sales are very poor, with David Beckam's selling something like 18 for every one of Madonna's (according to Noel Edmonds on Radio 2 this teatime) Does anyone else listen to said station. Will start a thread in chat for that one!

but david beckham's book is bound to sell loads more just because of who he is and the wider target audience for the material in it (not defending madge's book btw as not even read it myself)

I didn't even know what it was called until heard Radio 2 this evening...and felt better that Beckham was selling 18 times as many. It's only sold (Madonna's book that is) 80 copies in the first week. Don't know the stats for this kind of thing but that sounds pretty rubbish to me

She seems to be totally humourless person, I woudl like to be more grown up but know I wouldn't buy it on principle.

Like Ian Hislop cattily remarked, it takes more than wearing a flowery dress and glasses to be a children's author. (Based on what Madonna wore at the book launch.)

I don't have any dds (yet) but doubt I would buy a book like this. Why, when there are so many other good books available?