This perfect world

[ivykaty44]

{{http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/033051069X/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE any good?]]

is it any good?

Yes - I read it a few months ago before it was picked for R&J and loved it. Really gripping.

Ooh, I was just about to ask if anyone else had read this. I found it did keep me engrossed to the end but I was rather irritated with the author's seemingly large chip on her shoulder about smug middle class SAHMs.

They were, without exception, painted as extremely shallow, selfish and insular. Such a lazy stereotype and I didn't really 'believe' it. I live in an area similar to the one described with a number of SAHMs who can afford to spend their days having their hair done and having coffee with friends. If I found myself in the same situation as the central character, there's no way these mums would shut me out or behave in the way the author portrayed them.

It really put me off the book I'm afraid.

I would've also liked to see more of the gradual recovery of Heddy which leads up to her release from the hospital but it all happened 'behind the scenes' and quickly. Again lazy.

Anyone else read it?

I sort of know what you mean about the SAHMs - it was possibly slightly exaggerated - but it's still a convincing portrayal of a certain 'type'. I don't think she's saying all SAHMs are like that at all - after all, Laura herself isn't really and there's another one in the book isn't there (can't remember her name) who is a bit 'different' as well and similarly sidelined?

Also, I think it is what a lot of those cliques seem like if you are feeling slightly miserable and sidelined as Laura is in the book.

Would definitely recommend it anyway! For me, grippingness is the most important thing in a book, and I couldn't put this one down.