Product Description

Is it better to forgive and forget, or should you just get even? Is it possible to live in the country and not lose your mind completely? Do chickens really make good pets? And what exactly is a hardy perennial? Alice Mayhew, part-time architect and full-time mother to Alfie, is to gardening what Alan Titchmarsh is to deep-sea fishing. So finding she's been volunteered to design a new garden for the village comes as a bit of a shock, because apart from anything else she's far too busy trying to convince Alfie that wearing green trousers doesn't make you Peter Pan, and that flying is best left to the experts. Molly O'Brien is finding it hard enough coping with Lily (aged four and likes washing up) and Matt (aged thirty two and doesn't) before she discovers she's pregnant. And then there's Lola Barker, who causes havoc wherever she goes, and brings a whole new meaning to the word high-maintenance. Toddlers, jelly, bad behaviour, romance and gardening tips all loom large in Gil McNeil's hilarious and heartbreaking new novel. Stand By Your Man turns prejudices and assumptions upside down with humour and passion, telling it like it really is. Sometimes it's hard to be a woman

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #174151 in Books
• Published on: 2004-07-19
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

Review
'Thinking of moving to the country with your kids? Read this book instead.' Phil Hogan 'A funny and touching novel. I wish I'd written it.' Arabella Weir

About the Author
Gil McNeil is a consultant at Brunswick Arts International and works with Sarah Brown on PiggyBank Kids. She lives in Kent.

Customer Reviews

stand by your man
An amusing story of villge life in rural england. I picked up this book in my local book shop .I Instantly found the gardening tips at the beginning of each month (the book is written as a monthly diary) very informative. I loved little Alfie playing 'Little donkey' on his recorder, much to everyones annoyance. I enjoyed the story, its well written, entertaining and real to life. A brilliant Summer read. It deserves a 5 start rating.

Fabulous read, best book ever, great fun
What a refreshing change from the usual rubbish in the bookshps during the summer. I really enjoyed the first book, but in writing this Gill McNeil has clearly moved on to developing a funny, engaging and brilliant summer read. I could not put this book down until I reached the last page, I do hope there will be more from this author- I spend most of the time sharing and reading out aloud because I was so entertained. I fear that every one will want to live in the country! My top read this year.

Slightly disappointing compared to her first novel
I was waiting eagerly for this book to be released as I absolutely loved her first novel 'The Only Boy For Me.'I received it yesterday and read it in one sitting!Although it was enjoyable,I found it nowhere near as good as 'The Only Boy For Me'.The characters were less convincing and I did not care so much what happened to them-although Lola was despicable!If you are looking for a light,fun,undemanding (maybe for holidays/travelling?)read,then this fits the bill but don't expect anything near as fabulous as 'The Only Boy For Me'