Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #384160 in Books
• Published on: 2000-07-03
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 592 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Most girls know the best nights in consist of other girlie friends, a few bottles of vino (or devilish cocktail concoctions) and a good goss. A Girls Night In provides all this and more between the pages of its cover. A collection of short stories by 32 of the UK's most up-and-coming female authors, this intoxicating anthology is a heady blend of heartbreaks, highs and hit-and-misses. With each writer's distinct perspective and personal style flowing, no two stories are alike--although they all deal with a perennial theme: the battle of the sexes. Contributors include Marian Keyes, Lisa Jewell, Wendy Holden, Amy Jenkins and many, many more. Marian Keyes' "The Truth is Out There" is an unusual, screwball spin on getting over a broken heart--a young woman in the process of a break-up is unwittingly assisted by "a small, yellow, transparent creature who liked to be called Bib", with an eye for the ladies. Lisa Jewell's "Rudy" looks at affairs of the heart from a rare male perspective--the stalker--leaving many a reader, oddly enough, with a wry smile. Innovative, wacky titles abound to induce the reader in: "E-Male of the Species", "Dougie, Spoons and the Aquarium Solarium" and "The Seven Steps from Shag to Spouse". Whether you are drawn to a familiar writer or someone new, you can dip in and out of these tales at whim, gaining a taster of whether you could enjoy a full course of their longer fiction. Either way, raise a glass to toast this eclectic mix of authors united to raise funds for War Child. Proceeds--£1 from every book sold--will promote a Child's Safe Play programme in the Balkans and an educational programme in Rwanda. --Nicola Perry

Synopsis
An unparalleled collection of stories especially written by today's best young female writers, to be published in aid of War Child, the charity dedicated to alleviating the suffering of children affected by war. Top authors Jessica Adams, Fiona Walker and Chris Manby have asked some of today's bestselling young women writers to contribute stories to an anthology to be published in aid of War Child. Just a few of the contributors are Candace Bushnell (Sex in the City), Jane Green, Lisa Jewell (Ralph's Party), Wendy Holden (Simply Divine), Isabel Wolff, Marian Keyes, Freya North, Fiona Walker, Cathy Kelly, Patricia Scanlan, Clare Naylor, Josie Lloyd and Jenny Colgan. All profits from the publication will go directly to War Child.

Customer Reviews

something for everyone
the sheer range of authors in this collection means that you're probably going to like some stories more than others, but there's more than enough here to warrant the price, which does include a pound to Warchild. Each one is just long enough to read in a bath and gives you a good flavour of the author's style. Some are out and out girly tales; some tackle girly issues but with an underlying challenge to Cosmo thinking, like Victoria Routledge's 'Shell of Venus', which questions whether a change of hair colour really can mend a broken heart. I loved Jessica Adams's story, set in the London Underground and Helen Simpson's evocative tale of holidays and children. OK, some stories are a bit garish, but on balance, this is a great idea, done well.

Let Down
I though this book would be good fun, but a lot of the stories seemed boring and pointless. They just didn't seem to go anywhere. In saying that, there were a few good stories, but it was really all a bit of a drag. :o(

Bite sized morsels of hilarity and heartbreak
Two stories into "Girls night in" and I was saying to myself "I really must lend this to Sarah, Penny, Michelle, Pam ...... (fill in blank) they will love it!". I tried limiting myself to 1 story per night so I could savour the enjoyment for longer, but couldn't put it down and ended up reading about 5 per night instead.

The stories contain the joy of female friendships, the disillusionment of heartbreak, the excitement of new love/lust and the sweet taste of revenge. Familiar themes to most of us, you will find yourself reading this and recognising large chunks of your own life between the pages.

My first instinct was to say that this book would really suit women from 25-45 but I actually think that it is a read for all the girls out there, whatever your age.

The saddest stories are poignant rather than teary, and overall it is light and would be perfect in-the-bath or lunchbreak reading.

I have been delighted by the humour and wit of these talented authors and heartily recommend this book.