A journey of self-discovery
THE EX-BOYFRIEND'S HANDBOOK<br>by Matt Dunn<br>Pocket Books pp 416, ISBN 978-0743495523
You cannot help but love an easy read. And for years the uber-light chick-lit industry has been dominated by the likes of Marian Keyes, Jenny Colgan and Sophie Kinsella, and reserved for female readers who craved stress relief through the pages of a desperately feel-good and flighty read about men, romance and sex.
But more recently, male writers like Nick Hornby and John O'Farrell have jumped on the bandwagon and made this genre of light literature enjoyable for men too. The beauty of which is that the result has become a fusion which can entice and satisfy both men and women albeit for different reasons.
Author Matt Dunn has also found himself a spot in this category and his latest novel, The Ex-Boyfriend's Handbook, fits the bill perfectly. For men it is a slick read that will have them cringing in their seats in recognition of our protagonist's desperate attempts at romance, while us girls will laugh out loud at this genuine and rare insight into the male psyche and all the madness that comes with it.
Ultimately this is a witty and honest account of what the male sex is prepared to go through to make themselves more attractive to women. Dunn's lead character is that instantly lovable but distinctly lump-like Edward Middleton who returns home from a weekend away to find his long-term girlfriend Jane has packed her things and jetted off to Tibet, leaving little but a goodbye letter in her wake. Naturally Ed is suitably defensive about the note's harsh "it's not me - it's you" tone, so he starts on the long road of self-adjustment to win her back, ready to try everything from the Atkins diet to Botox to retrieve the love of his life.
Nothing is ever that easy of course and the detailed diary that plays out Edward's challenging next three months leaves the reader with a genuine side-stitch and desire to read on and on as he tries to transform himself from Teddy-Eddie to Sexy Ed with the help of pretty personal trainer Sam. Dunn is laugh-out-loud funny and extremely quick-witted especially through the tirade of one liners that are constantly shot by Ed's best mate (and seemingly also his worst enemy) television presenter Dan. There are plenty of memorable moments from the hilarious speed-dating debacle to Ed's new car conundrum.
Fundamentally, Dunn's entertaining novel plays out the ultimate journey of self-discovery and proves that things never work out quite as you would have expected them to. The Ex-Boyfrien's Handbook was one of six nominated for the 2006 Romantic Novel of the Year Award and will interest any reader who has ever wanted a different perspective on their relationship and comically concludes that you should never change for anyone's benefit but your own.
• Jo Caruana is an arts journalist who recently graduated from Queen Margaret's University College, Edinburgh with a BA(Hons) in Drama and Theatre Arts.
• A review copy of this title was provided by Books Plus of Bisazza Street, Sliema.
But more recently, male writers like Nick Hornby and John O'Farrell have jumped on the bandwagon and made this genre of light literature enjoyable for men too. The beauty of which is that the result has become a fusion which can entice and satisfy both men and women albeit for different reasons.
Author Matt Dunn has also found himself a spot in this category and his latest novel, The Ex-Boyfriend's Handbook, fits the bill perfectly. For men it is a slick read that will have them cringing in their seats in recognition of our protagonist's desperate attempts at romance, while us girls will laugh out loud at this genuine and rare insight into the male psyche and all the madness that comes with it.
Ultimately this is a witty and honest account of what the male sex is prepared to go through to make themselves more attractive to women. Dunn's lead character is that instantly lovable but distinctly lump-like Edward Middleton who returns home from a weekend away to find his long-term girlfriend Jane has packed her things and jetted off to Tibet, leaving little but a goodbye letter in her wake. Naturally Ed is suitably defensive about the note's harsh "it's not me - it's you" tone, so he starts on the long road of self-adjustment to win her back, ready to try everything from the Atkins diet to Botox to retrieve the love of his life.
Nothing is ever that easy of course and the detailed diary that plays out Edward's challenging next three months leaves the reader with a genuine side-stitch and desire to read on and on as he tries to transform himself from Teddy-Eddie to Sexy Ed with the help of pretty personal trainer Sam. Dunn is laugh-out-loud funny and extremely quick-witted especially through the tirade of one liners that are constantly shot by Ed's best mate (and seemingly also his worst enemy) television presenter Dan. There are plenty of memorable moments from the hilarious speed-dating debacle to Ed's new car conundrum.
Fundamentally, Dunn's entertaining novel plays out the ultimate journey of self-discovery and proves that things never work out quite as you would have expected them to. The Ex-Boyfrien's Handbook was one of six nominated for the 2006 Romantic Novel of the Year Award and will interest any reader who has ever wanted a different perspective on their relationship and comically concludes that you should never change for anyone's benefit but your own.
• Jo Caruana is an arts journalist who recently graduated from Queen Margaret's University College, Edinburgh with a BA(Hons) in Drama and Theatre Arts.
• A review copy of this title was provided by Books Plus of Bisazza Street, Sliema.