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katykelly's review
4.0
Reading this has increased the respect I hold for Dawn French. I never read her first book but was interested in story of her second.
I loved it. Having just finished, and thinking about the book as a whole, it is very assured and from one you might think is an experienced writer.
Each character talks to Silvia in her coma, their stories all seen from her hospital bed (including occasional clunky exposition but that can e forgiven). Silvia is not given a voice but the story is the stronger for it. As is said near the climax, "she is the pivot for them all", all their lives are changed after her coma, with her doing and saying nothing except in flashback, her situation effects her family and those close to her.
As I am meant to, I started the book feeling certain ways about several characters and slowly and with revelations suddenly found victims and their controllers were switching places, reasons for behaviours were shed light on, misconceptions were cleared. But only for the reader.
Which made the ending more poignant. One character WILL get their comeuppance. Another's selfless actions will possibly never be understood, but if so, never can be made right.
Very impressive. This really hit a nerve with me. I loved the characters and the revelations, and the writing. Well done Ms French!
I loved it. Having just finished, and thinking about the book as a whole, it is very assured and from one you might think is an experienced writer.
Each character talks to Silvia in her coma, their stories all seen from her hospital bed (including occasional clunky exposition but that can e forgiven). Silvia is not given a voice but the story is the stronger for it. As is said near the climax, "she is the pivot for them all", all their lives are changed after her coma, with her doing and saying nothing except in flashback, her situation effects her family and those close to her.
As I am meant to, I started the book feeling certain ways about several characters and slowly and with revelations suddenly found victims and their controllers were switching places, reasons for behaviours were shed light on, misconceptions were cleared. But only for the reader.
Which made the ending more poignant. One character WILL get their comeuppance. Another's selfless actions will possibly never be understood, but if so, never can be made right.
Very impressive. This really hit a nerve with me. I loved the characters and the revelations, and the writing. Well done Ms French!
geekcliche's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
aannaemelie's review
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, and Medical content
Moderate: Mental illness and Sexual assault
andrew_j_r's review
3.0
Got to be honest I was a little disappointed by this book. Dawn French is an amazing comedian, her comedy is both well written and engagingly performed. Sadly none of that was evident in the book, I spotted the so called twists well before they were revealed to the audience, and all of the characters were so unlikeable you could not bring yourself to care about what happened to any of them. Occasionally there were some enjoyable moments but it was definitely more miss than hit.
lulugreg01's review against another edition
2.0
Not sure how anyone could find this book “hilariously funny”, I found it heartbreakingly sad.. but that wasn’t done well either.. sad to say it was awful
elliethecatlover's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
talkykaty's review
1.0
I didn't enjoy this at all. It was poorly constructed, nonsensical and the dialect of Winnie and Tia downright embarrassing.
pheeb5's review
4.0
Took me a while to get into it but I like the way it explores family relationships, human nature and I always love a good secret
mikewa14's review
3.0
disappointing - review here
http://0651frombrighton.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/oh-dear-silvia-dawn-french.html
http://0651frombrighton.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/oh-dear-silvia-dawn-french.html
tidybex's review
4.0
A good storyline, a good concept and a good read. Mixing humour with seriousness, this book provided great big belly laughs as well as an empathy with all the characters. Two pieces of advice: 1. Do not drink red wine whilst reading - it is apt to spray from one's mouth unexpectedly when an extremely funny paragraph is read. 2. Don't read it and drink red wine whilst you are on a plane and do not have a change of top in your hand luggage. A very good tale and a real page-turner.