Wednesday 29 July 2015

Book Club: The Girl Who Was Saturday Night

 http://www.amazon.ca/Girl-Who-Was-Saturday-Night-ebook/dp/B00I7WV4ZS/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1438043414&sr=1-1&keywords=the+girl+who+was


Book: The Girl Who Was Saturday Night
Author: Heather O`Neil
Amazon Summary
Finalist for the 2014 Scotiabank Giller Prize
From the author of the international bestselling, award-winning Lullabies for Little Criminals, a coming-of-age novel set on the seedy side of Montreal’s St. Laurent Boulevard.

Gorgeous twins Noushcka and Nicolas Tremblay live with their grandfather Loulou in a tiny, sordid apartment on St. Laurent Boulevard. They are hopelessly promiscuous, wildly funny and infectiously charming. They are also the only children of the legendary Québécois folksinger Étienne Tremblay, who was as famous for his brilliant lyrics about working-class life as he was for his philandering bon vivant lifestyle and his fall from grace. Known by the public since they were children as Little Noushcka and Little Nicolas, the two inseparable siblings have never been allowed to be ordinary. On the eve of their twentieth birthday, the twins’ self-destructive shenanigans catch up with them when Noushcka agrees to be beauty queen in the local St. Jean Baptiste Day parade. The media spotlight returns, and the attention of a relentless journalist exposes the cracks in the family’s relationships. Though Noushcka tries to leave her family behind, for better or worse, Noushcka is a Tremblay, and when tragedy strikes, home is the only place she wants to be.

With all the wit and poignancy that made Baby such a beloved character in Lullabies for Little Criminals, O’Neill writes of an unusual family and what binds them together and tears them apart. The Girl Who Was Saturday Night is classic, unforgettable Heather O’Neill.
 
What I have to say: 
I had heard so many great things about this book, that I added it to my reading list last year. Back in February, I bought a copy of the boo. And, finally, two weekends ago, I had the chance to read it. This was another book that I devoured in less than 24 hours. I couldn't- and didn't want to- put this book down. I enjoyed following Noushcka on her journey, as she fell in love and attempts to leave her twin brother and start her own family. Noushcka was a relateable character...we have all struggled at one time or another to discover who we really are.

While the story was beautifully written, there were times that I wondered what a description or incident had to do with the plot. I don't necessarily enjoy this...it didn't take away from the overall plot. On top of that, this pieces of the story were still well written.

Final verdict: I plan to re-read this to pick up on earlier plot points and see how they fit in to the overall plot. This book will not be for everyone, but I will encourage people to check it out. I have already lent my copy to my brother's girlfriend.  


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