Sundays at Tiffany's
by Gabrielle Charbonnet, James Patterson
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Book Reviews of Sundays at Tiffany's
Book Review: Good, Not Great
Summary: 3 Stars
I borrowed this from my cousin when looking for something to read, so I can't say much about the "overpriced hardcover" aspect. But it does seem like something that would be a short paperback if it didn't have James Patterson's name on it.
For a quick read, it was pretty good. As a lover of supernatural plots, I liked the the imaginary friend theme and thought it was an interesting concept. I mean, if you're looking for a strict thriller or romance you'll be extremely disappointed, but as light romantic fluff it worked.
Character and plot wise...Michael was every girl's typical dream come true, but Jane got on my nerves as an adult. Yes, I understand that it was hard for her to stand up to her mother, but repeatedly reading how critical and overbearing mother was became annoying after a while (which didn't make much sense after reading that the mother ignored Jane growing up, but I guess times change).
This does take on a children's book quality, with very little "R-rated" stuff save for a couple of scenes that are PG-13 at most. But that was fine with me and I enjoyed the plot of Michael becoming human, and Jane gaining confidence.
So, while it was a cute read, I suggest waiting for paperback, or borrowing it from a friend.
Book Review: KID'S LIT DRESSED UP IN ADULT'S CLOTHING
Summary: 2 Stars
Less than a love story, more than a fairy tale, Sunday at Tiffany's is every young girls' fantasy of the perfect imaginary man of her youth appearing in the flesh (so to speak) some 20 years later. Sunday is a story that requires the reader to abandon logic and common sense, climb into a magic pumpkin coach and take a ride into a sunset conceived in by Walt Disney and his Imagineers.
To enjoy this story of Jane and Michael(her imaginary childhood friend) you absolutely must let your childlike naiveté take over. That co-author Charbonnet is a writer of children's stories is obvious and Sunday at Tiffany's smacks of classic children's literature such as The Velveteen Rabbit and Pinocchio (stories that tell us that "love can make you real") with a touch of Cinderella and The Princess Bride thrown in for good measure (this would cover the appearance Jane's sometimes boyfriend Hugh and her controlling, self obsessed mother, Vivienne.)
I am not opposed to the happily ever after genre of stories, but Jane and Michael are so sweet and their love so perfect I almost got a cavity in my tooth from reading the book. And no, I don't want to join them at the St. Regis for a coffee ice cream and hot-fudge sundae.
Book Review: "City of Angels" meets "Cinderella"
Summary: 2 Stars
Extremely light-weight fantasy about a poor little rich girl with an imaginary friend who grows up to be a poor little rich young woman who meets her imaginary friend again and falls in love all over again. Happy ending. Yahoo.
There is virtually no character development of either of the two main characters, Jane and Michael, and absolutely no explanation of who, what or how Michael is,or how he got to be that way, or why Jane still remembers him when all other children of imaginary grown-up playmates promptly forget about their imaginary friends when they turn 9 and the imaginary friend must leave for another "assignment" according to the "rules".
This ground was covered in much greater depth and with much greater poignancy in the film "City of Angels" or the book on which it was based, "Wings of Desire". The only James Patterson in evidence is his trademark 2-page chapters. There is no suspense or tension, or conflict or resolution. Or explanation. Only "... and they lived happily ever after". Presumably this was plotted and written mostly by the co-author, Gabrielle Charbonnet, with coaching on the chapter structure by Patterson.
All in all, very disappointing.
Book Review: A Fresh Concept
Summary: 4 Stars
I have to say that this book was delightful despite the fact that it doesn't quite get to the realm of suspending disbelief. (Well, maybe for a few moments I did allow that to happen).
These days I find it very refreshing to have writers attempt something less scorching, less frightening and yet compelling. In the age in which a book can't seem to get in enough guts and gore to please, this offers a coffee sundae with the old fashioned fudge topping that used to get sticky after it chilled. I'm old enough to have tasted it both in my life and now in this lovely book.
I read my share of mystery and drama and this was a wonderful relief from that particular brand of suspense.
If you love Nantucket, you will love the local references.
This IS a book that one will want to read at one sitting, even if life interferes.
My only disappointment was that they felt compelled to end the way that they did on the last page. I wonder how other readers will respond to it. (And I will get over it; the book is still lovely). Thanks for writing it; it was brave to do that in this world that demands such different reality.
Book Review: Refreshing and Unique
Summary: 5 Stars
I was delightfully surprised by a Patterson book that escapes the confines of his usual murder mystery novels and suspends the very reality that makes many of his other novels so powerful. I related greatly to Jane as a child, and it brought back many of my own painful memories that were good to visit in a positive environment. The authors didn't dwell on the negative and made what could have been a depressing situation into a light, refreshing story. It kept me wondering, along with Jane (and Michael), as to exactly who Michael was and what he would do next. His friends were just the right touch to lend credence to the story without being too much. Refreshing also was the sweet, innocent romance and Michael's becoming self-aware. The chapters were, in true Patterson style, short and sweet, which made the story flow and made it easy for me to take a break (not that I wanted to!). Quite honestly, it was extremely difficult for me to put down, and my one negative thought was that the end would come far too soon. Patterson clearly found a co-author who shared his light, fantastical side to make a great combination of reality, joy, and whimsy.