The Life and Soul of the Party

by Mike Gayle

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0340895675
• ISBN13: 9780340895672
• Release Date: January 2009
• Publisher: Hodder Paperback
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.39 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.4" x 0.8" x 7.0"

Customer Reviews

Party on!

Like "His N Hers" the latest Mike Gayle "Life & Soul Of The Party" (paperback version from Hodder) starts with a major flashback right after chapter 1, or rather, after the introduction. It's all about Melissa and Paul, Vicky and Chris, Laura and Cooper. Three couples, six friends. Mike Gayle tells the story from six different first person viewpoints. (Excluding Paul and Laura, including Billy and Hannah). I did like this idea when I first experienced it with William Sutcliffe's "The Lover Hexagon." But with both books I found it to be pretty confusing at first. Getting to know the characters in "Life & Soul of the Party" took me about one third of the book. After that, surprising enough, it became an easy ride. I think a longer introduction of characters would have benefit this book greatly. I also liked the idea of going from party tot party to describe what happens in the life of the main characters (for me really original) but at times I wished Gayle would have used a few more different settings for the story. I found the dialogue to be top notch. It's easy to relate to the love and hurt of the characters. The only exception being Paul. He seemed distant and a bit of a mystery and it makes you wonder why Melissa keeps loving him. I wanted to shout:"Loose the guy" and so Gayle draw me into his book. Although the book was an entertaining read laughs didn't "flow thick and fast" as apparently happened for the Glamour reviewer. But is did put a nice smile on my face and I appreciated the well written dialogue.