Before the end of the first page of this book, as a fellow Mother, I had huge amounts of empathy for Annie. We all resort to blackmailing our children in some way at some point and Annie’s diary is welcomingly refreshing.
I was conscious, very quickly of how Annie’s issues with her Husband are all too real for some people and I think the author will have hit a nerve with some folk, although myself, I found it comforting to think that everyone else’s life isn’t perfect. I felt that this book sent out a very strong ‘you are not on your own’ message.
There certainly is humour in this book, a prime example being when Isabelle, Annie’s Daughter, makes a bit of a faux pas at the school parents evening. I’ll leave you to read it for yourself, but this incident, among others, did make me laugh out loud. Please don’t read it while you have a hot drink in your hand! Another hilarious moment occurs when Annie’s friend Megan is trying to describe how Annie and Matthew should reduce their mutual tension! I also found it most amusing, when Annie and Matthew aren’t talking and indeed haven’t been doing so for two weeks, and Annie confesses to her diary that she’s actually enjoying the peace and quiet and not having to listen to Matthew moaning!
The way Annie is portrayed is so close to real life. For example, when she’s planning to start a diet, to lose weight and go on holiday – but orders a takeaway and opens a bottle of wine the night before. Another example is the Ninja style rummaging in the kitchen cupboards for treats in the night, once on the diet.
I loved the author’s description of the ‘Mummy Mafia’ – this rang so true for me in so many ways and I’m sure it is one of the things that will help many women to identify with Annie and with this novel as a whole. Annie’s phantom pregnancy was portrayed in such an empathetic manner that I couldn’t help but feel for Annie, but the writing was such that I didn’t know what to feel for her when – sadness at what never was, or joy at the fact that she was not imminently going to be the Mother of three very young children, when she was already struggling with two children and a Husband!.
It felt to me as though the book veered from comedic to something a littler darker at this point. I felt very real pain for Annie, when, having had enough of Matthew’s ways, she seeks refuge at her Parents house. My compassion for the way this was portrayed was such that I totally understood Annie’s reasoning for doing what she did, whilst part of me couldn’t help but think about those women affected by these kinds of issues in real life. I was acutely aware that not all women have the familial bosom to turn to in such times of crisis and I felt genuinely humbled by this book and the stories within it.
I have no experience of counselling, but just trust that it’s not like it’s portrayed in this book. I thought Annie was right, in comparing it to torture and it seemed to be making matters worse! One can just hope that this situation improves over time!
Such clever writing, much more intense than antecedent thoughts; like a luxury truffle, dark around the edges, yet once you bite into it, just funny enough; simultaneously oozing with empathy, over situations that surely all parents can relate to, whilst allowing non parents to sympathise and understand too. A book that becomes deeper and more meaningful, so much more so than a simple comedy, the further you delve into it. Returning to the chocolate analogy – a more luxurious, rich, classy affair than I initially realised.
To discover this classy book for yourself, please use this link: https://www.amazon.com/diary-nagging-wife-Donna-Mensah-ebook/dp/B0921P692K/
Eatwell Reads-Well 