Saturday, August 23, 2014

(Review) The Hive by Gill Hornby

 
 
Title: The Hive
Author: Gill Hornby
Pages: 376
Published: May 8, 2014
PublisherAbacus
Review Copy: Yes

Why did I want this book?
I saw this book in the new LBB-cataloge and it sounded hilarious!
Synopsis:
Welcome to St Ambrose Primary School.
A world of friendships, fights and feuding. And that's just the mothers. It's the start of another school year at St Ambrose.
But while the children are in the classroom colouring in, their mothers are learning sharper lessons on the other side of the school gates.
Lessons in friendship. Lessons in betrayal. Lessons in the laws of community, the transience of power...and how to get invited to lunch.
Beatrice - undisputed queen bee. Ruler, by Divine Right, of all school fund-raising, this year, last year and, surely, for many years to come.
Heather - desperate to volunteer, desperate to be noticed, desperate just to belong.  Georgie - desperate for a fag.
And Rachel - watching them all, keeping her distance. But soon to discover that the line between amused observer and miserable outcast is a thin one.
The Hive is an irresistible, brilliantly observed novel - warm, witty and true.  Wickedly funny, it is also a fascinating and subtle story about group politics and female friendship. From the joys and perils (well, mainly perils) of the Lunch Ladder, to the military operation that is the Car Boot Sale, via the dos and don'ts of dressing your child as a dalek, all human life is here.

Cover:
I like the cover design, even though it might a bit too busy. When you look closely at it, you can discover high heels and teacups in the image.

Title:
The Hive is definitely a great title. It fits perfectly because the story is very sharp!

Writing style:
The book is written from the third person point of view, mostly featuring Rachel (at least, that's the feeling I had) but also the other protagonists. I often had to think of Desperate Housewives and Suburgatory because of the atmosphere in this story. Between the chapters, there were also some meeting protocols from school.

Characters:
There is a group of parents in this book and the story takes place during one school year.
We have Rachel, who wants to stay out of everything. She is happy watching everything from the distance. In contrast to Heather, who desperately wants to be accepted. Specially by Beatrice, who is something like the queen bee. She is very popular and has a talent to let other people work for her. Last but not least there is Georgie. She seems to be quit disinterested and only wants to be left alone.

Noteworthy:
The book is definitely chicklit! Sometimes you get the feeling that plot is exaggerated, but that's totally okay in this genre.

Stuck in my Head:
„She was looking wildly around. Bea - Bubba just happened to notice - was standing in the corner watching them all. Wearing a secret, knowing sort of smile.“ (S. 184)
What I didn't like:
Nothing to complain. Well, maybe a little bit character development would have been good. Don't get me wrong, I liked the characters, but they weren't something new.

Quick and dirty:
A funny novel which made made me laugh a lot of times! Perfect for fans of Desperate Housewives and Suburgatory. I would recommend it to everyone who is into British humour!

Thank you to ...
... Little Brown Books UKwho gave me this review copy in exchange of a honest review!

1 comment :

  1. Hi, im mercedes from the YA craze.
    I just nominated you for a liebster award.
    Follow me and visit my blog for information on how to obtain it.
    yacraze.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete