Overview

Getting Rid of Matthew is the brilliantly witty novel from Jane Fallon. What to do if Matthew, your secret lover of the past four years, finally decides to leave his wife Sophie and their two daughters and move into your flat, just when you're thinking that you might not want him anymore . . . PLAN A- Stop shaving your armpits. And your bikini line. Tell him you have a moustache that you wax every six weeks Stop having sex with him. Pick holes in the way he dresses. Don't brush your teeth. Or your hair. Or pluck out the stray hag-whisker that grows out of your chin. Buy incontinence pads and leave them lying around PLAN B- Accidentally on purpose bump into his wife Sophie Give yourself a fake name and identity Befriend Sophie Actually begin to really like Sophie Snog Matthew's son (who's the same age as you by the way. You're not a paedophile) Buy a cat and give it a fake name and identity Befriend Matthew's children. Unsuccessfully Watch your whole plan go absolutely horribly wrong Getting Rid of Matthew is the sharp and hilariously funny novel from Jane Fallon. It was also a Richard and Judy pick. Praise for Jane Fallon- 'Intelligent, edgy and witty' Glamour 'A brilliant and original tale' Sun 'Chick lit with an edge' Guardian Jane Fallon is the multi-award-winning television producer behind shows such as This Life, Teachers and 20 Things to Do before You're 30. Her novels are Getting Rid of Matthew, Foursome, Got You Back and The Ugly Sister.

Full Product Details

9780141025292

Table of Contents

Reviews

'This witty first novel is a complete winner. It's comic, touching and the narrative races along at breakneck speed' Daily Express

Praise for Jane Fallon - Chick lit with an edge Guardian A brilliant and original tale Sun Intelligent, edgy and witty Glamour I love Fallon, she's in a category all of her own - her books are great fun and her characters are fabulous, believable women who take no nonsense -- Marian Keyes Daily Mail

The other woman attempts to make amends in this debut novel from Fallon, a U.K. television producer and partner of comedian Ricky Gervais.For four years, nearly forty Helen has been treading water watching those around her achieve, thrive and take risks. Helen prefers to be an observer and let things happen. Aimlessly she attaches herself to jobs and people that don't suit her in an effort to approximate a grown-up life. Helen's achievements are few: She holds a dead-end job as a personal assistant at a middling British PR firm, maintains one friendship, lives in a shabby apartment and has a very married boyfriend named Matthew. The novel centers around this illicit relationship. Matthew was Helen's boss when he seduced her. He correctly identified her vulnerability and quickly insinuated himself into the role of lover. Matthew is a cad who relishes his roles as PR chieftain, smug married father of two and seducer of younger women (it becomes clear that Helen is but one of Matthew's conquests). Nothing new up to this point, but thankfully the novel gets moving when Helen decides to dump Matthew. Here's the twist: Rather than gaining her freedom, Helen gets a hirsute roommate. When Helen gives Matthew the brush off, he falls apart and comes back groveling. It seems Matthew would rather heave over his family and start life anew with his young mistress than face life as a dumped lover stuck in suburban hell. To get rid of her new and unwelcome flatmate, Helen devises a plan to befriend his estranged wife, Sophie, and get the couple back together. While madly scheming to return Matthew to his family nest, Helen befriends Sophie and starts to take responsibility for her misdeeds. Refreshingly, this heroine doesn't waste time justifying her actions. Helen sees the error of her ways and sets about doing the right thing. Inevitably, she makes some comical missteps, but her heart remains in the right place. Fallon's debut has bright spots: The leading lady is memorable (one of the few singletons not obsessed with her baby-making status) and the dialogue pops. Pacing seems to be the main flaw, as the action sags in the middle and never regains momentum. Fallon's debut is sharp enough, but a languishing plot dulls the author's wit. (Kirkus Reviews)

Author Information

Jane Fallon is the multi-award-winning television producer behind shows such as This Life, Teachers and 20 Things to Do Before You're 30. Her previous books include Getting Rid of Matthew, Got You Back, Foursome,The Ugly Sister, Skeletons and Strictly Between Us.%%%Jane Fallon is the multi-award-winning television producer behind shows such as This Life, Teachers and 20 Things to Do Before You're 30. Her previous books include Getting Rid of Matthew, Got You Back, Foursome,The Ugly Sister and Skeletons

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available