A Crowded Marriage by Catherine Alliott

A crowded marriage implies one ... one crowded marriage (ha ha ha - channelling my inner Count here. And throwing in a little foreshadowing) And in this fun, British romp, Catherine Alliott must have been channelling her inner Shakespeare. That's what this novel reminded me of: a zany, mixed-up, laugh-out-loud, Shakespearean comedy - with totally understandable language.

I fell completely in love with Imogen and her whacked-out family. They were so lovable that their foibles managed to make them seem relateable and endearing rather than just bizarre. I could totally see myself caught up in the same sorts of ridiculous situations Imogen found herself in.

What was bothersome about the characters was their total inability to face the truth in each of their lives. This did make for some hilarious moments but it also, occasionally, made me want to shake some sense into them. I was also not fond of the underlying theme that threaded its way through the novel.

Despite some serious moments, 'A Crowded Marriage' is not a book to be taken seriously. I would have been thrilled with a different ending but the ending, as it sits, works OK too.

Looking for something to read while you lay out in the sun this summer? 'A Crowded Marriage' by Catherine Alliott may be just the thing. If you'd like to win a copy, check out tomorrow's post. BIG announcement - HUGE giveaway (that's more foreshadowing).