ManicMammy’s Blog

Having read and enjoyed “Man and Boy” and “One for my baby”, I was looking forward to reading this latest novel from Tony Parsons. Alas it was a major disappointment. Having just finished it, I am left with a sense of frustration and annoyance.

The main character Bill, a hotshot lawyer begins the novel moving from London to Shanghai with his wife Becca and daughter Holly, on the promise that when he puts his time in in China, he’ll be made partner in his law firm and therefore a very wealthy man.

Shanghai is described in terms of opportunity, exploitation, poverty and wealth. Bill and his family move into an apartment block that is also home to many other expats and also the “second wives” or mistresses of wealthy Chinese businessmen.

The story unfolds with Becca being unhappy in Shanghai, her father falling ill and her and Holly returning to London. JinJin, one of the second wives, has already caught Bill’s attention and following Becca’s departure they begin their affair. Things come to a head when Becca and Holly return and inevitably the affair is made public.

Its all a bit one dimensional really. JinJin’s personality is mainly described in childlike terms which I found a bit aggravating. I didn’t really identify with any of the main characters, none of them were very sympathetic. The minor characters such as Bill’s father were more interesting to be honest. 

The plot meandered and it felt like a chore to get to the end. The cultural, social and political differences between Shanghai and London were explored to a certain degree and to an extent this was quite interesting. But the moral indignation of Bill to the corruption and inequality of the system there didn’t really ring true.

Overall, I was left feeling cheated, this novel could have been so much better.

As we were in Cavan visiting Granny for the past few days, we decided to take the opportunity on one of the rainy days to visit Cavan’s latest indoor children’s activity centre.

I headed with the 3 middle children as eldest was ill and baby happy enough to potter around with Granny. So the 6, 4 and 2 year old and myself arrived at Kool Kids. Its located on the Ballinagh road so is very easy to get to and plenty of parking. The first thing I noted is that unlike some of children’s indoor play centres we’ve been to, there were loads of windows, skylights and so plenty of natural daylight and it was nice and bright.

The charge was €7 per child for 90 mins play. Security was good, the usual magnetised gate at the entrance and kids had to be buzzed in and out. There were plenty of visible staff in all areas of the centre too which was great.

There were 3 main areas, one to suit each age range. A fine big toddler  area with lots of foam blocks, stairs, balls, large foam jigsaws. The 3-5 year old section was loved by our larger than life 2 year old. He loved the slide and climbing up the stairs. This area also had a swing boat and a sing ball which were a bit beyond his capability yet.  An indoor small soccer area was adjacent to this section.

The larger kids section was loved by our 6 year old. 2 slides, one open and one a closed tube were tested again and again. What I liked about this section and the younger children’s one was that most of it was just enclosed by netting so that you could keep an eye on your child no matter which part of the maze they were in. There was plenty to keep them amused in this area.

The highlight of the centre for the 6 year old was not this though, it was the climbing wall. I thought this was a fabulous idea. It was attended by one of the staff who ensured the child was harnessed safely and then 2 at a time could climb up using the usual foot and hand holds. He loved it and each time progressed a little bit further.

The highlight for the 2 and 4 year old though was the ball shooting area. Again, I thought this was a great idea and a bit different. It was something they both loved after a while of running around. The 2 year old needed a chair to reach it, but once set up, he was happy to get 2 balls, fire them through the air gun at the target. Then he’d get down and get 2 more balls again and again. He really loved it and had to be pryed off it when it was time to leave.

The centre had plenty of seating between the entrance and the play areas. So it was possible to have a break and a coffee and still keep an eye on your children. The usual refreshments of tea, coffees, soft drinks and confectionary were on sale.

Overall, I really liked this centre. I thought it was well set up, there was plenty to keep the children amused and plenty of friendly, helpful staff. I can see it being a godsend on rainy days when we’re up visiting Granny and the kids need to expend some energy and run around for a while. We’ll definitely be returning.

My fabulous sister surprised me with a Jo Malone gift set for Christmas and its so gorgeous.

Packaged in cream box tied with a black ribbon, it contained a bottle of the White Jasmine and mint cologne and some orange blossom bath oil. I’ve always preferred light, fresh, green, floral perfumes rather than heavy, spicy ones and the white jasmine and mint smells perfect. I’ve been wearing it pretty much constantly since recieving it. The mint is a surprising addition initially but really adds something to the overall fragrance.

The orange blossom bath oil is fabulous. My only quibble was I really didn’t know how much to add to the bathwater on first use so added way too much. Its smells divine, really refreshes and revives me when I make myself take the time and chill out in a bath after a hectic day.

I didn’t realise that these two are recommended for use together but they do work really well.

I know that it is an expensive gift, but as a one off or for a special occasion I would definitely recommend if you want to pamper someone. Thanks again sis.

Have recently started watching this legal thriller series which is showing on Monday nights on BBC1. Have been well impressed so far.

It began with a bloodstained woman running panicked out of an apartment building and then returns to 6 months previous to this, where we meet the same woman beginning her career as a lawyer. She is Ellen Parsons and is played by Rose Byrne. Glenn Close is her boss, feared and revered litigator, Patty Hewes. Patty is taking on Arthur Frobisher, played by Ted Danson, a wealthy CEO in a class action lawsuit. Both Ted Danson and Glenn Close are excellent in this. The plot twists and turns and just as you think you know happened something occurs to change your mind.

It is difficult to see who is the goodie and who the baddie. Everything is not as it seems and it compelling to watch as we know the ultimate result of the dead man in the apartment. Who killed him and why is yet to be discovered. Did Ellen do it and why would she? If not, who is framing her? What is their motivation?

The dialogue is sharp and the acting great. I particularly like Frobisher’s lawyer Ray Fiske, played by Zeljko Ivanek and Tate Donovan who plays Patty’s second in command.  Very enjoyable viewing and the best opening theme tune since The Sopranos: The VLA - “When I get through with you”

My mother in law lent me this book a few weeks ago and it was a good read up to a point. My main gripe is its very disappointing ending which then tarred the whole novel as I wondered “why the hell did I bother reading that?”

Its set in a fictional suberb of Dublin and so the setting and time is very familiar. It starts with the discovery of a body of a young girl on an archeological dig site which is in the process of being hurriedly finished up to make way for a new motorway.

The lead character Detective Rob Ryan is originally from the area but had left as a 12 year old, after his 2 friends went missing whilst playing with him in the local woods. He was found scratched and with blood in his shoes but he had/has no recollection of what happened to his pals. Initially he is quite a sympathic character but as the narrative progresses, he becomes less so. More selfish and self absorbed, his behaviour degenerates so he becomes less understandable. His relationship with his colleague Cassie is blurred. Platonic initially, then romantically involved and then he rejects her.  Her character is rather one dimensional. 

The writing was grand and the plot did keep me gripped until nearing the end when I began to find it getting less and less plausible. The fact that the earlier mystery is just left and is therefore unresolved was annoying. Yep, I like my crime novels all sorted when I turn the last page!  I know that the author may have chosen to do this to reflect Ryan’s viewpoint but I dont really care. I felt that the original kids’ disappearance was a more interesting plot than the modern one which was solved.