Sushi for Beginners: A Witty Romantic Comedy About Three Women Finding Love and Happiness in Dublin

I love this book, although I wasn't so sure of it the first time I read it. I find it fascinating to glimpse into an idea of people's lives who have been brought up quite differently. Lisa is so hard, and tough, because - at least partially - she was dissatisfied with her poor upbringing. As she comes to understand herself better, she can be happy with who she is, and therefore be nicer to other people. Ashling is loyal and devoted, leading to her being walked on a fair bit. It takes a metaphoric slap in the face for her to experience and finally understand what her mother went through and allow her to process her childhood before she can mature. Clodagh is needed to make Ashling's 'slap' bigger, and to balance what Ashling is going through. She's the least likeable in my opinion, because although she is supposed to be devoting herself to rearing her children she doesn't seem to put much effort into them. I do particularly like that the book describes being alone with two small children day-in, day-out as being exhausting and lonely, though. That's something I personally experienced with my two boys when they were small. I read the US kindle version of this the other day, after 15 or so years of reading the paperback from Australia, and there are many small differences between them (lines left out or added, words/names changed, etc). I think it's sad that the versions can't be the same, which would give a more authentic experience to the reader. It makes me want to seek out the Irish/UK version in case my Aussie version is itself altered.

I enjoy all of keye's novels, and this does not disappoint! The love story is believable, intriguing and leaves you wanting more. The characters are lovable and endearing in Keye's typical way. You truly tend to root for all the characters! Great read!

After not being totally impressed with the first Marian Keyes book I had read, I was a little hesitant to begin this one. I love this book! There are a couple of main characters and each has such a different personality and different obstacles in their life. It's funny how each person's life changes from what they learn from each other. This is a long book but worth every second you spending reading it. Some of the characters work in a new high fashion magazine, some are comics trying to make it and some are friends and relatives from the sidelines. The three main women in the book: Ashling is an ordinary girl with a compassionate and difficult past due to her mother is just trying to get by minimally in the magazine world, Lisa is the high flying editor knocking everyone over on her way to the top, including her parents and her husband, and Clodaugh the picture of a perfect life who is unhappy and bored with her life. Each person learns something from the others and their relationships change with the mistakes they make and the lessons they learn. It's a very good book!

If you are a fan of Marian Keyes work, as I am, you may want to skip this book. (I can't believe I just typed that!) I found the subject matter in "Sushi" to be compelling, but Keyes just didn't give me any interesting characters! There was no one to cheer for. I didn't even care enough about Ashling to be on her side when she was getting jerked around! It may have had something to do with the way the book erratically skips around between their stories, never giving the reader time to bond or relate to any one character. It's a shame because I felt character development had been one of Keyes strongest talents. The Bottom Line: Make your way through Keyes' other books first!

I'm a big fan of Marian Keyes and I think this is my favorite of her books (and actually one of my favorite books, period). The characters are well developed, the dialogue and turns of phrases are realistic and clever/witty and there are multiple entertaining plots running through the book. I re-read this book every so often, kind of like visiting with old friends. I'd recommend this book to a friend.

Sushi was a fun read, not as insightful or as complex as some of her other books. It was a frothy kind of confection, kind of fun, something to entertain one on a long flight or, on a lovely Mexican Beach vacation.Marian Keyes keeps me entertained. I will continue to read every one of her books. I would regard her writing as Maeve Binchey, light.

good

This book was so enjoyable to read that I was sorry to see it end. Others have commented that it could have been shorter, but I do not agree. I thought by the end of the book your really knew each person and saw how they evolved during the story. Jack was totally Devine! I got so into this story that I actually had sushi for lunch today!!!! This book was better than the Other Side of the Story. All chicklit fans will enjoy this one.