I Wish Someone Were Waiting for Me Somewhere

Rating:
Summary: These wonderful stories are both entertaining and touching
Review: "I wish someone were waiting for me somewhere" --- this echoes what we all feel in our hearts. For some it may be a feeling they harbor secretly, while for others it's a well advertised fact told to all they know, and for those few who always seem in control of their lives this feeling hides in the shadows of their heart but is always there --- for everyone, everywhere wishes for that special someone.

Anna Gavalda has captured these unusual yet down-to-earth stories with so much charisma. From the aging singer who is tired of life but who finds love unexpectedly, to the man in the "lead story" who faces a dire dilemma, these are all stories with an essence of truth in them. They deal with broken hearts, lost loves, happiness and sadness. And at times, these stories may lead you to think more deeply about your own past, your secrets and fears.

I must admit that at first I found the book daunting to read, as Anna Gavalda writes in a very straightforward manner. For someone like me who enjoys reading crime novels, thrillers and lighthearted fare, the writing was quite different. But I eventually warmed to the book, and was both entertained and touched by its many wonderful stories. Whether they mean anything to you or not, these stories will open your eyes to situations you may never have imagined.

To sit down and read a book based purely on life takes maturity and an understanding beyond all that you know and believe. Perhaps it is time for many of you readers out there --- secrets, fears and all --- to delve deep into your soul and look beyond your circle of life to learn about the reality of those around you.

--- Reviewed by Vin Patel

Rating:
Summary: These wonderful stories are both entertaining and touching
Review: "I wish someone were waiting for me somewhere" --- this echoes what we all feel in our hearts. For some it may be a feeling they harbor secretly, while for others it's a well advertised fact told to all they know, and for those few who always seem in control of their lives this feeling hides in the shadows of their heart but is always there --- for everyone, everywhere wishes for that special someone.

Anna Gavalda has captured these unusual yet down-to-earth stories with so much charisma. From the aging singer who is tired of life but who finds love unexpectedly, to the man in the "lead story" who faces a dire dilemma, these are all stories with an essence of truth in them. They deal with broken hearts, lost loves, happiness and sadness. And at times, these stories may lead you to think more deeply about your own past, your secrets and fears.

I must admit that at first I found the book daunting to read, as Anna Gavalda writes in a very straightforward manner. For someone like me who enjoys reading crime novels, thrillers and lighthearted fare, the writing was quite different. But I eventually warmed to the book, and was both entertained and touched by its many wonderful stories. Whether they mean anything to you or not, these stories will open your eyes to situations you may never have imagined.

To sit down and read a book based purely on life takes maturity and an understanding beyond all that you know and believe. Perhaps it is time for many of you readers out there --- secrets, fears and all --- to delve deep into your soul and look beyond your circle of life to learn about the reality of those around you.

--- Reviewed by Vin Patel

Rating:
Summary: Reminiscent of Melissa Banks
Review: A truly beautiful, moving collection of short stories. Although the style is very different, this book reminded me a lot of The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing in the way in which the stories just pull you in and make you care about the characters. She captures the voices of so many different characters perfectly, and I couldn't put it down.

Rating:
Summary: New Generation Françoise Sagan...
Review: Can Anna Gavalda become the new generation Françoise Sagan of French literature?... Most probably not, in terms of the much settled life style of hers but when it comes to her style in literature, most probably yes, for in her stories you can find the warmth and the detachment; the happiness and the loneliness; the laughters and the tears of human beings, intact and strong as they were in Sagan's works...

Rating:
Summary: Wait no longer...
Review: I picked this one up because I had heard some good things and love Dorothy Parker. As a whole, I loved the collection. Gavalda is equally comfortable describing the intricacies of a Parisian date as she is writing (with chilling frankness) about a terrifying episode in "Catgut." An excellent French writer whose voice is preserved in the translation.

Rating:
Summary: A witty, unusual collection of short stories.
Review: I understand that Anna Gavalda is French, and the evidence is her wry, Gallic humor and tendency to understate the obvious in her stories. Ostensibly a collection of love stories, Gavalda's collection really runs the gamut of many emotions.

Some leave you rueful, others make you wish she had stretched them out and made even more of the story. Some shock--"Catgut" is an example of an emotionally charged story of horror and revenge. "Junior" is a sad story of a young man's folly -- and not a misstep with love. My favorites of the collection are "For Years", as a man meets his lost love, and learns she is dying, "Pregnant", a tale of shock and sadness that many of us have had to face, and the lead tale, "Courting Rituals of the Saint-Germain-des-Pres", in which a young woman surfaces her doubts about love at first sight by finding a cellular pretense to leave a man she is attracted to.

Gavalda has an interesting, rich voice, slants her stories from several perspectives, keeps you refreshed and reading. When you are finished, disappointment that there is no more lets you know that you are truly in the presence of a great young writer.

Exciting, bold, makes you want to read more by Gavalda!

Rating:
Summary: Liquid Inspiration
Review: I was in need of a book and I didn't know where to begin...so I began shopping for titles. This captivates you right off. The novel is simply a defining moment in writing. I think it is one of the best pieces of literature I have ever read, in that it stays with you. Another unique ability this author has is she masters the ability to change "voice" of her characters from story to story. I have lent this book out numerous times and never without fail- everyone adores it. I would say the only possiblity that you might not be captivated by it is if you don't take the time to let it dissolve in your mind. Truly a fine fine book.

Rating:
Summary: great title...
Review: I wish the book lived up to the great title, don't know what I was seduced by when I bought this one, but it is a general waste of time.
Shallow, quick, cool, emotionless, not what I expected from the reviews, alas.
Sorry I bought it, there are so many books, so little time, and this one you can pass on despite the hype.

Rating:
Summary: The French Version
Review: My whole entire French Lit class was based on this book. Although I read it in French, I was able to learn and understand a lot about Anna Gavalda. All the short stories are 3rd person, except for the final story, which is told by Gavalda, from her life. She is an intriging author and I was lucky enough to have my teacher sit and go through each story to fully understand the meanings of everything. Buy this book if you don't want some sappy love story, or if you like something real. Each of these characters are real, and the portrail of relationships for each of them isn't a fairytale, its life. Another little piece of information which might make someone understand where she was coming from at the time, is that Gavalda was going through a divorce while in the process of writing this book.

Rating:
Summary: Perfect
Review: The stories are real. There's nothing cushy in them. They make you laugh, and make you think "I would've done the same thing". They're cynical too. But the are GOOD. Reading these stories was like sitting down with a girlfriend and a glass of wine and talking for hours. Perfect. Especially when you're tired of all the books with perfectly wrapped up happy endings.