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Have a Nice Weekend
'Have A Nice Weekend' is less the story of two hearts breaking as of time running out ….
It is the sound of marital negotiations breaking down.
Women will read this book and think, “Exactly! I only want to be noticed, to be loved, to be considered …. It doesn't take much …..”
Men will read this and go, “God, I've done that! How many times has she done that to me? By what right …..?”
Whatever the requests Will agreed to comply with and then didn't, he is miserable now.
Abi was his first girlfriend. When she said she loved him, he was taken by surprise but kind of agreed. They got married, but she made all the arrangements for the wedding.
When she became pregnant, it was because she decided it was time and stopped taking precautions, but Will thought Sophie was the most beautiful baby in the world when she was born.
However time, stress and misunderstandings took their toll, and now they live apart.
Now for the big questions - what have they learned? Does Will care enough to try to put things right, and does Abi care enough to let him?
It is the sound of marital negotiations breaking down.
Women will read this book and think, “Exactly! I only want to be noticed, to be loved, to be considered …. It doesn't take much …..”
Men will read this and go, “God, I've done that! How many times has she done that to me? By what right …..?”
Whatever the requests Will agreed to comply with and then didn't, he is miserable now.
Abi was his first girlfriend. When she said she loved him, he was taken by surprise but kind of agreed. They got married, but she made all the arrangements for the wedding.
When she became pregnant, it was because she decided it was time and stopped taking precautions, but Will thought Sophie was the most beautiful baby in the world when she was born.
However time, stress and misunderstandings took their toll, and now they live apart.
Now for the big questions - what have they learned? Does Will care enough to try to put things right, and does Abi care enough to let him?
259 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 7, 2011
7 people are currently reading
263 people want to read
About the author
Ian Ellis
20 books27 followersBorn in Hampshire, Ian has lived in various locations around England, as well as spending a year in Florida. He has now returned to the county of his birth, where he lives with his wife and four children.
He has worked in banking and finance for most of his life. Upon return from Florida in 2007, he put his mind to writing.
'Have a Nice Weekend' is his first novel.
He has worked in banking and finance for most of his life. Upon return from Florida in 2007, he put his mind to writing.
'Have a Nice Weekend' is his first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 15, 2012
Will is a happy-go-lucky guy with a working class upbringing and attitude. He's just a plain old Joe with no lofty expectations. At work he meets Abi, a go-getter girl from the "better" part of town, who knows exactly what she wants.
As it sometimes happens in life, the odd-ball couple hit it off and got married, mainly due to Abi's overtures and efforts. They settle down to married life, which doesn’t turn out too idyllic for either of them. Abi, the go-getter, is always pushing for more in life and for Will to be more, which goes against his grain. He doesn't have aspirations, just wants to get on with living life day by day, getting the most out of life with what he has.
They eventually have two children, but by the time the kids had grown into teenagers, the strain of their marriage had simply become too much for Abi to bear. And that’s when it happened. One evening Will returns home and finds Abi waiting for him, having already packed his bags!
What to do now?
This is an engaging work of fiction with the well and woes of a typical couple's relationship at its core. It's a great read! I especially love the characters’ real-life flaws and how “average” they are, which makes them so easy to relate to. Ian Ellis brilliantly depicts the age-old conflict and misunderstanding between the genders in a modern day setting. Although the language is somewhat crude at times, it is true to the characters and times of this story, and not over done. I also liked the fact that there is no hype; just true-life actions and dialogue.
This book provides a relaxing, engaging read, suitable for both men and women. (David Fritz)
As it sometimes happens in life, the odd-ball couple hit it off and got married, mainly due to Abi's overtures and efforts. They settle down to married life, which doesn’t turn out too idyllic for either of them. Abi, the go-getter, is always pushing for more in life and for Will to be more, which goes against his grain. He doesn't have aspirations, just wants to get on with living life day by day, getting the most out of life with what he has.
They eventually have two children, but by the time the kids had grown into teenagers, the strain of their marriage had simply become too much for Abi to bear. And that’s when it happened. One evening Will returns home and finds Abi waiting for him, having already packed his bags!
What to do now?
This is an engaging work of fiction with the well and woes of a typical couple's relationship at its core. It's a great read! I especially love the characters’ real-life flaws and how “average” they are, which makes them so easy to relate to. Ian Ellis brilliantly depicts the age-old conflict and misunderstanding between the genders in a modern day setting. Although the language is somewhat crude at times, it is true to the characters and times of this story, and not over done. I also liked the fact that there is no hype; just true-life actions and dialogue.
This book provides a relaxing, engaging read, suitable for both men and women. (David Fritz)
April 25, 2012
Author: Ian Ellis
Published By: Night Publishing, Smashwords Edition
Age Recommend: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 4 our of 5
Blog Review For: Librarything
Review:
"Have a Nice Weekend" by Ian Ellis was indeed an interesting
realistic fiction read definitely from the male viewpoint. This
novel is a very emotional excursion and the wows of this marriage
of Will and Abi. Just who was right and or wrong in this union
will have one really why do we left things get to this situation?
In this novel be ready for some humor, and much sadness.
The characters were really off the chart...Mr. Petal..the racist
and then his best friend Andy...who ended up with ? Will who
was generally a lonely person...quirky..had a boring job that
he hated...And then there is Abi... Will's wife....always wanting
more out of life..than Will wanted. He just wants a simple life....
There is a dinner party that was so funny that you will
only have to read "Have a Nice Weekend" to check it out!
After reading and thinking about this novel it is one that can be
related to in more ways that one. I saw that it wasn't very easy
not to take sides of these two people. You could see that the
D word was definitely in the making. You will ask yourself just
how could this have happen...even after being warned. I especially
enjoyed the ending in that Will finally makes some progress in
dealing with a divorce, his children, Andy and looking forward to
changing his life for the better.
The author did a fantastic and wonderful job with this novel
going from the past to the present keeping the reader wanting
to know what was to come next.
For anyone who has loved and lost this good read "Have A Nice
Weekend" would be for you.
April 26, 2012
I won this book on a LibraryThing giveaway. I’m not sure how I feel about it. The main character portrayed a lot of self pity for the hands he was dealt but his wife was someone to be desired as well. But I have to give the author credit where credit is due that the main character was able to reflect on all that had happened to him thru out his life and was able to see it for what it was. Maybe this is an eye opener for some of us to think about the relationships we have and how it’s a two way street to work on it and keep it going.
December 20, 2011
This is a brilliant book. The main character is a man who has divorced from his wife in his 40's struggling to get by with the meagre pay from his dead end job. It was very well written and very believable, if not realistic but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
January 2, 2012
Well written and well thought-out; this book will leave you reflecting on your own relationships, choices and desires in life. I highly recommend this book - it's a deceptively easy-read, despite the thought-provoking content. Perfect to snuggle up with for the weekend.
May 10, 2012
So as I do when I read a book that I am going to review, I only read the blurb that is on the back cover. I don't want my review to be influenced by what others have written.
A quarter of the way through the book, I was just numb. My brain didn't want to read anymore because it was all just mindless "He put his pants on. He went downstairs. He ate toast but he wanted eggs...blah,blah blah...
And that was actually the better parts of the book til then. Not a single character did I met that I felt any interest in, or liking for. Everyone of them is a miserable, complaining jerk (and those are like the nicest things I can think of to say).
I managed somehow to slog my way through to the end of this book and let me tell you, I could have stopped anytime, and I would not have missed anything worthwhile.
Will, the so called protagonist in this book, had nothing going for him. No ambition, no initiative, no humor, no self awareness, actually the only thing, seriously the only thing I found somewhat okay about him was that he liked the album Steely Dan The Royal Scam. Will is just plain dull and boring and not worth reading about.
Lets go on to his wife Abi. She makes me embarrassed to be female. Always nagging, always harping, always trying to change her husband, nothing ever good enough for her, and the list goes on. I couldn't even say there was an album that she liked, because I truly think she just hates everyone, everything and is completely selfish (like Will).
Mr. Patel, resident racist who also complains about everyone and everything; Andy, just as lazy and useless as Will...the list could go on, but there is no point.
Even the ending was a waste of time. After reading about how useless, aimless and apathetic Will has been his entire life, I'm supposed to care or believe that suddenly, boom he changed? Get real!
Imagine then my surprise when after I read this piece of drivel that it has an overall rating of like 4 stars...that's right 4 stars!!! I couldn't believe it! I read the other reviews, like 8, and they all went on and on about what a wonderful book it was. I actually double checked 3 sites to make sure the book I read was the same one that people were calling a masterpiece. Then I came upon a 1 star review. The reviewer went through the exact same feelings and disbelief I did when she read other peoples reviews.
I can only say in closing that this was one of the worst books I have read, with not a sympathetic character is sight, nor a plot line that goes farther than he wore clean over dirty jeans. YEAH!!! But my biggest, absolutely biggest problem, was that so many people gave this book such glowing reviews. All I can suggest is if you like to be bored, read this book, if you think all people are jerks, read this book, and last if your like me, I finished reading this book to see if any of the reviewers actually found some redeeming something in this book. I did not.
I really, really dislike not being able to say anything good (other than he liked Steely Dan) about a character, I dislike even more not finding something positive to say about the book, but I just can't. Its all perception I guess, but I somehow don't think if you read this book, if you're honest, you will find anything positive about it either. Sorry Mr. Ellis, I really tried to like your book but just not possible.
I received my copy through LibraryThing and my review was unsolicited.
A quarter of the way through the book, I was just numb. My brain didn't want to read anymore because it was all just mindless "He put his pants on. He went downstairs. He ate toast but he wanted eggs...blah,blah blah...
And that was actually the better parts of the book til then. Not a single character did I met that I felt any interest in, or liking for. Everyone of them is a miserable, complaining jerk (and those are like the nicest things I can think of to say).
I managed somehow to slog my way through to the end of this book and let me tell you, I could have stopped anytime, and I would not have missed anything worthwhile.
Will, the so called protagonist in this book, had nothing going for him. No ambition, no initiative, no humor, no self awareness, actually the only thing, seriously the only thing I found somewhat okay about him was that he liked the album Steely Dan The Royal Scam. Will is just plain dull and boring and not worth reading about.
Lets go on to his wife Abi. She makes me embarrassed to be female. Always nagging, always harping, always trying to change her husband, nothing ever good enough for her, and the list goes on. I couldn't even say there was an album that she liked, because I truly think she just hates everyone, everything and is completely selfish (like Will).
Mr. Patel, resident racist who also complains about everyone and everything; Andy, just as lazy and useless as Will...the list could go on, but there is no point.
Even the ending was a waste of time. After reading about how useless, aimless and apathetic Will has been his entire life, I'm supposed to care or believe that suddenly, boom he changed? Get real!
Imagine then my surprise when after I read this piece of drivel that it has an overall rating of like 4 stars...that's right 4 stars!!! I couldn't believe it! I read the other reviews, like 8, and they all went on and on about what a wonderful book it was. I actually double checked 3 sites to make sure the book I read was the same one that people were calling a masterpiece. Then I came upon a 1 star review. The reviewer went through the exact same feelings and disbelief I did when she read other peoples reviews.
I can only say in closing that this was one of the worst books I have read, with not a sympathetic character is sight, nor a plot line that goes farther than he wore clean over dirty jeans. YEAH!!! But my biggest, absolutely biggest problem, was that so many people gave this book such glowing reviews. All I can suggest is if you like to be bored, read this book, if you think all people are jerks, read this book, and last if your like me, I finished reading this book to see if any of the reviewers actually found some redeeming something in this book. I did not.
I really, really dislike not being able to say anything good (other than he liked Steely Dan) about a character, I dislike even more not finding something positive to say about the book, but I just can't. Its all perception I guess, but I somehow don't think if you read this book, if you're honest, you will find anything positive about it either. Sorry Mr. Ellis, I really tried to like your book but just not possible.
I received my copy through LibraryThing and my review was unsolicited.
May 20, 2012
This book is a little gem that can be easily overlooked if you look at it under a wrong angle. It is undoubtedly an easy read but it’s true quality lies not 100% in what is written and how, but by a great part in what you take out of the book. This book bonds with you at a human level, it resonates within you and it makes you care about the characters.
I think we all met Will at some point in our lives and that makes him ever so real with all his hopes and desires (or the lack of) and his misunderstandings and mistakes. Will’s story beautifully shows that neither of us is perfect as we all are only humans and sometimes we put on a show, and others might see right through it. Sometimes we are completely out of our depth, but try not to let it show and sometimes we just lose our way for a while. Neither of us lived our lives before so we all make do with what we think is the right thing to do, to want or to say. Combine this with other person’s believes, desires and anticipations and you end up with life as complex and complicated as it gets. But don’t we all have to deal with this? Didn’t we all go through relationships that were bound to end because of the accumulation of misunderstandings, bits of selfishness and half-hearted compromises?
As the saying goes, ‘there are two sides to every story’ and this book portrays both of them beautifully. Every each of us can find a part of us in this book and that’s what makes this book excellent.
I think I should mention one more thing, I came to a conclusion that with this book it really matters how old you are. I can only write from my experience, but I believe that in most cases, if you are in your teens or twenties you will not get the full punch from this book. Once you reached thirty you take the first stock of your life and you change your views slightly and you start to think about things you never thought before and even see relationships in different light. And once you reach this certain maturity, that’s when I think you will enjoy the book the most. I say this without any prejudice and if you are so lucky to be young and have a great insight into life, then good for you, go ahead and enjoy the book.
I hope that anyone who is going to pick up this book will have such a pleasurable read as I did.
(review copy)
I think we all met Will at some point in our lives and that makes him ever so real with all his hopes and desires (or the lack of) and his misunderstandings and mistakes. Will’s story beautifully shows that neither of us is perfect as we all are only humans and sometimes we put on a show, and others might see right through it. Sometimes we are completely out of our depth, but try not to let it show and sometimes we just lose our way for a while. Neither of us lived our lives before so we all make do with what we think is the right thing to do, to want or to say. Combine this with other person’s believes, desires and anticipations and you end up with life as complex and complicated as it gets. But don’t we all have to deal with this? Didn’t we all go through relationships that were bound to end because of the accumulation of misunderstandings, bits of selfishness and half-hearted compromises?
As the saying goes, ‘there are two sides to every story’ and this book portrays both of them beautifully. Every each of us can find a part of us in this book and that’s what makes this book excellent.
I think I should mention one more thing, I came to a conclusion that with this book it really matters how old you are. I can only write from my experience, but I believe that in most cases, if you are in your teens or twenties you will not get the full punch from this book. Once you reached thirty you take the first stock of your life and you change your views slightly and you start to think about things you never thought before and even see relationships in different light. And once you reach this certain maturity, that’s when I think you will enjoy the book the most. I say this without any prejudice and if you are so lucky to be young and have a great insight into life, then good for you, go ahead and enjoy the book.
I hope that anyone who is going to pick up this book will have such a pleasurable read as I did.
(review copy)
August 20, 2011
If the edifice of marriage is to withstand the trials and ravages of time, it demands much more attention or dedication from both the husband and the wife.
Freedom does not mean, one is free and other is not. Rights always come with a corresponding duty. Marriage demands silence, gloss over, love, care, eulogy of bodies, and many more things.
On the strands of compromise, tolerance, mutual understanding, feeling and accommodation, the foundation of the edifice is laid and gains strength to strength. The garden always needs watering of deep care and love.
It’s a different matter who’ll accommodate whom and on what order. The wife or husband or both should think on this, talk about this. And keenness to accommodate must be like ‘me before’.
Recently I’ve read two fabulous novels by two Night Reading authors. The first one Simon’s Choice by Charlotte Castle and latest one, Have a Nice Weekend by Ian Ellis. Both writers have depicted the relationship on different settings, but the result is the same: DIVORCE.
The writing is superbly meticulous and vivid. The minute details of life and the observations are easy to relate and on this count, I’ve only praise for Ian Ellis.
The flow of thoughts strikes. It swings in a format of present-past-present and the writer has deftly maintained the balance. Dialogues are tight, not mechanic or robotic.
The manner he’s shown Wills is praise-worthy. Wills needs sheer sympathy and this is but an instance of successful characterization. The writer has not shown the bitching of Andy, the wife of Wills but through Wills the writer has tried to portray Ego that led to the writing of Ode to life.
Why divorce happens, the book shows vividly and it’s obvious the opposite should be done to avoid the unhappy ending.
Ian, full marks to you. I’ll look forward to another social saga. This is my type of theme and I’m completely a fan of your flow and observation.
Freedom does not mean, one is free and other is not. Rights always come with a corresponding duty. Marriage demands silence, gloss over, love, care, eulogy of bodies, and many more things.
On the strands of compromise, tolerance, mutual understanding, feeling and accommodation, the foundation of the edifice is laid and gains strength to strength. The garden always needs watering of deep care and love.
It’s a different matter who’ll accommodate whom and on what order. The wife or husband or both should think on this, talk about this. And keenness to accommodate must be like ‘me before’.
Recently I’ve read two fabulous novels by two Night Reading authors. The first one Simon’s Choice by Charlotte Castle and latest one, Have a Nice Weekend by Ian Ellis. Both writers have depicted the relationship on different settings, but the result is the same: DIVORCE.
The writing is superbly meticulous and vivid. The minute details of life and the observations are easy to relate and on this count, I’ve only praise for Ian Ellis.
The flow of thoughts strikes. It swings in a format of present-past-present and the writer has deftly maintained the balance. Dialogues are tight, not mechanic or robotic.
The manner he’s shown Wills is praise-worthy. Wills needs sheer sympathy and this is but an instance of successful characterization. The writer has not shown the bitching of Andy, the wife of Wills but through Wills the writer has tried to portray Ego that led to the writing of Ode to life.
Why divorce happens, the book shows vividly and it’s obvious the opposite should be done to avoid the unhappy ending.
Ian, full marks to you. I’ll look forward to another social saga. This is my type of theme and I’m completely a fan of your flow and observation.
May 13, 2012
Have a Nice Weekend grabbed me from the first chapter. The references are so recognisable it could have been the biography of someone I knew, born to my generation, living through the same challenges and events as so many of my friends.
There is humour, sadness and warmth. Throughout, the characters felt so familiar I needed to know what happened next to them. True, there were times I wanted to slap one of them, shout or say 'You deserve it!', but often I was left wondering, 'How do we let things get to this?'
A heart-warming, thought-provoking drama steeped in real life situations, the final chapter could have finished in so many ways.
If you like the style of Nick Hornby then I'm sure you'll enjoy this book. Anyone who loves their kids significantly more than their partner, or wondered just what else they needed to do to keep their other half happy, or how their life led them to this unsatisfying point, I would recommend taking a few quiet hours to mull over the lives of Will and Abi in 'Have a Nice Weekend'.
There is humour, sadness and warmth. Throughout, the characters felt so familiar I needed to know what happened next to them. True, there were times I wanted to slap one of them, shout or say 'You deserve it!', but often I was left wondering, 'How do we let things get to this?'
A heart-warming, thought-provoking drama steeped in real life situations, the final chapter could have finished in so many ways.
If you like the style of Nick Hornby then I'm sure you'll enjoy this book. Anyone who loves their kids significantly more than their partner, or wondered just what else they needed to do to keep their other half happy, or how their life led them to this unsatisfying point, I would recommend taking a few quiet hours to mull over the lives of Will and Abi in 'Have a Nice Weekend'.
April 27, 2012
Will Frampton is spending a lonely Saturday doing nothing but thinking about his life past and present. Will has only ever had one girlfriend and her married. Then Will was a devoted husband and tried to be a doting father too. Now Will is a divorced father of two children. He looks back at his life and wonders how he ended up here. He tries to see his life thru his wife's eyes but fails to understand her complaints. He's had the same job for the past twenty years even though he complains about. His ex-wife Abi thinks of him as pathetic and uninspired. His best friend Andy is successful in his life and would love to be a family man just hasn't met the right someone yet. Yet Will had everything Andy wanted and more. Can Will see where his life's going? Can Will find a new outlook on life? Can Will see Abi's point of view? Will he become apart of his children's lives again? Your answers await you in Have A Nice Weekend.
April 27, 2012
I read this book a while ago, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The character, although a bit sorry for himself is actually very sympathetic and I did warm to him. I think the main thing is that even after all this time there are bits of the book that keep coming back to me as I witness behaviour and think - aha yes, just like in that book. A good book worth reading in my opinion
April 6, 2012
I won this as a first read giveaway. Actually 3 1/2 stars. Was a good story. I found myself feeling sorry for Will but I wish they would have told more of Abi's story. I would like to know what happens to them both in the future and if Will really does try to change his life for the better.
July 5, 2012
I loved this book. The characters were so real they stayed with me for a while after reading, which is always a sign of a good book.
May 10, 2021
I didn't like this book at all. Just one big pity party for will the main character with a sneaky demanding wife who always gets her own way
December 29, 2012
When I picked up this book, I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. After all, the title doesn't give away much. I was surprised and delighted with what I found inside. What I found was a picture of loneliness and two sides of a story that many married couples face.
Will's existence (I can't use the word "life" here as his solitude isn't really living) is poignant and raw. His pathetic attempts to keep himself fed, healthy and occupied are excruciating from the reader's point of view, and each task he performs invariably leads to memories of what once was.
He's not a particularly likable character. He's sort of oblivious to everything going on around him, but at the same time, the reader can deeply sympathize with this lonely man who just wants his old life back. He's a devoted father, which does further build sympathy for him, and it's hard to watch as he is separated from his children. He's a gentle buffoon who really is clueless about women (despite repeated lessons), and it's hard to stay angry with him.
Abi isn't particularly likable either, but we can see why she ends up getting disgusted with the lump on the couch she calls her husband. She's real. Both characters are. They're flawed, and that makes them so easily understood and related to.
As a side-note: I am the product of a divorced family, and I saw my parents in the book. The author has done a wonderful job of portraying real-life scenarios and what happens when it all falls apart. The aftermath of a separation can leave jagged wounds, and the author displays Will's wounds for all to see.
All in all, despite the lighthearted moments in the book where we hear Will's innermost thoughts and feelings, and the occasional cringe-worthy scene (the dinner party), our attention is riveted to the characters. Will they work it out? Will they end up split up for good?
The author does a fantastic job of building tension and effectively bouncing between the past and present without losing the reader at the same time delicately foreshadowing what is to come. The book is presented in a wistful, gentle tone and will strike chords with anyone out there who's ever been on the rocks with a loved one before, or anyone who has loved and lost.
Will's existence (I can't use the word "life" here as his solitude isn't really living) is poignant and raw. His pathetic attempts to keep himself fed, healthy and occupied are excruciating from the reader's point of view, and each task he performs invariably leads to memories of what once was.
He's not a particularly likable character. He's sort of oblivious to everything going on around him, but at the same time, the reader can deeply sympathize with this lonely man who just wants his old life back. He's a devoted father, which does further build sympathy for him, and it's hard to watch as he is separated from his children. He's a gentle buffoon who really is clueless about women (despite repeated lessons), and it's hard to stay angry with him.
Abi isn't particularly likable either, but we can see why she ends up getting disgusted with the lump on the couch she calls her husband. She's real. Both characters are. They're flawed, and that makes them so easily understood and related to.
As a side-note: I am the product of a divorced family, and I saw my parents in the book. The author has done a wonderful job of portraying real-life scenarios and what happens when it all falls apart. The aftermath of a separation can leave jagged wounds, and the author displays Will's wounds for all to see.
All in all, despite the lighthearted moments in the book where we hear Will's innermost thoughts and feelings, and the occasional cringe-worthy scene (the dinner party), our attention is riveted to the characters. Will they work it out? Will they end up split up for good?
The author does a fantastic job of building tension and effectively bouncing between the past and present without losing the reader at the same time delicately foreshadowing what is to come. The book is presented in a wistful, gentle tone and will strike chords with anyone out there who's ever been on the rocks with a loved one before, or anyone who has loved and lost.
May 7, 2012
This book...I tried. I don't like giving 1-2 stars for books, but I couldn't help it in this case. I really tried to like it, but that just wasn't going to happen. Reading it felt like a chore and I had to force myself to keep going. At no point was I eager to get back to reading it. The writing is entirely too detailed. I don't need to know every time Will lights a cigarette. I don't need to know that he got up, then put on his jeans. Then he put on his shirt. Then he walked down the stairs. Then he saw his mother. Then he said hi to his mother...etc. Without all of the unnecessary details, the length of the book would be cut in half. Abi is a nagging harpy who essentially rules the marriage, and Will is too spineless to argue with her or stand up for himself. The Amazon synopsis reads: "Women will read this book and think, “Exactly! I only want to be noticed, to be loved, to be considered …. It doesn't take much..." At no point did I connect to Abi in any way, or sympathize with her. She was one of the most unlikeable characters I have ever read. And the entire time, I was internally screaming at Will to just GET UP AND DO SOMETHING. I thought I would eventually sympathize with Abi, but once she started on how they can't live on Will's salary and she makes so much more money and "you're paying for lunch this time" and then committing what I feel is the ultimate betrayal/lie between a husband and wife, I just hated her. He never should have married her in the first place, but was so desperate for a girlfriend that it just kind of happened. She clearly wanted to get married and chose him, perhaps because he was so malleable and easy to control. I can't recommend it to anyone, and like another reviewer on goodreads, after seeing the good reviews I had to wonder if I was reading a different book.
May 6, 2012
"Have A Nice Weekend" by Ian Ellis details the mundane life of Will, a middle-aged, divorced, lonely Englishman living in a single flat. Ellis guides the reader from Will's present less-than-ideal circumstances back to his childhood friendships, the day he met his future wife, the birth of his first child, and the day his wife told him to "get out" in order to demonstrate Will's character strengths and flaws. I found it very difficult to be sympathetic toward Will. It seems his internal monologue is constantly harping on his lack of ambition (while placing the blame for his dead-end job/life/attitude elsewhere) and the numerous excuses he invents to keep things status quo, even when it places his family life in jeopardy, gets very tiresome. When Ellis wrote from Abi's (Will's wife's) point of view at intervals, I cringed at the "stereotypical" unhappy nagging housewife caricature.
As a whole, the novel did well at detailing the mundane thoughts/actions people carry on in the day-to-day without making the story as a whole boring, and I regard that as one of the author's achievements. In terms of the ending of the book and my overall satisfaction as a reader with the resolution, I was left wanting more and felt the ending very hollow. I recommend giving "Have A Nice Weekend" a read though, and see how much you agree with Will's views on life.
As a whole, the novel did well at detailing the mundane thoughts/actions people carry on in the day-to-day without making the story as a whole boring, and I regard that as one of the author's achievements. In terms of the ending of the book and my overall satisfaction as a reader with the resolution, I was left wanting more and felt the ending very hollow. I recommend giving "Have A Nice Weekend" a read though, and see how much you agree with Will's views on life.
August 25, 2012
280 pages of a man with no life. Why? Because he has no ambition and no desires to do better. He is a divorced father of two who is paying child support and alimony on an entry level salary at a job with no direct future without working for it. This is the sad story of an underacheiver who, in his 40s, has finally decided to "man-up" and fix his life.
This is a book I would give to a slacker to show them how life could be if they don't get off their arse and go after that life that they want because it wont fall into you lap. Unless your a heir, then you wont have to do anything.
This is a book I would give to a slacker to show them how life could be if they don't get off their arse and go after that life that they want because it wont fall into you lap. Unless your a heir, then you wont have to do anything.
October 12, 2012
Two and a half stars
Rather a depressing tale, main character was stuck in a dead end job, no motivation to do anything about any part of his life. He did not seem to get any support or encouragement to change either. I did not take to his ex-wife, I thought she was deceitful, selfish and manipulative and was expecting to read that she had been having an affair with the friend for years. Often you want to know more about characters that you have read about - this pair I am happy to let disappear into the past of books read.
February 12, 2013
Ok, I got 36% into this book and I couldn't take it anymore. The main character is pathetic. Complains about everything. The last straw was when he was talking about an old couple walking down the street and said that they probably have no money and complain that they paid into the system and think they are owed a decent pension. The story has barley gotten anywhere and I am 36% in. Just an awful book. Sorry.....
September 9, 2012
This is the most boring book I have ever read in my life. 20 pages about making and eating spaghetti hoops on toast! I kept waiting for something to happen, anything, but nothing! It was like reading extracts from different peoples diaries! By the time I had finished, I had never felt so depressed.
May 29, 2012
Very unusual novel
May 28, 2012
Boring, hardwork and by the end I had to wonder what the point was.
September 17, 2014
Did not see the point of this book. Young couple get together, get married, have 2 kids. Skip ahead 17 years, break up and that's that. Good job I didnt have to pay for it.
December 22, 2014
Quick read
Will's lack of "will" to change or engage, sets the tone for his entire life including the end of his marriage and long time sole friendship
Will's lack of "will" to change or engage, sets the tone for his entire life including the end of his marriage and long time sole friendship
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