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Second Chance
Book by Scanlan, Patricia
- GenresShort StoriesFiction
62 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
3 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Scanlan
74 books406 followersPatricia Scanlan was born in Dublin, where she still lives. Her #1 bestsellers include Apartment 3B; Finishing Touches; Foreign Affairs; Promises, Promises; Mirror, Mirror; City Girl; City Woman; City Lives; and Francesca’s Party. She has sold millions of books worldwide and is translated into many languages. Patricia is the series editor and a contributing author to the award winning Open Door literacy series, which she developed for adult literacy.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 6, 2020
This was a charming short story in the Open Door series which I have just discovered and am enjoying very much. In A Second Chance we meet A group of people that are all struggling in their own way, a family who have to move in with their in-laws because the husband John loses his job. Tensions rise and there are petty arguments, John is depressed and beginning to give up hope.
Sarah Collins is an elderly lady who has a happy life with her husband and wants to treat him for his birthday when things go wrong and John is on the spot to help, things take a turn and there is light at the end of the tunnel.
We must not forget Dave Cummins, he has gone down the slippery slope of drugs, he was rich with a lovely car and good job. What was the harm in taking the odd E tablet or then the odd line of cocaine? Then his dealer encourages him to try for the ultimate 'good feeling' and we see Dave descend to the depths of despair with nothing left not even his dignity. It seems that even though Dave is in grave trouble it was through his sad actions that the rest of the characters gain happiness.
A poignant little tale with a happy ending for most of the characters.
Sarah Collins is an elderly lady who has a happy life with her husband and wants to treat him for his birthday when things go wrong and John is on the spot to help, things take a turn and there is light at the end of the tunnel.
We must not forget Dave Cummins, he has gone down the slippery slope of drugs, he was rich with a lovely car and good job. What was the harm in taking the odd E tablet or then the odd line of cocaine? Then his dealer encourages him to try for the ultimate 'good feeling' and we see Dave descend to the depths of despair with nothing left not even his dignity. It seems that even though Dave is in grave trouble it was through his sad actions that the rest of the characters gain happiness.
A poignant little tale with a happy ending for most of the characters.
September 24, 2020
Another Quick Read (or Open Door as they're called in Ireland). This tells the story of Tony, who is forced to live with his mother-in-law after losing his job, retired Sara who is just going about her business of doing little chores in town, and Dave, the desperate drug addict who needs funds for his next fix. Fate throws them all together and the consequences of one event leads to a change of fortune for at least some of the characters.
As you would expect, a very quick and easy read but perfectly enjoyable. Ideal perhaps if you were waiting for a dentist appointment or to pop in the glove box to pick up when you were for someone else to come out of a dentist appointment! Also a great introduction to Patricia Scanlan, who seems like an author I might enjoy (I might have read one of her novels a long time ago but I really can't remember!)
As you would expect, a very quick and easy read but perfectly enjoyable. Ideal perhaps if you were waiting for a dentist appointment or to pop in the glove box to pick up when you were for someone else to come out of a dentist appointment! Also a great introduction to Patricia Scanlan, who seems like an author I might enjoy (I might have read one of her novels a long time ago but I really can't remember!)
March 18, 2020
Starting from the mid-1990s, a series of books were published under the Open Door banner, designed to help improve adult literacy in Ireland and with royalties going to a charity of the author’s choice. I hadn’t heard of Patricia Scanlan prior to this idea, which was her brainchild and so her work was featured heavily, alongside those of other very notable authors.
The story “Second Chance” was, appropriately, released in the second tranche of books under this banner. It is the story of Tony and Jean, who have been forced to live with Jean’s mother Bridie after Tony was made redundant. It is also the story of Dave, who turned to drugs to cope with the stresses of his job and lost everything and that of Sara, who is retired and shopping for her husband’s birthday present. Tony and Jean have had a row and Tony has stormed out and into town to seek work and avoid both Jean and Bridie for a bit, until their lives all cross.
Although brief and simply written, Scanlan writes with an emotional intelligence that makes you feel for Tony in particular and the hand life has dealt with, but it also allows you to empathise with Jean and Bridie over the changes this situation has wrought in their lives. You feel disgust for Dave, who’s situation is of his own making and smile at the sweetness of the relationship Sara shares with her husband, even after so many years together. Whilst there isn’t space in the novel to find out too much about the characters and how they look or act most of the time, you get a great feeling for how they feel and what they have been through in a way that many writers who spend far too many words not building characters nearly as well could learn from.
Despite the action being fairly slow paced, as a short novel this is a quick read, largely because the language used is very simple, given the target audience for the series of books. The story is also very realistic, being just a small slice of daily life for each of these characters and whilst the ending is perhaps a little quick and coincidental, although this is not out of keeping with either the genre, nor with what you would expect from a book that has to be wrapped up quickly due to the shortness of it.
“Second Chance” is, however, a decent short novel and as an introduction to a new author, it’s a great way to start. It doesn’t add anything particularly new to the genre, but it is a well written example of it with a touch more realism and emotional impact than many.
The story “Second Chance” was, appropriately, released in the second tranche of books under this banner. It is the story of Tony and Jean, who have been forced to live with Jean’s mother Bridie after Tony was made redundant. It is also the story of Dave, who turned to drugs to cope with the stresses of his job and lost everything and that of Sara, who is retired and shopping for her husband’s birthday present. Tony and Jean have had a row and Tony has stormed out and into town to seek work and avoid both Jean and Bridie for a bit, until their lives all cross.
Although brief and simply written, Scanlan writes with an emotional intelligence that makes you feel for Tony in particular and the hand life has dealt with, but it also allows you to empathise with Jean and Bridie over the changes this situation has wrought in their lives. You feel disgust for Dave, who’s situation is of his own making and smile at the sweetness of the relationship Sara shares with her husband, even after so many years together. Whilst there isn’t space in the novel to find out too much about the characters and how they look or act most of the time, you get a great feeling for how they feel and what they have been through in a way that many writers who spend far too many words not building characters nearly as well could learn from.
Despite the action being fairly slow paced, as a short novel this is a quick read, largely because the language used is very simple, given the target audience for the series of books. The story is also very realistic, being just a small slice of daily life for each of these characters and whilst the ending is perhaps a little quick and coincidental, although this is not out of keeping with either the genre, nor with what you would expect from a book that has to be wrapped up quickly due to the shortness of it.
“Second Chance” is, however, a decent short novel and as an introduction to a new author, it’s a great way to start. It doesn’t add anything particularly new to the genre, but it is a well written example of it with a touch more realism and emotional impact than many.
November 30, 2022
Average writing against a story spanning multiple people who intertwine through small incidents…that just ends with. This could have been a good book, but instead is a disappointment much like a fancy meal where you leave the high-price restaurant and go get a hamburger because you are still hungry. Granted it is a short story, and this was known when starting so there isn’t much reasonable expectation of deep character development. Still, the story manages to fall short I think because there was more potential.
January 22, 2026
"There were evil gurriers around for sure, he thought grimly. But then there were nice folk too."
I didn't realize that this book is meant for adults learnign literacy until I finished reading it, and it makes sense. The writing is super simple and accessible, super short and quick to read. It's a great concept, but I'm a voracious reader, so this book is pretty average. It's about multiple people: a married couple, the wife's mother, an old lady, and a drug addict. Story was simple, a little boring. The most interesting part of it was learning about the drug addict's background, but the rest of it is pretty forgettable. Wouldn't really recommened to someone who reads a lot, but would recommend to someone who's trying to learn how to read again. There's no shame in that.
If only Tony knew how much better computers are gonna get.
I didn't realize that this book is meant for adults learnign literacy until I finished reading it, and it makes sense. The writing is super simple and accessible, super short and quick to read. It's a great concept, but I'm a voracious reader, so this book is pretty average. It's about multiple people: a married couple, the wife's mother, an old lady, and a drug addict. Story was simple, a little boring. The most interesting part of it was learning about the drug addict's background, but the rest of it is pretty forgettable. Wouldn't really recommened to someone who reads a lot, but would recommend to someone who's trying to learn how to read again. There's no shame in that.
If only Tony knew how much better computers are gonna get.
February 17, 2019
A tiny bit corny, but still good.
December 21, 2025
A nice short book to reinforce that being good or bad is a daily choice and it is important to stay true to your values
December 4, 2022
I recently discovered the "Open Doors Series" and instantly loved them. short stories I could reads quickly, often in one sitting. small enough to fit into my bag so I could take several with me wherever I go.
The "Open Doors Series" is several series of short stories by various Irish authors. There is six books per series and there are currently five series.
I liked Tony from the start, I felt for him, down on his luck through no fault of his own. A proud man who just wants to provide for his wife and child. Having to move in with his mother in-law was not what he wanted. Shes snooty, fussy and always on his case and so judgemental.
Dave, another guy also down on his luck, once the life and soul of the party scene, how life can change when addiction gets its claws into a person. Dave needs a fix and will do anything to get the money he needs.
I loved the different characters and their different back stories. I could empathise with Tony as I have lived with in-laws, I didn't get along with and was out work at the time. I just wanted to get back into work so could really feel for Tony.
This was my first time reading Scanlan's work but I loved her writing style straight away and plan to read all of various books in the different series by the different authors.
The "Open Doors Series" is several series of short stories by various Irish authors. There is six books per series and there are currently five series.
I liked Tony from the start, I felt for him, down on his luck through no fault of his own. A proud man who just wants to provide for his wife and child. Having to move in with his mother in-law was not what he wanted. Shes snooty, fussy and always on his case and so judgemental.
Dave, another guy also down on his luck, once the life and soul of the party scene, how life can change when addiction gets its claws into a person. Dave needs a fix and will do anything to get the money he needs.
I loved the different characters and their different back stories. I could empathise with Tony as I have lived with in-laws, I didn't get along with and was out work at the time. I just wanted to get back into work so could really feel for Tony.
This was my first time reading Scanlan's work but I loved her writing style straight away and plan to read all of various books in the different series by the different authors.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews