What do you think?
Rate this book
Imperfect
About the author
Magdalena Ganowska, a fast speaking over-enthusiast who always looks on the bright side, lives in Poland, a supposedly near-Arctic country with polar bears running around her communistic-looking block of flats. She shares a life with a husband, a never serious, real looker with an ingrained love for football and herself, and a daughter, Nadia, a hyperactive and gorgeous two-year-old girl. A canary yellow Fiat Panda with faded upholstery which loyally guards the vicinity of their dwelling, likes to think of itself as a part of this extraordinary family.
About the book
Imperfect is a semi-fictional, self-published memoir which takes you on a journey through all sorts and types of intricate and challenging relationships. Meg, the main heroin, the storyteller, could be anybody. Ordinary on the surface, complex and unique in reality. Depicted here, we have a life of a young woman who after hitting the bottom, clawed her way up to the very peak.
Solitude, this fatal modern disease, is what Meg had had to tackle since her parents' divorce. As a fifteen-year-old, she started an affair she hoped would mend her wounds but what it actually did to her, was everything but. Many years later, she's given a second chance in life, but her closet, overflowing with skeletons, is something that she finds intimidating and has no idea how to get over it and move on.
With a shocking prologue, breathtaking honesty and startling moments of retrospection, the reader is able to dip into the action set in contemporary Gdansk, a magical city situated on the north of Poland, just by the Baltic Sea.
This extremely gripping story is not another mawkish prattle but based on true events, brave and straightforward modern tale of how varied faces love can wear. Written by a completely unknown, first time author from Poland, Mrs. Magdalena Ganowska proves that in life, everything is possible.
Magdalena Ganowska, a fast speaking over-enthusiast who always looks on the bright side, lives in Poland, a supposedly near-Arctic country with polar bears running around her communistic-looking block of flats. She shares a life with a husband, a never serious, real looker with an ingrained love for football and herself, and a daughter, Nadia, a hyperactive and gorgeous two-year-old girl. A canary yellow Fiat Panda with faded upholstery which loyally guards the vicinity of their dwelling, likes to think of itself as a part of this extraordinary family.
About the book
Imperfect is a semi-fictional, self-published memoir which takes you on a journey through all sorts and types of intricate and challenging relationships. Meg, the main heroin, the storyteller, could be anybody. Ordinary on the surface, complex and unique in reality. Depicted here, we have a life of a young woman who after hitting the bottom, clawed her way up to the very peak.
Solitude, this fatal modern disease, is what Meg had had to tackle since her parents' divorce. As a fifteen-year-old, she started an affair she hoped would mend her wounds but what it actually did to her, was everything but. Many years later, she's given a second chance in life, but her closet, overflowing with skeletons, is something that she finds intimidating and has no idea how to get over it and move on.
With a shocking prologue, breathtaking honesty and startling moments of retrospection, the reader is able to dip into the action set in contemporary Gdansk, a magical city situated on the north of Poland, just by the Baltic Sea.
This extremely gripping story is not another mawkish prattle but based on true events, brave and straightforward modern tale of how varied faces love can wear. Written by a completely unknown, first time author from Poland, Mrs. Magdalena Ganowska proves that in life, everything is possible.
- GenresPolish Literature
252 pages, Paperback
First published August 30, 2013
2 people are currently reading
721 people want to read
About the author
Magdalena Ganowska
1 book55 followersBorn in a small town, I grew up in the country and that was the happiest time of my life. I moved to the city when I was 8 and has been living there/here ever since. I hated school, but I have always loved learning especially about interesting stuff. I love history, especially the ancient one and I love geography. I could listen to people talking about other cultures for ages.
The first educational institution I loved was collage. I met there wonderful people and I learnt a lot. I graduated from Collage for future teachers of English and moved to HR to earn my Master's Degree.
I work along with my dad in an accounting office and I teach English after hours.
I have an amazing daughter, Nadia, the most intelligent two year old on the planet and the prettiest one of course.
My husband, my other favourite person in the world, is my best friend and my life partner in one. We would like to travel the world together.
My writing started in a primary school, when inspired by my grandma, I started writing poems as a tool of dealing with problems.
I am a very optimistic person, but I used to be a total opposite. I try taking the most in life and I love helping others.
I am emphatic and too emotional.
At work I can be messy, but I am very industrious and focused on my tasks.
My friends say I am a reliable person who doesn't see herself in true colours.
The truth lies somewhere in between.
I love cooking and baking, especially for friends and family.
I love cats and Grand Designs, a TV program about building dream homes.
My favourite authors and books are :
Paulo Coelho,,Manuela Gretkowska, Jane Austin, 1984, A brave new world, Vampire Lestat, Ecstasy and Agony, Angels and Demons,,Twilight, a Jar bell, Sapkowski and many others.
I love watching movies with a glass of good semi sweet wine and company of my husband.
Favourite bands : one republic, opera, classical, Delilah, adele, lana del rey
The first educational institution I loved was collage. I met there wonderful people and I learnt a lot. I graduated from Collage for future teachers of English and moved to HR to earn my Master's Degree.
I work along with my dad in an accounting office and I teach English after hours.
I have an amazing daughter, Nadia, the most intelligent two year old on the planet and the prettiest one of course.
My husband, my other favourite person in the world, is my best friend and my life partner in one. We would like to travel the world together.
My writing started in a primary school, when inspired by my grandma, I started writing poems as a tool of dealing with problems.
I am a very optimistic person, but I used to be a total opposite. I try taking the most in life and I love helping others.
I am emphatic and too emotional.
At work I can be messy, but I am very industrious and focused on my tasks.
My friends say I am a reliable person who doesn't see herself in true colours.
The truth lies somewhere in between.
I love cooking and baking, especially for friends and family.
I love cats and Grand Designs, a TV program about building dream homes.
My favourite authors and books are :
Paulo Coelho,,Manuela Gretkowska, Jane Austin, 1984, A brave new world, Vampire Lestat, Ecstasy and Agony, Angels and Demons,,Twilight, a Jar bell, Sapkowski and many others.
I love watching movies with a glass of good semi sweet wine and company of my husband.
Favourite bands : one republic, opera, classical, Delilah, adele, lana del rey
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 17, 2014
Review also on www.jolasbookshelf.wordpress.com
The book was off to a great start, but it lost me somewhere along the way. It was a nice read, one that I will definitely not forget, but I guess it just not really my cup of tea. I liked the main character, Meg, so I stick with her till the end of her story. Nevertheless I'm glad I read this book by a fellow Polish author.
I received this book through Goodreads First Reads!
The book was off to a great start, but it lost me somewhere along the way. It was a nice read, one that I will definitely not forget, but I guess it just not really my cup of tea. I liked the main character, Meg, so I stick with her till the end of her story. Nevertheless I'm glad I read this book by a fellow Polish author.
I received this book through Goodreads First Reads!
April 21, 2014
I read this for free through First Reads.
The book started out with a bang - a very good start, but seemed to slowly lose focus. I liked how the book switched from past to present, but sometimes it was difficult to differentiate where I was (now? then?). I liked the contrast between the character's then and now, but there seemed to be little real change (in attitude - pessimism vs. optimism) until the last few pages.
Kudos to the author for - I believe - not being a native English speaker, but the phrasing was sometimes awkward and hard to overlook. For example, I'm really picky and get annoyed when someone writes "cause" instead of "because". The dialogue was a little awkward because to me, it seemed like a lot of overshare; it's hard for me to imagine someone talking that openly. Sometimes the Polish was too strong - a literal translation - and too awkward for the English. I also thought it was a little strange that some names were changed to English equivalents (Kate, Erica) whereas some stayed in the Polish (Stanisław, Janek). there were many instances of really beautiful, descriptive writing.
Overall, I think the character was very dramatic, but I did enjoy the read. I found it a little difficult to relate to the main character because I have always tried living with the motto "it could always be worse". I was, in a sense, proud of the main character for finally going that direction as well.
And, of course, it was nice reading a book set in my favorite Polish city, Gdańsk.
The book started out with a bang - a very good start, but seemed to slowly lose focus. I liked how the book switched from past to present, but sometimes it was difficult to differentiate where I was (now? then?). I liked the contrast between the character's then and now, but there seemed to be little real change (in attitude - pessimism vs. optimism) until the last few pages.
Kudos to the author for - I believe - not being a native English speaker, but the phrasing was sometimes awkward and hard to overlook. For example, I'm really picky and get annoyed when someone writes "cause" instead of "because". The dialogue was a little awkward because to me, it seemed like a lot of overshare; it's hard for me to imagine someone talking that openly. Sometimes the Polish was too strong - a literal translation - and too awkward for the English. I also thought it was a little strange that some names were changed to English equivalents (Kate, Erica) whereas some stayed in the Polish (Stanisław, Janek). there were many instances of really beautiful, descriptive writing.
Overall, I think the character was very dramatic, but I did enjoy the read. I found it a little difficult to relate to the main character because I have always tried living with the motto "it could always be worse". I was, in a sense, proud of the main character for finally going that direction as well.
And, of course, it was nice reading a book set in my favorite Polish city, Gdańsk.
October 13, 2015
I have to admit I was surprised by this book. It wasn't really what I expected as I'm usually more into fantasy, paranormal, etc. This was something new for me apparently something I liked.
The beginning is rather strong :) I'm not against that, it's just not something I look for in books. I have to admit I thought "oooh there's another 50 shades coming". Luckily I was wrong.
Book is interesting as is heroine. An everyday woman with all her problems, interests and life. It was nice to read something from a different genre and set in Poland. It was a bit strange to see some names were "translated" and some left as they are. Or maybe it was intended to make the city feel more international? Anyway, that didn't bother me much as I'm used to reading in both languages.
As for the language... it's rather simple and I did found a few mistakes that could've been fixed by some proofreading, but it was fine overall.
I really liked the music tie-ins. All the songs mentioned throughout the book. It made me want to make a playlist with them just to get into the mood :) That was a really nice move.
All in all I hesitated between choosing 3 and 4 stars, but I think this book deserves 4.
The beginning is rather strong :) I'm not against that, it's just not something I look for in books. I have to admit I thought "oooh there's another 50 shades coming". Luckily I was wrong.
Book is interesting as is heroine. An everyday woman with all her problems, interests and life. It was nice to read something from a different genre and set in Poland. It was a bit strange to see some names were "translated" and some left as they are. Or maybe it was intended to make the city feel more international? Anyway, that didn't bother me much as I'm used to reading in both languages.
As for the language... it's rather simple and I did found a few mistakes that could've been fixed by some proofreading, but it was fine overall.
I really liked the music tie-ins. All the songs mentioned throughout the book. It made me want to make a playlist with them just to get into the mood :) That was a really nice move.
All in all I hesitated between choosing 3 and 4 stars, but I think this book deserves 4.
February 2, 2015
Got this book through first - reads in goodreads I imagine the book a bit different. I agree with a lot of the comments that it started very well and suddenly the book started to loose it's magic. I like a lot the jumps on time (in general I like that kind of narrative) they give certain magic, I like the semi - erotic tonne of the book (was not expecting that but is ok for me)the book had a very good story in the beginning but it seems that after some point the two parts of the book did not complement each other and they were more like parallel stories that the author did not put together. Having polish roots and leaving in Poland for a while made me also enjoy more the descriptions of the city and some of the personalities of the characters. There are a few culture references that I really like it (the heavy drinking problem in Poland and the love for classical music.)I did like a lot the list of music that the author put at the beginning and how she was using the songs to recall moments or describe moments in her life.
I hope that the author made other books,I like it the style.
I hope that the author made other books,I like it the style.
April 13, 2015
I got this book through First Reads.
And firstly, I will start with thing that bothered me a lot, and that is the writing style. It was just annoying at times and I feel like it would be much better if it was actually written in Polish. A lot of sentences felt like they were just meant to be written in Polish but then they were translated to English. They had that Polish vibe to them. I can't explain it better.
And now I will talk a little bit about what this book was actually about. At first, Meg was really terrifying me. The way she was, was so tragic in my opinion. I literally felt sorry for her. And later on I started finding out why she was that way and I started feeling sorry for her even more. Because what she has been through was quite dramatic and traumatic at the same time. I won't talk more because I don't want to spoil anybody, I just have to say one last thing. I really liked the epilogue, especialy the last paragraph of it :)
All in all, Imperfect was quite a good read but I have to admit - shocking at times.
And firstly, I will start with thing that bothered me a lot, and that is the writing style. It was just annoying at times and I feel like it would be much better if it was actually written in Polish. A lot of sentences felt like they were just meant to be written in Polish but then they were translated to English. They had that Polish vibe to them. I can't explain it better.
And now I will talk a little bit about what this book was actually about. At first, Meg was really terrifying me. The way she was, was so tragic in my opinion. I literally felt sorry for her. And later on I started finding out why she was that way and I started feeling sorry for her even more. Because what she has been through was quite dramatic and traumatic at the same time. I won't talk more because I don't want to spoil anybody, I just have to say one last thing. I really liked the epilogue, especialy the last paragraph of it :)
All in all, Imperfect was quite a good read but I have to admit - shocking at times.
April 13, 2014
The book starts with a prologue that nearly swept me off my feet. That's when I thought 'wow, this could be a great one.' However, the rest of the book didn't follow the pattern.
To be honest, I can't figure out what the book was really about. Was it more about the current relationship, or was it more about facing the past? The amount of graphic sex scenes made me want to tag it under 'erotica'.
The book is written from protagonist's POV. The ever-present present tense makes it sound like the words are being spoken straight to reader's ear and while it creates a delusion of intimacy, it is also annoying at times. I can't quite figure out why the author decided to leave half of names in Polish and the other in English, it sounds odd. The protagonist is not a person to draw empathy to tell the truth; her story while sad, didn't meet me at emotional level it should've.
To be honest, I can't figure out what the book was really about. Was it more about the current relationship, or was it more about facing the past? The amount of graphic sex scenes made me want to tag it under 'erotica'.
The book is written from protagonist's POV. The ever-present present tense makes it sound like the words are being spoken straight to reader's ear and while it creates a delusion of intimacy, it is also annoying at times. I can't quite figure out why the author decided to leave half of names in Polish and the other in English, it sounds odd. The protagonist is not a person to draw empathy to tell the truth; her story while sad, didn't meet me at emotional level it should've.
January 3, 2014
An amazing and not easy book... Even though I could suspect the ending I was keeping my fingers crossed for the main character Magda. Main character is complicated and you get to know her through her actions and memories. A reader finds out what make her so hurt and untrusting at the beginning. I think the author did an amazing job both writing it and publishing it herself. This book reminded me that you should always have hope even when it is really hard to do so. I really like the length of the chapters they are not too long. Also good job on the going back the memory lane with the main character... memories are really nice integrated with the main story. Plus I always love a goos story about a city I spent so much time in.. it makes me want to go back and visit some more of Gdansk.
July 14, 2017
This was a down to earth real look at life.Things are never perfect but what you can make of the imperfect can sometimes be just what you need.Megs life was what most of us have trying to fit in and be loved for our self.I received this book free as part of goodreads giveaways.
July 2, 2014
I received my copy of 'Imperfect' via First Reads and probably wouldn't have bought it on my own.
However, the book starts with a great peak but sadly lost track whilst continuing. Nevertheless, the main character Meg was colourful described and I could relate to most of her views and opinions. Reading this book was somehow like slipping into the mind of another person and accompany that person through the book, the long monologues and peaks into the past
strengthen this impression.
All in all it was a nice read but not as catchy as I hoped it to be. The story lost me from time to time and I needed to re-read a few pages. Yet I liked the book and was glad to notice Meg's personal improvements through the story.
However, the book starts with a great peak but sadly lost track whilst continuing. Nevertheless, the main character Meg was colourful described and I could relate to most of her views and opinions. Reading this book was somehow like slipping into the mind of another person and accompany that person through the book, the long monologues and peaks into the past
strengthen this impression.
All in all it was a nice read but not as catchy as I hoped it to be. The story lost me from time to time and I needed to re-read a few pages. Yet I liked the book and was glad to notice Meg's personal improvements through the story.
February 4, 2014
Another memoir, or partial memoir, that must have been therapeutic to write but will hold little interest for anyone else. I find it interesting the description says part memoir so I assume the other part was fiction and the author was not inclined to make that part interesting, amusing, or exciting. I don't really understand why not.
May 7, 2015
I received this book through Goodreads Giveaway.
2.5 stars. First half was really good, but second was way too slow for me. Some dialogues were unnatural, but other than that I liked author's writing style, very descriptive and full of emotions. And I love the cover!
2.5 stars. First half was really good, but second was way too slow for me. Some dialogues were unnatural, but other than that I liked author's writing style, very descriptive and full of emotions. And I love the cover!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2015
I won this book through Giveaways. I really don't know what to say about it. Prologue was so wonderful, but after the beginning I lost focus. I can't say what the rest of this book was about. It took long time to read. So for prologue 5 stars, for the rest only 3.
August 26, 2014
The start was really exciting, but further in the book, is got really crappy to be honest.
I'm glad I got to try to read this one though.
I'm glad I got to try to read this one though.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews