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Maureen #2
A Letter for Maureen
"Maureen's back! Run away! Hide anything she might break! But this time, that might include your heart." (Amazon reviewer - January 2013)
When it's Maureen's turn to chair the local book group meeting, choosing a new outfit turns out to be the least of her worries. A secret confided in Maureen by a fellow reader impacts on her life greatly over the following year. Then comes a revelation which could change the way Maureen lives her life altogether.
The disaster-prone comic creation, Maureen, stars in a story that is both hilarious and heartbreaking.
A novella of ~18,500 words.
This is Book 2 in the Maureen series, but can be read as a stand-alone story.
When it's Maureen's turn to chair the local book group meeting, choosing a new outfit turns out to be the least of her worries. A secret confided in Maureen by a fellow reader impacts on her life greatly over the following year. Then comes a revelation which could change the way Maureen lives her life altogether.
The disaster-prone comic creation, Maureen, stars in a story that is both hilarious and heartbreaking.
A novella of ~18,500 words.
This is Book 2 in the Maureen series, but can be read as a stand-alone story.
70 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 15, 2012
13 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Hill
25 books76 followersJonathan Hill is an author from Manchester, UK.
His work isn’t confined to one genre, but he has already published a number of gay literary fiction books to high critical acclaim. His debut novel 'FAG', a hard-hitting story set in an English boarding school in the 1930s, was named as the overall winner in the Self-Published and Small Press 2014 Book Awards.
He has also penned the hit comedy series of Maureen books, in addition to numerous short stories and 100-word drabbles. Jonathan firmly believes that writing should not only entertain but also enhance and change the way readers view the world.
When he’s not writing and working as a pharmacist, he enjoys painting, photography and going to the theatre.
www.jhillwriter.com
www.fagthenovel.com
His work isn’t confined to one genre, but he has already published a number of gay literary fiction books to high critical acclaim. His debut novel 'FAG', a hard-hitting story set in an English boarding school in the 1930s, was named as the overall winner in the Self-Published and Small Press 2014 Book Awards.
He has also penned the hit comedy series of Maureen books, in addition to numerous short stories and 100-word drabbles. Jonathan firmly believes that writing should not only entertain but also enhance and change the way readers view the world.
When he’s not writing and working as a pharmacist, he enjoys painting, photography and going to the theatre.
www.jhillwriter.com
www.fagthenovel.com
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 17, 2012
This is the third time we’ve met Jonathan Hill’s monstrous Maureen and the second time she has had a novella all to herself. With the best of intentions she leaves chaos in her wake. One or two of the incidents in this book were a little over the top – she needs to be eye-wateringly ridiculous without being unbelievable. For me, Maureen works best when you can really see it happening; she’s at her most cringeworthy when you wonder if it could happen to you!
This book starts off full to bursting with typical Maureen disasters but as it progresses we hear of the illness of one of her friends. It’s still crammed with humour but there’s a depth of feeling here when she gets to grips with someone else’s troubles and determines to help. She also, through the letter of the title, learns something about her past which cannot help but impinge upon her future. This is a vulnerable Maureen and she’s all the more human for that. Long may she continue!
This book starts off full to bursting with typical Maureen disasters but as it progresses we hear of the illness of one of her friends. It’s still crammed with humour but there’s a depth of feeling here when she gets to grips with someone else’s troubles and determines to help. She also, through the letter of the title, learns something about her past which cannot help but impinge upon her future. This is a vulnerable Maureen and she’s all the more human for that. Long may she continue!
February 26, 2013
I liked this book - hence the 4 stars. I have to admit that this isn't my normal choice of reading material at all and I had only picked it because I wanted something light and fluffy to read before I start on a much heavier tome. It was certainly light and fluffy, it had me laughing out loud once or twice, and it also had pathos. I would hate to run into Maureen - she would be given a very wide bearth from me - but she is growing on me as a character and I can see her developing very nicely - hopefully Jonathan?
April 14, 2013
Maureen's back! Run away! Hide anything she might break! But this time, that might include your heart.
I'm already a big fan of the character Maureen thanks to her previous two stories, and A Letter for Maureen is of the same high standard. The difference is that alongside the expected comedy, there's some pathos as we get a glimpse of Maureen's past. Jonathan Hill's writing skills prove up to the challenge of combining two different styles without diluting either one. The genuine sadness and tragedy in this story is handled well, and doesn't become over-emotional or hard to read.
That's not to say there's any shortage of the usual laugh-out-loud moments, as Maureen blunders her way through all sorts of shenanigans, often of her own making! The scenes at the book club were a special highlight, as well as the brilliant raid on a nursing home. Despite Maureen getting herself into some surreal scrapes, I found them all too easy to visualise.
This is really better than a 4-star story, but I'm holding my highest praise back as I sense Maureen has even more amazing tales in her. Personally I'm hoping for 'Maureen in Manhattan'!
I'm already a big fan of the character Maureen thanks to her previous two stories, and A Letter for Maureen is of the same high standard. The difference is that alongside the expected comedy, there's some pathos as we get a glimpse of Maureen's past. Jonathan Hill's writing skills prove up to the challenge of combining two different styles without diluting either one. The genuine sadness and tragedy in this story is handled well, and doesn't become over-emotional or hard to read.
That's not to say there's any shortage of the usual laugh-out-loud moments, as Maureen blunders her way through all sorts of shenanigans, often of her own making! The scenes at the book club were a special highlight, as well as the brilliant raid on a nursing home. Despite Maureen getting herself into some surreal scrapes, I found them all too easy to visualise.
This is really better than a 4-star story, but I'm holding my highest praise back as I sense Maureen has even more amazing tales in her. Personally I'm hoping for 'Maureen in Manhattan'!
April 18, 2013
Having read Maureen’s other two adventures it felt very much like catching up with an old friend again.
For me, Maureen has always been about comedy and there are certainly a plethora of comic moments within the story. The whole theatre experience, including the pre performance meal and its consequences were the highlight for me and gave me a good laugh. The author is very adept at adding little nuggets of comedy in just the right places to bring about a laugh. - “My eye!” are only two words but used in this context (read it and see for yourself) are an example of comic timing and you can almost see the fallout from it.
The story is also full of emotion and which is incredibly well written. The author has combined both comedy and drama perfectly which is not easy. As a result I feel that Maureen has become even more three dimensional, if at all possible. She may indeed occupy a dimension all to herself and actually probably should!
I really enjoyed this story and if anything was better that Maureen goes to Venice. I could quite easily see this as a television play or on the stage. Very, very good.
For me, Maureen has always been about comedy and there are certainly a plethora of comic moments within the story. The whole theatre experience, including the pre performance meal and its consequences were the highlight for me and gave me a good laugh. The author is very adept at adding little nuggets of comedy in just the right places to bring about a laugh. - “My eye!” are only two words but used in this context (read it and see for yourself) are an example of comic timing and you can almost see the fallout from it.
The story is also full of emotion and which is incredibly well written. The author has combined both comedy and drama perfectly which is not easy. As a result I feel that Maureen has become even more three dimensional, if at all possible. She may indeed occupy a dimension all to herself and actually probably should!
I really enjoyed this story and if anything was better that Maureen goes to Venice. I could quite easily see this as a television play or on the stage. Very, very good.
April 12, 2013
Another wonderful adventure about Maureen from Jonathan Hill!
I particularly enjoyed the account of the Library Book Club meeting, chaired by the indomitable Maureen. We meet Nigel the librarian, desperate to catch people breaking the rules, Winston the book club bore (don't they all have one?), and a suspiciously familiar young man with red hair who spends his time observing Maureen and taking copious notes. During the meeting Maureen tries to pass off shop mince pies as her own baking and the earlier scene where she is compared to Nigella Lawson as she attempts to bake in her own kitchen at home is absolutely priceless.
The transition to a darker mood towards the end is skillfully handled and every reader will surely feel the same hope that Maureen will bounce back and be ready to face the world again.
January 29, 2013
Maureen, I did feel sorry for you and your bumbling ways in this short story based around some major parts of your life - friendship, marriage, trust, and love. Your heart is in the right place, bless you, and we have seen you at your most vulnerable here. Keep going Maureen, I want to hear more about your life. You make me laugh, smile, cringe, and unfortunately you remind me a little of me.
The story itself unfolds in a great way going back and forth over a period of 5 years - in my opinion this suited this perfectly. Oh, and I didn't see the twist coming - not even a sniff.
Please carry on about your life, and pass on your funny accidents/faux pas/unwitting put downs as they are great to read. I can almost see you (and run to a safe distance)
The story itself unfolds in a great way going back and forth over a period of 5 years - in my opinion this suited this perfectly. Oh, and I didn't see the twist coming - not even a sniff.
Please carry on about your life, and pass on your funny accidents/faux pas/unwitting put downs as they are great to read. I can almost see you (and run to a safe distance)
February 19, 2013
It's a rare occasion that I'm sucked so into a book that I discard everything else that I'm reading - but A Letter for Maureen had this effect.
It was the first time is chanced upon Maureen; an extremely comical character who always manages to get herself into difficult situations. Her inner voice is wonderfully written, and any reader will almost have certainly come across a number of Maureen's in their time.
Several moments in this novelette had me laughing away, and I raced through the book to find out what happened next. But, beneath the comedy is also a tale of friendship, endurance and loss which I found to be quite poignant.
Fantastic read, and I'll certainly be following more tales of Maureen!
It was the first time is chanced upon Maureen; an extremely comical character who always manages to get herself into difficult situations. Her inner voice is wonderfully written, and any reader will almost have certainly come across a number of Maureen's in their time.
Several moments in this novelette had me laughing away, and I raced through the book to find out what happened next. But, beneath the comedy is also a tale of friendship, endurance and loss which I found to be quite poignant.
Fantastic read, and I'll certainly be following more tales of Maureen!
February 14, 2014
What can I say about A Letter for Maureen? After Maureen Goes to Venice, I was expecting a story full of calamity, just what Maureen does best. The author, however, does something very different here, he weaves the usual Maureen comedy with a much darker, caring tale.
We see into Maureen's past and how she copes with a very sad turn of events in her present. The first story in the series is a fantastic tale, but Jonathan has opened up more about his main lead with this story and given her some heart. She could have become a bothersome joke, but he has given us more reason to absolutely adore this meddlesome creation.
A lovely, funny, heart-wrenching read.
We see into Maureen's past and how she copes with a very sad turn of events in her present. The first story in the series is a fantastic tale, but Jonathan has opened up more about his main lead with this story and given her some heart. She could have become a bothersome joke, but he has given us more reason to absolutely adore this meddlesome creation.
A lovely, funny, heart-wrenching read.
March 8, 2013
Jonathan Hill in the form of Maureen does not fail to entertain. In this third encounter with the ever calamity prone Maureen, her softer, more human side comes through and once again we are laughing with her rather more than at her. The first scene in the nursing home is a gem.
The end is an interesting, sobering twist.
Enjoyable, fun, cringe worthy. Although I still hanker slightly for the less sensitive Maureen from the first encounter, I'll always happily read more of her adventures.
The end is an interesting, sobering twist.
Enjoyable, fun, cringe worthy. Although I still hanker slightly for the less sensitive Maureen from the first encounter, I'll always happily read more of her adventures.
February 24, 2013
This was far from my usual type of read and I like it when I come across something excellent that I wouldn't normally read. Like most good comedies the story contains some bittersweet moments.
Maureen is a bumbling character, a comedic character to begin with, but by the end she had matured greatly. Funny and moving this is a great read.
Maureen is a bumbling character, a comedic character to begin with, but by the end she had matured greatly. Funny and moving this is a great read.
March 18, 2013
Outre le plaisir de retrouver Maureen, cette nouvelle la révèle sous un nouveau jour et donne vraiment envie de la retrouver dans un plus long format. La narration est plus fluide et plus nuancée que dans la nouvelle précédente ("Maureen goes to Venice") tout en conservant la douce folie du personnage. Un vrai petit bonheur de lecture.
November 3, 2017
Bittersweet story
Maureen is part of the book club and becomes friends with Beryl there, through the story we learn more of her and back story.
A lovely story but painful too
Maureen is part of the book club and becomes friends with Beryl there, through the story we learn more of her and back story.
A lovely story but painful too
February 23, 2013
Maureen is a large and clumsy although well-meaning lady who literally blunders through life. In this story we see her unwitting mishaps in her local book club (with a few well-chosen digs at librarians and the effect of Kindles on them), a local nursing home and a West End theatre. Maureen later discovers a dreadful truth about someone close to her heart which in an odd way, brings closure to losing them and releases her for the future.
I liked this book as Maureen is an amusing character (if also being a person I'd avoid in person if I could) but it felt 'weaker' than Maureen's adventures in Venice where the cringe factor was higher and it felt as though the author was trying to put Maureen into cringey situations rather than them occurring more naturally. There is a collection of 10 stories about Maureen I've still to read so perhaps Maureen's adventures will be happier in those.
I liked this book as Maureen is an amusing character (if also being a person I'd avoid in person if I could) but it felt 'weaker' than Maureen's adventures in Venice where the cringe factor was higher and it felt as though the author was trying to put Maureen into cringey situations rather than them occurring more naturally. There is a collection of 10 stories about Maureen I've still to read so perhaps Maureen's adventures will be happier in those.
February 22, 2013
I must admit that for about 75% of this book I thought 'what am I reading?' - forgive me but it was about a horrible woman and old people doing stupid things. But I carried on (it's very short!) and the ending moved me. I generally get annoyed at bungling japes (Mr Bean springs to mind and I hate that) but I can admit that I enjoyed this story...not sure I could read another one though?!?!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews