Having It All

by Maeve Haran

Liz Ward believed that it was possible to have it all. A glittering career, a successful marriage and a happy family. But it doesn't take too long for Liz to realise that taking the job of programme controller at Metro TV could be the biggest mistake of her life. When she confesses to her friends, they are scandalized - Liz is their role model and she is shattering the myth they must all live by.But she is tired of pretending that there is no price to pay for her success. She has the big house, a good-looking husband, beautiful children and a wonderful nanny, but she misses the small things which make up family meal times, bedtime stories, school events, time alone with her husband. Time to think. Liz makes a life-changing choice, not only for her but for those around her. Did she make the right decision. Only time will tell. Witty, provocative, compassionate, Having It All captures the dilemmas of a generation.It is for everyone woman who works and misses her children, and for every woman who stays at home and wonders if she's missing out.

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit, Roman, Romance

537 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 1992

About the author

Maeve Haran is an Oxford Law graduate who worked in journalism and television before writing her first novel, Having It All, a worldwide bestseller translated into 26 languages and shortlisted for
the Romantic Novel of the Year. She wrote twelve more contemporary novels, one work of non-fiction, and two historical novels.

Her new book In the Summertime is due out on June 8.

She has grown-up three children and lives in North London.

Reviews

[Bookread2day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having It All by Maeve Haran is my top favourite read by Maeve. I love every moment of this high flying board room troubles and family drama. I loved all the lots of twist and turns with all of the characters. I must add that this cover here looks a bit old fashioned, but the one I read the cover cover is lovley bright coloured.

Liz Ward is a dedicated career woman with a husband and a nanny for her two children. Liz a executive and creative powehouse of Metro Telvision does not seem to see much of her children by the time she gets home from work. Liz notices in the Financial Time newspaper that her boss Conrad has advertised for a programme controller, Liz wants to pitch for this job.

With Liz being the superwoman, dedicated hard working career woman that has set her goal in life to having it all,the programme controller job,a chauffeur driven car, posh expensive clothes,and the nanny for her children. But now Liz finds her family is at the stage of a very big crisis.

Review by ireadnovels.worpress.com

[Zoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read. I suppose the reason behind the 3 stars is it dragged out a little more than necessary. There were certain plots that needn't really have materialized and held no relevence but I enjoyed it all the same. This was written in the early 90's so it was intriguing to see how attitudes had changed since (or not, in some cases).

[Janine · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was written in 1991 and it shows. What it clearly shows is the midst of the battle for working equality and I am damn happy that this thing happened in the past so I can enjoy the career I have now.

I think the main reason for the low stars was this old attitude of what was seen as equality - but wasn't. It is not equal to expect women to do everything. There is a balance. The other reason for the low stars was that the characters were hard to believe and were two-dimensional.

[Lola · Rating 1 out of 5]

selten so einen Mist gelesen...
scheint von einer biederen, sexistischen Kampf-Emanze verfasst zu sein...
weiteres sind sowohl die Story, als auch die Charaktaere absolut unrealistisch.

[Sarah-Jayne Windridge-France · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty good read ... although I felt the ending a little rushed!

Oh - to have it all!!

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liz Ward es una ejecutiva casada y madre de dos pequeños, que luego de tener el trabajo soñado, se da cuenta que tenerlo todo es muy complicado y se puede uno enloquecer en el intento. La vida le da muchas vueltas y en el transcurso de un año se queda sin su trabajo, sin su matrimonio y sin tener muy claro lo que quiere hacer, hasta que el curso de la vida vuelve a mostrarle el camino.
No sé si fue la edición que leí, pero los personajes se mezclaban y a veces no era muy claro el cambio. El libro es entretenido, hay partes que sobraban, no aportan y hacen la historia más larga de lo que debería.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was amazing. An interesting novel about the struggle of the "new woman" of the nineties and the constant juggle of 'having it all' - all being the balance of running and maintaining a household and also a career. It's a take about perspective and it shows how society doesn't really care about what a woman wants herself, but instead assumes and tells her what she should want and shames her for being a bad mother if she has a career, or not being good enough for a high-powered career if she cares too much about her children.

[Elena Micheli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Carino male trame sono tutte uguali...lei in crisi lui che la tradisce e poi tutti felici e contenti

[Susan]

Current times in UK about TV woman juggling everything

[Hannah Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story and the writing, however I did feel like it went on a bit too long. There were a few random storylines thrown in and I found myself losing interest every now and then.

[Melody]

Only read to page 64

[Maureen Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just okay took me a longtime to get into it

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this one very much! x

[Anne]

Chick lit but reasonable read