Ex & the City

by Alexandra Heminsley

We've all been there: one minute you're in a loving relationship, or maybe just on your third date with a guy who's not too weird, the next minute you've been dumped. Now you're a reject, choking back the sobs as you trundle home alone. If Dumped was a kingdom, Alexandra Heminsley would be its queen. She's been dumped in a restaurant, dumped in a stairwell, dumped in a graveyard - the locations changed but the excruciating pain stayed the same. Now in this intimate and witty memoir she shares her experiences, taking us on a laugh-out-loud journey from her initial helpless dejection to the rebound fling and several other failed relationships that finally set her on the road to recovery. She shares the insights she gathered along the way, from what heartbreak really does to your hormones to what he really means when he says, 'It's not you, it's me', as well as what not to do with your hair when you've been dumped.And, of course, the best ways to utilise the healing power of songs - after all, no one wants to get stuck in the Mary J. Blige Contemplative Stage for too long but woe betide the girl who attempts the Eurythmics' 'Thorn in My Side' too soon. Above all, Alexandra reveals the important truth she learns: that being dumped should not be a source of shame but should be a badge of honour. Because unless you're ready to risk all, you'll never find love.

Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una obra que nos habla de los errores que cometemos cuando queremos retener a alguien en nuestras vidas que ya es pasado. No es ni una guía ni una novela, es cómo una mezcla de las dos cosas, en forma de auto biografía amorosa de la autora.

Muy entretenido y aunque yo no soy de libros de auto ayuda, éste me sacó una sonrisa en un momento en que lo necesitaba.

Para leer si pasas por circunstancias similares y para prestar, porqué no, a otras amigas que les pase lo mismo, quizá no es la solución momentánea al problema ( sino el tiempo), pero sí una lectura que despierte tu yo racional y te diga:...venga, ya sabes que se acabó, déjalo estar.

Relectura 2021:
Pensaba que le había puesto ya 4 estrellas; pues va una más. Me sigue pareciendo una lectura tremenda y muy acertada en momentos de crisis ( no hace falta que se trate del tema específicamente en tu caso, sino del amoroso en sí). Te saca una sonrisa y se lee en un suspiro. Genial libro de anti- auto ayuda.

[Redfox5 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a self help book for the recently dumped, however as someone who is happily married, I found a lot to like about this book!

This doesn't read like a normal self help book, Alexandra tells her story of heartache and woe in a humorous way. If you've ever been dumped, you will sympathise with her. She tells the stories of famous dumped women and advises you of the songs NOT to listen to! I would like to add 'Goodbye My Lover - James Blunt' to the list! I spent a fair few days wallowing with that one as a teenager.

Helpful if you've just been dumped, tho let's be honest, when you've been dumped you won't be following any of this advice, no matter how strong you think you may be. But even if you've not been dumped, it's an enjoyable way to pass the time.

[Mira Faiza · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is something for leisure & light read. I found myself laughed at some points where the statement fitted me perfectly. I don't suggest this book for any heartbroken people who are just going through a fresh cut but to people who has already moved on ;)

[Claire Poolman · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried to read it, but I couldn’t get into it.

[Ejatu Bah · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a good and funny way of looking at relationships and break-ups. Make sure to take the information in this book as if it's an aid to help you if you are going through a break-up right now.

[Suni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Premetto che i manualetti di auto-aiuto non sono proprio il mio genere.
A dire la verità credo che il più delle volte siano operazioni furbette, tutte scopiazzate da un originale che ha lanciato la moda, e soprattutto inutili nel migliore dei casi. Sì perché finché chiunque senza alcun titolo può improvvisarsi esperto di vita e impartire lezioni non è così remota la possibilità che le suddette lezioni siano sbagliate e pericolose.
In ogni caso un po' per burla un po' seriamente mi è stato regalato questo libro, che, va detto, è esteticamente parecchio carino.
Così distrattamente l'ho iniziato a sfogliare, e ho notato che era scritto in prima persona e narrava in modo abbastanza divertente le disgrazie sentimentali capitate all'autrice.
In pratica ci sono delle istruzioni da seguire, ma il tutto è integrato in un qualcosa di molto simile a un romanzo.
E qui il pensiero va ovviamente a Bridget Jones, a cui la Heminsley non può non essersi ispirata (e per me ha fatto bene).
Altra cosa che mi è piaciuta sono i molti riferimenti alla pop culture (si veda ad esempio la lista di "mollate" famose o quella delle canzoni da ascoltare nella varie fasi post rottura).
Quindi 3 stelline come media tra la mia antipatia per il genere e la buona riuscita di questo caso specifico.

[Jayden · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book because it was a gift from a friend of mine. She moved away and didn't want to take it with her, and I'm not one for throwing books away. I didn't have any new books at that time so I gave it a go.

It's not my usual genre, and I know why again. I found it hard to get through the book, the reading a bit bumpy and dragging along. It definitely wasn't a page turner for me.

I wanted to finish it to see if it got better in the end. It didn't. Just not my cup of tea, and I found most of the stuff in the book pretty common sense, not interesting enough to put in a self-help book of sorts.

I wouldn't recommend it.

[Chloe Macphail · Rating 2 out of 5]

well that was a load of drivel. ive never been dumped and im in a super stable relationship so i couldnt relate on any level. maybe if id gone through a similar predicament i would of felt differently. so giving this to my next dumped friend.

[Erma · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ternyata biasa-biasa ajah. Nothing spesial.

[Mariskova · Rating 3 out of 5]

The quotes and jokes are hillarious!

[Norah · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excerpt in a Sunday paper made me want to read the book, having just been 'dumped'! It started well, but tailed off into a long boring personal diary entry.

[Emna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light read, and its such a funny book!!! full of jokes and humeur.. Perfect for Summer!

[Russianwitch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating in a morbid sort of way.
Makes me wonder if there is a similar book around from a male perspective.
While a funny and educational read, the book is a bit too soppy for my usual tastes.

[Mestika]

funny .. briliant!!