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Fly in the Ointment
Guilt is in the eye of the beholder ...
When her cold and indifferent husband vanishes, so does Lois's old life. Now she is ready to take her chances again. There's only one fly in the Janie-Gay, ex-partner of the son Lois lost to drugs, and spiteful mother of the small, neglected child she can't get out of her mind.
Caring's not something one can lay aside, and Lois is soon tangled in webs of deceit. Worse, she is on a collision course with a remorseless society that claims to support and protect. Now, more than ever, she could use the skills of her once frozen heart...
When her cold and indifferent husband vanishes, so does Lois's old life. Now she is ready to take her chances again. There's only one fly in the Janie-Gay, ex-partner of the son Lois lost to drugs, and spiteful mother of the small, neglected child she can't get out of her mind.
Caring's not something one can lay aside, and Lois is soon tangled in webs of deceit. Worse, she is on a collision course with a remorseless society that claims to support and protect. Now, more than ever, she could use the skills of her once frozen heart...
- GenresFiction
288 pages, Paperback
First published March 25, 2008
3 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Anne Fine
346 books289 followersThough readers often find themselves inadvertently laughing aloud as they read Anne Fine's novels, as she herself admits, "a lot of my work, even for fairly young readers, raises serious social issues. Growing up is a long and confusing business. I try to show that the battle through the chaos is worthwhile and can, at times, be seen as very funny." In 1994, this unique combination of humour and realism inspired the hit movie MRS. DOUBTFIRE, based on Anne's novel MADAME DOUBTFIRE and starring the late comedic genius Robin Williams.
Anne is best known in her home country, England, as a writer principally for children, but over the years she has also written eight novels for adult readers. Seven of these she describes as black - or sour - comedies, and the first, THE KILLJOY, simply as "dead black". These novels have proved great favourites with reading groups, causing readers to squirm with mingled horror and delight as she peels away the layers in all too familiar family relationships, exposing the tangled threads and conflicts beneath. (It's perhaps not surprising that Anne has openly expressed astonishment at the fact that murder in the domestic setting is not even more common.)
Anne has written more than sixty books for children and young people. Amongst numerous other awards, she is twice winner of both the Carnegie Medal, Britain's most prestigious children's book award, and the Whitbread Award. Twice chosen as Children's Author of the Year in the British Book Awards, Anne Fine was also the first novelist to be honoured as Children's Laureate in the United Kingdom. In 2003, Anne became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and was awarded an OBE. Her work has been translated into forty five languages.
Anne Fine lives in the north of England and has two grown up daughters.
Anne is best known in her home country, England, as a writer principally for children, but over the years she has also written eight novels for adult readers. Seven of these she describes as black - or sour - comedies, and the first, THE KILLJOY, simply as "dead black". These novels have proved great favourites with reading groups, causing readers to squirm with mingled horror and delight as she peels away the layers in all too familiar family relationships, exposing the tangled threads and conflicts beneath. (It's perhaps not surprising that Anne has openly expressed astonishment at the fact that murder in the domestic setting is not even more common.)
Anne has written more than sixty books for children and young people. Amongst numerous other awards, she is twice winner of both the Carnegie Medal, Britain's most prestigious children's book award, and the Whitbread Award. Twice chosen as Children's Author of the Year in the British Book Awards, Anne Fine was also the first novelist to be honoured as Children's Laureate in the United Kingdom. In 2003, Anne became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and was awarded an OBE. Her work has been translated into forty five languages.
Anne Fine lives in the north of England and has two grown up daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 30, 2014
A short novel; an unusual, painful, at times horrible, story, perhaps not surprising given child neglect is at its heart. Fine writes simply, but skilfully and elegantly. The story builds up as she weaves in the transformations and multiple deceits played out by the main character, Lois, with the spiteful actions of Janie-Gay - the ex-partner of Lois' dead son.
Why I didn't like it more is because Lois is not a very nice person, and being inside her head (the book is written from the first person perspective) wasn't always a comfortable place to be! Also the ending happens rather suddenly, as if tacked on, although one could have guessed the outcome before then.
However, it's worth reading, as the themes of drug misuse, child neglect and how the system does or doesn't deal with these are very real today. (Jones)
Why I didn't like it more is because Lois is not a very nice person, and being inside her head (the book is written from the first person perspective) wasn't always a comfortable place to be! Also the ending happens rather suddenly, as if tacked on, although one could have guessed the outcome before then.
However, it's worth reading, as the themes of drug misuse, child neglect and how the system does or doesn't deal with these are very real today. (Jones)
August 10, 2016
A short, compelling and uncomfortable novel, it challenges our attitudes and beliefs as to whether some people are beyond hope and redemption. Taking this even further, it poses the unthinkable question as to whether it would be better if such people were dead. In the process it touches upon issues such as social-class, weakness and dependence. The main character, Lois, is manipulative, deceitful and scheming, yet I could not help but sympathise with her and the wrong choices she makes, especially in the light of her failed marriage and the early death of her son. The character of Janie-Gay, the inadequate and abusive single mother of Lois’ grandchild, is developed in such a way that I found her abhorrent. Some reviewers describe it as a black comedy but it rarely made me laugh; to me it was a sad tale which was too near the real life stories of child and drug abuse to be funny.
March 21, 2022
Honestly…I didn’t know what to think. It was readable, funny, engaging - and completely messed up (even abhorrent) ethically and emotionally. I’m going to take a while to work out if it was brilliant or awful. I think it may have been wickedly brilliant but, dear Lord, Anne Fine doesn’t make it easy, does she?
April 13, 2023
Not really my sort of book, but quite gripping and well-written.
October 20, 2023
Thought provoking. A quick, interesting and good read.
April 19, 2024
Nice read...Didnt see the end coming.
January 31, 2014
[An edited version of this article was first published in Catalonia Today magazine, April 2013.]
In this story the dangers are not so physical (at least most of the time), but the psychological scars of personal tragedy are equally clear to see. In this very English of stories, Lois is a mother who faces a string of ethical questions in her life and largely chooses the dishonest options. She wants to somehow make-up for her perceived failures as a mother (and a wife) but doesn't quite want to try doing this in an ethical way.
Having trapped herself in a tangle of deceit, Lois knows that (as Bob Dylan put-it) “the past was close behind” and the squalid existence she has set-up from her own self-constructed "necessity" is put in doubt. Every move she makes is a calculated one, and despite the likelihood that she might evoke pity and even sympathy in some, it is her taste for manipulation that makes her so unappealing throughout the devious scheming that gives this story much of it's plot-lines.
Like so many British books, this is a tale strongly related to social-class, though the author and many UK readers would probably not want to recognise it.
[http://www.bretthetherington.net/defa...]
In this story the dangers are not so physical (at least most of the time), but the psychological scars of personal tragedy are equally clear to see. In this very English of stories, Lois is a mother who faces a string of ethical questions in her life and largely chooses the dishonest options. She wants to somehow make-up for her perceived failures as a mother (and a wife) but doesn't quite want to try doing this in an ethical way.
Having trapped herself in a tangle of deceit, Lois knows that (as Bob Dylan put-it) “the past was close behind” and the squalid existence she has set-up from her own self-constructed "necessity" is put in doubt. Every move she makes is a calculated one, and despite the likelihood that she might evoke pity and even sympathy in some, it is her taste for manipulation that makes her so unappealing throughout the devious scheming that gives this story much of it's plot-lines.
Like so many British books, this is a tale strongly related to social-class, though the author and many UK readers would probably not want to recognise it.
[http://www.bretthetherington.net/defa...]
March 22, 2016
I found this really disappointing. It's a story of drug addiction, child neglect and desertion, but it's written in an irritating, throw- away comic vein. It's not even black comedy, it's just a bizarre narrative that is so facile the characters become meaningless, and you don't care what happens to them.
This was written by Anne Fine, whose book "Madame Doubtfire" was turned into such a huge Hollywood hit. I understand she writes children's fiction, and this would explain the way this book is written. She just doesn't pull of the comedy, and equally, doesn't fulfill the tragedy of the story.
Having said that, I think it would be excellent material for another screenplay, and would make a fine film, or BBC Drama. It's a screenplay waiting to happen.
But a huge disappointment as a book.
This was written by Anne Fine, whose book "Madame Doubtfire" was turned into such a huge Hollywood hit. I understand she writes children's fiction, and this would explain the way this book is written. She just doesn't pull of the comedy, and equally, doesn't fulfill the tragedy of the story.
Having said that, I think it would be excellent material for another screenplay, and would make a fine film, or BBC Drama. It's a screenplay waiting to happen.
But a huge disappointment as a book.
February 24, 2009
I finished this short novel today - only 220 odd pages but incredibly well written.
A story narrated by a lonely, middle-aged woman who has lost both her son and her husband and has nothing much to give and also gets not much of anything from life - it should make pretty grim reading but the author races the story along with touches of humour and it's almost gossipy in the telling.
It's difficult to write much without giving the story away - but it really is an irresistible read, very difficult to put down once it is started.
August 2, 2012
even if it is not a masterpiece - still worth reading, very real (unfortunately) story about the world and situations we usually try not to notice, but look around and that is what you can see; young, weak, lost people looking for wrong solutions, mothers so self centered that their children are only a bargain... so sad and so well written. well done, Anne Fine!
September 5, 2012
I really enjoyed this book right through the the last 20 or so pages. The story built well and the characters were good, it was engrossing and affecting. I felt the end was a bit sudden though. Not unexpected, as hints are given right at the start, but I didn't feel it fit quite right with the rest of the novel.
Still, well worth a read.
Still, well worth a read.
January 13, 2010
An excellent read, will certainly be hunting for more of her books.
November 27, 2010
This is more like it for a good read. A well constructed story with no pretentious airs but still manages to give you lots to think about.
August 3, 2011
Well written, as usual but child neglect is so painful to read about & I couldn't believe in the main character.
August 8, 2011
An unusual book which really gets you into the mind of the central character. Reminds me of Sebastian Faulkes Engleby though not as complex and sinister.
August 27, 2011
Excellent book!
Easy to read and keeps attention till the end.
Really loved this book in it's simplicity.
Easy to read and keeps attention till the end.
Really loved this book in it's simplicity.
April 6, 2012
"In any case, Guilt isn't minted fresh!" - That's the one line I can't forget from the novel I read 4 years ago!
April 25, 2012
A good read, written in a simple, elegant style. Some of the main character's actions were a little difficult to believe, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book.
April 23, 2013
I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11862529
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11862529
April 10, 2015
Unrealistic, dull, horrible people treating each other horribly.
Obviously not a style or theme I appreciate!
Obviously not a style or theme I appreciate!
February 8, 2016
A good read. interesting personal dilemma for the heroine. Raises a lot of issues.Somewhat fanciful.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews