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Rich Girl, Poor Girl
Four girls - two rich, two poor. Three will grow up to become the best of friends, who'll see each other through love and heartbreak, dreams and disaster. One will grow into a woman with no thoughts beyond revenge.
480 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2009
32 people are currently reading
491 people want to read
About the author
Lesley Lokko
26 books317 followersLESLEY spent seven years training as an architect but always dreamed of writing a novel. Eight novels (and counting) later, and aside from building her own home in Ghana, she hasn’t looked back. She splits her time between Johannesburg, Accra and London, (although now she’s dreaming of a flat in Edinburgh) and counts the BA lounges at Heathrow amongst her favourite places in the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
November 21, 2017
Yeah.. no.
I started out enjoying this novel. It sort of reminded me of a Jaclyn or Liane Moriarty novel (I have enjoyed many books by both women), but it just went downhill from there.
This book doesn't seem to know what it is. Is it a mystery? Crime? Romance? Chick-lit? Sometimes scope-creep works well across genres, particularly if it's done intentionally and with a deft hand. More often than not, it comes across as confused and irritating, like the author wanted the book to be too many things and it was therefore none of them.
Seemingly important plot points are glossed over or covered in a page or so, but the long descriptions of sex often take more space, are painful to read, and are often unnecessary. Is there anything more cringey than gratuitous, poorly-written sex scenes? (Don't answer that.)
The changing POV works to begin with but quickly becomes irritating. It's a tough thing to pull off, particularly for an inexperienced author, and Lokko definitely does not do it well. Some of the characters are better-drawn than others, but they're all not much more than cardboard cutouts, and unsympathetic ones at that.
In the latter half of the book I wanted to shake just about every character. Tory's decisions don't make sense because we haven't been convinced to emotionally invest in her, we've just been TOLD things. Caryn is supposed to be an incredibly intelligent girl but I see literally no evidence of this, which makes her painful to read. I found myself asking if this is the author's idea of what an intelligent woman looks like... Nic is just... naive and stupid. I understood in theory why she was the way she was, but I still didn't feel sympathy for her.
None of the characters actually get a satisfying resolution, making the amount of time I wasted on this book even more annoying.
The ending feels forced and rushed.
Estelle's motivation feels both stupid and forced - she feels retrofitted in. She would have been more interesting as a calculated but intelligent woman driven by revenge, but she was instead just... angry. And stupid.
And that's not even getting into some of the problematic messaging.
Basically, everyone was stupid, one-dimensional, unsympathetic and irritating. The plot was confused (but simplistic). I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, and the only reason I didn't give it one star is because I save that for books that are even worse than this one. (Ie. Twilight).
I started out enjoying this novel. It sort of reminded me of a Jaclyn or Liane Moriarty novel (I have enjoyed many books by both women), but it just went downhill from there.
This book doesn't seem to know what it is. Is it a mystery? Crime? Romance? Chick-lit? Sometimes scope-creep works well across genres, particularly if it's done intentionally and with a deft hand. More often than not, it comes across as confused and irritating, like the author wanted the book to be too many things and it was therefore none of them.
Seemingly important plot points are glossed over or covered in a page or so, but the long descriptions of sex often take more space, are painful to read, and are often unnecessary. Is there anything more cringey than gratuitous, poorly-written sex scenes? (Don't answer that.)
The changing POV works to begin with but quickly becomes irritating. It's a tough thing to pull off, particularly for an inexperienced author, and Lokko definitely does not do it well. Some of the characters are better-drawn than others, but they're all not much more than cardboard cutouts, and unsympathetic ones at that.
In the latter half of the book I wanted to shake just about every character. Tory's decisions don't make sense because we haven't been convinced to emotionally invest in her, we've just been TOLD things. Caryn is supposed to be an incredibly intelligent girl but I see literally no evidence of this, which makes her painful to read. I found myself asking if this is the author's idea of what an intelligent woman looks like... Nic is just... naive and stupid. I understood in theory why she was the way she was, but I still didn't feel sympathy for her.
None of the characters actually get a satisfying resolution, making the amount of time I wasted on this book even more annoying.
The ending feels forced and rushed.
Estelle's motivation feels both stupid and forced - she feels retrofitted in. She would have been more interesting as a calculated but intelligent woman driven by revenge, but she was instead just... angry. And stupid.
And that's not even getting into some of the problematic messaging.
Basically, everyone was stupid, one-dimensional, unsympathetic and irritating. The plot was confused (but simplistic). I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, and the only reason I didn't give it one star is because I save that for books that are even worse than this one. (Ie. Twilight).
August 4, 2020
Didn’t expect myself to enjoy this book as much as I did, but I found myself at times unable to put it down. This reminded me of a mid 90s movie and that was the best part of it. The writing style is simple, there’s nothing special about it, but the characters were soooo well written and relatable that I could’ve read about the next 10 years of the their life without ever getting bored.
March 12, 2018
Das Buch hat so gut angefangen. Es war interessant und spannend zu sehen wie der verschiedenen Frauen / Mädchen zusammenfanden und auch halten. Danach war es ein bisschen kompliziert: zu viele Personen, Ansichten und Zeitsprünge. Und das auf über 600 Seiten. Es ist stinklangweilig.
May 27, 2015
actual rating: 3 1/2 stars
Phew I finally completed reading this book. I liked this book. It was a very good book indeed but the pace was so slow sometimes that it irritated me.
Phew I finally completed reading this book. I liked this book. It was a very good book indeed but the pace was so slow sometimes that it irritated me.
July 15, 2022
I've just finished the book and I'm giving it a 3 because of the first 200 pages but generally I would say it's a 2 out of 5.
I will start by saying what I did like:
This was a fast-read for me. I've read everything in like 4 days and it's 630 pages, it kept me going because everything was happening so fast and I loved how we jumped from one character to the other. I also loved the idea of three girls finding comfort in each other, and being there for each other no matter what. I love plotlines where every character and their destinies cross, and this book was like that.
Yeah everything could have been good. Everything seemed good at the start when we were starting to get to know the girls. But then..
** spoiler alert **
What I didn't like:
I could not connect with the grown version of the main characters. All of them were fine at the beginning but I didn't like how they didn't have any kind of growth and kept making the same mistakes. They became two-dimensional somehow.
Some of the side characters were also a mess, they came into the lives of our characters and the girls suddenly felt an attraction, because?? and idk were we supposed to like feel something about them? Rob, Luc, that guy Tory made up with in France, Rowland..etc. They all came out of nowhere and our characters fell in love with them because they had the looks and attractive eyes. And there was just something about them, you know.
Another thing: adultery was too common in this book. I didn't like how it was something normal, something everbody does. Characters kept cheating, fell in love with man they werent supposed to be with( because they somehow felt a spark? I can say we as readers didn't feel it) These girls are supposed to be adults, right?
Another thing: Too much details on the way our girls dress, how flowers look, our girls' make-up etc. The author could give more attention to their character arc instead of the Channel skirt Estelle wore.
And lastly: All of the love-stories were forced and seemed unrealistic. Both Simon and Matt were unlikable. Matt was better though, at least he had some principles, character features. But I can say that generally all of the men characters were meh. The fact that they are handsome don't mean a thing when they are not interesting.(Oh by the way all men is handsome, tall and has the most attractive eyes)
Generally I'm not sure if this book was a 2 or 3. I would say it's more close to a 2 but the first 200 pages were better than the latest pages because it was good reading about the friendship dynamic between the girls. Last 200-300 pages were meh.
I will start by saying what I did like:
This was a fast-read for me. I've read everything in like 4 days and it's 630 pages, it kept me going because everything was happening so fast and I loved how we jumped from one character to the other. I also loved the idea of three girls finding comfort in each other, and being there for each other no matter what. I love plotlines where every character and their destinies cross, and this book was like that.
Yeah everything could have been good. Everything seemed good at the start when we were starting to get to know the girls. But then..
** spoiler alert **
What I didn't like:
I could not connect with the grown version of the main characters. All of them were fine at the beginning but I didn't like how they didn't have any kind of growth and kept making the same mistakes. They became two-dimensional somehow.
Some of the side characters were also a mess, they came into the lives of our characters and the girls suddenly felt an attraction, because?? and idk were we supposed to like feel something about them? Rob, Luc, that guy Tory made up with in France, Rowland..etc. They all came out of nowhere and our characters fell in love with them because they had the looks and attractive eyes. And there was just something about them, you know.
Another thing: adultery was too common in this book. I didn't like how it was something normal, something everbody does. Characters kept cheating, fell in love with man they werent supposed to be with( because they somehow felt a spark? I can say we as readers didn't feel it) These girls are supposed to be adults, right?
Another thing: Too much details on the way our girls dress, how flowers look, our girls' make-up etc. The author could give more attention to their character arc instead of the Channel skirt Estelle wore.
And lastly: All of the love-stories were forced and seemed unrealistic. Both Simon and Matt were unlikable. Matt was better though, at least he had some principles, character features. But I can say that generally all of the men characters were meh. The fact that they are handsome don't mean a thing when they are not interesting.(Oh by the way all men is handsome, tall and has the most attractive eyes)
Generally I'm not sure if this book was a 2 or 3. I would say it's more close to a 2 but the first 200 pages were better than the latest pages because it was good reading about the friendship dynamic between the girls. Last 200-300 pages were meh.
May 31, 2021
Ripensò alla prima volta in cui aveva parlato con Nic, tanti anni prima, quando lei aveva fatto cadere tutti i fogli e Nic l’aveva aiutata a raccoglierli. Era stato l’inizio di un’amicizia che, se doveva essere sincera, aveva significato per lei, più di tutti gli altri rapporti che aveva avuto. Nic e Tory erano state come sorelle per Caryn, più vicine a lei di quanto i suoi familiari fossero mai stati.
Tre ragazze, Nic, Caryn e Tory. Tre storie familiari completamente diverse per contesto sociale e per problematiche, però tutte e tre accomunate dalla solitudine di non sentirsi amate, apprezzate o sostenute da quelli che dovrebbero essere il loro rifugio naturale: i genitori.
E così per caso, per destino, si incontreranno adolescenti e la loro amicizia crescerà e si manterrà per decade. Questa è la loro storia, piena di fascino umano che soltanto Lesley Lokko è capace di descrivere. Storie intrinsecamente umane, dolorose però anche piene di forza e della convinzione che non puoi lasciarti soccombere dal peso delle sofferenze.
Una tripla storia, o magari quarta quando Estelle farà irruzione nella loro vita, che ti terrà completamente incollata alle pagine di un libro che anche se non piccolo (oltre 640 pagine) ti sembrerà troppo breve quando arriverai alla fine.
Perché vorrai ancora sapere della loro storia. Perché Lesley Lokko presenta e sviluppa così bene ognuna di loro che sarai tu a vivere la storia. Sentirai su di te le loro sofferenze, la loro solitudine, la loro voglia di non arrendersi mai.
Un meraviglioso libro scritto da una donna, su donne… per donne, ma anche per uomini. Per tutti.
Tre ragazze, Nic, Caryn e Tory. Tre storie familiari completamente diverse per contesto sociale e per problematiche, però tutte e tre accomunate dalla solitudine di non sentirsi amate, apprezzate o sostenute da quelli che dovrebbero essere il loro rifugio naturale: i genitori.
E così per caso, per destino, si incontreranno adolescenti e la loro amicizia crescerà e si manterrà per decade. Questa è la loro storia, piena di fascino umano che soltanto Lesley Lokko è capace di descrivere. Storie intrinsecamente umane, dolorose però anche piene di forza e della convinzione che non puoi lasciarti soccombere dal peso delle sofferenze.
Una tripla storia, o magari quarta quando Estelle farà irruzione nella loro vita, che ti terrà completamente incollata alle pagine di un libro che anche se non piccolo (oltre 640 pagine) ti sembrerà troppo breve quando arriverai alla fine.
Perché vorrai ancora sapere della loro storia. Perché Lesley Lokko presenta e sviluppa così bene ognuna di loro che sarai tu a vivere la storia. Sentirai su di te le loro sofferenze, la loro solitudine, la loro voglia di non arrendersi mai.
Un meraviglioso libro scritto da una donna, su donne… per donne, ma anche per uomini. Per tutti.
May 5, 2021
This book was rambling in some places, rushed in others. The characters one dimensional and difficult to feel empathy for any of them. Corrupt rich businessman with damaged daughter makes friends with two equally damaged girls and in spite of the book flirting between London, New York, Paris and Zimbabwe all the main characters are linked in some way which is hard to believe. There are holes in the storyline and an unsatisfactory ending. I haven’t read any of this authors books before and probably won’t. Not a good read and I am regretting spending so long on reading it.
May 17, 2018
Çok beğendiğim bir kitaptı. Kalınlığına bakarak nasıl bitecek bu kitap diye düşünürken sayfalar birbiri ardına ilerledi. Yazarın kalemini çok beğendim çünkü o kadar akıcı ki. Karakterler gayet net, dili basit ve olay sürükleyici. Hayatın ne getirdiği bilinmez denir ya işte bu kitapta da öylesine karmaşık hayatlar anlatılıyordu ki sanki film gibiydi. Okumanızı tavsiye ederim, yazarın diğer kitaplarını oldukça merak ediyorum.
April 8, 2020
Classico libro di Lesley Lokko: storia corale di tre amiche, diversissime tra loro, e della loro crescita da ragazze a giovani donne, con l'immancabile elemento africano. Niente di nuovo, ma a me é piaciuto così. Peccato ci abbia messo un'eternità a finirlo, e non sia in grado di sfogliarlo e spoilerarmi il finale.
March 24, 2024
In the end, all the events are tied together but in the beginning when reading them some of the things seemed unnecessary in the book. I liked the ending but it was somewhat expected if you read these types of books often. The writing style was unique which I ended up enjoying but it took some adjusting to. Overall the book was decent but probably not a top book of mine :)
October 9, 2021
Ci sono volute quasi 400pagine per capire dove volesse arrivare, come si univano le strade di tutti e poi?finisce con ...una non fine tutti soffrono, non si parlano più e rimane un forse...delusissima
November 3, 2019
holiday reading
February 7, 2021
Quite a complicated plot which required concentration. Very well written and I like the way the characters all end up entwined.
July 31, 2022
It finished too soon for me, it needed a bit more
August 21, 2023
It started really well , then just over halfway through it wasn't holding my attention as well .
October 29, 2023
Excellent read
April 1, 2024
3,5 su 5
August 29, 2024
Good premise. the story did not much the title nor the blurb on the back. Up until the ending the story was captivating. Sadly it was a lack luster ending.
September 16, 2024
Good read would try more from same author
November 1, 2015
I won this book from this site, and after a few months of my university reading list taking over my free time I was finally able to sit down and enjoy it.
The main plot is held together by the ties of friendship between three, intitally very mismatched, girls. Each brings to the pot her own glamour but also her own misfortunes. Karyn, who is clever but finds fulfilling her dreams difficult because of her family. Nic, wealthy daughter of a rich businessman has to contend for his affection while juggling her family's need for control. Finally Tory, trying to be herself while constantly trying to live up to her older sister's reputation.
Sometimes it appeared like these character archetypes were oversimplified. The three of them, despite their differences, all appear the same underneath the minor differences. Major character flaws don't make a personality, and Lokko's characters acted like the same girl in different life situations.
The way the author weaved the plot together makes up for this somewhat. In contrasting waves of fortune and misfortune the characters move up and down in life and love and nothing stays secure for long. This makes the book very intruguing because whenever you think the way is clear, another problem arises to block the path.
It is very easy reading, not challenging in the slightest, so it makes a good book for when you're feeling like something light and simple. A definitive example of the chick-lit genre.
The main plot is held together by the ties of friendship between three, intitally very mismatched, girls. Each brings to the pot her own glamour but also her own misfortunes. Karyn, who is clever but finds fulfilling her dreams difficult because of her family. Nic, wealthy daughter of a rich businessman has to contend for his affection while juggling her family's need for control. Finally Tory, trying to be herself while constantly trying to live up to her older sister's reputation.
Sometimes it appeared like these character archetypes were oversimplified. The three of them, despite their differences, all appear the same underneath the minor differences. Major character flaws don't make a personality, and Lokko's characters acted like the same girl in different life situations.
The way the author weaved the plot together makes up for this somewhat. In contrasting waves of fortune and misfortune the characters move up and down in life and love and nothing stays secure for long. This makes the book very intruguing because whenever you think the way is clear, another problem arises to block the path.
It is very easy reading, not challenging in the slightest, so it makes a good book for when you're feeling like something light and simple. A definitive example of the chick-lit genre.
May 28, 2011
This book took me a while to get into as I found the first quarter of the book to not grab my attention as much as I felt it would. That said, when more about the central characters was revealed and how many of them intertwined with one another, then I became more an avid reader.
There was something I realised when reading this book and that was that, although we may not always believe it, and at times it doesn't seem like it, friends can be the greatest source of advice and inspiration - around the half-way mark in the book this is certainly true for Caryn.
It is often said that rumour and gossip are diseases in our community and I couldn't help but agree; a certain part of this book brings said thought to life.
Most importantly, I identified with this book in the sense that I am fully aware many of my friends do not and will not tell me everything about them. Whether the secrets they keep are good or bad, or just personal, if they are in anyway a means of impacting someone else, then they are damaging and the wreckage they leave in their wake may quite possibly never be repaired. Said secrets in this book and the explosive truths that come from them leave lives changed - and that's something I think everyone can identify with.
If anyone would like to read this book please let me know and I will be happy to send it on to you.
There was something I realised when reading this book and that was that, although we may not always believe it, and at times it doesn't seem like it, friends can be the greatest source of advice and inspiration - around the half-way mark in the book this is certainly true for Caryn.
It is often said that rumour and gossip are diseases in our community and I couldn't help but agree; a certain part of this book brings said thought to life.
Most importantly, I identified with this book in the sense that I am fully aware many of my friends do not and will not tell me everything about them. Whether the secrets they keep are good or bad, or just personal, if they are in anyway a means of impacting someone else, then they are damaging and the wreckage they leave in their wake may quite possibly never be repaired. Said secrets in this book and the explosive truths that come from them leave lives changed - and that's something I think everyone can identify with.
If anyone would like to read this book please let me know and I will be happy to send it on to you.
March 18, 2010
This book follows the interconnected story of three friends: Caryn, Nic and Tory, from their schooldays to the world of secrets and lies that awaits them. It took a little while to settle into the differing narratives and I did find myself becoming more involved in the chapters directly concerning Caryn and Tory. However, as the commentary progressed, I found that I was drawn further and further into the plot and I got used to the storytelling style. I think Lesley Lokko has managed to create three very credible narrators.
I liked the overarching theme of friendship that was portrayed throughout and the idea that you may not be able to rely on your family but your friends will always be there for you.
Near the end of the book, all the inter-related strands were drawn together but I have to say that I took a star off the rating because I found the ending anti-climatic and a little bit disapointing. I guess it was realistic but then that's not always what readers are looking for is it? Sometimes we like a happy ending!
I liked the overarching theme of friendship that was portrayed throughout and the idea that you may not be able to rely on your family but your friends will always be there for you.
Near the end of the book, all the inter-related strands were drawn together but I have to say that I took a star off the rating because I found the ending anti-climatic and a little bit disapointing. I guess it was realistic but then that's not always what readers are looking for is it? Sometimes we like a happy ending!
September 8, 2013
Meh. I was desperate for something to read on vacation, otherwise I never would have actually finished this book. From the first line the forced writing style was obvious. This is your basic chick novel, with plenty of drama among friends and plenty of sex scenes between the covers. The main characters oscillate between making poor decisions and convincing themselves that they're tough enough to live with the consequences. The most depth in this book comes in the detailed descriptions of the characters' clothing and jewelry, as well as their posh abodes. A cardboard ending. If you pick it up for free and you have no other reading options, yes. In any other situation, it's not worth your time.
January 27, 2014
Lesley Lokko tarzını en sevdiğim yazarlardan bir tanesi. İçiçe geçmiş bir çok hayatı öyle güzel kurgulayarak anlatıyor ki kitap sayfalarının arasında kaybolmadan edemiyorum. Çıkan diğer kitapları gibi Öteki Kızlar da kesinlikle harikaydı. Çoğu zaman bir kadının başına gelebilecek en kötü şeyleri onun kaleminden okurken sinirlerime hakim olamıyorum ama yinede okumadan da edemiyorum. Çünkü gerçekten kelimeleri sihirli. Bu romanında da yine aynı karışık hayatlar, kadınlar ve yaşadıkları zorluklar, insanın asıl kimliğinin bazen nasıl da hayatını felç ettiğini, duygularına engel olmanın ne kadar zor ve karmaşık olduğunu ve en önemlisi her zaman kendin olmanın ve dürüstlüğün ne kadar önem taşıdığını -insan ilişkilerinde- anlatan harika bir romandı. tavsiye ederim..
December 15, 2010
i have to admire Leslie Lokko for this book as it was amazing!! nic, estelle, jim, mat, simon, caryn, tory, rob and luc, were some of the most exquisite characters that i have read. although the argument in the end between nic and her father, jim, could have been more compelling. did caryn really have to leave simon? they made such a cute couple!! he did go to the police for her, so why did she have to leave him? she survived so long without knowing and she found out the truth how come she couldn't bear it???? Caryn and Simon were my favourite couple for them to end this way was too sad for me!!
on the whole this was great book
on the whole this was great book
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November 12, 2014A DREARY BOOK!!!! No any star! Huh huh kuinka tylsä kirja...eipä ihme että lukeminen kesti. Kirjailija oli näköjään päättänyt pohjustaa kirjan perusteellisesti, lapsuudesta asti tähdättiin tapahtumaan joka tapahtui kirjan "viimeisillä sivuilla". Haisteltiin ja maisteltiin elämää joka ikisellä tapahtumalla ....ihan niin kuin ei vähempi olisi riittänyt ja lopputulos oli aika naurettava floppi. Tämän kirjan jo melkein päätin lopettaa mutta kahlasin lävitse ja aivan turhaan...hukkaan meni! Toisaalta myös harmittaa kuva joka kirjan takakannen tekstistä sai....sekin oli aivan väärä! :(
March 28, 2011
As soon as I started reading this book I loved it - love Lesley's style, and her characters are fantastic. As the book went on it got a bit complicated for me, and I have to admit I struggled ... think that's more a reflection of my vacation brain than the book though. By the end of the novel the plot became crystal clear, but I was slightly disappointed with the ending. It wasn't as happy-ever-after as I'd have liked! A good, solid read though - I'm envious that I didn't write this!
March 1, 2012
This book starts out as 'chick lit' about 3 friends from school in the 1980s, and comes through to the present day, getting deeper and the characters getting more entangled as the story goes on. It's all about money and power with revenge thrown in for good measure, and takes place in various locations all over the world. I really enjoyed this book (and couldn't put it down towards the end) and will certainly try other Lesley Lokko books.
March 20, 2013
Bello, intrigante, assolutamente la storia scorre fluida e veloce...le pagine scorrono in attesa di giungere al termine per sapere se la Vendetta delle protagoniste giunge al termine. una storia lunga un amicizia di 15 anni, intrecci, liti famigliari, amori persi e ritrovati in citta magnifiche come Parigi, Londra, New York e i colori e le atmosfere dello Zimbabwe. Dedicato alle donne che sospirano ancora per le storie d'amore tormentate.
May 24, 2014
This is only the second book I've read by Lokko, but she seems to like this whole "separate plot lines converging into one big story" thing. It was a good read and it kept me entertained, though some of the plot twists/ lines she used were a bit expected and borderline cliche. She also could have developed some of the other characters more, but, as I said, I still think it's a good read and that the overall story was entertaining.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews