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Foreign Affairs
Four women - Paula, Jennifer, Brenda and Rachel. All at a crossroads in their lives. All with difficult choices to make. All badly in need of a holiday.
PAULA: Beautiful, ambitious and successful, she works hard and plays hard. Men find her irresistible...except for the one man she really wants.
BRENDA: In her late thirties, she longs for glamour and excitement. Tired of being a housewife stuck at home with her children, Brenda is determined to make changes in her life. Then the unthinkable happens.
RACHEL: Shy and timid, she's always been dominated by her cold, intolerant father. But beneath the surface she is bubbling with suppressed rage. Does she have the courage to finally become her own woman?
JENNIFER: She's a true friend. Paula comes to her with man troubles. Rachel tells her of family woes. Her sister Brenda is envious of Jennifer's high-powered career and successful marriage. Then tragedy strikes. Will Paula, Brenda and Rachel be there for Jennifer when she needs them?
When the four women stay in a luxurious villa on a Greek island, they soon realize that they have embarked on more than just a foreign holiday. Amidst rows, arguments, laughter and fun they come to see each other in a different light. Can their friendships be sustained? Indeed, will their lives ever be the same again?
PAULA: Beautiful, ambitious and successful, she works hard and plays hard. Men find her irresistible...except for the one man she really wants.
BRENDA: In her late thirties, she longs for glamour and excitement. Tired of being a housewife stuck at home with her children, Brenda is determined to make changes in her life. Then the unthinkable happens.
RACHEL: Shy and timid, she's always been dominated by her cold, intolerant father. But beneath the surface she is bubbling with suppressed rage. Does she have the courage to finally become her own woman?
JENNIFER: She's a true friend. Paula comes to her with man troubles. Rachel tells her of family woes. Her sister Brenda is envious of Jennifer's high-powered career and successful marriage. Then tragedy strikes. Will Paula, Brenda and Rachel be there for Jennifer when she needs them?
When the four women stay in a luxurious villa on a Greek island, they soon realize that they have embarked on more than just a foreign holiday. Amidst rows, arguments, laughter and fun they come to see each other in a different light. Can their friendships be sustained? Indeed, will their lives ever be the same again?
800 pages, Paperback
First published September 21, 1994
82 people are currently reading
307 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Scanlan
71 books400 followersPatricia Scanlan was born in Dublin, where she still lives. Her #1 bestsellers include Apartment 3B; Finishing Touches; Foreign Affairs; Promises, Promises; Mirror, Mirror; City Girl; City Woman; City Lives; and Francesca’s Party. She has sold millions of books worldwide and is translated into many languages. Patricia is the series editor and a contributing author to the award winning Open Door literacy series, which she developed for adult literacy.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
February 9, 2016
This was ok, but not nearly exciting enough for 900 pages, skim read the 2nd half of book just so I knew what happened.
November 28, 2016
This is an immense book full of minute details about the lives of four ladies. Some of it was fascinating and the insights into who people are//why they become who they are, "our mothers, ourselves", etc . was interesting. I found the author insightful and clever.
However, moments were also very dull. The book was a little too heavy handed, at times, with every day nonessentials; tedious.
However, I pushed through... right to the end! Curious to find out what would happen on THAT vacation, THE vacation the whole book centers around... momentous, epic.... worth years and years of back story......
And! I was disappointed.
My thoughts at the end of the book.... Who cares?!
However, moments were also very dull. The book was a little too heavy handed, at times, with every day nonessentials; tedious.
However, I pushed through... right to the end! Curious to find out what would happen on THAT vacation, THE vacation the whole book centers around... momentous, epic.... worth years and years of back story......
And! I was disappointed.
My thoughts at the end of the book.... Who cares?!
April 23, 2018
I always enjoy a Patricia Scanlan book and this one was no exception. As it is an old book of hers I have a feeling I may have read it possibly around 15 years ago, but with the passage of time I can't remember anything about it, so it was as if it was a totally fresh book. All characters in the book were interesting and although it was long and some of the back stories were quite in depth, I didn't find it hard going or boring. I always look out for her books as I enjoy their cosiness and how easy they are to sink into.
September 13, 2017
I really enjoyed this tale of the 4 friends and their stories which are all intertwined. Characters were easy to like/relate to and I wanted to know how things turned out. Easy read and pure escapism from the real world
November 27, 2017
Delivering stories that span generations, and offering warmth, wisdom and love on every page - if you treasured Maeve Binchy, read Patricia Scanlan.
What I liked:
-It's based on a group of friends who all come from different backgrounds.
-All four women are facing their own issues but support each other.
What I didn't like:
- There's too many characters so you have to keep referring to previous chapters etc.
- Too many details (900 pages), did seem like it took forever to finish the book.
- Throughout the novel, chapters alternate between the four friends and sometimes it does get annoying as it's not made clear at the start of who the chapter is evolved around.
Overall Rating:
It's a good book to read once and was well written so overall I would rate it 3/5 stars.
What I liked:
-It's based on a group of friends who all come from different backgrounds.
-All four women are facing their own issues but support each other.
What I didn't like:
- There's too many characters so you have to keep referring to previous chapters etc.
- Too many details (900 pages), did seem like it took forever to finish the book.
- Throughout the novel, chapters alternate between the four friends and sometimes it does get annoying as it's not made clear at the start of who the chapter is evolved around.
Overall Rating:
It's a good book to read once and was well written so overall I would rate it 3/5 stars.
December 3, 2020
A week of my life I won't get back... recommended by a friend but I just couldn't see the point of this book. I struggled to the finish, which was disappointing. I suppose if you like gossip and soap operas, it may appeal. I've given 2 stars because the characters were well written.
August 29, 2017
One of her best!
Likeable and believable characters, within a well-woven story.
A very entertaining read which I really enjoyed.
I would truly recommend.
Likeable and believable characters, within a well-woven story.
A very entertaining read which I really enjoyed.
I would truly recommend.
November 25, 2017
Lovely
What a lively uplifting story of a bunch of friends and there ups and downs in life will look forward to Patricia scanlan next book
What a lively uplifting story of a bunch of friends and there ups and downs in life will look forward to Patricia scanlan next book
February 25, 2018
A nice saga about girlfriends.
February 8, 2019
Toooo long! I read it all because I wanted the closure, but skimmed a lot of the minutiae.
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June 23, 2019Page turner
This book kept me entertained from start to finish. I'm a sucker for a happy ending. An absolutely brilliant read.
This book kept me entertained from start to finish. I'm a sucker for a happy ending. An absolutely brilliant read.
December 17, 2020
loved this book, read it years ago, and decided to read it again, its such a wonderful story of friendship and family, love it, Patricia Scanlan brought the memories back
February 1, 2021
one of her better novels
November 20, 2021
A long, cheesy, easy read. These type of books I simply read to switch my brain off.
February 19, 2012
I have read the majority of Patricia Scanlans novels and have enjoyed them all. How I missed this one I don't know. it was a good read.
I am not good at being verbose about the books I read and do not leave lots of reviews but this is worth the read as even though it would be classed as a light read, it was still a good book it isbabout the lives of four very different women. It was a clever book, as it starts with 4 women about to go holiday and there is definitely some tension withinWe then go back and meet each girl and only 2 have a connection to begin with. It is great if you like a saga and does leave you feeling good.
I am not good at being verbose about the books I read and do not leave lots of reviews but this is worth the read as even though it would be classed as a light read, it was still a good book it isbabout the lives of four very different women. It was a clever book, as it starts with 4 women about to go holiday and there is definitely some tension withinWe then go back and meet each girl and only 2 have a connection to begin with. It is great if you like a saga and does leave you feeling good.
February 17, 2015
Extremely long book of 800 pages in small print. Took me well over a week to get through, but very much enjoyed.
The four characters are very well fleshed out as the book covers them from childhood, teens and current day where they are planning an overseas holiday together.
Brenda was honestly pretty horrible. She was meant to be sympathetic (I think), but just wasn't. Actually quite realistic. I'm sure we've all met someone like her. Paula was a bit spoiled too, but didn't hate her. Jenny and Rachel were probably the most relatable.
Really enjoyable story about the relationships of the women and those in their lives.
The four characters are very well fleshed out as the book covers them from childhood, teens and current day where they are planning an overseas holiday together.
Brenda was honestly pretty horrible. She was meant to be sympathetic (I think), but just wasn't. Actually quite realistic. I'm sure we've all met someone like her. Paula was a bit spoiled too, but didn't hate her. Jenny and Rachel were probably the most relatable.
Really enjoyable story about the relationships of the women and those in their lives.
January 28, 2017
When I saw the size of this book in stores my first thoughts were- holy sh*t. But it was $7 so I bought it anyway. I am so happy to say this book had me right until the very end- definitely not what I usually read but the details the author goes into about each of the four women's life is just amazing and you really feel like you know them and why they choose to do different things throughout the book. Couldn't put it down!
February 7, 2017
Great Irish saga. this is one of Patricia's early works and well worth a read
April 12, 2012
Have read this book over and over again for the last 10 years! Love the way it is written and the characters! One of my favorite easy reading books... Looking forward to reading it again this summer :-)
December 1, 2016
'Chick lit' in one sense, but very readable, all the same, and very enjoyable when you're not in the mood for something deeper! Follow the intertwining lives of four girls from childhood to womanhood......
May 15, 2011
Long book 900 odd pages but once you get into it a lovely read! I'm sure everyone recognises himself with personality traits of at least one of the main characters...good and bad!
January 26, 2012
Of all the Scanlan books, I found this to be the most entertaining with a nicely formed characters and intertwined storylines. The perfect read for a summer holiday while lazing around.
August 16, 2016
Great interesting read
This book kept me hooked as you learn about the characters and there lives.. Probably Brenda would not my first choice of freind
This book kept me hooked as you learn about the characters and there lives.. Probably Brenda would not my first choice of freind
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June 21, 2017Fantastic - could not put this book down. Did not want it to end !
Read
May 4, 2018loved this book I really enjoy this author
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews