Unchained Melanie

by Judy Astley

Is there life after marriage? Her friends predict loneliness, frustration and disaster. Her parents are convinced she's a failure. All this when Melanie finds herself single after years of being one half of a pair. Melanie, however, is excited to be able to do her own thing - she plans a programme of behaving badly after a lifetime of behaving properly. With her daughter at university and ex-husband Roger married off at last - to his lamentably young girlfriend whom he accidentally got pregnant at the office party - she has what a teenager would call a Free House, and she intends to make the most of it. But the single life isn't all it's cracked up to be...

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Chick Lit

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Judy Astley started writing in 1990 following several years of working as a dressmaker, illustrator, painter and parent. Her sixteen novels, the most recent of which are Laying The Ghost and Other People¹s Husbands, are all published by Transworld/Black Swan. Judy¹s specialist areas, based on many years of hectic personal experience, are domestic disharmony and family chaos with a good mix of love-and-passion and plenty of humour thrown in. Judy has been a regular columnist on magazines and enjoys writing journalism pieces on just about any subject, usually from a fun viewpoint. She lives in London and Cornwall, loves plants, books, hot sunshine and rock music (all at once, preferably) and would happily claim that listening in to other people¹s conversations is both a top hobby and an absolute career-necessity

Reviews

[Sana Merchant · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unchained Melanie by Judy Astley. Published in 2002 by Black Swan this book is not my taste. The characters are confusing, so is the writing. I read 40 pages and that was my limit. I couldn’t dare to go a page further. The story is boring. Even though now and then I enjoy funny, light hearted novels, this one was putting me off. Just when I was googling the writer I found out that I had read this writer before ‘Laying the ghost’ and now when I think back I remember clearly that had disappointed me and I had to put the book back to the shelf by page 50. I wouldn’t recommend it.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an unusual book.

Melanie is newly divorced from Roger. Roger has married Leonora, because she is expecting their baby. Rosa is the daughter of Melanie and Roger and she is going off to university. Elderly Mrs. Jenkins is her next door neighbor. Max is there to tear up the back garden and install wonderful plants that require little to no care. Melanie’s mother is in and our often. She found that her retired husband has been looking at magazines with pictures of naked women. And there are several good friends around.

Melanie writes mystery thrillers. She makes a pretty good living doing what she enjoys. While Melanie is being thrilled being alone and on her own, everyone is telling her that she must find another man.

This story has humor and pathos. There are real life situations happening to everyone in the book. Not everything that happens is wonderful. But, there is a great deal of joy too.

This is an interesting look at marriage, families, friendships and people who are looking for something better in their lives. It is easy for the reader to become involved in the lives of all these people. Sometimes that is a good thing, at other times it would be great to reach out and slap someone.

I liked this book very much.

Ms Astley is a new to me author. I am glad I found her, and I look forward to finding other books she has written.

[Laura Rittenhouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was quite an enjoyable read. A woman faced with the all-too-common situation of being on her own after her husband left her for another (and much younger) woman and her daughter moved out to go to college. This book is a story about a woman reinventing herself when her life is turned on its head beyond her control. Nothing deep and meaningful, but a nice read with a cup of tea and maybe a cat sitting on your lap.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Melanie finds herself single again after years of being one half of a couple. But Melanie is overwhelmingly excited to be able to do her own thing - she plans a programme of behaving badly, after a lifetime of behaving properly. But is the single life quite all it's cracked up to be?"

An entertaining read - better than average chick lit.

[Hayley Marsland · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a few years since I last read a book by this author, it was an enjoyable quick read.

Melanie, who has been part of a couple for years, suddenly finds herself single after her husband finds himself a younger woman.

Melanie's friends, and quite possibly some of her family members too, predict a life of loneliness and frustration.

Melanie on the other hand, is really quite excited by the prospect, and is about to prove everyone wrong.

Behaving properly is off the agenda, behaving badly however is definitely on.

If you're after something quick and fun to read, then this is the book for you.

[Simple · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good, fun and light read. I enjoyed it. I got more invested in it as I got to the second half, as the progress was really slow. Also, I didn't get why Melanie's car was stolen and then returned unharmed? It was unnecessary if it didn't tie up in the end. Otherwise the end was good.

[S · Rating 2 out of 5]

A slow read. Last few pages were the best part.

[Andi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh, I kept picking it up and the prose is so erratic it always took me a bit to find my spot. Humorous observations though.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick pleasant read

[Morgan Donald-Munro · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Its a light read, perfect for a holiday read. I enjoyed that the main character was an author in the book but wrote a completely different genre to what this book was.

[Rachel Delaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite fun Happy ending like a good chic lit 👌

[Ro · Rating 3 out of 5]

I laughed out loud in a couple of places. Really a 3.5

[Jack Youd · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice book to read and one that I thoroughly enjoyed. Great read.

[Avid Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Readable beach fare. No surprises good or bad here. This one you can judge by its cover.

[Helen James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nostalgic read of a Judy Astley book I had somehow missed. Nice cosy, easy read.

[Intertextuelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un livre plutôt plaisant à lire. Je me suis attachée aux personnages, parfois un peu caricaturaux il est vrai.
Quelques surprises au niveau des intrigues, mais aussi des développements un peu convenus.
Dans l'ensemble, un bon livre pas prise de tête que je conseille.

[Lesley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh

[Damla · Rating 3 out of 5]

özgür melanie

[LindyLouMac · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read in 2002

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very easy read. I wondered how the author would dispatch the ex-teacher and was quite satisfied with her solution! I liked the detail of the lilac underwear.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent name for a book. Something a wee bit different from the norm too which was nice

[Heather Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

A light and fun book to read from beginning to end.

[Claire · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wasn't anything original or a page-turner, OK for a quick read.