You Don't Have to Be Good

by Sabrina Broadbent

Full of wit and sharp-eyed character observations, this is a cleverly crafted, funny but poignant novel about a childless, apparently invisible, middle-aged woman who disappears from her life, creating unexpected ripples in the world around her.


From the Hardcover edition.

Genres: Fiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published June 4, 2009

Reviews

[Xabier Cid · Rating 1 out of 5]

The first pages of this book were interesting, captivating even. Then a succession of dull stories alternate and follow each other, until a point that I saw myself skimming my reading and counting and counting again how many pages still for the book to be finished. Uninteresting story, some funny characters, and, unless I missed the point completely, a very dispensable book.

[Judy · Rating 1 out of 5]

A boring book about a family of selfish people. It's hard to feel any sympathy for anyone other than Adrian, the teenage nephew of the basket case who goes missing. I would have given this book one more star if the writing had been any good but it fails to bring any personality out of the characters at all.

[Judith Yeabsley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Average book with average plot. Took ages to gain momentum and storyline and then when it did it wasn't enough momentum or storyline. Did finish it and enjoyed it more towards the end but .....

[JenniferB · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well written but I didn't really enjoy it, too sad in the end. Characters not really sympathetic, not my kind of book.

[Cathrine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bea is woman who all her life has been good, sensible and dependable. Married to a man who only thinks about himself and with a job at the city council which means drowning in emails she decides to disappear one day. She has had enough of being good.

Her husband gets suspected of murder. Her sister, the high flying career woman, slowly breaks a part. The only ones dealing rather good with Bea's disappearance is her nice and nephew who also try to solve the mystery of why she vanished.

The ending wasn't really what I expected but it's quite a compelling story of what happens to the ones left behind when someone disappears.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not crazy about the ending, but otherwise very much enjoyed this book about a middle aged woman who just leaves - finally deciding she doesn't have to be good. Who hasn't had that fantasy?!!

[Rashada · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great if you like a twist to the typical family drama format.