Flamingo Express: Ripples

by Patricia Scanlan

the McHugh's marriage is on the rocks. Daughter Ciara worries that her mother and father are going to divorce. Lillian, Ciara's Gran, is worried too. She has a nice life now, since her bullying husband died. this could all change. Meanwhile, Brenda Johnston is very happy. She has a lot to gain if the McHughs divorce. Or has she? And Mike and Kathy Stuart, the McHughs' best friends, are beginning to wonder if the friendship can survive.then, one awful night, everything changes....

80 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1999

About the author

Patricia 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.

Reviews

[Hermien · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think I missed the point of this story.

[Juliana Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely the lower end of the 3 star bracket. A self contained 'Quick Read' equivalent from Ireland, aiming to get Adults into reading. A really well written story with great characterisations that's instantly engaging and believable. However, it's really let down by the ending which is just a very abrupt halt - a real shame as I think it could leave people disappointed which is the opposite of what the project wants to happen. Still, a nice quick book to pick up and read in bed on a Sunday morning before facing the day!

[Kellie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not like this one at all. The main characters of the story were all selfish and rude, not to mention clueless. Nothing was ever resolved and the ending sucked. Ciara is going to be just like her mom.

The back cover blurb stated "Then, one awful night, everything changes..." What a misleading statement. I was expecting a death or something. Everything changes, my ass.



Part of the Open Door Series - a program of original works by beloved authors, originally designed in Ireland to promote adult literacy.

[Josephine (Jo) · Rating 2 out of 5]

An enjoyable enough little story, not in the least bit cheerful though. it is more a snapshot into the life of the McHugh family during the course of about eighteen months and we do not catch them at their best. They are, to say the least, dysfunctional and I felt sorry for the daughter Ciara who is caught in the void when her selfish parents separate. The McHughs best friends Mike and Kathy are exceedingly good parents, loving and caring and very protective of their daughter, Ciara's friend. They are also godparents to Ciara. I did have a feeling that they were slightly smug but I am aware that I am probably being unfair. Ciara's grandmother Lillian has had a tough life with a bully for a husband and she is afraid that she is going to end up bearing the brunt of having her son move back in. She fears that she will lose her newly found independence. The reader is left with a sense of foreboding for the outcome of Ciara's future as both of her parents are only interested in doing what they want to do for their own enjoyment.

[Glenys · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story was very short and I went to turn over the last page and there was nothing there, it stopped suddenly, with the girl going off to the cinema

[Helen Moyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick easy read

[Book_Worm_Jim.83 · Rating 3 out of 5]

The "Open Doors Series" is several series of short stories by various Irish authors. There is six books per series and there are currently five series.

This was a very similar read to 'Pipe Dreams' by Anne Schulman which is also an open doors series book. The story line was very similar, yet I enjoyed this more than I did reading 'Pipe Dreams'. I would not say this was gripping but I was emersed after picking it up. I really do enjoy reading books by Scanlan.

[Pamela Darling · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short story, very well written, stays focused. It was so simple to read I explored the cover thinking I had picked up a children's book. But no, it was in the Modern section of the library. I'm not that fast a reader, but this one took only three hours to complete. I enjoyed it.

[Wilde Sky · Rating 2 out of 5]

A set of selfish people break up their marriages.

Not sure what to make of this book, it really didn’t have much to say and felt like a series of scenes rather than a complete book.