I listened to the audiobook of this, and I have to say the narrator did a fantastic job keeping track of all the necessary accents: Irish, English, and Australian. That alone made it worth listening to.This is a comedy-of-errors, of sorts. If nothing else, it certainly reinforced to me the fact that you should never, ever, ever tell a lie, not even a little white lie, to people that you like and want to be able to contact someday after meeting them in person. It turns out that little white lies need to be maintained with moderate gray lies, and it all becomes one big messy black lie from which you just might not be able to free yourself. Thankfully, in this story, the lies are a little endearing, and not the kind of lies that endanger lives or facilitate political scandals or anything like that. But either way, keeping up with the lies that are told turns out to be quite the task for these characters.The only reason this got a rating of 3 stars rather than 4 was because I felt like the lies eventually got to be a bit too much, even as I completely understood they were the main foundation of the plot. It just got to the point that I was saying to myself, "Really? You didn't think that was the perfect opportunity to clear the air? You really felt like you had to make up another lie, instead?" And then, it escalated to, "If this wasn't a library copy of the audiobook and I didn't like listening to the accents so much, I would be rather tempted to simply throw this cd out the window and watch it shatter on the edge of the highway because this has just become TOO MUCH! Enough of this - let's wrap it up and stop creating more lies and loose ends and random things that are getting in the way of truth being told, and just all be on our merry way!" I mean, honestly, I was halfway through the very last cd and there were still lies and obstacles piling up on everything. I had to check the back of the case to see if there was a sequel, or I was missing a cd or something. But other than that, a pretty fun read.
Do You like book Upside Down, Inside Out (2002)?
I've been on a bit of a McInerney binge and it's been lovely, like a dressing gown (although I'm more than ready to brush my hair and put on non-elasticated pants now).I'd started trying to read "Spin the Bottle" before I realised it was a follow on to this one - so unfortunately I kind of knew how things panned out (but truth be told you kind of know from the beginning anyway.)I also don't think it really matters which order you read them in - one book follows one friend, the other follows the second one - so there's not too much to catch up on.I actually liked this a lot more than the Alphabet Sisters/Lola's Secret books - perhaps because it wasn't as predictable and I could get lost in it more easily.I think it works well as a bit of a travel brochure for Australia, especially McInerney's home town Clare - and it had a lot more humour/less schmaltz.
—Caitlin
This wasn't the best book that i have ever read, but oh how i enjoyed it!The story follows Eva, a failed artist who has a break in Australia from her job in her uncle's delicatessen because of an ended romance and some rather large questions she has to answer; and Joseph, who is a successful business man on a business trip in Australia, questioning whether he's really living `The Dream'. Their paths intercept and they are swept up in an unusual, frustrating romance where the truth feels like it might break them apart.From page one of this book, i was hooked. The story was lighthearted, romantic and yet kept me on edge. I couldn't read it fast enough - a definite page turner. It was refreshing to not read something completely predictable (i mean, the gist of it might be but there are some books that you just know every twist and turn that's going to happen, like every twist and turn). And Monica writes really well. It was really nice to read a book where you aren't faulting the author on their writing skills. I might sound like i am being really bias here, however these are the reasons why she is one of my favourite authors. I knew i could rely on her for a great read. And what's more she has her more in depth books if you want some more hardcore emotion and then she has her lighthearted books, which was just what i needed. I read this in less than a day, and it's not like The Lord of The Rings but it wasn't ridiculously short either (forty chapters).There were some sexual references, however i didn't find them too much. They got to the line and then didn't cross it (another reason why i like Monica McInerney).I do admit that the story was frustrating at times - at one point i exclaimed, "Just tell the truth already!" however it didn't go past the point where you couldn't handle it anymore. Almost, but not quite.I would definitely recommend this book if you are looking for a funny, lighthearted romance.www.readingforthemasses.wordpress.com
—Laura
I always love a Monica McInerney read. In Upside Down Inside Out, Eva Kennedy leaves behind her mundane life inIreland to have some fun with her friend inAustralia. McInerney is obviously blessed to be familiar with both countries and call both home. So she is able to show how Eva experiencesAustralia as a traveller but not in an overly stereotypical way. It’s interesting how the voice of Eva and Joseph are integrated throughout the story and I couldn’t wait for their paths to cross- despite its predictability, I am a sucker for romance and happy endings. As a McInerney fan I especially appreciated the little references to characters in another novel, A Taste For It (see my review)- although they are both standalone novels, it made me smile as I felt as though Iwas in on some private joke with the author herself. Eva’s persona is definitely entertaining and a little cringe-worthy at times where I was wondering when they would both finally just tell each other the truth! As always, McInerney provides an easy read, with likeable, well-developed characters and interesting storylines. View this review at my blog
—Lauren Murphy
