Blog Tour: Oh My God, What a Complete Aisling
Today I'm excited to be part of the blog tour for Oh My God, What a Complete Aisling (OMGWACA) by Emer McLysaght and Sarah Breen.
Aisling is twenty-eight and still lives at home with her parents. She loves a drink (always served on a coaster, she's not an animal). She thinks whoever invented the shirt/jumper combination - the schumper - is a fashion genius. She'd rather die than miss a free hotel breakfast. In short, she's a complete Aisling.
Her boyfriend John is a bit of a ride, but after seven years Aisling wants more than two nights a week at his place. She wants to be able to answer the question 'When's it your turn?' by flashing a ring on her finger.
Until a week in Tenerife with John ends in a break-up, and she surprises everyone by deciding it's time to move on, and introduce the Big Smoke of Dublin to the ways of the complete Aisling . . .
It's the inevitable comparisons with Bridget Jones that initially sold this book to me. Single, real, woman in the big city - hilarity ensues. However I found Aisling a lot more relatable, and likeable, than Helen Fielding's creation. I saw so much of myself in her, from her love of food and bargain hunting to her fashion - jeans and a nice top is always a safe bet! Aisling is a character that I really rooted for, she's warm and witty with a heart of gold and I'd love to read more of her adventures.
I loved how true to its roots this book was - its unapologetically Irish. The Irish humour, the references and expressions, did confuse me a bit at first, and I had to re-read some passages to decipher what was being said, but this is no bad thing. It's refreshing and makes the story feel more authentic and quirky. It may be a bit stereotypical, but that's the point - Aisling is a stereotype. The whole book came about as the result of a Facebook group, currently amassing over 50,000 members, set up by the authors discussing the traits typical of the small-town Irish female. Everyone knows an Aisling. And if they don't they are probably one themselves. I know I am.
It's easy to see why OMGWACA has taken Ireland by storm, and I'm looking forward to the impending film adaptation! It's a labour of love, a fact that shines through in the writing and characterisation of the novel. Comfort reading at its best.
**Thanks to Jenny Platt at Penguin Random House for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for a review!**
Aisling is twenty-eight and still lives at home with her parents. She loves a drink (always served on a coaster, she's not an animal). She thinks whoever invented the shirt/jumper combination - the schumper - is a fashion genius. She'd rather die than miss a free hotel breakfast. In short, she's a complete Aisling.Her boyfriend John is a bit of a ride, but after seven years Aisling wants more than two nights a week at his place. She wants to be able to answer the question 'When's it your turn?' by flashing a ring on her finger.
Until a week in Tenerife with John ends in a break-up, and she surprises everyone by deciding it's time to move on, and introduce the Big Smoke of Dublin to the ways of the complete Aisling . . .
It's the inevitable comparisons with Bridget Jones that initially sold this book to me. Single, real, woman in the big city - hilarity ensues. However I found Aisling a lot more relatable, and likeable, than Helen Fielding's creation. I saw so much of myself in her, from her love of food and bargain hunting to her fashion - jeans and a nice top is always a safe bet! Aisling is a character that I really rooted for, she's warm and witty with a heart of gold and I'd love to read more of her adventures.
I loved how true to its roots this book was - its unapologetically Irish. The Irish humour, the references and expressions, did confuse me a bit at first, and I had to re-read some passages to decipher what was being said, but this is no bad thing. It's refreshing and makes the story feel more authentic and quirky. It may be a bit stereotypical, but that's the point - Aisling is a stereotype. The whole book came about as the result of a Facebook group, currently amassing over 50,000 members, set up by the authors discussing the traits typical of the small-town Irish female. Everyone knows an Aisling. And if they don't they are probably one themselves. I know I am.
It's easy to see why OMGWACA has taken Ireland by storm, and I'm looking forward to the impending film adaptation! It's a labour of love, a fact that shines through in the writing and characterisation of the novel. Comfort reading at its best.
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| Follow the blog tour for more content about this fantastic book! |
**Thanks to Jenny Platt at Penguin Random House for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for a review!**
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