The Best of Friends

I think that Joanna is good at describing - for example the hotel and also how the characters behaved. Sophy of course was very upset that her parents had split up, hence the conversation in the novel with Vi her gran.

Incidentally I thought the relationship between Vi and Dan was very good, until of course the death of the gentleman.

I think if the character had not been (if you'll excuse the pun) killed off then I think the characters Vi and Dan could have had a novel to themselves.

I saw an interview on Breakfast on BBC 1 with Joanna Trollope and I thought she was very good.

I remember that Joanna's novel THE CHOIR was on TV some years ago, I enjoyed the TV adaptation but I wasn't keen on the novel.

In the case of THE BEST OF FRIENDS I cannot recall it being on TV, if not I'm sorry I missed it, if however its going to come on TV then I will look forward to it.

A good novel and I recommend it.


Good for all ages   July 18, 2001
 1 out of 3 found this review helpful

This book had a wide range of characters that makes it suitable for all ages. As a teenager, I found Sophy's (Gina's daughter) story compelling, yet the affection of Vi and Dan compiled with the problems of the middle generation made it hard to put down.


Childrens' reactions to their parents marital breakup.   December 3, 2000
 10 out of 11 found this review helpful

I have read and enjoyed other novels by Ms. Trollope but this portrayal of the complicated relationships of modern family life struck me close to home. The story depicts so well the difficulties as well as the joys of married family life. Above all it reveals so clearly the effect of parental behavior on their children. No moralising. Thoroughly credible and convincing characters both adult and juvenile. I enjoyed it so much that I am buying a copy for my eldest daughter with the hope that if she finds it as rewarding as I did, she may pass it on to her siblings.


Trollope does it again   April 19, 2000
 3 out of 4 found this review helpful

I couldn't put it down! Joanna Trollope writes some of the best midlife 'coming of age' novels. The characters in this like in all her books, are real and multi-dimensional. If you don't see yourself in her characters, you see your sister or best friend. Her female characters are underdogs in some form, who triumph in the end.