Sally Parker is struggling to find the hero inside herself.
All she wants to do is lie down.
Her husband Frank has lost his business, their home and their savings, in one fell swoop. Their bank cards are being declined. The children have gone feral. And now the bailiffs are at the door.
What does an ordinary woman do when the bottom falls out?
Sally Parker is about to surprise everybody.
Most of all herself.
A big-hearted story of a family on the brink, The Best Things is a life-affirming tale of failing, falling and finding a way back up.
The Best Things by Mel Giedroyc was published in hardback on 1 April 2021 by Headline Review. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review.
This review originally appeared in the S Magazine
Stella and Frank Parker have it all. Frank’s hedge fund company makes millions, their home is filled to the rafters with expensive fripperies, they have staff on hand to see to their every need. With their three children, one niece and seven dogs, life is fabulous.
The financial market crashes and in one fell swoop, everything is gone. No business, no home, no money. Whilst Stella has to endure the whispers and stares from the women who were once her friends, and who had delighted in partying at her expense, Frank is not enduring anything at all. That strong, loud man who played the markets has disintegrated into a slovenly, tired old wreck. The children no longer have phone contracts, or eyebrow threading appointments and have discovered that food just doesn’t appear on the table magically.
Sally is the one who will, eventually, get everyone through this. Not only does she shock herself with her determination, but those who know her realise that they didn’t really ever see the real Sally.
The Best Things is sharp and witty. The author doesn’t hold back in her description of greed and snobbery and it makes for hilarious, yet awkward reading at times. From the peacocks on the front lawns to the silk carpets flown in from a Far Eastern mosque, every single piece of the Parker’s life is held up and shown to be as see-through as glass. The exploration of a dysfunctional family who have been cossetted and revered by everyone is so well detailed, with characters who are shallow, and some who become heroes.
Clever, extremely funny and really quite poignant. A big-hearted page-turner.
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A comedian, writer, actor and presenter, Mel is best known for her work with Sue Perkins in the double act Mel & Sue.
They have presented many TV shows such as multi Bafta-winning The Great British Bake Off (BBC) and Light Lunch (Channel 4).
Mel has written two non-fiction books and has appeared in sitcoms and panel shows, on radio and on the West End stage.
Mel and Sue reunited in comedy drama Hitmen for Sky TV.
Mel lives in London with her husband and two daughters.
The Best Things is Mel Giedroyc's debut novel.
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