English as a Second Language

For me, picking up books to read can go several ways. There are the books that I love and adore and written by authors whom I love and adore. On the opposite end, there are books that look interesting, but when I get past a certain point, there’s the growing realization that the book is not what I’ve expected. And then there’s books like this, where I initially really like it, but subsequent rereads give me a noticeably bad taste. Such is the case with English as a Second Language.

Aside from the fact that this features almost every irksome detail in chick (including both a gay and married best friend), I just hate how everything’s presented in this. I’m not sure if I’m supposed to sympathize with Alex, as she just comes off show more as a whiny, immature bitch who’s assured that her problems are not due to anything she’s done, she just has a tendency to attract clingy, whiny, uncreative people. The whole set-up of the book is based around Alex’s quarter-life crisis over an ex-boyfriend who keeps trying to make her jealous. (The only time I felt sympathetic toward her was her realization of “Oh, God what have I gotten myself into?” when she arrives in England.)

Anyone who does not automatically befriend Alex with cigarettes and alcohol are promptly labeled as hateful trolls who are beneath her. This is really egregious with the other two American characters. Alex is charming and witty in her American-ness and wins over three Brits and her Spanish roommate. Suzanne and George are mean-spirited, stick-up-their-asses, ginger trolls who are out to ruin Alex’s fun. George’s subplot involves his relationship with another student, whom Alex and her friends quickly label as the “VULTURE.” Suzanne has no characterization beyond the Clingy Jealous Girl who automatically picks Alex out for competition in both romance and academia. (Which is hysterical, because Suzanne actually calls Alex out on her bullshit, and yet, we’re supposed to still revile Suzanne for doing this.) Even every other woman who shows up in the book is supposed to hate Alex. Alex’s female professor hates her and is out to humiliate Alex in every class; however, professor Sean is a combination of the Brooding Byronic Hero Trinity (Heathcliff! Rochester! DARCY! *swoon*) and is potential love interest. (Nevermind that he’s also kind of an asshole.) Not to mention, Alex pegs Sean’s unnamed love interest as unattractive, but that’s probably okay, because attractive British woman are unattractive by American standards. (..I…I don’t even.)

(Side tangent: I hate the attitude toward British culture in this. If someone uses a British colloquialism or wants tea, OMG THEY ARE TRYING TOO HARD TO BE BRITISH. Because some Americans don’t prefer tea to coffee. Or use British slang. But again, Alex just loves giving someone the V and using the phrase ‘pissed.’ Also, Brits can't appreciate good American rock'n'roll; instead, they listen to POP MUSIC. The horror.)

The problem this book has is that it’s got an unsympathetic lead character. Am I supposed to sympathize with Alex because she had a bad break-up (after admitting she lead the guy on)? Her quarter-life romantic crisis? The fact that she throws herself further into academia and manages to bs her way into a doctorate program? There’s a point near the end of the book where Alex goes “OMG I am such an immature bitch! And at my age! I need to start treating people better.” Aaand then she turns around and keeps making fun of George, without any inclination of feeling bad about it later.

Has Alex maybe wizened up earlier in the book and not remained a troll, I would have liked this a little bit more. Sure, it’s standard chick lit, but at least I don’t feel like reaching in and bitchslapping the heroine. The point of most chick lit is to make the main character a little sympathetic, so we can root for her. Being a wiseass is fine, but not to the point where everyone else is beneath her. show less

Not a bad book, and certainly a nice idea. I enjoyed it and its cast of characters. The language was pleasing, and I liked the fact that it was set at uni rather than in the working world. The different cultures were portrayed well without resorting to empty cliches.

Although this book has extremely mixed reviews on Amazon, I liked it, mainly because I could really relate to the main character. Alex Brennan is a twenty-something girl who doesn't quite know what to do with her life, so she decides to go to graduate school in England. While there, she meets a lot of interesting characters - I loved her friends Cristina and Melanie, who were hilarious. She also meets several men, including an uber-hot but incredibly intimidating professor and a couple bar buddies who might become something more. There wasn't a whole lot of action in the book, though; mostly it consisted of Alex and her friends freaking out about their work, and running to the pub to drown their sorrows. Yes, I know alcohol is a big show more part of student culture, but how many people are still getting utterly wasted every single night when they're in grad school? This is behavior I'd expect from undergraduate freshmen, not from (supposed) adults. The romantic angle, which I really would have enjoyed if it had been a bit more fleshed out, left me feeling a little flat at the end. I found it an enjoyable enough read, but not particularly meaningful, and there is better chick lit out there. show less

I have to say the first half of the book was only ho hum...thought about giving it up, but didn't have any other books to occupy my time, so I trudged on. I'm really glad I did, because this second half is good...I've laughed at the drunken antics of these Masters students, recognizing some of these things as bone headed manuevers I once participated in or witnessed. The is it a relationship or isn't it plot between Toby and Alex is a little wearying...but I love their interactions, as well as the others in the groups. I'm having to stop myself from finishing the book to quickly because then I will have nothing to read tonight in bed...that would be ugly.As funny as the last half was, it just couldn't save the entire book. I do look show more forward to other books by this author though, fingers crossed I don't have to read half of it to find it a good read. show less

I first read Everyone Else's Girl by Megan Crane which I really enjoyed. When I saw this book of hers I thought I couldn't go wrong, it's set in England which is one of my favorite places. I couldn't have been more wrong. This was a very disappointing book with unlikeable characters, and a very weak plot. I've read 2/3 of the book and all the main character has done is write papers, drink a lot, smoke and some issues with her classmates. After reading the reviews there seems to be little reason to finish the book since it doesn't seem to improve any by the end.

Not a bad book, and certainly a nice idea. I enjoyed it and its cast of characters. The language was pleasing, and I liked the fact that it was set at uni rather than in the working world. The different cultures were portrayed well without resorting to empty cliches.

This was a very cute book and I enjoyed reading it. When Alexandra (Alex) sees her ex-boyfriend, he impliles that she could never get into grad school in England and she takes this as a challenge. Next thing she knows, she has moved across the ocean and is in graduate school. There she makes new friends, has exciting adventures, and does a lot of partying! She develops a crush on her seriously hot professor and gets involved in love lives of those around her. This is a fun book to read and I recommend it to chick lit fans here and across the pond!