Sundays at Tiffany’s by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet; read by Ellen ArcherBack-of-the-box blurb: As a little girl, Jane has no one. Her mother Vivienne Margaux, the powerful head of a major New York theater company has no time for her. But she does have one friend–Michael–and no one can see him but her. But Michael can’t stay with Jane forever, and on her eighth birthday, her imaginary friend must leave her.
When Jane is in her thirties, working for her mother’s company, she is just as alone as she was as a child. Her boyfriend hardly knows she’s there and her mother practically treats her as a slave in the office. Then she finds Michael–handsome, and just the same as she remembers him, only now he’s not imaginary. For once in her life, Jane is happy–and has someone who loves her back. But not even Michael knows the reason behind why they’ve really been reunited.
She is Too Fond of Books’ thoughts: I’m split right down the middle with this book. I enjoyed the first part, which chronicled Jane’s childhood: the scenes of her trying to win her mother’s affection are heartbreaking and are nicely balanced by the sweet scenes of her finding solace in the company of Michael, her imaginary friend.
All this ends when Jane turns nine and Michael, and Jane’s memories of him, disappear.
Fast-forward to Jane as an adult. She’s still looking for love, both from her mother and a man. Jane finds a man who appreciates her for who she is, not for her business connections to her mother. And this is where the book turned, well, a bit creepy … because, that man is … Michael, the imaginary friend of Jane’s childhood.
Creepy or not, I kept listening; I’ll admit I needed to know what happened next, the twists and turns, and how the story ends. It was entertaining enough, but I’m not sure it’s one for a discussion group.
Dar at Peeking Between the Pages has a different opinion. She calls Sundays at Tiffany’s ”a beautiful story well worth reading.”
I’ve heard that the writing in this book is terrible. I haven’t read this one because I find I dislike Patterson’s books that are co-authored by Gabrielle Charbonnet.
I thought this was one of the worst books I ever read! That being said, the bit about the coffee ice cream with hot fudge sundaes – now THAT stuck with me!
I am so excited. No one agreed with me about this. It was a intriguing story but it got all creepy with Michael. You watch a little girl grow up and then you have sex with her? It just completely weirded me out. Great review.
This is probably the nicest review I’ve seen of this book. I have the print version and I’ve been avoiding it because of the negative reviews.
Serena – from what I understand about the way they “co-author”, he comes up with basic plot and central characters, and she writes it. It’s an interesting model, people see his name and grab for the book.
rhapsody – oh, yes! And didn’t Michael always have fruit?! He didn’t know what he was missing.
Jennifer – Not even the stereotypical May-December relationship, because Michael never aged! Very odd set-up. I did listen until the end though …
Kathy – and I was avoiding writing my review! Maybe I’m lacking an essential element in the suspension of disbelief, but the relationship w/adult Jane didn’t sit well with me.
I still have to say that I really liked this book. I guess I didn’t look at it as creepy. I looked at it as more of a time travel thing I think. I read it quite a while ago so I’m not completely clear on the details anymore – my old mind isn’t working as well as it used to. lol. Anyhow I did like it and do like Patterson’s other romance ones as well. I wish he’s write another one already. Thanks for the shoutout Dawn.
I didn’t really care for this one either. It just seemed odd.
I’m pretty much over Patterson. I don’t think his books are all that well-written. I even tried his YA books, and crashed and burned with those (kids didn’t like them either). I have to give you credit for seeing it through.
it was a good book! if you dont have anything nice to say, then dont say it at all
Darlene – if I don’t connect with a book, I try to find a review that shows it in a more positive light
Glad to send readers over to learn your opinion.
Carol – He’s got quite a market share, though, even without us reading him.
Sandy – I love that you and your kids listen to audios together in the car; we’re too spread out in age range (the kids that is, I’m not getting into MY age)
Someone – my blog, my opinion. You won’t find any bashing on these pages.
I am one of the few people who have never been a Patterson fan — so I wouldn’t be reading this anyway. It does sound like it has a yuck factor.
my husband and I listened to this book on a long drive… I liked the beginning, the idea of having an imaginary friend as a child I could relate too. But then it was a “little creepy” as described by my husband, he gave a few more opinions, but I’ll leave them out.
Hmmmmmm…that does sound creepy. But I have a bit of an aversion to Mr. Patterson.
This book does sound a little weird, but I am glad that you at least enjoyed the first half. I might want to read this just for the strangeness factor, but it probably won’t go to the top of my list. Great review, I appreciated your honesty with this one!
I thought the story sounded interested so I picked it up. I agree that it’s creepy, but even worse, the writing was just awful. Made me almost never want to pick up another book with James Patterson’s name on it ever again.
I lovee pattersons book and this was a reallyy good one