Amanda's Wedding

February 1, 2001
Planted firmly in Bridget Jones territory, Colgan's first novel takes off with the kind of manic energy and sharply vulgar humor that only a Brit-sitcom can, before settling down into the typical fare that comprises contemporary girl-fic. Londoners Mel and Fran, both 20-something, are horrified to learn that the third member of their childhood trio, Amanda--an uppity, shallow brat who's burned them one too many times--has landed Fraser McConald, a Scottish lord, as her fianc . Compounding their annoyance is the fact that back in their university days, Mel, who serves as narrator, had a huge crush on Fraser. Mel is also reeling because her loutish, aspiring rock-star beau, Alex, who left her 10 months ago to find himself in America, has returned to her doorstep in full force. Further complicating matters is Nicholas, a clueless, eight feet tall accountant whose advances she sometimes succumbs to when very drunk. Fraser's charming brother, Angus, rightly suspects that Amanda only wants Fraser for the Town & Country cachet of his crumbling castle, and he enlists the aid of Mel and Fran to sabotage the nuptials. In any romantic comedy, it's a given that the lead heroine will get a man; the question here is which man? With several possibilities, readers may be surprised at the outcome; some may be disappointed. The writing is clever enough, and Mel and Fran's antics are entertaining, even if their self-involvement tips over into cruelty at times. But for those who expect more substance, even in a comedy, the only momentous theme available--that it's preferable, if at all possible, to marry for love rather than convenience--is hardly weighty.

When snooty rich girl Amanda tells 20-something Melanie and her buddy Fran that she's marrying Frasier McConnel, laird of a run-down Scottish castle and an extremely sweet man, they know they must prevent the wedding. A series of barbed encounters, many of them drunken, ensues as Melanie, Fran, and Frasier's brother, Angus, attempt to forestall the nuptials. Tanya Eby reads in a high, squeaky, little-girl voice that is annoying, but not necessarily out of character. The men all have deep, gravelly voices, Scots included; the women are difficult to differentiate. Most amazing are the switches from smooth narrative to stilted phrasing complete with halts in unnatural places, which complement the inarticulate dialogue. Aside from the foul language and sharp British humor, the story is a predictable romance packed with humiliation, cruel humor, and a happy ending. M.B.K. (c) AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine