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This One Is Mine
Violet Parry is living the quintessential life of luxury in the Hollywood Hills with David, her rock-and-roll manager husband, and her darling toddler, Dot. She has the perfect life--except that she's deeply unhappy. David expects the world of Violet but gives little of himself in return. When she meets Teddy, a roguish small-time bass player, Violet comes alive, and soon she's risking everything for the chance to find herself again. Also in the picture are David's hilariously high-strung sister, Sally, on the prowl for a successful husband, and Jeremy, the ESPN sportscaster savant who falls into her trap. For all their recklessness, Violet and Sally will discover that David and Jeremy have a few surprises of their own. THIS ONE IS MINE is a compassionate and wickedly funny satire about our need for more--and the often disastrous choices we make in the name of happiness.
289 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
About the author
Maria Semple
9 books4,581 followersMaria Semple's first novel, This One is Mine, was set in Los Angeles, where she also wrote for television shows including Arrested Development, Mad About You, and Ellen.
Semple was born in Santa Monica, California. Her family moved to Spain soon after she was born. There her father, the screenwriter Lorenzo Semple, Jr., wrote the pilot for the television series Batman. The family moved to Los Angeles and then to Aspen, Colorado. Semple attended boarding school at Choate Rosemary Hall, then received a BA in English from Barnard College in 1986.
Semple was born in Santa Monica, California. Her family moved to Spain soon after she was born. There her father, the screenwriter Lorenzo Semple, Jr., wrote the pilot for the television series Batman. The family moved to Los Angeles and then to Aspen, Colorado. Semple attended boarding school at Choate Rosemary Hall, then received a BA in English from Barnard College in 1986.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,283 reviews
January 5, 2013
It's truly surprising to me how very much I disliked This One Is Mine, considering how much I loved Maria Semple's second novel, Where'd You Go, Bernadette. Maria Semple, a former TV writer for shows including Arrested Development and Mad About You, has a flair for humor and quirky use of words. These elements are apparent in This One Is Mine, but the story itself is so loaded with unlikable characters making nonsensical decisions that I read the book with feelings of detachment and apathy.
This One Is Mine centers around two lead female characters. Violet, formerly a successful TV writer (hmmm... a stand-in for the author?), is now a stay-at-home mom to a mostly invisible toddler. And what a home! Violet is married to hotshot music executive David Parry, and they live their life in an architecturally significant mansion, with private in-home yoga lessons, cars to die for, and a nanny whom the couple -- despite their self-image as super-PC and sensitive -- refer to by the nickname of LadyGo, due to her rudimentary use of the English language in sentences such as "Somebody ask and lady go, I'm a friend of the band. Lady who plan the party? Lady go mad."
Violet may be an at-home mother, but she's rarely at home. She is unhappy, constantly on the verge of tears, and always flying off in pursuit of some activity that involves driving around LA and avoiding sights that might make her cry. Why no one has noticed that she needs therapy and medication, I have no idea. During a random drive through the city, Violet encounters a down-at-heels, dirty, drug-addicted bass player and launches without a second thought into what may be the world's most unlikely and ill-advised affair. Teddy is, to put it mildly, kind of gross, not just physically, but in attitude as well. In their brief early encounters, Teddy manages to use every racial slur possible and engages in incredibly unsexy sex talk -- yet Violet is smitten, to the point of obsession and at risk of throwing away everything else of value in her life.
Sally, our other point of focus, is David's younger sister, a single woman in her thirties who desperately wants what Violet seems to have -- a successful husband, a beautiful home, a life of ease and celebrity. Sally latches onto Jeremy White, a sports handicapper on the verge of stardom, seeing him as her golden ticket. As his career rises, Sally willfully (or, you might say, stupidly) overlooks his assortment of quirks and oddities in order to fulfill her dream of the good life. And we're not just talking odd habits. The warning signs around Jeremy are pretty much there for all to see, in gigantic blinking red letters, but Sally's relentless pursuit of her ideal life doesn't allow her to see them.
Naturally, nothing works out for anybody. Violet's affair implodes. Sally gets her man, but at what price? The book culminates in a few very unbelievable turn of events, as characters make one stupid decision after another. Coincidences mount, terrible outcomes ensue. The characters learn lessons and become better people for it. Um, really?
This One Is Mine is full of unhappy people, who seem to thrust happiness away with both hands as they grab at people and circumstances which can only end up as the worst possible choices. Healthy attitudes and though-processes don't exist in this world. David is actually the only likeable character present, as we get a sense of his compassion, his devotion to both his wife and sister, and his ability to forgive. Other than David, we spend much too much of the book watching unbalanced people make terrible decisions and ruin their own and other people's lives.
Where'd You Go, Bernadette had its share of quirky and not-so-likeable people, but they were balanced by the book's satirical tone, as well as by having teen-aged Bee as a relatable point-of-view character. As a reader, I cared about Bee's well-being, and saw the other character's through that lens. Even the most selfish or clueless characters ultimately revealed a deeper core.
Not so in This One Is Mine. Neither Violet nor Sally are sympathetic characters, and I couldn't find a point of entry for caring about either of them. The selfishness of their world views, the unending spending, the world of the ultra-rich -- all served to further distance me from the drama. In the end, I found it hard to have patience with the characters or the book as a whole, as reading This One Is Mine largely consists of watching the two main characters selfishly mistreat the people in their lives. The ending was much too neat for my taste, as Violet and Sally end up chastened yet improved by their ordeals, bonding through calamity, and ultimately stronger for it all. None of it worked for me.
(View this and other reviews on my blog)
September 24, 2008
Repellent. Ludicrous plot twists, dreadful writing, and despicable characters--each and every one of whom is so poisonously racist that I can't help but wonder if Semple, like her fictional creations, is less than loving to her own army of immigrant laborers. As I was reading this turd of a novel, I had an olfactory hallucination, and actually smelled rotting garbage for a few minutes. No kidding.
September 21, 2012
Violet Parry is bored. She is bored with what her life has become. Once vibrant and full of life (her rock and roll manager husband David used to call her "Ultra Violet") Violet is now a stay at home mom. Sure, life is good, she hand-picked the house they live in and money is certainly not an issue, but Violet has lost her zip. Their toddler Dot has become an anchor holding her back from living, and she still has not lost the baby weight around her middle... and possible her thighs... and for sure her rump... and David? Well David is busy being David. Closing deals, running around the country.....
So when Violet meets Teddy, small time rock and roller with a bad boy image who seems to take an interest in Violet, she suddenly recalls a bit of her old spark...
Then there is Sally, David's sister who is determined to land the perfect husband on her schedule. When her eyes land on Jeremy who she foresees hitting the big time soon, she sets her plan in motion. FAST motion... as in she has given herself a few weeks to meet (yeah, did I mention they had not met yet?), fall in love and get the ring... er, I mean get married.
Both women throw caution to the wind and disaster awaits around every corner.
So... This One Is Mine. It has been a long long time since I have disliked a book so fully. From the very beginning I found Violet to be spoiled and selfish... yes, I agree her marriage needed work - but she never gave it the opportunity to work. Poor poor Violet *laced with sarcasm*
And then there was Sally. Almost more unlikable then Violet. Almost. Depends on the chapter. Selfish and determined to have her way no matter who was in her path. Sally's actions time and again throughout the book were not funny to me, but despicable, horrifying, and just down right gross. There was nothing - NOTHING redeeming about her.... each page made me groan a little more.
Now I don't have to like characters to enjoy a book.... but this one left so little to even hope for I just turned page after page hoping there would be something... but in the end, I found nothing. I was reading this at our cabin recently and another girl from my book club was with me... I was about 50 pages in front of her and she kept asking, "does it get better".... it did not.
My only found in the book was 3/4 of the way through when an event went terribly wrong and by this time my mind was so filled with the sick that was Violet and Sally that I evilly wanted to rejoice.... but then... even that poofed out before I was satisfied.
Now I get that this is a harsh review, but it is an honest one. I loathed this book. Now, if you look at Amazon reviews... I am in the minority, others loved this and found it hilarious. I do not get these people. :) Perhaps they were thinking of a different book...
Now all that said... this author has a new book out called Where's You Go Bernadette that I have been hearing good things about. I have this one on my shelf and plan to read it soon. A few in the book club have started this one on their own and have said it was good.
So when Violet meets Teddy, small time rock and roller with a bad boy image who seems to take an interest in Violet, she suddenly recalls a bit of her old spark...
Then there is Sally, David's sister who is determined to land the perfect husband on her schedule. When her eyes land on Jeremy who she foresees hitting the big time soon, she sets her plan in motion. FAST motion... as in she has given herself a few weeks to meet (yeah, did I mention they had not met yet?), fall in love and get the ring... er, I mean get married.
Both women throw caution to the wind and disaster awaits around every corner.
So... This One Is Mine. It has been a long long time since I have disliked a book so fully. From the very beginning I found Violet to be spoiled and selfish... yes, I agree her marriage needed work - but she never gave it the opportunity to work. Poor poor Violet *laced with sarcasm*
And then there was Sally. Almost more unlikable then Violet. Almost. Depends on the chapter. Selfish and determined to have her way no matter who was in her path. Sally's actions time and again throughout the book were not funny to me, but despicable, horrifying, and just down right gross. There was nothing - NOTHING redeeming about her.... each page made me groan a little more.
Now I don't have to like characters to enjoy a book.... but this one left so little to even hope for I just turned page after page hoping there would be something... but in the end, I found nothing. I was reading this at our cabin recently and another girl from my book club was with me... I was about 50 pages in front of her and she kept asking, "does it get better".... it did not.
My only found in the book was 3/4 of the way through when an event went terribly wrong and by this time my mind was so filled with the sick that was Violet and Sally that I evilly wanted to rejoice.... but then... even that poofed out before I was satisfied.
Now I get that this is a harsh review, but it is an honest one. I loathed this book. Now, if you look at Amazon reviews... I am in the minority, others loved this and found it hilarious. I do not get these people. :) Perhaps they were thinking of a different book...
Now all that said... this author has a new book out called Where's You Go Bernadette that I have been hearing good things about. I have this one on my shelf and plan to read it soon. A few in the book club have started this one on their own and have said it was good.
March 17, 2015
Since this book's been out a while I don't think the world needs another recap of the plot. I liked the book a lot. I am rather fascinated, though, by reading other reviews on this site and seeing how many of them contain a variation of "I know I don't need to 'identify' with or 'like' the characters in a book, but still..." and then go on to trash the book because of the unlikable characters.
I love unlikable characters - or, I should say I love "broken" characters, which this book is full of. These people are not evil; they are struggling - struggling to understand themselves, to cope with loneliness, to learn what love really means as an adult, and to find peace in a world that has an extremely thin definition of "acceptable."
Each main "unlikable" character in the book operates under a crumbling concept of what happiness is, or what the conditions for happiness are: marriage, motherhood, financial success, addiction recovery, predictable routine.... And yet they are still miserable and feel cheated. Each character takes a long and often damaging trip to get through to the other side, which is often not a place they thought it would be.
I wonder if people who "don't like" the characters in this book (and fault the novel for giving them a space) are reacting that way because they recognize too much of themselves in these troubled people.... I know I did.
I love unlikable characters - or, I should say I love "broken" characters, which this book is full of. These people are not evil; they are struggling - struggling to understand themselves, to cope with loneliness, to learn what love really means as an adult, and to find peace in a world that has an extremely thin definition of "acceptable."
Each main "unlikable" character in the book operates under a crumbling concept of what happiness is, or what the conditions for happiness are: marriage, motherhood, financial success, addiction recovery, predictable routine.... And yet they are still miserable and feel cheated. Each character takes a long and often damaging trip to get through to the other side, which is often not a place they thought it would be.
I wonder if people who "don't like" the characters in this book (and fault the novel for giving them a space) are reacting that way because they recognize too much of themselves in these troubled people.... I know I did.
December 29, 2012
After enjoying Where'd You Go, Bernadette so much, I decided to try Semple's earlier novel. It may be even more vivid and memorable than Bernadette. It's a strange story of a successful Hollywood couple whose relationship goes off the tracks when Violet becomes a fulltime mom - a role clearly more mundane, isolating and un-creative than people like to admit. Violet starts a relationship with a down-and-out ex-junkie musician that is believable, exhilerating and somewhat outrageous.
The parallel story is of Violet's sister-in-law, a diabetic fitness entreprenuer determined to "marry up" and out of crippling debt. Some of the most entertaining fiction comes when believable character behave in ways that are hard to believe - making bad decisions that continually shock and delight the reader. This One is Mine is a romp of a study in bad female behavior and I relished its frankness and humor. I wanted these characters to end well, and savored the journey of bad decisions and their consequences. Fun, shocking, but not without heart.
The parallel story is of Violet's sister-in-law, a diabetic fitness entreprenuer determined to "marry up" and out of crippling debt. Some of the most entertaining fiction comes when believable character behave in ways that are hard to believe - making bad decisions that continually shock and delight the reader. This One is Mine is a romp of a study in bad female behavior and I relished its frankness and humor. I wanted these characters to end well, and savored the journey of bad decisions and their consequences. Fun, shocking, but not without heart.
November 18, 2008
A modern day Anna Karenina full of fabulous houses, people and celebrities. While it's a difficult task to create pity for people with fabulous lives, Maria Semple does a great job. Perfect airport reading for your holiday journeys.
April 1, 2019
Easily one of, if not THE, worst book I've ever read. Was looking for a chick-lit beach read, got what is essentially smut about the 4 most annoying people ever imagined.
March 19, 2010
In This One is Mine, Maria Semple does something remarkable - she takes what would normally be unlikeable characters and makes me care about them.
Semple is a former writer of superb t.v. shows such as Mad About You and Arrested Development, so already you know you're in good hands in terms of realistic relationships, smart dialogue, and zany situations (two words: sweat lodge - could not stop laughing!). Done, done, and done.
David Parry, a music producer in Los Angeles, at first glance seems like an egotistical, career-driven jerk. Violet Parry, his stay-at-home wife, has help with a nanny and anybody else her husband's millions can buy. Despite being rich and pampered, however, Violet finds that her connection with her husband has grown distant and being a mother to her toddler is not fulfilling enough.
In the midst of Violet's existential crisis, she has a chance encounter with alcoholic, down and out musician Teddy Reyes. Their ensuing affair upends everything and everyone in her life.
David, Violet, Teddy, and David's sister, Sally, all seem like shallow Hollywood stereotypes - the uncaring husband, the lonely housewife, the bad boy musician, and the Type A bitch. They are all lost in a way in the beginning of the book. Yet to my surprise, as the story progressed and Semple revealed surprising depth and complexity to each of them, I became fully invested in their plight. This is not a shallow book about shallow people - but in the end, a book about how even in our most misguided moments, we still have the ability to find our way to where and with whom we belong.
I knew I was in for something different when This One is Mine opened with a poem by Hafiz which is so beautiful that I just have to reproduce it below. The book also ends with a poem, fittingly enough.
Someone put
You on a slave block
And the unreal bought
You.
Now I keep coming to your owner
Saying,
"This one is mine."
You often overhear us talking
And this can make your heart leap
With excitement.
Don't worry
I will not let sadness
Possess you.
I will gladly borrow all the gold
I need
To get you
Back.
Semple is a former writer of superb t.v. shows such as Mad About You and Arrested Development, so already you know you're in good hands in terms of realistic relationships, smart dialogue, and zany situations (two words: sweat lodge - could not stop laughing!). Done, done, and done.
David Parry, a music producer in Los Angeles, at first glance seems like an egotistical, career-driven jerk. Violet Parry, his stay-at-home wife, has help with a nanny and anybody else her husband's millions can buy. Despite being rich and pampered, however, Violet finds that her connection with her husband has grown distant and being a mother to her toddler is not fulfilling enough.
In the midst of Violet's existential crisis, she has a chance encounter with alcoholic, down and out musician Teddy Reyes. Their ensuing affair upends everything and everyone in her life.
David, Violet, Teddy, and David's sister, Sally, all seem like shallow Hollywood stereotypes - the uncaring husband, the lonely housewife, the bad boy musician, and the Type A bitch. They are all lost in a way in the beginning of the book. Yet to my surprise, as the story progressed and Semple revealed surprising depth and complexity to each of them, I became fully invested in their plight. This is not a shallow book about shallow people - but in the end, a book about how even in our most misguided moments, we still have the ability to find our way to where and with whom we belong.
I knew I was in for something different when This One is Mine opened with a poem by Hafiz which is so beautiful that I just have to reproduce it below. The book also ends with a poem, fittingly enough.
Someone put
You on a slave block
And the unreal bought
You.
Now I keep coming to your owner
Saying,
"This one is mine."
You often overhear us talking
And this can make your heart leap
With excitement.
Don't worry
I will not let sadness
Possess you.
I will gladly borrow all the gold
I need
To get you
Back.
October 4, 2015
It's hard to believe this was written by the same author who wrote Where Did You Go, Bernadette. Thoroughly unlikeable characters; I'm a fan of flawed characters, but these people were despicable, and I didn't get the sense that Semple thought so. Plot lines were absurd & thoroughly unrealistic. Glad it only took me a couple days to get through--honestly I only kept reading because I hoped to see these characters get what was coming to them.
June 4, 2010
My Thoughts:
I've decided to change things up a bit with this review. First, I want to say upfront that I thought the writing was wonderful. I think Maria has a real gift and her talent is immense. Please keep that in mind, as I'm sharing my thoughts with you of this one, that I'm not attacking Semple whatsoever! I would read another book written by her in a heartbeat. I just have MAJOR ISSUES with the characters and their behaviors throughout this story. So here it goes-
Synopsis from Goodreads:
Violet Parry is living the quintessential life of luxury in the Hollywood Hills with David, her rock-and-roll manager husband, and her darling toddler, Dot. She has the perfect life--except that she's deeply unhappy.
My take on it: Violet is a spoiled brat who expects everyone else around her to make her happy. She doesn't realize the sacrifices that David has made in order for her to live her swanky life. Also, Dot can speak wayyyy to good for a toddler...sorry!
Synopsis from Goodreads:
David expects the world of Violet but gives little of himself in return. When she meets Teddy, a roguish small-time bass player, Violet comes alive, and soon she's risking everything for the chance to find herself again.
My take on it: David works all of the time trying to keep up with Violet's whims. She wanted to renovate a house, he bought it for her. Whatever she wanted he tried to do. She decided that she hated the grind of writing for television, so David told her that she could quit if she wanted...so she did. Then she finds that she just can't keep herself occupied. She becomes bored until one day she meets loser Teddy. She's attracted to him why?? I don't know why!! That's the question I kept asking myself. From the author's description he comes across as a dark latino that never takes a shower and grooming isn't exactly his forte. Why would she risk her marriage for this recovering drug addict/alcoholic????? This is the part of the book where I found myself getting royally pissed. Would you have unprotected sex with someone who A) is a recovering drug addict and B) who has Hep-C?????????? I wouldn't even have protected sex with them. Even if my entire body was covered in a body condom!! I have a hard time with infidelity and I was in no mood to be giving Violet any passes on her behavior. I could care less if her husband hadn't talked to her in a few days...big deal. You're either in or you're out!
Synopsis from Goodreads:
Also in the picture are David's hilariously high-strung sister, Sally, on the prowl for a successful husband, and Jeremy, the ESPN sportscaster savant who falls into her trap.
My take on it: I wasn't that wild about Sally. She seemed like a major manipulator to me. I felt sorry for Jeremy and recognized early on that he had some issues in regards to dealing with people. But Sally only wants one thing- someone to take care of her and that someone better have money. I just thought she was shallow and therefore I did not like her.
Synopsis from Goodreads:
For all their recklessness, Violet and Sally will discover that David and Jeremy have a few surprises of their own. THIS ONE IS MINE is a compassionate and wickedly funny satire about our need for more--and the often disastrous choices we make in the name of happiness.
My take on it: David is a stand up guy. I liked him and really could understand how driven he was to succeed. He loves his family but at times has a hard time jumping into the mix and just relaxing. I think Violet and David needed to communicate, but instead they seem to have fallen into that "Hollywood marriage" thing....you know, have your person call my person sort of relationship. David is a solid person and good thing for Violet that he is this way because through it all he stands beside her. I think she is one lucky fickle wife.
Final Thoughts:
I'm not going to tell you that I loved this book, but I am glad that I read it because it really did stir up some strong emotions. Just ask my son...he heard me yelling and calling Violet some shady names while I was reading it. I do believe Maria has a great future ahead of her, but I hope her next book's main character isn't someone that I wish to burn for all eternity in a fiery pit of hell!
I've decided to change things up a bit with this review. First, I want to say upfront that I thought the writing was wonderful. I think Maria has a real gift and her talent is immense. Please keep that in mind, as I'm sharing my thoughts with you of this one, that I'm not attacking Semple whatsoever! I would read another book written by her in a heartbeat. I just have MAJOR ISSUES with the characters and their behaviors throughout this story. So here it goes-
Synopsis from Goodreads:
Violet Parry is living the quintessential life of luxury in the Hollywood Hills with David, her rock-and-roll manager husband, and her darling toddler, Dot. She has the perfect life--except that she's deeply unhappy.
My take on it: Violet is a spoiled brat who expects everyone else around her to make her happy. She doesn't realize the sacrifices that David has made in order for her to live her swanky life. Also, Dot can speak wayyyy to good for a toddler...sorry!
Synopsis from Goodreads:
David expects the world of Violet but gives little of himself in return. When she meets Teddy, a roguish small-time bass player, Violet comes alive, and soon she's risking everything for the chance to find herself again.
My take on it: David works all of the time trying to keep up with Violet's whims. She wanted to renovate a house, he bought it for her. Whatever she wanted he tried to do. She decided that she hated the grind of writing for television, so David told her that she could quit if she wanted...so she did. Then she finds that she just can't keep herself occupied. She becomes bored until one day she meets loser Teddy. She's attracted to him why?? I don't know why!! That's the question I kept asking myself. From the author's description he comes across as a dark latino that never takes a shower and grooming isn't exactly his forte. Why would she risk her marriage for this recovering drug addict/alcoholic????? This is the part of the book where I found myself getting royally pissed. Would you have unprotected sex with someone who A) is a recovering drug addict and B) who has Hep-C?????????? I wouldn't even have protected sex with them. Even if my entire body was covered in a body condom!! I have a hard time with infidelity and I was in no mood to be giving Violet any passes on her behavior. I could care less if her husband hadn't talked to her in a few days...big deal. You're either in or you're out!
Synopsis from Goodreads:
Also in the picture are David's hilariously high-strung sister, Sally, on the prowl for a successful husband, and Jeremy, the ESPN sportscaster savant who falls into her trap.
My take on it: I wasn't that wild about Sally. She seemed like a major manipulator to me. I felt sorry for Jeremy and recognized early on that he had some issues in regards to dealing with people. But Sally only wants one thing- someone to take care of her and that someone better have money. I just thought she was shallow and therefore I did not like her.
Synopsis from Goodreads:
For all their recklessness, Violet and Sally will discover that David and Jeremy have a few surprises of their own. THIS ONE IS MINE is a compassionate and wickedly funny satire about our need for more--and the often disastrous choices we make in the name of happiness.
My take on it: David is a stand up guy. I liked him and really could understand how driven he was to succeed. He loves his family but at times has a hard time jumping into the mix and just relaxing. I think Violet and David needed to communicate, but instead they seem to have fallen into that "Hollywood marriage" thing....you know, have your person call my person sort of relationship. David is a solid person and good thing for Violet that he is this way because through it all he stands beside her. I think she is one lucky fickle wife.
Final Thoughts:
I'm not going to tell you that I loved this book, but I am glad that I read it because it really did stir up some strong emotions. Just ask my son...he heard me yelling and calling Violet some shady names while I was reading it. I do believe Maria has a great future ahead of her, but I hope her next book's main character isn't someone that I wish to burn for all eternity in a fiery pit of hell!
May 25, 2018
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
2.5 Stars
Violet Parry is going through a mid-life crisis. While she should be perfectly content living her life (house on Mulholland Drive, billionaire music-mogul husband, a beautiful baby girl), she’s not. A chance encounter with down-and-out Teddy Reyes reignites a spark in Violet that she thought was gone forever.
Sally is Violet’s sister-in-law. She would kill for the chance to live a life of luxury like her brother and his wife. That’s why she has her eye on Jeremy – a local sportswriter who is about to make it big with an ESPN contract.
Follow both of these women as they set their sights on their new love interests and see how much they are willing to risk in order to achieve their respective goals.
I’ve been an over-the-top, shout it from the rooftops fan of Arrested Development for ages. In fact, that horrible caterwauling you may have heard when it got cancelled the first go-around was probably me. On Arrested Development Semple helped write characters who you really should hate, but somehow can’t help but love. However, with all good things there are also bad. Semple also was a writer on Mad About You, a television show I would rather stick a hot poker in my eye instead of watch. While This One Is Mine didn’t make me want to go to the extremes of blinding myself, I did not much enjoy it. There are humorous moments and I enjoyed the character Teddy. However, the others were so absolutely 100% unlikeable that you can’t hide them under the guise of satire. If you polish a turd, it’s still a turd and these characters were turds.
But never you fear, faithful readers. Where’d You Go, Bernadette? finds the magic of Semple’s writing and humor once again. We can just pretend this one doesn’t exist.
2.5 Stars
Violet Parry is going through a mid-life crisis. While she should be perfectly content living her life (house on Mulholland Drive, billionaire music-mogul husband, a beautiful baby girl), she’s not. A chance encounter with down-and-out Teddy Reyes reignites a spark in Violet that she thought was gone forever.
Sally is Violet’s sister-in-law. She would kill for the chance to live a life of luxury like her brother and his wife. That’s why she has her eye on Jeremy – a local sportswriter who is about to make it big with an ESPN contract.
Follow both of these women as they set their sights on their new love interests and see how much they are willing to risk in order to achieve their respective goals.
I’ve been an over-the-top, shout it from the rooftops fan of Arrested Development for ages. In fact, that horrible caterwauling you may have heard when it got cancelled the first go-around was probably me. On Arrested Development Semple helped write characters who you really should hate, but somehow can’t help but love. However, with all good things there are also bad. Semple also was a writer on Mad About You, a television show I would rather stick a hot poker in my eye instead of watch. While This One Is Mine didn’t make me want to go to the extremes of blinding myself, I did not much enjoy it. There are humorous moments and I enjoyed the character Teddy. However, the others were so absolutely 100% unlikeable that you can’t hide them under the guise of satire. If you polish a turd, it’s still a turd and these characters were turds.
But never you fear, faithful readers. Where’d You Go, Bernadette? finds the magic of Semple’s writing and humor once again. We can just pretend this one doesn’t exist.
June 12, 2009
Not sure what to say about this one--it is between a two and a three. Well-written. I read it quickly, and wanted to know what happened with the characters, but I wouldn't totally say it was good. The novelist used to write for TV and some of the scenarios are really funny, and there are many touches of current life that are humorously worked into the plot (for example, Asperger's syndrome, food allergies, tattoos, yoga all play parts in the story). The characters are deeply flawed folks trying to find happiness, but much of the book made me uncomfortable--one climactic scene almost had me throwing the book down--I didn't want something serious/tragic to happen amidst all the nonsense. The whole idea of rich white woman unhappy with life running into arms of the ex-junkie, hep- C positive bass-playing handsome mexican--if its all tongue in cheek, fine, but is it? I wasn't sure- Definitely cringing while laughing. Very HBO/Showtime in terms of the depiction of California/Hollywood life--I enjoyed parts of it while I was reading it, but when I was done I kind of felt like how I feel after reading a tabloid People or Us--kind of nauseous...
April 26, 2013
25% of my way through this book and don't plan on reading any further. The sex lives of unpleasant people just isn't entertaining to me. I have read other reviews that talk about the humor - maybe the funny parts in the back half of the book?
January 9, 2022
thought this book was going to be a fast read of just a kind of boring book but 19 pages in this white author writes the n-word. racist books belong in the trash.
March 18, 2023
This was difficult to rate because I liked the writing and was invested in the story but the characters are almost entirely awful people and it was actively distressing to be in their presence. Stayed up late finishing it because I wanted to be rid of them. I think this should be a 4 but knocking down to 3 because my I’m choosing to include my happiness as criteria
July 9, 2014
Violet Parry lives in LA with her wealthy rock manager husband David, baby daughter Dot and nanny, LadyGo. David is much admired, successful and driven – while Violet has given up her career as an Emmy-winning writer after the birth of her daughter, has plunged her entire savings into the house she wanted to refurbish and now feels trapped by her home, motherhood and marriage. Meanwhile, David’s sister Sally lives as a ballet workout trainer, organises children’s parties, struggles with debt and diabetes and is desperately on the lookout for a wealthy husband. Both Violet and Sally will have their entire lives changed by a man. Sally by Jeremy White, the up and coming sports caster, and Violet by a chance meeting with Teddy Reyes; bass player, alcoholic and definitely not financially in her league.
I imagine that many people will struggle with this book, as the characters are not immediately sympathetic. David appears brash and insensitive, frankly, Violet seems to have nothing to complain about, and Sally seems so one-minded about marrying a successful man that she comes across as more than a little crazed by material desire and a quest for security regardless of the cost. However, this is a novel which is worth persevering with, as it has so much more depth than first appears to be the case.
As Violet falls bewildering in love with Teddy Reyes, she stands on the brink of losing her marriage, family and lifestyle. Sally, meanwhile, plots and plans for Jeremy to propose and give her the success and wealth she craves. The author paints a less than flattering portrait of LA and its citizens, although, of course, beneath the surface people are far more complicated than they first appear. Despite appearances, both David and Jeremy are both more complex and resilient than Violet and Sally realise, and there will be many twists and turns before the end of the book. I began unsure of whether I would enjoy the storyline and characters – but, by the end, I was sorry to finish. This would be ideal for reading groups, with so much to discuss. Lastly, I received a copy of this book from the publishers, via NetGalley, for review.
I imagine that many people will struggle with this book, as the characters are not immediately sympathetic. David appears brash and insensitive, frankly, Violet seems to have nothing to complain about, and Sally seems so one-minded about marrying a successful man that she comes across as more than a little crazed by material desire and a quest for security regardless of the cost. However, this is a novel which is worth persevering with, as it has so much more depth than first appears to be the case.
As Violet falls bewildering in love with Teddy Reyes, she stands on the brink of losing her marriage, family and lifestyle. Sally, meanwhile, plots and plans for Jeremy to propose and give her the success and wealth she craves. The author paints a less than flattering portrait of LA and its citizens, although, of course, beneath the surface people are far more complicated than they first appear. Despite appearances, both David and Jeremy are both more complex and resilient than Violet and Sally realise, and there will be many twists and turns before the end of the book. I began unsure of whether I would enjoy the storyline and characters – but, by the end, I was sorry to finish. This would be ideal for reading groups, with so much to discuss. Lastly, I received a copy of this book from the publishers, via NetGalley, for review.
July 1, 2009
I must admit this a departure from my normal literary genre. This One is Mine by Maria Semple is not at all the chick lit book I thought it would be. Ms.Semple has previously written for such prestigious television shows such as Arrested Development, Mad About You, and Ellen. Now, if I am being honest, that probably worked against her for me as I did not have a positive view of any of those shows. Nor has that changed. However, the quality of her written word in this novel is impeccable. I can forgive her sitcom indiscretions.
This One is Mine is written from the perspective of Violet Parry. She is an intelligent former career woman who has married well and slipped into a life of boredom sprinkled with new age cliche-sauce (yoga & RIE parenting to name a few). She is married to the famous David Parry who is a music manager extraordinaire who proudly earned, "8 million dollars last year." Somewhere along the line Violet loses her way and begins to spiral out of her perfect marriage with the relectunt help of one Teddy Reyes, a bass player with no future and a whole lot of luggage.
Ultimately it all comes together nicely at the end of the book. I was expecting some vapid Hollywood BS when I opened this book and was pleased to read such a well written novel. This book has a lot working against it when I opened it. I am pleased to say I am a convert. Bravo to Ms. Semple and her debut novel. I am eagerly anticipating her next one.
This One is Mine is written from the perspective of Violet Parry. She is an intelligent former career woman who has married well and slipped into a life of boredom sprinkled with new age cliche-sauce (yoga & RIE parenting to name a few). She is married to the famous David Parry who is a music manager extraordinaire who proudly earned, "8 million dollars last year." Somewhere along the line Violet loses her way and begins to spiral out of her perfect marriage with the relectunt help of one Teddy Reyes, a bass player with no future and a whole lot of luggage.
Ultimately it all comes together nicely at the end of the book. I was expecting some vapid Hollywood BS when I opened this book and was pleased to read such a well written novel. This book has a lot working against it when I opened it. I am pleased to say I am a convert. Bravo to Ms. Semple and her debut novel. I am eagerly anticipating her next one.
November 30, 2008
I began this last night and read until the wee hours of the morning. It was just the type of book I was in the mood for. Set in Los Angeles, the story is about Violet and David Parry. They live a charmed life- a big house high in the hills of Hollywood, millions of dollars in their bank account, a nanny and fancy cars. But naturally all is not what it seems as Violet becomes increasingly depressed and finds solace in a low life ex drug addict named Teddy.
Meanwhile, Sally- David's sister, wants to get married and live a rich and fabulous life, something like what Violet has.
I love the contract between Sally and Violet, each striving for what they don't have but want. The author is brilliant at criss-crossing the lives of the characters until they are intertwined and unexpected things happen. I was sad to see this end.
If you are looking for a modern story set against the backdrop of Los Angeles with tragic and quirky characters, well written and intriguing, this is your book!
Meanwhile, Sally- David's sister, wants to get married and live a rich and fabulous life, something like what Violet has.
I love the contract between Sally and Violet, each striving for what they don't have but want. The author is brilliant at criss-crossing the lives of the characters until they are intertwined and unexpected things happen. I was sad to see this end.
If you are looking for a modern story set against the backdrop of Los Angeles with tragic and quirky characters, well written and intriguing, this is your book!
March 17, 2014
I read Where'd You Go, Bernadette? and loved it. So I had to see what else Semple has written.
This One is Mine is pretty weak. The characters are shallow (I know, this is arguably the point of the novel) but it is a bad sign when characters have serious diseases (I don't think I'm spoiling it) but you can't really sympathize.
But I'll say this:
This book should be the poster child for presses not giving up on authors after a weak first novel. Having read this, I would never have expected the explosion, wit, and generosity of Where'd You Go, Bernadette? This novel has some similar obsessions: E.g., architecture, critical junctures in a woman's life, wanting to escape a husband, for better or for worse: But it just doesn't gel. The novel was weak enough that I couldn't finish it with 40 pages to go; but I saved it for a flight and managed to finish it off.
The upshot: If you loved Bernadette, you can safely skip this earlier novel.
And let us hope that Semple's next one is as great as Bernadette!
This One is Mine is pretty weak. The characters are shallow (I know, this is arguably the point of the novel) but it is a bad sign when characters have serious diseases (I don't think I'm spoiling it) but you can't really sympathize.
But I'll say this:
This book should be the poster child for presses not giving up on authors after a weak first novel. Having read this, I would never have expected the explosion, wit, and generosity of Where'd You Go, Bernadette? This novel has some similar obsessions: E.g., architecture, critical junctures in a woman's life, wanting to escape a husband, for better or for worse: But it just doesn't gel. The novel was weak enough that I couldn't finish it with 40 pages to go; but I saved it for a flight and managed to finish it off.
The upshot: If you loved Bernadette, you can safely skip this earlier novel.
And let us hope that Semple's next one is as great as Bernadette!
January 18, 2009
Money, power, sex, love, friendship, addiction, music, desire, disease, family, children, status--it's all here in this story of a middle-aged woman married to a high achieving man in the music industry, 21st Century, Los Angeles. Semple's dialogue scenes are perfection. She captures emotion like none other, and manages to encapsulate the scope of American culture within that context. Perfect? No. The story was broken into alternating perspectives of two female characters, sisters-in-law. I skipped the story of one of them, except where necessary to get the complete story of the other--that's how unlikable I found one sister, the secondary story. I wonder why Semple put her in a starring role ... and chose the format she did? The story of the three principals--the powerful music manager, his wife, and her junkie lover was riveting. The story of the sister and her TV celebrity boyfriend a distraction here. Why?
November 12, 2009
I found the characters shallow and ridiculous, and the story was pretty one-dimensional. It was hard to put down though. It was compelling in the way that a traffic accident is compelling -- you don't really want to see, but you can't help but look. Will these people really keep running toward the huge crash they are headed for?
July 1, 2014
Ok... I finished this one... that's about as much nice as I can say about this book. Total disappointment after reading the brilliant "Where'd You Go Bernadette?". Very obviously a freshman novel. The plot and character development were rough and it tended to be very crude. Not something I would recommend.
May 21, 2013
Hmm, I'm a little surprised to see this rated a 3.14 as of today because I was feeling more of a 3.5 or so. I picked this up because I enjoyed the author's
.
Just like that witty book featured a bright, somewhat eccentric female protagonist, so do her earlier novel. Autobiographical touches, anyone?
Rather than a dissaffected architect moldering in Seattle, this one has a TV writer who gave up her job to stay home with a baby and is wife to a rock manager extraordinaire. She is unaccountably depressed and turns to a down-on-his-luck street musician to add some zing to a dulling existence. Board the roller coaster of her life. You will find it mildly stessful to share her missteps and emergencies.
Also featured is her sister-in-law, a former dancer turned dance-exercise teacher, personal trainer, who is bound and determined to snag a husband--and not a crappy one either. She pounces on a sports commentator who is just magic with numbers and can call outcomes better than just about anyone else. His star is rising and she wants to go with him, even if he has to eat lunch at the same place every day, tossing coins obsessively, and can hardly make eye contact with anyone. She is about the last to suspect that he has Asperger's Syndrome.
Both women are flawed and while neither of them deals with her life with much self-reflection and humor, the narrator manages both.
.Just like that witty book featured a bright, somewhat eccentric female protagonist, so do her earlier novel. Autobiographical touches, anyone?
Rather than a dissaffected architect moldering in Seattle, this one has a TV writer who gave up her job to stay home with a baby and is wife to a rock manager extraordinaire. She is unaccountably depressed and turns to a down-on-his-luck street musician to add some zing to a dulling existence. Board the roller coaster of her life. You will find it mildly stessful to share her missteps and emergencies.
Also featured is her sister-in-law, a former dancer turned dance-exercise teacher, personal trainer, who is bound and determined to snag a husband--and not a crappy one either. She pounces on a sports commentator who is just magic with numbers and can call outcomes better than just about anyone else. His star is rising and she wants to go with him, even if he has to eat lunch at the same place every day, tossing coins obsessively, and can hardly make eye contact with anyone. She is about the last to suspect that he has Asperger's Syndrome.
Both women are flawed and while neither of them deals with her life with much self-reflection and humor, the narrator manages both.
January 14, 2013
This felt like an awful combination of chick lit and literature. Neither really works.
From a chick lit perspective, what I'm looking for is well...something light and funny. And while I get that the story was *trying* to be funny, it felt like it was trying too hard. The whole thing was written in a very affected way, with character so loathsome it was hard to find the least bit of sympathy for any of them.
(SPOILER: The plot revolves around Violet, a stay at home Mom who's farmed out all of her duties to a woman known as LadyGo - yeah, she's not even willing to call the woman who's raising her kid by her real name. Violet is bored and eventually decides to start an affair with an IV drug user who's involved with another woman and doesn't particularly like her. But, hey, she's still determined to have the affair anyway.)
So amusing beach read, it isn't.
And for something literary, well...I'd expect good solid writing. And the writing in "This One is Mine" is both, as mentioned above, very affected and kind of rambly. There are no deep insights (other than that maybe Semple knows some terrible people who she's basing the characters on) and no deeper meaning that I can discern. It's just really bad trash.
I'd strongly recommend something else instead. Maybe "Bridget Jones"? Or a good romance? Just...not this.
From a chick lit perspective, what I'm looking for is well...something light and funny. And while I get that the story was *trying* to be funny, it felt like it was trying too hard. The whole thing was written in a very affected way, with character so loathsome it was hard to find the least bit of sympathy for any of them.
(SPOILER: The plot revolves around Violet, a stay at home Mom who's farmed out all of her duties to a woman known as LadyGo - yeah, she's not even willing to call the woman who's raising her kid by her real name. Violet is bored and eventually decides to start an affair with an IV drug user who's involved with another woman and doesn't particularly like her. But, hey, she's still determined to have the affair anyway.)
So amusing beach read, it isn't.
And for something literary, well...I'd expect good solid writing. And the writing in "This One is Mine" is both, as mentioned above, very affected and kind of rambly. There are no deep insights (other than that maybe Semple knows some terrible people who she's basing the characters on) and no deeper meaning that I can discern. It's just really bad trash.
I'd strongly recommend something else instead. Maybe "Bridget Jones"? Or a good romance? Just...not this.
August 14, 2009
Former television sitcom writer Maria Semple offers a witty and wise look at a few individuals struggling with the California dream gone awry.
Violet Parry isn’t adjusting well to her positions of stay-at-home Mom and go-to girl for her egocentric husband, a rock-and-roll manager. Having given up a successful career as a television writer, she seems to have lost her way when she meets a scrappy young bass player, Teddy. They have an instant rapport that leads her to pay for an expensive car repair - and much more. Her younger sister-in-law, Sally, has decided she will snag a successful husband and sets her sights on soon-to-be ESPN star Jeremy White. The men don’t behave as expected, and most of the characters grow in unpredictable ways. A few scenes have an over-the-top quality found in both big and small screen comedies, but the story lands on its feet with a touching sobriety.
Violet Parry isn’t adjusting well to her positions of stay-at-home Mom and go-to girl for her egocentric husband, a rock-and-roll manager. Having given up a successful career as a television writer, she seems to have lost her way when she meets a scrappy young bass player, Teddy. They have an instant rapport that leads her to pay for an expensive car repair - and much more. Her younger sister-in-law, Sally, has decided she will snag a successful husband and sets her sights on soon-to-be ESPN star Jeremy White. The men don’t behave as expected, and most of the characters grow in unpredictable ways. A few scenes have an over-the-top quality found in both big and small screen comedies, but the story lands on its feet with a touching sobriety.
January 20, 2009
I am loving this book so much. It's like a magical teleportation device that takes me, totally engrossed, all the way from Clinton-Washington to 59th St. The last two times I've made the trip with this book, I glanced up just once to check my progress and was amazed to find myself already arrived at my station!
July 23, 2009
A fun, raunchy romp through the LA scene. Finally an LA book that you don't have to be an Insider to "get." The characters are not always likeable or understandable but that rawness is what makes the bookloveable - that and great writing
March 25, 2022
I think the author tried to make it funny. But fat shaming is not the way to go... And when I found this "Anyway, he's a n****r. I just called him a Jew because he's so cheap" I just couldn't deal with it anymore.
No wonder this book has such a low rating.
No wonder this book has such a low rating.
December 7, 2013
Maria Semple’s Where’d You Go, Bernadette was a fabulous read so I had high hopes for This One is Mine but I didn’t enjoy it nearly as much. I found it difficult to relate to or like any of the characters which includes Violet Parry, a wealthy yet self-pitying, former successful TV writer and husband David, a music industry mogul, who has an anger problem and mocks Violet at every turn. His pet name for her used to be “Ultra Violet” but she’s a watered down version of her former magnetic self. And then there’s David’s younger sister, Sally who is the least favorable character. Sally is a former ballet dancer who’s only dream now is to land a rich and famous husband. When she meets Jeremy, an up and coming sports announcer, she convinces herself and Jeremy that they’re in love and should be married…immediately. She’s so self-absorbed that she doesn’t realize that he has Autism.
One day while spending money on frivolous things, Violet meets a scruffy, starving artist named Teddy who openly admits to having a former drug problem and hepatitis C. Instead of steering clear of him, Violet chases him like Pepe Le Pew, the French skunk from Looney Tunes. It’s obvious to everyone but Violet that her feelings are one-sided. Toward the end of the novel she realizes how wrong she was about Teddy. “Do you realize what you’ve done to me? I grind out my days with husband and child, but by night, I’m yours. I’m yours but you don’t want me. Thanks to you, I’m a ghost, drifting through life, craving something I’ll never taste again” (174). I wanted to shake sense into Violet and scream at her- “If you’re bored, why not do something useful like write a novel? Or volunteer somewhere? Or spend time with your daughter? Or travel? Why obsess over a man with more problems than you have?!”
On a positive note, This One is Mine is well-written and held my interest but I would recommend Where’d You Go, Bernadette before this one.
One day while spending money on frivolous things, Violet meets a scruffy, starving artist named Teddy who openly admits to having a former drug problem and hepatitis C. Instead of steering clear of him, Violet chases him like Pepe Le Pew, the French skunk from Looney Tunes. It’s obvious to everyone but Violet that her feelings are one-sided. Toward the end of the novel she realizes how wrong she was about Teddy. “Do you realize what you’ve done to me? I grind out my days with husband and child, but by night, I’m yours. I’m yours but you don’t want me. Thanks to you, I’m a ghost, drifting through life, craving something I’ll never taste again” (174). I wanted to shake sense into Violet and scream at her- “If you’re bored, why not do something useful like write a novel? Or volunteer somewhere? Or spend time with your daughter? Or travel? Why obsess over a man with more problems than you have?!”
On a positive note, This One is Mine is well-written and held my interest but I would recommend Where’d You Go, Bernadette before this one.
September 30, 2012
Oh Ms. Semple you little minx, I just took in some of the most guiltiest of pleasures as far as reading goes. And I didn't think I would. I adored Where'd you go Bernadette? and I was kind of looking for the same voice in her debut but was turned off by the beginning. I thought oh jeeze. This is kind of cheesy and racist and snotty but something in the writing- the unique snobbery that Semple nailed brilliantly in Bernadette was still there a little in Violet.
Basically it's a tale of the Boo Hoo rich white lady bored in her life as a once writer of television in Hollywood but now is a stay at home mom who is more just stay at home than mom since she shuffles little Dot (i just love that name for the baby) with LadyGo the nanny.
Anyway, Violet is married to David Parry, an uberfamous band manager or something like that. They have millions but Violet isn't happy. But there is some saving grace in her eliteness that is splashed on each page. There is some likability and so much humor not unlike Bernadette.
Violet has an affair and David finds out and all the while parallel to Violet's story is Sally's story, David's diabetic sister who marries a guy for money and later finds out he has asbergers.
It was definitely candy for my brain and I enjoyed 99% of it. The tiny 1% being a did wince at a couple parts of the more raunchy bits concerning abortion but I would recommend it to anyone who liked Bernadette and isn't afraid of some vulgarity.
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