Book Review
Title: Daisy Dooley Does Divorce
Author: Anna Pasternak
Publisher: 5 Spot
Pages: 368
Released: October 22, 2007
ISBN-10: 0446177946 ISBN-13: 978-0446177948



Reviewed By: Christine Bode (Kingston)
(Originally reviewed in 2008)

Daisy Dooley Does Divorce is a humorous and heartfelt romp through 39-year-old Brit Daisy Dooley's divorce, and her consequent quest to understand men, relationships, and most importantly herself and the decisions she makes. It's a Bridget Jones' Diary for divorceés and an easy, charming and highly enjoyable read. The book is laugh out loud funny, often thought-provokingly poignant and Daisy's penchant for spiritual/self-help books makes her a kindred spirit.

Daisy Dooley Does Divorce was based on Pasternak’s weekly column of the same name in the London Daily Mail (it has since been retired). And even if you're not divorced or have never been married, you will love the heartwarming, easy-to-read-in-a-few-sittings book. Above all else it's about friendship and daring to realize one's dreams, and anyone who has been disappointed at some point in his/her life by love will find so much in common with delightful Daisy. She's full of spirit, sass and sensitivity; if she were a real person I'd want to be her friend.

This particular nugget of wisdom struck me when I first read it...

"It was true - my heart was like Miles's shelves, gnawed and splintered with emotional woodworm." I read on: "The difference between a little life and a big life is trust. Trust is the midwife of a big life. People only choose little lives because they don't trust and they want to control. That's the most difficult thing in life, I thought, getting the balance right between not giving up on your dreams and yet having enough faith in their fruition to let them go."

This paragraph rings so true to me as every day of my life I face a mountain of adversity (a mountain that I know is largely self-made) and self-doubt, all the while wondering if I even believe in true love anymore. Like Daisy, I have to trust that there is a man out there who won't trod all over my heart, only to reinforce my bitter and cynical view of men. They can't all be heartless, cruel, dishonest cads, can they? Daisy Dooley helped give me a little bit of hope that they aren't.

Discovering Daisy Dooley Does Divorce was the biggest joy I had in reading in 2008. Pasternak’s honesty as a writer, the depth of her characters, and her fantastic wit quickly made her a new favourite author and any woman who enjoys chick/wit lit or romance and relationships between women will undoubtedly love this book.

Not to mention this is the book review that changed my life.

It all began when I acquainted myself with a lovely, intelligent woman named Paige O’Neill, the person who looks after The Waterboys’ online presence on numerous social networking websites. Paige and I connected in 2006 when I sent Mike Scott of The Waterboys a personal letter about a sick friend of mine who was a huge fan. She and I became good friends online, and in the past three years she's become a soul sister of immense importance in my life, even though I have never met her in person.

Paige also looks after the maintenance of Daisy Dooley’s MySpace profile for Anna Pasternak, and in March 2008, after reading my review of the book, and with Paige’s recommendation, Anna asked me to help her maintain a Facebook fan page and group for Daisy Dooley. I was honoured to do it (and I even got paid for it).

Since then, and as a result of Paige and Anna’s unfailing support and encouragement, I have formed my own business, Scully Love Promo, promoting authors and musicians using the major social networking websites on the internet. Over the past year-and-a-half I have worked for at least ten different talented artists, and although this is only a part-time endeavor at this time, I believe there's a good chance it could one day become my full-time job. I love spreading the love about artists that I respect and admire. I’ve done this naturally for many years through my review writing and in every day conversation with friends, but now I get paid to do it. I owe that privilege to Paige O’Neill and Anna Pasternak, who are the most amazingly resilient, spiritual, intelligent, and loving women and friends that anyone could hope to have.

Above all else, that is why I continue to recommend this delightful book.

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