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Getting Rid Of Rosie (2009)

by Lynda Simmons(Favorite Author)

3.55 of 5 Votes: 5

ISBN

0425227928 (ISBN13: 9780425227923)

languge

English

genre

Fiction

publisher

Berkley Trade

review 1: Ever heard of a pot-smoking ghost? I never can resist a good ghost story. Getting Rid of Rosie by Lynda Simmons is a most enjoyable read. Pub owner, Sam Marcello, is content for the most part running her pub, The Silver Swan. Although her love life is a desert, she has gotten her business act together when her ex-boyfriend (Michael), the ghost of his dead wife (Rosie), his daughter (Julie) and his brother (Derek) roll into town. Crazy antics ensue when Sam’s quirky employees get involved. Her spunky Italian grandmother, Loretta, gathers up a gaggle of church ladies to prevent suspected evil from taking over. Never doubt the power of Italian Nonnas. They are both invincible and unrelenting.What could serve justice more than your best friend (the one who stole your... more fiancé) dying in an accident so you can rekindle the romance with your ex and have a second chance? One of the questions posed by Simmons is “does a second chance with an ex serve the gods of love, happiness and contentment?” Set in Toronto and Huntsville, Getting Rid of Rosie leaves the reader with a taste of the Danforth and a longing for a trip to the near north. Simmons provides insights into the afterlife while literally breathing life into Rosie. Her ghost eats, drinks, throws stuff, smokes pot and changes her clothes and hair. Rosie is the most complex, interesting character in the book. Although only Sam can see her, Rosie is able to boss Michael around by whispering in his ear. We also learn she has cold hands when Sam and Rosie high five each other. Who knew ghosts retain some physical substance? Rosie describes “the hereafter” to Sam in one of their many debates:“There’s no white light and no granny, no heaven and no hell. It’s just me and a bunch of others wandering around with a long stretch of eternity staring us in the face. “ In a vain attempt to establish the relevance of the dead to the land of the living Rosie adds,“You can’t see them [the dead], but they’re everywhere. Making sure the lawns get cut, the weeds pulled, the kids fed and dressed. Honestly, if not for us, nothing would get done.” Simmons has described Getting Rid of Rosie as a paranormal comedy. It has themes of love, family, friendship, betrayal, redemption, spirituality, compassion and forgiveness. Getting Rid of Rosie is a perfect book to read when you want to get away from it all, wrap yourself in fleece, light a fire, sip a hot drink and ponder the meanings of life, love and death.
review 2: As I personally told Lynda, I used to think people who laughed while reading books were weirdos. Reading Getting Rid of Rosie turned me into one of those weirdos, as I have since then started noticing the humour in other books, whether intended or simply the clever twist of events that occur. I was expecting a romantic comedy when I first picked this up, but my skeptisism was removed when I got further into it, learning it was more about best-friendship. The one between Sam and Rosie is quite the unique one because they had known eachother since they were children. They were like Ying and Yangs to eachother in term of personality, yet remained bestfriends until Rosie ran off with Sam's fiancee Michael.Spoilers aside and 7 years later, Sam has become the owner of a successful diner and bar, and one day Michael returns to town. She quickly learns that her bestfriend Rosie had long been deceased, but has not completely left the Earth. Rosie had been a lingering ghost that whispers into Michael's ear, making decisions for him, much like she did when she was alive, except now he is completely oblivious of her control. At first it felt like it'd be about an alive woman vs a dead one competing for one man's love, but the friendship between the two becomes the central development amongst the other various relationships that are sparked in the timespan of the novel. I finished this book probably almost a year ago and forgot about a lot of intricate details, but do remember being confused about [spoilers]Sam's relatiobship with Michael's brother. Perhaps on a second reading, I'll understand exactly how that came about in a more natural progression [end of spoilers]Overall, witty and sassy novel. It's a fun and rivetting read that beats any other formula romantic comedy movie you'll find on the Women's Network. This would make for a very unique movie because a lot of what its about is unexpected.EDIT IN SEP 13, 2011: [spoilers] and I was right, I'm reading this a second time and now I'm clearly seeing how Sam becomes attracted to Derek. It was so obvious, I don't know how I missed it! He's always a gentleman and doing the things she wished Michael would do, and they always have moments of flirting that seems so fleeting amidst everything else that's happening. Just wow now I get it less

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