Something Blue

By: Emily Giffin

Narrated by: Christine Marshall

Length: 11 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

From the New York Times bestselling author of Something Borrowed comes a novel that shows how someone with a ‘perfect life' can lose it all—and then find everything.

Darcy Rhone thought she had it all figured out: the more beautiful the girl, the more charmed her life. Never mind substance. Never mind playing by the rules. Never mind karma.

But Darcy's neat, perfect world turns upside down when her best friend, Rachel, the plain-Jane "good girl," steals her fiancé, while Darcy finds herself completely alone for the first time in her life…with a baby on the way.

Darcy tries to recover, fleeing to her childhood friend living in London and resorting to her tried-and-true methods for getting what she wants. But as she attempts to recreate her glamorous life on a new continent, Darcy finds that her rules no longer apply. It is only then that Darcy can begin her journey toward self-awareness, forgiveness, and motherhood.

Emily Giffin's Something Blue is a novel about one woman's surprising discoveries about the true meaning of friendship, love, and happily-ever-after. It's a novel for anyone who has ever, even secretly, wondered if the last thing you want is really the one thing you need.

©2005 Emily Giffin (P)2005 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“[A] modern-day Jane Austen.” —Vanity Fair

“Giffin's writing is warm and engaging. Readers will find themselves cheering for Darcy as she proves people can change in this captivating tale.” —Booklist (starred review)

“Highly entertaining...Despite a happy ending, Giffin raises thorny questions. A long friendship can (like marriage) turn claustrophobic or abusive. Is infidelity the solution? And why are pretty girls so easily taken in by scheming Plain Janes?” —Boston Globe

“[Giffin's] plotting and prose are so engaging that she quickly becomes a fun, friendly presence in your reading life.” —Chicago Sun-Times

“The author's impressive knack for intimacy and insight sparkles in this delightful novel.” —Hamptons magazine

“Something Blue goes beyond the traditional conventions in a witty and compelling way, and reaffirms a lesson we all should have learned long ago: Love doesn't need a fairy tale, fancy wrapping or a big price tag. Often, it's better without.” —Charlotte Observer

“Darcy is Scarlett O'Hara set in modern [day]. Giffin orchestrates her gradual change ingeniously...[and] successfully answers any 'Gone With the Wind' fan who wondered if, after Rhett Butler decided he didn't give a damn, Scarlett ever morphed into someone softer.” —Newark Star-Ledger

“Smartly written. The dialogue is real with lightly rendered lessons about what really matters in life...Emily Giffin knows what she's doing.” —Winston-Salem Journal

“Emily Giffin's sophomore effort is a joy to read from start to finish, taking the egotistical villainess of her first novel and turning her into an unlikely heroine. Any woman who carries the scars of a broken friendship will appreciate this literary gem, which covers every emotional battleground possible--from rejection and betrayal to self-discovery and pregnancy.” —CanWest

“A touching depiction of one woman's surprising discoveries about the true meaning of friendship and happily-ever after. Sometimes you can lose it all, only to find everything in the end.” —The State (SC)

This is Something Better!

I purchased Something Borrowed and didn't like it so much but Something Blue is great!! As some of the others said, Darcy is kind of annoying but keep listening she gets better. By the end as you watch her change you are really pulling for her. Her relationship with Ethan develops so sweetly over time. Once you meet her mother you understand why she turned out to be so selfish. People can change and Darcy does. Great story, great character development and perfect ending. I will listen to this story again!!

fairy tale ho hum

The narrator did such a great job of portraying this self-absorbed drama queen of a character. Nauseatingly annoying. I don't know how I could have finished listening to this. And such a fairy tale story. She basically gets whatever she fantasizes, wants and covets. I wanted to see if there was some sort of karma to be had for what she had done to others, but no......
And she turns a new leaf, becomes selfless towards the end....RIGHT.

Annoyingly Wonderful

Though I could stop rolling my eyes every time the main character opened her mouth, I couldn't stop listening either. I uttered OMG often. This book is not for people with 0 tolerance but I found it heartwarming.

Great!

Christine truly did a remarkable job narrating this novel. The book overall was fun, dramatic, and I enjoyed seeing the growth of Darcy.

I didn’t expect to love this one!

I read “Something Borrowed” first, and didn’t especially like the way the first part of this book began. Needless to say, I ended up loving it! This is my 3rd Emily Giffin book in a row and I am hooked!

Good Story, but the reader is terrible!

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The reader uses a sing-song voice for the chacter Darcy. I get that she is supposed to be spoiled, etc. but the way it is read is very distracting from the story.

What did you like best about this story?

I like Emily Giffin as an author, and the follow-up to Something Borrowed was something I looked forward to. I won't listen to it again, I'll just buy the book and read it!

How could the performance have been better?

Get someone else to read it!

If you liked the Heartbreak Kid...

Where does Something Blue rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

My absolute favorite! It is wonderful dark comedy, almost gallows humor.

What did you like best about this story?

Darcy at the beginning--- don't we all know a Darcy? Her sense of entitlement, and delusions of grandeur are hysterical!

Have you listened to any of Christine Marshall’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, and I love her narration skills. This is the best one I've heard!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

To laughter, when she is giving Markus a hard time on her birthday...

Any additional comments?

I have probably listened to this book a dozen times since I bought it.

A good sequel, but Something Borrowed was better

Where does Something Blue rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Somewhere in the middle. It wasn't the worst thing, but there were parts that were dull or annoying.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

It was good. A nice ending to the plot line.

What about Christine Marshall’s performance did you like?

She didn't try too hard, it was a nice balance for each of the characters.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No - it was your standard chick-flick.

Okay story!

What did you like best about Something Blue? What did you like least?

That Darcy and Ethan ended up together. I think he was the best person for her and could handle the spoiled brat. I didn't see that actually coming until the middle of the book.

Would you ever listen to anything by Emily Giffin again?

Yes, I loved Something Borrowed

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Yes, because I went to see Something Borrowed and I always check out the sequel.

Hard to listen to. Returned this book.

The main character is obnoxious. The narration is whiny but it’s hard to blame the narrator when the main character is whining for the first 3/4 of the book. The prequel to this book was made into a movie and this sequel was not and it’s very obvious why. It would be harder to watch this unlikeable woman obsess over an ex and shop half movie.