Not married, not bothered - Carol Clewlow

Not Married, Not Bothered is a refreshing and hilarious celebration of women - and of a woman's right to joyfully celebrate whichever lifestyle she chooses, at whatever age she is.

Riley Gordon would not go as far as her best friend, Magda, who has decided to have the full wedding ceremony and celebrations. So far, so traditional. But in Magda's case, the lucky person she will be saying I do to is herself. It is Magda's statement for single women everywhere. This is Riley's call to arms, her challenge to celebrate singleness, and to re-establish that much maligned, splendid word: spinster.

The life of Riley is an excellent one. She has no issues, no life crises. She is celebrating her life. Her mother is not so sure. Her marriage to Riley's father may have been a mistake, but as a merry widow, at least she is allowed lovers. Her sister, happily married with two children, is certain that married life is the right choice. Riley's extensive relations, including those in the more successful branch of the family, feel free to give their opinions, frequently and unasked. Her various friends, straight and gay, are delighted to have such available and lively companionship. And her lovers, all ex at present, simply wonder when they might be able to weight the balance from freedom towards themselves.

Carol Clewlow, author of A Woman's Guide to Adultery, has written a wonderfully refreshing, witty novel, her conversational tone perfectly suited to the book. The views on marriage, on lifestyles, on age, on our attitudes are lively, unusual and stimulating. Riley is a character all of us would like to have in our lives.