Dating Big Bird: A Novel

Dating Big Bird is not the story of a woman desperate for a baby, nor is it the tale of a career woman suddenly in the midst of a mid-life crisis. It is not about a womans relationship with an emotionally unavailable partner, or the sudden need to reevaluate everything she once thought important. Characterizing this story in any of these ways would be an oversimplification. Ellen Franck is a normal, mid-thirties woman with a fantastic job, decent friends, a normal family, and a relationship. But the satisfaction of living the good life is eluding her. What exactly would make her life perfect? Like many people of her age and station in life, she realizes a baby would make her life complete. Shes not just looking for a plaything, or someone to love me. She wants the whole relationship, and craves the mother-child bond so much it hurts. But how does she make the fairy tale come true without a soulmate? And when she knows her fairy tale wont be the traditional kind? What Ellen wants is what some of us have, and others can only dream of: that perfect relationship that can only exist between mother and child, the perfect love you feel for that little person that calls you Mom. As Ellen navigates her way through her career, coworkers, family, friends, and relationship with a man not emotionally in the same place as she is, her needs and wants clarify in her mind. And she brings her readers along on a very funny journey to the realization of where she really wants to be. Zigman has a great way with words. This story is very funny, and her descriptions of the other characters will leave you snickering out loud. The dialogue is real, and the supporting cast seem very familiar--we must all know people similar to these. Women of all ages will relate to this story, whether you have kids or not. Great light reading, engaging until the end.

Yeah I know, another chick book. Another story of single successful sexy women.. ala bridget jones and sexinthecity (I honestly wish I could find as many brutes as those girls, but hey, Im not here to talk about them!). I wont go into the details of the book because every other reviewer has and you MUST be bored by now. This honestly is so well written and lovely and creative that one just must have it. I love reading stuff like this. Its smart, its funny, its REAL life.. It makes me feel like Im not a freak; single and cute at 36..

This book gives one of the most realistic views into the mind and heart of a thirtysomething professional woman Ive read in a long time. Ellen faces the sometimes harsh, sometimes bittersweet situations that a single woman whose friends are mostly married and have or are going to have children in a way that I find very realistic. Sometimes youre jealous because your life hasnt seemed to work out in the same way, sometimes youre happy for your friends because theyve achieved what makes them happy, and theres everything in between. This book did a good job of capturing the whole spectrum of emotions that can arise. In the end, this book was a good reminder to me that life takes equal parts of pursuing what you want and being patient for things to come out as they are meant to.

I bought Dating Big Bird because the title caught my eye. The book is right for someone on a plane or car ride, but it lacks any real emotions. I thought that the writer could have added a few more chapters at the end. I read it and got off of my self, but dont think that I will be reading any more book by Ms. Zigman again.

I took book with me among 6-7 other beach books. I read the others in a snap. But I could easily see that Zigman is different from otherr beach books. She has a different style. I would not call this book a typical Red Dress Ink chick book.. There is more. It is not a shallow, predictable, easy to read book. Zigman makes you think, she teaches you. It is a great read. I liked it a lot, and still finished it within a day. Now that I am back from my vacation, I am going to buy her other book and read it.

Dating Big Bird is a delightful read about a womans quest for a child. Ellen Franck is in a loving but frozen relationship with Malcolm, a divorced father who lost his only child to leukemia. At 35, Ellen wonders if she will ever be able to have a baby. It certainly doesnt help that every woman she knows is a mother or mother-to-be. That is, except for Amy, an old high school acquaintance Ellen runs into on the streets of New York. The two begin a friendship and wade through intracacies of their own lacking relationships and desires for more. Ellen is supported by a wonderful cast of characters who are both hysterical and endearing. You will want to pick up this quick, funny and heartwarming read to discover Ellens fate. By the end of the book Ellen learns, and we are reminded, that life happens when you begin living it.

I read this book in a span of two days. I just couldnt put it down. Ellen is such a thoughtful character and the storyline of dealing with an emotionally unavailable man is familiar to alot of women. I like the way she stands on her own two feet and doesnt come to rely on a relationship with a man for what her heart truly desires, a child of her own. I recommend this to anyone who likes light, easy reading. A great book.

Laura Zigman is a good writer, but this book was disappointing, the latest entry in the capable single woman with dilemmas genre that began so well with Bridget Jones. Its plot so closely follows a pattern of wish fulfillment that the ending (where evrything works out) feels like a fairy tale. Im sure that would be frustrating for women hoping to identify with wanting a child - it would have been interesting to read more about what happens after Ellen gets her wish and the baby arrives. Is it everything she hoped for? Well never know...

What could be better than reuniting with one of the most successful girls from high school only to discover that most of what you see is an illusion--and that youre kindred spirits after all! The scenes between aunt and niece (The Pickle) are tender and true, and the whole book is much nicer than Animal Husbandry because theres no call for revenge. (But check that book out, too.) A happy read!

As a commuter, I was looking for something fun to enliven the hours of highway bumper tag. At the suggestion of a friend, I purchased the Audio Tape of Dating Big Bird. I loved it so much, I have to actually read it while my much listened to Audio CD is being passed around from one friend to another. Ellen Franck is a real, vivid and immensely funny character. Ellen is not overly bitter or pitying. Ms. Zigman keeps Ellen out of the pity pool and in turn, makes Ellens exploration of the life of a single, thirty something mommy wannabe very real, funny and endearing. I could totally relate to Ellens own inner struggle and her relationships with family and friends. Basically, I loved this book and the fact that it makes you laugh at a subject that very easily could make one cry. My only disappointment is the ending, but then again there is always hope for a sequel.