Who is Jane Fallon?

Jane Fallon is a British television producer and bestselling author known for her work on the television show This Life. She’s the spouse of fellow television personality and comedian Ricky Gervais, whom she met during her time at University College London, and she’s written several novels characterized by witty narratives of the quotidian.

Jane Fallon’s most important and notable writing work

Jane Fallon is most known for her work on television, but she’s written a number of novels, some of which have become bestsellers. We have a list of some of her more popular books you can enjoy while you wait for her new releases. Some honorary mentions not included on the list are Queen Bee, Faking Friends, Got You Back, and Skeletons.

Getting Rid of Matthew

Getting Rid of Matthew is Fallon’s first novel and probably her most well-known bestseller. It was published in 2007 to generally positive reactions and reviews. The narrative focuses on a woman named Helen, whose secret lover, Matthew, suddenly decides to leave his wife Sophie and their two daughters to start a new life with her. So, things just got real, and Helen needs a coping plan. Her solution? The worst idea ever — she won’t shave, brush her teeth, or have sex with Matthew, and, worst of all, she’s going to befriend his wife.

Foursome

Foursome is Fallon’s third novel, published in 2010. It’s a narrative about Rebecca, Isabel, Alex, and Daniel, four friends who managed to stick together since their university days and even marry each other. But things are soon about to change because Alex has left Isabel, and his motivations are sure to threaten the group dynamics and introduce an element of chaos to everyone’s thus-far idyllic life.

The Ugly Sister

Published in 2011, The Ugly Sister is Fallon’s fourth novel. This time, the author tackles nothing short of the lottery that is life, a fact well known to Abi, the protagonist who’s spent her whole life in the shadow of her older, perfect sister Cleo. Things take a wild turn when Abi decides to spend the summer with her sister’s family, whose presence awakens unhoped-for emotions in her.

Tell Me a Secret

Tell Me a Secret came out in 2019, and it’s Fallon’s ninth novel. Fallon invites the reader to walk the thin line between friendship and animosity as they follow the stories of Holly and Roz, a couple of best friends who, despite sharing everything with each other, might actually be hiding something.

My Sweet Revenge

My Sweet Revenge is Fallon’s seventh novel, and its title betrays the theme — sweet, sweet revenge. Paula and Robert are a long-term couple, and Paula’s made lots of sacrifices for her lover’s sake. But now he’s having an affair, and she won’t have it — she’s going to shatter his heart like shattered hers, and she is going to do it masterfully.

Jane Fallon’s private and public background

Despite being a public figure, Jane Fallon’s managed to keep many aspects of her life private. She’s the youngest of five children born in Harrow, northwest London, but her family moved to Buckinghamshire when she was young, and she spent her childhood there, living in a house above the newsagent shop run by her parents.

Fallon studied history at University College London, where she started writing articles for a newspaper called London Student and Pi Magazine.

Having finished her degree, Fallon found work in a theatrical literary agency and eventually as a script reader and editor. Her television career took off when she became a producer on EastEnders, which was a stepping stone toward her future projects, such as This Life, 20 Things to Do Before You’re 30, and Teachers.

Jane Fallon’s unique writing style and lasting impact on literature

Jane Fallon’s been described as adamantly anti-grandiose. She focuses on the aspects of writing that she excels at and never seeks to go beyond her capabilities, leaving the reader with an honest narrative void of any pretenses.

Genre-wise, Fallon seems to aim for chick-lit but with an edge, as she says in an interview with The Guardian. She can be compared to Nick Hornby, a British lad-lit author known for his 1995 novel High Fidelity.

Like Hornby, Fallon weaves humorous narratives and presents relatable characters in ordinary circumstances that, in all their everyday believability, become that much more impactful.

Fallon’s focus is often on female characters, for example, wronged wives and mistresses, with whom her sympathies usually lie and whose stories betray our own delusions and false hopes that we create to cope with reality.

In short, Fallon provides a good template for fellow chick-lit authors who seek to escape the narrow confines of the genre as something with little literary merit. Her plots, characters, and writing technique propose a sincere

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FAQ

Does Ricky Gervais have kids?

No. Ricky Gervais and Jane Fallon have decided not to have children or get married, and they are well-known for these decisions.

How did Jane Fallon and Ricky Gervais meet?

They met during their student days, and they’ve been together since 1984, living in their house in Hampstead.

What is Ricky Gervais best known for?

He is best known for his work on the TV show The Office. He’s also won seven BAFTA awards, three Golden Globes, and two Primetime Emmy awards.

What is Jane Fallon’s middle name?

Her full name is Jane Elizabeth Mary Fallon.

Who does Ricky Gervais play on the TV show “The Office”?

Rick Gervais plays the character of David Brent.