Thursday 17 May 2012

The Undomestic Goddess - Sophie Kinsella

Date of Reading: 23/06/2007
Author: Sophie Kinsella
Publisher: Readers Digest (selected editions)
Place: Australia
Year: 2006

          This is my first Sophie Kinsella book and so will always remain my favourite (though Twenties Girl proves a great rival). This edited version has cut down some of its comic elements, but the story is still good. And now I know her style for sure.
          Samantha Sweeting, a 29-year old, is about to be made a partner at Carter Spink, one of the largest law firms in London. She spends all her waking hours at work, has no home life and has never had time to learn to cook or to sew a button.
          When she realises that she has made a horrendous mistake that is about to cost her law firm fifty million, she panics and runs away. Mr. & Mrs. Geiger mistakes her for the expected house keeper, gives her refuge and the 'job'.
          Nathaniel, the gardener, understands that she is a fraud but offers to help, seeing that she means no harm. His mother teaches her to cook and a promising relationship is underway. She still doesn't reveal the true story as Nathaniel hates lawyers. One of them has indirectly caused his father's death.
          Book takes pace when realisation dawns on her that she has been tricked by Arnold Saville, one of the partners. Other partners are soon informed of the treachery and Samantha is offered her dream job. Much to the dismay of others, she prefers the house keeping work where she has found peace and happiness, and rejects the offer.
          Papers celebrate this news and to stop further nuisance, she reconsiders hoping things might have changed. But on boarding the train she realises that life in the Geiger household has changed her and returns to Nathaniel.
          I would have liked the ending to be a little more polished, but I like it anyway. . . a really nice and comforting novel; won't even take one day to finish.
          Usually Kinsella novels are adaptations of Cinderella tale -- a not that hot or rich girl getting hold of the wealthy guy. This time the role reverses and that's better though there might be a feminist problem. But as Samantha says, " this is not about feminism, but about my life" (my apologies if this is not the exact quote).

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2 comments:

  1. I am a great fan of Sophie Kinsella!! I just loved all her books... I m not sure if you read can you keep a secert. Its a mind blowing book.
    I really liked the way you have reviewed the book... Keep the good work

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. I hv read Can You Keep a Secret? and totally agrees with you.

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