Review: The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella

SUMMARY FROM GOODREADS.COM:

High-powered attorney Samantha Sweeting has just made a mistake that could snuff out her career. In total meltdown, she abandons her office and catches the first available train out of London, winding up in the middle of nowhere. Still suffering from brain freeze, she wanders first into a large mansion and then into a job as a housekeeper. Samantha's domestic skills are in severe disarray, but somehow she blunders through sewing, ironing, cleaning, and patching together her life. A winning "undomestic" tale from the author of Shopaholic & Sister.

MY TAKE:

After reading a lot of YA and "heavy" books over the past few days, this is just what the doctor ordered.

Samantha Sweeting is an uber successful lawyer who is working towards a single purpose: making partner at the Carter Spink law firm. When she makes a major error, however, she loses her entire career in an instant. Shell-shocked, she finds her way to a small village wherein she learns that there's more to life than travelling it a million miles a minute.

I liked Samantha. She's smart, funny and somewhat interesting. I guess the biggest draw of this story, for me, is how much I can relate to Samantha. The first few months (and year) after I left medical school, people would always ask me why I left. I got into a prestigious program that allowed me to skip two years of college and head straight to medical school. Why would I leave it? Some people dropped then subject when I explained that it wasn't for me. Most just tried to convince me to go back, saying how much of a waste it was. I knew they probably just wanted to help, but I found it annoying. It was my choice, not theirs.

Anyway, a lot of the other characters in the story were lovable, too. They wouldn't be out of place in a typical romantic comedy movie.

As for the plot, well, it's not going to win any awards, but it's a great escape from a stressful day.

THE GOOD:

1. Samantha is a wacky, enjoyable heroine.
2. The description of life in the countryside will make you want to take a vacation ASAP.
3. It'll make you take a look at your own life.

THE BAD:

1. It's not the deepest book in the world.
2. There are some points that are brought up and then forgotten.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

“This is why we ask that you leave all electronic equipment in the safe. No mobile phones are permitted. No little computers.” Maya spreads her arms. “This is a retreat. An escape from the world.”

“Right.” I nod meekly.

Now is probably not the time to reveal that I have a Black-Berry hidden in my paper knickers.

READ IT IF:

• You feel tired and stressed out.
• You like Chick Lit.
• You don't make a big deal about implausible plot details.

RATING:

SOUNDS INTERESTING?