Book Review: The Undomestic Goddess

The Undomestic Goddess

Format: Audiobook

By: Sophie Kinsella

Narrated By:  Katherine Kellgren

Published By: Random House Audio

Audio Length: 12 hours

Release Date: May 2006

Buy it at Amazon or IndieBound

Source: Library

Audience: Adult - Chick Lit Fans

I have never read Sophie Kinsella before so I am not sure if this is the best example of her work, however, I did really enjoy this read. I'm not typically a fan of chick lit, but there is something about adding a British accent to things that makes everything better. I enjoyed Kinsella's story telling ability as well as Katherine Kellgren's reading. Kellgren did a beautiful job of differentiating between the different characters and bringing the plot alive through her voice.

The Undomestic Goddess is a story that forces the reader to ponder what is more important in life: love or success. Many of us in today's world must balance our love life, social life, family, and career. It can often be quite draining and most of us (me included) can get so flustered that we forget to appreciate the simple things in life. Samantha Sweeting, the main character, has never really known that there were simple things in life. She has been on the path to success since she was a child. Getting top grades and working nonstop has landed her in a job in the best law firm in Britain where she is about to find out if the past seven grueling years have been enough to elevate her to partner status within the firm. However, a mistake sends Samantha spiraling into a world of frenzied chaos as she tries to piece together how everything could have fallen apart so quickly. Everything she has ever known and desired is crumbling.

In all the confusion of the moment, Samantha ends up becoming a housekeeper in the English countryside as she struggles to piece her life back together. There is just one slight problem - she has no idea how to do anything domestic. She can't cook, clean, iron, or sew on buttons. How can she possibly keep up this charade with no domestic skills whatsoever?

Samantha's story had me cringing and giggling at every turn. I related to her so much. I didn't know how to do laundry or cook until I got married at the age of 24. As always, I also really enjoyed the love story. This one is sweet and full of promise. There is also a very hot scene involving raspberries that is sure to be enjoyed by romance and chick lit fans. I am anxious to read more of Kinsella's work.

One Last Gripe: I was bummed to see that there are no other books about Samantha. I would like to know what happens next for her.

My Favorite Thing About This Book: The characters

First Sentence: Would you consider yourself stressed?

Favorite Character: Samantha

Least Favorite Character: Melissa

Summary:

Workaholic attorney Samantha Sweeting has just done the unthinkable. She's made a mistake so huge, it'll wreck any chance of a partnership.

Going into utter meltdown, she walks out of her London office, gets on a train, and ends up in the middle of nowhere. Asking for directions at a big, beautiful house, she's mistaken for an interviewee and finds herself being offered a job as housekeeper. Her employers have no idea they've hired a lawyer—and Samantha has no idea how to work the oven. She can't sew on a button, bake a potato, or get the #@%# ironing board to open. How she takes a deep breath and begins to cope—and finds love—is a story as delicious as the bread she learns to bake.

But will her old life ever catch up with her? And if it does... will she want it back?