Katie Brenner wants a perfect life, like her boss' Demeter
Farlowe. Katie from the Somerset has become "Cat" in London,
where she has a small flat she shares with two flaky roommates,
a job that doesn't pay enough, and that she enjoys, or rather
that she would really enjoy is she could be seen and listened
to. Demeter is brilliant, but almost impossible to work for:
she is demanding, scattered, and tactless, and never notices
"the little people", but still Demeter has everything Katie
aspires to. Following an unusually dreadful Monday, things seem
to be looking up for Katie: she has met a wonderful bloke,
Alex, and there might be hope yet for her career. Alas, it was
the calm before the storm: Demeter fires Katie, and Alex is not
quite what he seemed to be. So "Cat" goes back home to the
"Farrrm" to lick her wounds for just a little while, until she
finds a great job.
Every time I pick up a Sophie Kinsella book, I know I will be
thoroughly entertained, that some fun times await me, but also
that I might gain some insightful life lessons, and I think Ms.
Kinsella outdid herself regarding the latter in MY NOT SO
PERFECT LIFE. The characters are so realistically portrayed
that, as far as I'm concerned, it was almost scary because I
have personally worked for a "Demeter", and to say I could
relate to Katie would be a major understatement. MY NOT SO
PERFECT LIFE is a biting satire on snobbish trends, but it is
at the same time a very accurate picture of our own perception
of success. Ms. Kinsella's acute observations on today's
obsession with the often skewed importance of personal
achievement would almost qualify MY NOT SO PERFECT LIFE as a
handbook on how to live one's life, and also on how to behave
in a management position.
For this type of story, I was astounded at the twists and
turns, because not much went down as I expected, and certainly
not the ending, which was a delightful surprise. Amidst some
amusing shenanigans, some heartbreaks, and ups and downs, MY
NOT SO PERFECT LIFE is a story that will touch most of us, as
it is a rather profound reflection on choosing between what we
think we should do, as opposed to what we really want, if we
are being honest with ourselves in our quest for a perfect
life.
I loved reading about London and Somerset, which are so
beautifully depicted, I might event imagine actually having
been in London at Christmastime, and I also enjoyed the
romance, which was quite lovely indeed. While MY NOT SO PERFECT
LIFE might not be as hysterically over-the-top hilarious as our
beloved Shopaholic,
it definitely has its moments, and
in my opinion, MY NOT SO PERFECT LIFE might be Sophie
Kinsella's best book yet, as there is something for everyone.
From #1 bestselling author Sophie Kinsella comes a new novel that is part love story, part workplace comedy, and part witty critique on the judgments we make in a social-media obsessed culture. Part love story, party workplace dramedy, and part witty critique on the false judgements we make in a social-media obsessed world, this is New York Times bestselling author Sophie Kinsella’s most timely and sharply observed novel yet. Everywhere Katie Brenner looks, someone else is living the life she longs for, particularly her boss Demeter Farlowe. Demeter is brilliant and creative, lives with her perfect family in a posh townhouse, and wears the coolest clothes. Katie’s life, meanwhile, is a daily struggle - from her dismal rental to her oddball flatmates to the tense office politics she’s trying to negotiate. The final, demeaning straw comes when Demeter makes her do her roots in the office. No wonder Katie takes refuge in not-quite-true Instagram posts. Especially as she’s so desperate to make her dad proud. Then, just as she’s finding her feet - not to mention a possible new romance - the worst happens. Demeter fires Katie. Shattered but determined to stay positive, Katie retreats to her family’s farm in Somerset, to help them set up a vacation business. London has never seemed so far away…till Demeter unexpectedly turns up as a guest. Secrets are spilled and relationships rejigged…. and as the stakes for Katie’s future get higher, she must question her own assumptions about what makes for a truly meaningful life. Sophie Kinsella is celebrated for her vibrant, relatable characters and her great storytelling gifts. Now, she returns with all of the wit, warmth, and wisdom which are the hallmarks of her bestsellers to spin this fresh, modern story of presenting the perfect life when the reality is far from the truth.
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