Review of Sophie Kinsella novel

The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Sophie Kinsella’s The Undomestic Goddess is a fun read. Brilliant, plucky lawyer, Samantha Sweeting, leaves her London law firm in shame to begin a new life in a small village. There, she learns how to cook and clean, how to relax and enjoy life, and how to place relationship above rat race. She discovers romance and solves a mystery as well. Keeping her previous profession a secret from everyone in the small country village is a source of much hilarity, as is covering her ineptitude for domestic duties.

Although the plot is not especially believable, the characters and their lives appear quite real. Kinsella has included just the right amount of detail. I enjoyed learning about legal deals, catering, and life in rural Britain. I had stomach-twisting moments when I wished Samantha would stop lying, but I suppose that was part of the suspense. I wanted to hang in until she figured out which life she truly wanted. And I was offended by frequent swearing using the name of Jesus and the f-word, which detracted from the humorous tone and was quite unnecessary. A writer can show shock and anger in cleverer ways, and I wish Kinsella had chosen them instead.

That said though, The Undomestic Goddess is true high-spirited, playful chick lit.



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