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sarahlreadseverything's review
1.0
On the whole the plot just didn't seem to go anywhere, I found it extremely strange.
beastreader's review
4.0
The year is 1926 in Sussex. Kitty Allen was reading the newspaper when she spotted a wanted ad.
The ad said…Wanted – Good plain cook to perform domestic duties for artistic household. Room and board included. Broad outlook essential.
Kitty has been pondering whether to respond to the ad for several days. She decides to respond. Kitty wasn’t sure what to expect but I can tell you it wasn’t Ellen Steinberg and her daughter, Geenie. Greenie runs around putting holes in walls and pretty much doing whatever she wants. I don’t know what perceived thoughts Londoners have about Americans but if they met Ellen, it would be that we are all crazy. Ellen is eccentric and not just a little. One of her favorite past times is to sun bath in the nude. Ellen’s lover, George Crane is a poet. He loves Ellen but he gets embarrassed easily by Ellen and her antics.
Bethan Roberts is a new author to me. I absolutely fell in love with this book. The character that really held a place in my heart wasn’t Kitty but Mrs. Steinberg. She was so care free and eccentric and didn’t care what anyone thought of her. Even if she made a fool of herself. I thought Ellen did as good an enough job trying to raise her daughter. There were a few times when Greenie could have used a few good spankings. Kitty was nice. She was too much of a wall flower for me. She became somewhat over shadowed by Ellen. To experience what British authors is cooking up on the other side of the pond, than you should check out The Good Plain Cook by Bethan Roberts.
The ad said…Wanted – Good plain cook to perform domestic duties for artistic household. Room and board included. Broad outlook essential.
Kitty has been pondering whether to respond to the ad for several days. She decides to respond. Kitty wasn’t sure what to expect but I can tell you it wasn’t Ellen Steinberg and her daughter, Geenie. Greenie runs around putting holes in walls and pretty much doing whatever she wants. I don’t know what perceived thoughts Londoners have about Americans but if they met Ellen, it would be that we are all crazy. Ellen is eccentric and not just a little. One of her favorite past times is to sun bath in the nude. Ellen’s lover, George Crane is a poet. He loves Ellen but he gets embarrassed easily by Ellen and her antics.
Bethan Roberts is a new author to me. I absolutely fell in love with this book. The character that really held a place in my heart wasn’t Kitty but Mrs. Steinberg. She was so care free and eccentric and didn’t care what anyone thought of her. Even if she made a fool of herself. I thought Ellen did as good an enough job trying to raise her daughter. There were a few times when Greenie could have used a few good spankings. Kitty was nice. She was too much of a wall flower for me. She became somewhat over shadowed by Ellen. To experience what British authors is cooking up on the other side of the pond, than you should check out The Good Plain Cook by Bethan Roberts.
lucyblack's review against another edition
3.0
not as awesome as Bethan Robert's recent book 'My Policeman' but still good. I like the 1930's bohemian countryside thing and it's more interesting when you know it is losely based on Peggy Gugenheim (sp?). The major downfall is the TERRIBLE chick lit cover and publishing push.
plathheart84's review against another edition
1.0
Reading the blurbs on the front and back of the book I was expecting some sort of revelatory storytelling here. I was sorely disappointed and found myself simply reading this so I would finish as fast as possible. The story centres around Kitty who becomes a cook for the eccentric Ellen. To be honest not much happens in this book and I was utterly bored with the characters. The spoilt Diana irritated me and Kitty's prudish nature just got predictable and bland. I didnt particularly like any of the characters but rather small parts of each of them. Not feeling attached to any of the characters normally means I will end up not really enjoying the storyline, not that there was much of one here. I dont understand why anyone would think this authors writing was "fearless" as the quote on the front cover says. I cant say much more than dont waste your time on this bland story.
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