The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella Book Review

The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella is a refreshing tale of what happens when a corporate lawyer makes a career ending mistake. Samantha Sweeting is a 29 year old lawyer at top law company Carter Spink. She is a corporate career woman who works very hard to achieve her dream of becoming a partner, just as she finds out that she has achieved her goal, her world starts to fall apart. While cleaning her desk she finds a memo, that means she did the unthinkable, she made a mistake. Not a small mistake but one that destroys her life and leads her to running away from her former life. Heading out of her office she boards a train not even knowing where it is headed. After a few too many mini alcohol bottles and a headache she thinks to ask for directions at a large house, but somehow ends up taking the job of a housekeeper.

Samantha’s previous life as a lawyer is over so she believes she can become a housekeeper, which proves difficult for a woman who can’t cook, clean, iron or do anything relating to the job she just agreed to be. Her employers, Mr and Mrs Geiger think she is a brilliant chef, trained under a Michelin star chef and have no idea they have a curtsying corporate lawyer scrubbing their toilets. They think she is a little slow and cannot even believe she speaks English! They even want to help her get qualifications after finding that she has a unique talent of calculating large sums in her head.

Samantha starts her job and although having a few hiccups which involve her ordering food from caterers, accidentally washing the clothes and them turning red and costing her over a thousand pounds to replace, she starts to get the hang of things.

The book is about a journey of self discovery and how Samantha’s new career change can change her life in other ways. From being pale, overworked and exhausted Samantha becomes tanned and relaxed, even changing her hair colour. Along this journey she meets Nathaniel, the gardener who doesn’t like lawyers not that she tells him she is one.

The book has many twists and turns and a worthwhile read.

If you enjoy Sophie Kinsella’s previous work then you will enjoy this book. Though at times unrealistic I find that is what makes these books an enjoyable read.

I would give it a 7/10.