Customer Reviews

Life Skills (Charnwood Library)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Katie Fforde does a great job of writing smart, funny yet sweet romantic fiction. "Life Skills" tells the story of Julia Fairfax, who makes some dramatic changes in her life -- quitting her job, dumping her fiance, subletting her house -- then takes an unusual job as a cook on a canal boat while she sorts things out. Too much canal boat lingo and too many technical details about boating threatened to overwhelm the story before it got going, but I persevered, and eventually got hooked. Although there's a lot to recommend this book if you're looking for a pleasant read that is romantic yet real and intelligent, it's not Katie Fforde's best. I found the characters a wee bit predictable (e.g. stuffy snobbish matron, dull conventional ex-fiance, daddy's little princess); and the plot meandering. Perhaps I've merely been spoiled by Ms. Fforde's earlier efforts, notably "Stately Pursuits" and "Wild Designs," and you might want to check them out first.

I gave 5 stars to Ms. Fforde's 2 previous books, but only 4 to this one because I didn't like the main character. The story line was interesting, and I enjoyed learning about canal hotel-boating. It had her usual style of humor and many interesting characters.

This is not a BAD book, and certainly worth reading, but I must admit I found it slow going. As another reviewer aptly observed, after "Stately Pursuits" and "Wild Designs," I was expecting something wonderful. "Life Skills" is not wonderful. Still, it is a sweet, albeit slow, story of a woman in transition from a job and a dull fiance to something she hopes is better. Julia is often hard to like, especially when she is constantly boorish to the potential love interest, Fergus. One wonders what he sees in her; she is not at all nice to him until pratically the last page of the book! I admit I was disappointed in "Life Skills," but not enough to put me off Fforde, and not enough to tell other readers not to try it themselves.

i was a bit disappointed, as i have read her other books. this seems to get bogged down with all the barge lore for almost half of the book and then the actual story and ending seem rushed. do read her previous works!

This was the first Katie Fforde that I ever read, and I found it a delightful romp, full of entertaining details about running a hotel boat through England's canals. Delicious diction too, replete with modern British vernacular which will both puzzle and amuse American readers. The book is marred by a main character who is as frustrating as Kissy Mellors in Tabitha King's Survivor, unwilling to recognize a true Prince Charming when she seems him. Thinking I had found a worthwhile new author, I read Fforde's Wild Designs and Stately Pursuits and was quite disappointed -- her protagonists are all cut from the same cloth, and both books lacked the spark of Life Skills.

A week after I moved from Europe back to the USA, I discovered "Life Skills" by accident at a local Wal-Mart, of all places. At the time, I didn't realise it was Brit chick fiction, which I buy whenever I'm in London. I just about inhaled this book. Katie Fforde writes so well, I could see myself with the heroine on this crowded and cramped hotel boat, maneuvering tedious waterways and coping with the weirdo guests. I stayed up all night just to finish it, and I was genuinely sorry when the story ended. This is not "War and Peace," but a fun, escapist read, which reminded me of my various Brit friends, most of whom act and talk just like Katie's characters. I liked this so much, I bought the rest of her paperbacks on my last trip to London! For those who don't know Katie Fforde's writing, "Life Skills" is a fab introduction.

An enjoyable bit of Brit Chick Lit, LIFE SKILLS has all the requisite ingredients: two very different friends (sensible, independent Julia and glamorous Daddy's girl Suzy), one unsuitable suitor, a suitable suitor who is rebuffed, an odd occupation (operating a canal boat hotel), and a couple of non-relationship-related crises. Fforde keeps the story moving, interspersing lots of information about canal boats holidays, which sound quite pleasant (Hmmm vacation idea...). There is some frustration with Julia's stubborn refusal to give her suitable suitor Fergus any sort of chance, but that's the stuff of Chick Lit. A fun read overall.

I absolutely loved this book!! I swear, I started dreaming about boats after reading it. The second time I read it, I had read it in a day! It's still wonderful everytime I read it! It's very well written, and an absolute favorite. I even bought it for a few friends for Christmas!

This book is not for everyone but if you enjoy tongue in cheek humor, great characters, a good setting and a romance that is not jaded you will enjoy it. Makes a great listen on tape also.

This is the first book I've read by this author. I enjoyed the humor embedded in the story. Other reviewers mentioned the main character was exasperating but I liked watching her grow as she embarked upon her adventure of life on the canals. Her determination NOT to get involved and then keep him away from our hero wasn't always logical, but when is love logical?