Amazon.com: Wild Designs (9780140272024): Katie Fforde: Books

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Customer Reviews

23 Reviews

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

Average Customer Review

4.1 out of 5 stars (23 customer reviews)

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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Charming light romance with some untraditional twists, November 12, 1999

By A Customer

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This review is from: Wild Designs: A Novel By The Author of Stately Pursuits (Paperback)

Having enjoyed "Stately Pursuits," I wasn't disappointed with "Wild Designs." That the heroine has some "unromantic" traits from a traditional standpoint -- she is slightly older, divorced, with 3 teenaged kids, no job and major money woes -- only made the story more enjoyable. Occasionally the British slang escaped me (e.g. what does it mean to be "Pommish"?) and I thought Althea did altogether too much sighing and bursting into tears when people left the room (the constant self-denial for the sake of the children routine made her a bit too martyrish) but overall a fun, funny, enjoyable book for those who are sick of Oprah-book-club angst.

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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best of Katie Fforde, February 1, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Wild Designs: A Novel By The Author of Stately Pursuits (Paperback)

I've read all of Katie Fforde's books and Wild Designs is the best yet. I guess I identify more with Althea. She may be pushing 40 and devoted to her kids, but she still has a wonderful sense of humor and is such a "real" person. Fforde writes with such wit and gentle concern for people, you really come to care about the characters. The love story between Patrick and Althea seems genuine and you come away believing that they will live happily every after. The supporting characters are, as always with Fforde, strong and really make the book. Is this deep, heavy literature? No. But it's not all fluff either, and Fforde truly writes well.

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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Charming Read!, June 17, 2001

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Tracy Clark (Tacoma, WA United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Wild Designs: A Novel By The Author of Stately Pursuits (Paperback)

This was my first experience reading anything author, Katie Fforde has written. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Laugh at loud funny and a real page turner. The main character, Althea is so likable you find yourself really cheering her on. I would have liked to have read about Patrick's life a bit more. I felt there were aspects of his character that could have been explored further, but it doesn't take away from the story at all. I'm definately going to read some more of this author's books.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars If I could I wouldn't give it any stars
In short this one of the worst books I have ever read. It's very poorly written with dull and predictable characters. It's not qualified even for a beach reading.

Published 19 months ago by Masha Kneller

5.0 out of 5 stars Suggested by a Book Guru
I ran into one of my Book Gurus recently. "This is a light, fun read," she said handing me Wild Designs. Read more

Published on January 18, 2010 by Jana McBurney-Lin

5.0 out of 5 stars A light book, but one that is comforting and fun to read
I stumbled across this delightful book at my local library 12 years ago. It was spring, and I was thinking about gardens and that Althea, the heroine, was an avid gardener just... Read more

Published on November 15, 2009 by M.D. Johns

4.0 out of 5 stars A relaxing interlude....
There are days and there are days. Some require coming home, popping popcorn for supper, putting on one's oldest, ugliest robe, and settling down with an escapist book where... Read more

Published on February 19, 2009 by Flush Barrett-Browning

3.0 out of 5 stars Not for the neatnik or perfectionist
I really like Katie Fforde. I think her writing style is great, but this book just did not capture me as far as some of the characters. Read more

Published on September 11, 2007 by H. Robb

2.0 out of 5 stars Happy ending but tedious and too tidy
It started off interesting enough - but it seemed a bit unrealistic: Althena pushing off an attractive and honest suitor for the upteenth time, Althena being such a matron/martyr... Read more

Published on July 14, 2002

5.0 out of 5 stars WILD DESIGNS
INSPIRING. I LOOKED FORWARD TO DRIVING IN MY CAR SO THAT I COULD LISTEN TO THIS AWESOME STORY. IT MADE ME SAD AND HAPPY AT THE SAME TIME. Read more

Published on December 14, 2001 by GREGORY A. LENTZ

4.0 out of 5 stars Quick and Delightful to Read
I finished this book in a day. It was entertaining and amusing, not requiring a lot of deep thought. Read more

Published on August 29, 2001 by BeachReader

5.0 out of 5 stars satisfying read
A thoroughly satisfying introduction to an author I intend to read further. Shades of Joanna Trollope in Fford's astute depictions of real families' ups and downs.

Published on March 21, 2001 by Mary MacGregor

5.0 out of 5 stars Katie Fforde produces a REAL PAGE TURNER...
then, towards the end, you realize you've been racing through this story, and oh, no ... it's going to end soon, and you JUST DON'T WANT IT TO. Read more

Published on February 6, 2001 by Ruth A. Caldwell

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Inside This Book (learn more)
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First Sentence:
'Mum,' said a voice, reproachful yet forgiving. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
garden designer

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Geoffrey Conway, Patrick Donahugh, Gardens Grow, Chelsea Flower Show, Hong Kong, Barnet House, Julie Coulthard, Rescue Remedy, Boxing Day, Whickham Primary, Bloody Frederick, World Service

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