Kathryn Flett - Separate Lives

[shinyblackgrape]

Has anyone read this? I downloaded it to my Kindle as I used to quite enjoy KF's writing in the Observer

It's truly dire - so disappointing. Like a sort of arch sub-par India Knight. I've never posted here about any book that I thought was really bad but just wanted to give this one a warning!

Thank you! It came up as recommended on my kindle but I have a lingering dislike for her based, irrationally, on the Flett, Flett Flanagan, Flett misery columns.
But was considering it, so saved me some money!

It's really quite awful. It has gushing reviews by people that I can only assume are friends saying they sobbed over it

On reflection though, one of the reviewers is Gok Wan, who I don't think is well known for his appreciation of fine literature!

Ah, was considering it. I will reconsider!

I'm about a quarter of the way through. It's enjoyable and absorbing to an extent and I was in the mood for a chick-lit/beach read kind of book, which this very much is. The writing isn't particularly deep or incisive - I keep thinking what Zoe Heller would have done with this material - but it's readable fluff. Haven't encountered one likable character as of yet and the constant references to 'Random' instead of the small seaside Sussex town she actually means became unfunny from the first time it was mentioned. She's writing another book now so I may read that too, though I won't rush out for it and will probably get it from the library as I did with 'Separate Lives'.

I agree about the quotes from people like Gok Wan, Jenny Eclair, and Sally Brampton. I think they know the author personally so it seems foolish - and a little desperate - of the publisher to have included them on the book's cover and back.

Reading this now and I hate it

I've read 36% (on Kindle) is there any point in me continuing? Does it improve?

I'm up to Susie and Alex moving to Random (that's really annoying me too )

I too hate this. It was given to me and I thought it looked like it would be quite good in a chick-lit-easy-read kind of way. I find the letters written by P (can't even remember her real name) so long and self indulgent. Susie comes across as bitter and whiney. I can't relate to any of the characters, nor do I like them. I don't think I'll be finishing this one!

Didn't Flett and Gok Wan do a tv show together at one point?

I think she's an awful writer. Her columns for the Observer were awful. The book she did about her marriage was awful. The thought of "a sort of arch sub-par India Knight" makes me shudder - India Knight is another one I can't stand.

Aberdeen - I skim-read really fast until the end. I still wasn't impressed

hackmum - It's a sad state of affairs when a writer's reviews are provided by their zeleb mates, isn't it?

I quite like IK's novels. She's a talented writer and makes me laugh.

Thank God it wasn't just me then. Totally unlikeable characters all with too much money to spend. Glad it was cheap on Kindle and I didn't waste too much money.

I loved it. I thought it captured the bleak misery of being in a complicated situation very well.

So true about the unlikeable characters, and the 'coincidences' in the plot were ridiculous.