I seldom read chicklit, as to many authors of the genre it means 150+ pages of chase-me-Charlie and a ridiculous "misunderstanding" that could be resolved with one straight question and one honest answer, but carries on to the final pages. But once in awhile I don't want to think too hard. For that we have Katie Fforde. Drawing on bourgeois upmarket favourites--winebars, art galleries, small niche businesses that sell at farmers' markets etc.--she writes wish-fulfillment fiction that usually includes an Aga or Rayburn, a heavily pregnant woman (absent in this case), large dogs, gardens and houses, and enormous consumption of whiskey. In this case, the student-lodging housemother drops everything to open an art gallery because she falls for a lush Irish artist. Like one does. Of course she knows nothing about the art world or running a business, but hey! Fortunately, she has a friend with bottomless pockets and endless free time (don't they always?), and of course the gallery is situated far enough from London to be "reasonably" priced, though not too far for all and sundry to visit. Fforde perpetuates the myth that a couple who "fight like cat and dog" (her words) will have a happy marriage--really? Oh, right--this is not reality. If you fight like cat and dog in every conversation, trust me, marriage won't improve things, no matter how good the sex is at first. Fforde continues to telegraph her punches in the best chicklit tradition, but manages not to be cringe-making in the process. I did get tired of having rooms described as "spaces", in the manner of all those home-transformation TV shows so beloved of ITV. Of course a room is a "space." A space with four walls and a roof. I can understand the large open areas of a gallery or hangar described as a "space", but--a tiny shop? Someone's kitchen? Overkill. Oh, and the self-confessed frump who can't be bothered to iron her clothes, let alone carry her own moisturizer and comb when travelling, blossoms out in the final scene and everyone realises how hot she is, thanks to actually combing her hair and letting a friend apply a little slap. Of course they do!A quick read, but without the warmth of characters that Fforde usually manages to create. All of the characters in this book, including the MC, are pretty two-dimensional, many are just scribbles to fill in background: the interchangeable "students", the hard-faced ex, even her "bestie" Magenta is really just there to serve a minor purpose. The end is patched on, the action just stops, basically in mid-sentence. No loose ends are tied up, no lessons learned--just a "fantastic" roll in the sleeping bag, most of which is mercifully left to the reader's imagination. And whatever happened to Lara and her pups? After all that buildup worrying about the little one, which she could have worked into a satisfyingly sentimental "Hallmark moment" with the kid, and then--nothing.Two and a half stars, three because I was tired and just wanted to be on autopilot for a bit. At least she can write coherent sentences without grammatical or stylistic horrors, and her proofreaders can spell and know the meanings of words, which is more than I can say for most modern light fiction.
For a book written by a woman, about a woman, and presumably for women, it left me with a particularly bitter after-taste of unfortunate implications.Not only were the characters one-dimensional, utterly irrational and, consequently, dreadfully unrealistic, their interactions implied a seriously unhealthy image of the ideal romantic relationship. Throughout the novel, the main love interest (Ben) has done nothing but argue with the heroine (Thea) culminating in physical intimidation and even manhandling at several occasions -- all of which is described in terms of passion. Thea even feared she would get attacked more than once and, when asked, Ben does not deny his urge to hit her: "You’re angry now, aren’t you? You want to hit me again."She heard him laugh softly as he walked towards her. "Well, yes, but not quite as much as I want to kiss you."Moreover, Thea is aware that her feelings are completely irrational and even mentions being "unfeminist" for it. By pointing this out, Fforde draws even more attention to the issue than she already did by writing about it in such a blatantly thoughtless way. I fear for readers who find this kind of aggression in relationships attractive.Still, after not having as much as kissed properly, Ben asks Thea to marry him, claiming to have been in love from the minute he saw her. If unrealism was a genre, I would definitely file this novel under it.
What do You think about Artistic License (2005)?
While perusing my local library last week I picked up a copy of Artistic License by Katie Fforde. This is the first book that I have ever read by this author and I really enjoyed it.It did start out slowly but by the middle I really wanted to know what was going to happen so I pressed on and really loved it.Thea is 35 years old and really just going through the motions of life. She runs student housing out of her home and though she doesn't mind it, she really wants something more.Things change quickly when her friend Molly invites her on an artists tour in France. Thea meets Rory, an aspiring painter, and runs off to Ireland with him. She sees his painting and decides that she will open an art gallery to show the world Rory's work.Of course, not everything is as it seems and is not a simple as you make think it should be. There is confusion and misunderstandings and falling in love.This novel was more than I expected. I was fast and fun and I'm glad I got a hold of it.read more reviews on my blog. www.calledformotherhood.blogspot.com
—Jessica
Previously, Going Dutch was my least favorite Katie Fforde book, but congrats Artistic License! You have now won the coveted title of "the worst Katie Fforde novel I have ever read."I sometimes feel that all Katie Fforde ever writes about are middle-class heroines who have done nothing with their life, tackling some huge ill-advised job or plan which (of course) succeeds brilliantly, and ultimately getting together with wealth(ier) alpha assholes of a higher social class.This was no exception.I understand that Thea's artistic integrity or what-have-you was destroyed by her boyfriend before the book started, but...really? She gave up a promising career as a photojournalist to run a boarding house and work at a one-hour photo place?Her idea to open an art gallery just because of some hot caddish failed artist was very naive, and I kept rolling my eyes at its great success in the end.And seriously, all Thea and Ben ever did was fight. That's not a sign of a promising relationship, much less a healthy marriage! Jaysus, people, you don't have to marry the dude you meet in Chapter One! There are other fish in the sea!
—Meggie
I am a big Katie Fforde fan, I have read nearly all of her books (only 4 left to read!). This one is one of my favorites.Thea is a landlord to students and when she gets the chance to have a holiday in France she takes it. She meets Rory their a painter and before long they strick up a friendship. When she has to return home she finds out the students have trashed her house and so she goes of to Ireland and stays with Rory for a while.When she stays with Rory she discovers what a great painter he is and decides to set up a gallery and show his paintings. She does not fall for Rory even through he wants her to love him but she sets him straight. Her friend Molly's cousin Ben knows a lot about paintings and he helps her set up an art gallery and before long Thea starts falling for Ben, but he is not interested in her.The ending is just brilliant and this is what this book stand out a bit more then some of Katie Ffordes other books.
—Karen
