I have heard that the language in this book is beautiful in the original french. My penguin edition uses the word "pukka" several times in the first 200 pages. I have to assume this is in the working class cockney sense rather than the original indian (pakistani?) it was appropriated from. In the book it is used to reveal how inferior the social class of the doomed husband's family is. This constant attacking of social standing is quite jarring. Only a snob could find it funny as it is so relentless. Elsewhere the language and grammar is practically Victorian, probably literally (and lazily) translated. This adds to the anomaly of the Jamie Oliver mockney raver attempts at modernisation. I am left wondering if the french original has also had its day or not. The humour presumes one is terribly impressed by 'genuine' refinement as opposed to these social climbers. Quite spiteful and inhumane in all. That which isn't is just slapstick. I want to get on to the finely nuanced romance stuff but am struggling to get past this graceless setting up of the fall guys. These grimy oiks are so frightfully amusing don't you think? Wealth and birth right, so effortlessly charming and wonderful, you agree? Read more

Got me back into reading again - clever, amusing and very well written Read more

This is a challenging read and not entirely rewarding but it contains some brilliant 'stream of consciousness' writing and wonderful insights into the poverty that can lie beneath riches Read more

chapter XXXV is a classic within a classic! Read more

I bought this after reading that it is an essential read for all women, however, I found it abit slow to get into and put it aside to take up again later (it doesn't reel you in instantly), but I'm sure it would be great if I had more quality time to read rather than the occasional half an hour that I do have. Recommended for readaholics! Read more