Eating With The Angels

by Sarah-Kate Lynch

Connie Farrell, a New York restaurant critic, is sitting in a first class seat on her way to Venice for the second honeymoon of a lifetime. There's only one problem - Tom, her high school sweetheart and husband of ten years, is not sitting next to her.

Genres: Love, Chick Lit

Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Sarah-Kate Lynch is quite a cranky journalist of several decades who prefers making things up to recording them accurately. This is not very good if you are a journalist, which may explain (a) the crankiness and (b) why she now writes novels.

She also writes two columns in the New Zealand Woman's Day, New Zealand's best-selling weekly magazine. One is about nothing and the other is about travel.

Sarah-Kate lives in a cliff top house on the wild west coast of New Zealand's North Island with a lovely dog called Ginger and a husband called Ted. Oh, hang on, no, that's not right. The dog is called Ted and the husband is Ginger.

Reviews

[Elena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Una fantastica commedia romantica che parla della scoperta di se, dei rapporti famigliari e dell'amore per il cibo. Sullo sfondo, sopratutto, Venezia.

"Ora mi sto concentrando sulla persona che voglio essere, più che su quella che ero un tempo”

Consigliato a chi: deve ritrovarsi, ama il cibo

[Natalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was my least-favorite SKL book. I didn't trust the main character, and her 'attitude' was odd to me. Part shrew, part innocent, part victim. It was an odd mix that had me mistrusting all the things she said. Add in memory loss, and I was lost with who to believe was telling the truth. The plot was an interesting concept and I enjoyed the POV and the unique-ness.

[Kiwiflora · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't care what others say about Sarah-Kate Lynch's books, I love them. They are formulaic yes, exotic and romantic settings lushly and sensuously described, there is a young woman immersed in some sort of crisis, usually involving a broken heart, there are older and wiser people who guide and help our young heroine to a better, happier and simpler existence. Plus there is always lurrrve. What a recipe, fool proof, delicious and satisfying to read. She must get such a kick out of writing these escapist fluff-tales, they are just so intensely enjoyable to read.

Connie Farrell lives in New York. She is a restaurant critic, married to Tom who is a chef. She is on her way to Venice for a second honeymoon, but unfortunately Tom never turns up for the flight, so she wings her way to Venice alone, upset, defeated and worried about the future of her marriage. But this is Venice, you can't possibly be alone here! So after locking eyes with a gondolier, Marco, she finds herself on a whirl wind love-food feast of Venice.

There are hints in the narrative that things aren't quite right with Connie. A sudden collapse sends her back to New York, lying in a hospital bed, suffering from amnesia, with a life she doesn't recognise. What on earth happened to her, where is Marco, where is Tom? And why on earth is her horrible mother sitting on the end of the bed? Worst of all she has lost her sense of smell and taste, rendering her career as a restaurant critic completely redundant. What is a girl to do?

It is clever, surprising, full of twists and surprises. Adorable. Not so for a range of other reviewers who think it too cliched with stereotyped characters, Connie not at all resembling a born and bred New Yorker, the dialogue clunky, but I don't care! It's entertaining, easy to read, full of surprises, flawed characters, new beginnings and lurrrve. Wonderful stuff.

[The Cats’ Mother · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was going to be a chick-lit rom-com with a foodie slant, but it's actually more serious than that, and I liked it more for that reason. It's hard to review without giving too much away: Connie, a 30-something restaurant reviewer, travels to Venice for what is supposed to be her 2nd honeymoon with her husband, but he doesn't show up so she goes alone, meets a handsome gondolier and eats amazing food. There are hints though that things are not as they seem and when she finds herself back in New York surrounded by her awful mother and other oddball characters, she has to work out what's important. I've read a few of SKL's books and enjoyed them all - this is one of her earlier novels I think. My main quibble would be Connie is supposed to be a New Yorker but keeps using Kiwi expressions, which is probably more noticeable to a non-native NZer like me, but must read very strangely to an American. Apart from this I liked it.

[Pythia · Rating 2 out of 5]

E' il terzo romanzo della Lynch che mi divoro nel giro di pochi giorni: peccato non sia all'altezza di "Fragole e champagne" e "Pane e cioccolato".
La trama è molto vicina al genere della chick lit, con una protagonista in balia di situazioni un po' assurde, complicati problemi di cuore e non uno, ma ben tre uomini che le ronzano attorno.
Sebbene lo spunto motore della storia potesse promettere bene, il romanzo resta superficiale e scontato, con passaggi talmente veloci che non si riescono ad assaporare fino in fondo.
I personaggi avrebbero meritato di essere trattati meglio: ciascuno avrebbe una propria storia degna di essere raccontata e approfondita e troppi dettagli vengono delegati alla fantasia del lettore.

[Regina · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is tough for me to review this one. I love Sarah-Kate Lynch, and of the 5 her novels I've read, this is the first one I haven't given 5 stars. It's not that I didn't enjoy this story - I did. The problem is that Lynch, who is from New Zealand, wrote this novel in the first-person voice of a New Yorker. But not in "American" English. Unfortunately, this was very distracting. The main character in no way could pass as being from the U.S., and definitely not as having grown up on Manhattan. Sorry S-K; you're still my favorite, but this one will need to be Americanized before it will sell over here.

[Chel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Confusing and disjointed storyline, slow to start, but by about page 100 of a 230 page book I became mildly interested. I am addicted on novels on food and Italy, but was expecting more Italian content from the synopsis. This book was not the best I have read in travel/food alogue, but there was a point where it reached this comfort level even if not for the whole book.

As I had reached a reading block for the past few months, this was an easy read, and I am not sure why I have high expectations from a chic lit book, but there you are... like all of us, I want the best books to fall into my lap!! (Well, not quite that lazy!)

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Sarah Kate Lynch! I bet this book spawned from a conversation about what it would be like if you couldn't taste food anymore. And that theory has been well explored. I like the characters, I like how well the food is described, I wish I was eating stuffed sardines right now. I'm sure if you like Marian Keyes you'll like Sarah Kate Lynch. Although it doesn't bother me like it bothers others, I do wonder why none of her books are set in NZ - where she was born and continues to live. If the answer is 'because if she set them here she wouldn't be able to take research trips to delicious destinations around the globe' I'd be happy.

[Alida Arabelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was terrible.spoileralert.. I mean she was in coma and dreamt it all..then she gets back and goes for Marc then settles for his dad..that was gross..ok the eating with angels part was ok..that lukes angel had purple hair..Fine but ewww it made me nauseous. .The thing on the back was not even close to the book..pls don't look at it and buy it ..truly yuckky.pls don't buy it if u think it's a rom com it's a pukey book..why do such people even right..such lies in the reviews and back of the book.

[Juliana Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book very difficult to get into but it was worth perservering with as it improved after about 40 pages and the reasons for the confusing plot became clear. Some brilliant descriptions of food and Venice made me want to got Italy and eat LOTS! A good resolution in the end, which I didn't see coming, but then again I never do. So, if you're thinking of reading this, stick with it and it will be worth it in the end!

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the main character in this book, Connie. At times you really do feel sorry for her :( When the twist appears after her trip to venice, i got so engrossed with the story! I needed to know what happened next! I love Sarah-Kate's way of writing, quite witty and made me laugh at times, i like how Connie could be quite sarcastic :) Overall, i really liked it! Highly recommended!

[CeciliaChristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Per il suo genere, romanzo leggero e scorrevole, si merita un 4 stelline, come libro adatto a un pomeriggio di pioggia.
Pensato forse per un pubblico che in Italia non ci vive e che ne ha un'immagine di tripudio di sapori, odori e uomini sexy, è comunque una lettura piacevole che può far pensare alla vita che abbiamo avuto, che abbiamo e che vorremmo costruire.

[Mariana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't much like this one. Couldn't really stand the self absorbed character and the father-son situation. I had just watched How To Be Single which sort of echoed with this. I was also reminded of another story where the character had an accident goes into a coma and wakes up beautiful and successful etc. etc. I think it was by Sophie Kinsella? Will have to check my reading list.

[Joanne]

This is true crap-ola. I don't know if I'll forgive her for this one. I read one of hers about cheese and it was kind of okay, in a sweet Irish movie kind of way.

Eating with the angels involves amnesia. Say no more!

[Sadaf Hassan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alot of twists and was very unpredictable, I liked how it highlighted different dishes that would make one's mouth water. However because I've already read a couple of books in which the character is experiencing memory issues, so this one did not intrigue me that much.

[Marcia Conner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite this getting the lowest rating of all the Sarah-Kate Lynch books I've read (and I've read all I could get my hands on in the US), this is still far better than most fiction of its kind. Well-written, tasty, and great fun! Just not as utterly amazing as her other books.

[Riana Oliver · Rating 2 out of 5]

Terrible book but kept my OCD brain wanting to know the end..... and then she goes for the old man. He could have remained a father figure, a guide to herself but no....lets make it creepy. But with food

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like author, all about a critic who loses her sense of taste after an accident

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read with lots about Italian food, the effects of brain surgery and the wonders of Venice. Really very enjoyable and one to remember.

[Samaire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun little read about re-inventing yourself and finding your way in the world. Light, funny, and humorous, and a sweet, little pick-me-up mood booster.

[Cheyenne Allenspach · Rating 1 out of 5]

I felt like the plot was a little confusing and definitely not as good as her other books. House of Daugthers was way better!

[Adri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this. It is not high literature, but it never pretends to be. But it is also not pulp fiction. I would have given 3.5 stars if that was possible.

[Ellla Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my kind of book. Very boring, my mother was interested but I had to push to finish it.

[Amanda Forrest · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow starter and was annoyed with twist, nearly gave up, but then it got real funny haha

[Julie James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really fun, great for a laugh.

[Berta Frisbie-boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book !!

[Erna Bosse · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not finish the book.

[Monique Engelen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this. great twist and comic relief. lovely story.

[Miranda · Rating 2 out of 5]

picked up this novel because it said on the back it was about a culinary reviewers adventures in Venice, Italy. except that it wasn't. I finished it just to finish it. ah well.