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According To Yes
The Foreign Land of the Very Wealthy - otherwise known as Manhattan's Upper East Side - has its own rigid code of behaviour. Emotional displays - unacceptable. Fun - no thanks. This is Glenn Wilder-Bingham's kingdom. A beautifully displayed impeccably edited fortress of restraint. So when Rosie Kitto, an eccentric 38-year-old primary school teacher from England, bounces into their lives with a secret sorrow and a heart as big as the city, nobody realises that she hasn't read the rule book. For the Wilder-Bingham family, whose lives begin to unravel thread by thread, the consequences are explosive. Because after a lifetime of saying no, what happens when everyone decides to start saying...yes? ? Dawn French, 2015 Penguin Books Limited, 2015
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First published October 22, 2015
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About the author
Dawn French
52 books997 followersDawn Roma French is a British actress, writer and comedian. In her career spanning three decades, she has been nominated for six BAFTA Awards and also won a Fellowship BAFTA along with her best friend Jennifer Saunders. She is best-known for starring in and writing her comedy sketch show, French and Saunders, alongside her comedy partner Jennifer Saunders, and for playing the lead role of Geraldine Granger in the sitcom The Vicar of Dibley.
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December 31, 2015The worst book I have read in 2015.
I am a fan of Dawn French and have read her other novels which I liked for their quirkiness and so I thought that this book would promise the same - I was wrong.
I had to force myself to read the whole book - I would've given up on it had it been another author whom I had never read before but I persevered partly because I thought it just had to get better and partly because I thought if I write a critical review I should have read the whole book. The writing style and humour seemed infantile and forced - put it this way, if I found out sometime in the future that this was the first book she had written solo and that the previous had been written with a ghost writer I’d believe it.
I did not feel any connection with any of the characters and found that Rosie Kitto, the main character, was extremely irritating. Just when I thought the book couldn’t get any worse she gets pregnant - but to whom ? The 18 year old? His 40 year old gay father? Or his 80 year old grandfather, yep she was having sex with all three, yuck.
And what was the point of having Nicole Kidman appear as a character in the book? Very odd.
In summary, very disappointing book. If I ever read another one of Dawn’s books it’ll be one I borrow from the library and not one I waste $20 buying.
I am a fan of Dawn French and have read her other novels which I liked for their quirkiness and so I thought that this book would promise the same - I was wrong.
I had to force myself to read the whole book - I would've given up on it had it been another author whom I had never read before but I persevered partly because I thought it just had to get better and partly because I thought if I write a critical review I should have read the whole book. The writing style and humour seemed infantile and forced - put it this way, if I found out sometime in the future that this was the first book she had written solo and that the previous had been written with a ghost writer I’d believe it.
I did not feel any connection with any of the characters and found that Rosie Kitto, the main character, was extremely irritating. Just when I thought the book couldn’t get any worse she gets pregnant - but to whom ? The 18 year old? His 40 year old gay father? Or his 80 year old grandfather, yep she was having sex with all three, yuck.
And what was the point of having Nicole Kidman appear as a character in the book? Very odd.
In summary, very disappointing book. If I ever read another one of Dawn’s books it’ll be one I borrow from the library and not one I waste $20 buying.
March 15, 2016
Wow, seems like most of the reviews of this book on goodreads were negative. I guess some people can't just cope with the idea of a gorgeous fat woman who enjoys having sex and doesn't feel guilty about multiple partners. For that Dawn French deserves five stars. It was great to read a book about a sexually attractive large woman. One who knew how to enjoy life and make the most of things. The way she cared about people, even those who were unloveable, Rosie was a truly formidable woman. One who'd suffered her own heartbreak and still went out to encourage others to be happy and true to themselves.
The only weakness was the main characters were terribly, rich self centred Americans, and really who cares if those people manage to figure out what life is all about. Except that Dawn French wrote with such empathy and understanding that even these people became worthy and interesting in her words. In fact the Polish servant/housekeeper, for all that she was included as an equal person to the rich family, came across as the biggest cliche of the lot.
I did enjoy this a lot. I definitely will try and get her other novels from the library.
The only weakness was the main characters were terribly, rich self centred Americans, and really who cares if those people manage to figure out what life is all about. Except that Dawn French wrote with such empathy and understanding that even these people became worthy and interesting in her words. In fact the Polish servant/housekeeper, for all that she was included as an equal person to the rich family, came across as the biggest cliche of the lot.
I did enjoy this a lot. I definitely will try and get her other novels from the library.
January 20, 2016
I've never really contemplated the true meaning of "she lost the plot" but after reading this book I could easily apply it to the author AND the character of Rosie Kitto. I tried to give the book a chance but after the first chapter, I started shaking my head in disbelief. Strangely though, I couldn't turn away and managed to make it to the end (of the whole book, not just the next chapter). It is the most uninspiring and pointless book I have read for some time. Using the character of Rosie as an instrument of (twisted) comfort and peace in a cliched dysfunctional family made me ill. We learned very little (despite the implied promise) about a 38 year old grown up primary teacher (who was described as reliable and emotionally tuned in) on a journey of self-discovery. The only slightly appealing character was Natalie. Give this a miss unless you are compelled to find out just how awful one book can be.
Spoiler: Imagine the 38 year old central character having sex with the 83 yr old patriarch of the family for whom she is nannying (not just once) AND then with the 18 year old virgin grandson... but WAIT there's more, ALSO with the 50 something year old father who was confused about his sexual preference and who, after the (distasteful for him and the reader) act with Rosie, decided to come out as gay. Insulting to all.
Spoiler: Imagine the 38 year old central character having sex with the 83 yr old patriarch of the family for whom she is nannying (not just once) AND then with the 18 year old virgin grandson... but WAIT there's more, ALSO with the 50 something year old father who was confused about his sexual preference and who, after the (distasteful for him and the reader) act with Rosie, decided to come out as gay. Insulting to all.
January 13, 2019
3,25 sterren - Nederlandse paperback - 🐥🐥🐥
Wat zou ik over dit boek kunnen zeggen. Het heeft mij aangetrokken en afgestoten. Ik heb gelachen en medelijden gekregen. Hier en daar stegen mijn haren ook ter berge. De schrijfster heeft binnen de personages in dit boek zoveel karaktertrekken verweven dat de ene je aantrekt en de andere je afstoot. Ik wil geen moraalridder zijn maar die verschillende mannen binnen een familie liefhebben? En dan ook in hetzelfde huis wonen als nanny en de kinderen moeten opvoeden? Ik kan het niet rijmen. Mij stuit het tegen de borst. Dat gevoel overheerst. Vandaar de drie sterren. 🦋🦋🦋
Wat zou ik over dit boek kunnen zeggen. Het heeft mij aangetrokken en afgestoten. Ik heb gelachen en medelijden gekregen. Hier en daar stegen mijn haren ook ter berge. De schrijfster heeft binnen de personages in dit boek zoveel karaktertrekken verweven dat de ene je aantrekt en de andere je afstoot. Ik wil geen moraalridder zijn maar die verschillende mannen binnen een familie liefhebben? En dan ook in hetzelfde huis wonen als nanny en de kinderen moeten opvoeden? Ik kan het niet rijmen. Mij stuit het tegen de borst. Dat gevoel overheerst. Vandaar de drie sterren. 🦋🦋🦋
October 26, 2015
The Daily Mail describes it as 'witty, wise, poignant,'
the Sunday Times as 'Extremely funny'
Mail on Sunday, 'Page after page I laughed out loud'
I found it not really any of the above.
Rosie Kitto is running away from her previous life and ends up in a swanky New York apartment
looking after the Wilder-Bingham children. The Wilder-Bingham's (the name doesn't really roll off the tongue does it?) are a most dysfunctional family, rich, but dysfunctional. Hard faced Glenn, the matriarch who scares everyone with her criticism and lack of emotion, Thomas who thinks his time is running out, Kemble, in the middle of a messy divorce, still doing what his mother tells him and his children who are caught up in it all.
It was a quick and easy enough read but for me the funny parts were all a bit forced and very childish and I didn't particularly like any of the characters, which is a shame because it has put me off reading anymore Dawn French.
the Sunday Times as 'Extremely funny'
Mail on Sunday, 'Page after page I laughed out loud'
I found it not really any of the above.
Rosie Kitto is running away from her previous life and ends up in a swanky New York apartment
looking after the Wilder-Bingham children. The Wilder-Bingham's (the name doesn't really roll off the tongue does it?) are a most dysfunctional family, rich, but dysfunctional. Hard faced Glenn, the matriarch who scares everyone with her criticism and lack of emotion, Thomas who thinks his time is running out, Kemble, in the middle of a messy divorce, still doing what his mother tells him and his children who are caught up in it all.
It was a quick and easy enough read but for me the funny parts were all a bit forced and very childish and I didn't particularly like any of the characters, which is a shame because it has put me off reading anymore Dawn French.
May 4, 2017
The Foreign Land of the Very Wealthy - otherwise known as Manhattan's Upper East Side - has its own rigid code of behaviour. It's a code strictly adhered to by the Wilder-Bingham family.
So when Rosie Kitto, an eccentric thirty-eight-year-old primary school teacher from England, bounces into their lives with a secret sorrow and a heart as big as the city, nobody realizes that she hasn't read the rule book.
Spoilers:
Ugh, I'm sorry but Rosie is supposed to be the guardian of the 3 children yet she lets them loudly scream penis in the subway, beg on the corner for money, and sleep with all the Wilder-Bingham men (including an 18 year old) and yet that somehow brings everyone to light? Did we mention that she gets pregnant and doesn't know which one is the father but everyone is okay with that (including the young boy's mother). And, Glenn (the grandmother) is the only one that is not okay with this and we have to look at her as the "villain".
I'm sorry, I did not find this book funny and very difficult to finish. Rosie annoyed me and I actually ended up hating her.
So when Rosie Kitto, an eccentric thirty-eight-year-old primary school teacher from England, bounces into their lives with a secret sorrow and a heart as big as the city, nobody realizes that she hasn't read the rule book.
Spoilers:
Ugh, I'm sorry but Rosie is supposed to be the guardian of the 3 children yet she lets them loudly scream penis in the subway, beg on the corner for money, and sleep with all the Wilder-Bingham men (including an 18 year old) and yet that somehow brings everyone to light? Did we mention that she gets pregnant and doesn't know which one is the father but everyone is okay with that (including the young boy's mother). And, Glenn (the grandmother) is the only one that is not okay with this and we have to look at her as the "villain".
I'm sorry, I did not find this book funny and very difficult to finish. Rosie annoyed me and I actually ended up hating her.
July 12, 2017
I really wasn't sure I was going to like this book to start with. My wife bought it (she's officially Dawn French's biggest fan) and when I asked how it was she made uncertain 'hmm'ing noises. Not a good sign, I thought.
Sure enough, I really wasn't enjoying it much... until about the halfway mark. At this point, it suddenly got really, really good and I was hooked from then onward. It even made me cry at one point, it was so powerful. If the whole book had been as good as the second half this would have been a five star review, easily. As it is, I've had to dock a star for the painfully slow and un-engaging beginning.
The other problem I had with the book was that I didn't much like the protagonist, Rosie. She was like a sexually-charged Mary Poppins and I found her a bit too twee at times and slightly horrifying at others. Once I'd got halfway in, though, I'd become so interested in the family she was nannying for that it didn't really matter. I started seeing her as a catalyst to the changes in the rest of the cast rather than the central focus of the story.
The book didn't end how I'd have ended it. I think it would actually have been a better story if Rosie had died and left the family mourning her and reflecting on how much she'd been a source of growth and changes for the better in their lives but I guess I'm a macabre bugger and most people will, I think, be happier with the ending Dawn actually wrote.
Sure enough, I really wasn't enjoying it much... until about the halfway mark. At this point, it suddenly got really, really good and I was hooked from then onward. It even made me cry at one point, it was so powerful. If the whole book had been as good as the second half this would have been a five star review, easily. As it is, I've had to dock a star for the painfully slow and un-engaging beginning.
The other problem I had with the book was that I didn't much like the protagonist, Rosie. She was like a sexually-charged Mary Poppins and I found her a bit too twee at times and slightly horrifying at others. Once I'd got halfway in, though, I'd become so interested in the family she was nannying for that it didn't really matter. I started seeing her as a catalyst to the changes in the rest of the cast rather than the central focus of the story.
The book didn't end how I'd have ended it. I think it would actually have been a better story if Rosie had died and left the family mourning her and reflecting on how much she'd been a source of growth and changes for the better in their lives but I guess I'm a macabre bugger and most people will, I think, be happier with the ending Dawn actually wrote.
January 30, 2016
I absolutely loved Oh Dear Sylvia and I laughed so much through out the book. So when a book club member recommended this I had high hopes and excitement. I don't like to be harsh but this book was dire. The storyline, the language all of it was awful.
The storyline was weak and was a sort of Mary Poppins who looks after the kids but after hours has sex with the men in the house. This included the old grandad, the gay dad and the barely out of puberty son. I found it hard to like the character Rosie and hence really find anything positive.
The story centres around Glenn the family matriarch and Rosie comes along as a Nanny to her Grandchildren. What follows is a period of all the characters getting to realise their true destinies all with the help of Rosie, who clearly has never heard of safe sex and ultimately ends up pregnant by one of the 3 generations of the family but no one knows which. To be frank I couldn't care less if she had given birth to a unicorn by the end of the book.
The storyline was weak and was a sort of Mary Poppins who looks after the kids but after hours has sex with the men in the house. This included the old grandad, the gay dad and the barely out of puberty son. I found it hard to like the character Rosie and hence really find anything positive.
The story centres around Glenn the family matriarch and Rosie comes along as a Nanny to her Grandchildren. What follows is a period of all the characters getting to realise their true destinies all with the help of Rosie, who clearly has never heard of safe sex and ultimately ends up pregnant by one of the 3 generations of the family but no one knows which. To be frank I couldn't care less if she had given birth to a unicorn by the end of the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2016
A very funny and heart warming book. I have to say, it wasn't as funny as I was expecting but distinctly written in French's voice. This is definitely best read if you take it for the message she's trying to give - to live life according to yes.
------------------------------------------------
According to Yes
According to Yes is a highly entertaining novel that had me laughing quite a lot. For some reason the book has reasonably low ratings on Goodreads, I think I perhaps know why, but overall I stand heartily behind my 4/5 stars because there are some great life lessons and messages amongst these pages. Not to mention that French’s writing style is one of a kind.
The Plot
Essentially, this is the story of Rosie, a British woman who’s left England for a job as a nanny for a wealthy American family living in New York. The grandmother of this family, Glenn, is a tough and somewhat mean woman. Her son, Kemble, is going through a divorce and his kids have come to stay at their apartment whilst everything is still up in the air. Glenn is absolutely determined that Kemble will win custody of the three boys in court because to Glenn, continuing the family line of the Wilder-Bingham’s is of upmost importance. Of course, upon Rosie’s arrival things get shaken up in this stiff family and everyone begins to learn to life according to ‘yes’.
Rosie is able to use her good-hearted nature (and experience as a teacher) to both entertain and teach the three boys the fun there is to be had in life. They’re used to a strict life of routinely existence, tip-toeing around so as not to displease Glenn – but they’re boys! They should be having fun! Their adventures make for very interesting reading and their little theme song (Happy by Pharrell Williams) was a great choice. What I found to be most interesting about this character that French has written for us, is the fact that I liked and enjoyed reading about her. Perhaps it was simply my sympathy for the boys in that they were finally getting a stable parental figure in their life who knew how to have fun. There are many things that Rosie does throughout the book that I would usually disapprove of, such as skating through a museum and making a right disruption. French just makes everything so much fun that it’s hard not to giggle at the stupid fun that’s to be had.
As I’ve said before, I definitely think there’s a lot to be taken from this book when it comes to how to be happy. On the other hand, there are certainly some actions by Rosie that I would be mortified if someone were to repeat them. This book is best read as a metaphor, take away its essence and maybe laugh at and leave the awkward bits behind.
The incomparable hilarity that is Dawn French
The thing that 100% made this story for me and kept me reading through some questionable moments was the entertaining writing style by French. I think the greatest question people have for this novel is, “is it funny?”. The short answer is, absolutely yes. If you’re interested in reading this book it’s likely because you’re a fan of Dawn French, or, you know of her and are enticed by her unspoken promises of fun to be had. Now, this book is funny but at the same time I don’t think this was as funny as I thought it would be – and I think that this high expectations of comedy falling somewhat short for other people is what is dragging its ratings down. My advice on this matter is to give it a go, I can almost promise you that you will have a laugh many times throughout the story, and there’s never a loss for giving something a go. Personally, I think this is worth the read. It’s light and easy going, the perfect book to ‘break’ on when you’ve indulged in one too many high fantasy novels.
Where it gets awkward . . .
Okay, so it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. There is a pretty interesting plot development around 1/3 of the way in. I have to say, I really was not expecting it. I don’t want to spoil you as to what it is, but I do want to warn you to not freak out, but more importantly, not to judge the entire book on this one point. It was hugely weird and, I think, unnecessary to get the overarching message across – however, I was willing to take it in my stride and power on. This is most likely one of the main reasons people’s opinion of the book is turning sour. It’s a shame, but understandable. Yet I’m still excited to read more of French’s work for the great level of fun that she provided in this one promises shiny goodies in her other works.
The other little thing I wanted to address before wrapping things up was the over-praising of the book by the people who blurbed it. I think this is a wonderful book but I think these blurbs have been selling it the wrong way. I wouldn’t say you will be laughing on every page, because you won’t. This is a funny book with serious events and an important message, meaningful fluff, if you will. So I say, go into this with an open mind, ignore other people’s opinions of the book and make up your own mind. That way you might just find this to be as an addictive and entertaining book to read as I did!
Happy reading!
------------------------------------------------
According to Yes
According to Yes is a highly entertaining novel that had me laughing quite a lot. For some reason the book has reasonably low ratings on Goodreads, I think I perhaps know why, but overall I stand heartily behind my 4/5 stars because there are some great life lessons and messages amongst these pages. Not to mention that French’s writing style is one of a kind.
The Plot
Essentially, this is the story of Rosie, a British woman who’s left England for a job as a nanny for a wealthy American family living in New York. The grandmother of this family, Glenn, is a tough and somewhat mean woman. Her son, Kemble, is going through a divorce and his kids have come to stay at their apartment whilst everything is still up in the air. Glenn is absolutely determined that Kemble will win custody of the three boys in court because to Glenn, continuing the family line of the Wilder-Bingham’s is of upmost importance. Of course, upon Rosie’s arrival things get shaken up in this stiff family and everyone begins to learn to life according to ‘yes’.
Rosie is able to use her good-hearted nature (and experience as a teacher) to both entertain and teach the three boys the fun there is to be had in life. They’re used to a strict life of routinely existence, tip-toeing around so as not to displease Glenn – but they’re boys! They should be having fun! Their adventures make for very interesting reading and their little theme song (Happy by Pharrell Williams) was a great choice. What I found to be most interesting about this character that French has written for us, is the fact that I liked and enjoyed reading about her. Perhaps it was simply my sympathy for the boys in that they were finally getting a stable parental figure in their life who knew how to have fun. There are many things that Rosie does throughout the book that I would usually disapprove of, such as skating through a museum and making a right disruption. French just makes everything so much fun that it’s hard not to giggle at the stupid fun that’s to be had.
As I’ve said before, I definitely think there’s a lot to be taken from this book when it comes to how to be happy. On the other hand, there are certainly some actions by Rosie that I would be mortified if someone were to repeat them. This book is best read as a metaphor, take away its essence and maybe laugh at and leave the awkward bits behind.
The incomparable hilarity that is Dawn French
The thing that 100% made this story for me and kept me reading through some questionable moments was the entertaining writing style by French. I think the greatest question people have for this novel is, “is it funny?”. The short answer is, absolutely yes. If you’re interested in reading this book it’s likely because you’re a fan of Dawn French, or, you know of her and are enticed by her unspoken promises of fun to be had. Now, this book is funny but at the same time I don’t think this was as funny as I thought it would be – and I think that this high expectations of comedy falling somewhat short for other people is what is dragging its ratings down. My advice on this matter is to give it a go, I can almost promise you that you will have a laugh many times throughout the story, and there’s never a loss for giving something a go. Personally, I think this is worth the read. It’s light and easy going, the perfect book to ‘break’ on when you’ve indulged in one too many high fantasy novels.
Where it gets awkward . . .
Okay, so it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. There is a pretty interesting plot development around 1/3 of the way in. I have to say, I really was not expecting it. I don’t want to spoil you as to what it is, but I do want to warn you to not freak out, but more importantly, not to judge the entire book on this one point. It was hugely weird and, I think, unnecessary to get the overarching message across – however, I was willing to take it in my stride and power on. This is most likely one of the main reasons people’s opinion of the book is turning sour. It’s a shame, but understandable. Yet I’m still excited to read more of French’s work for the great level of fun that she provided in this one promises shiny goodies in her other works.
The other little thing I wanted to address before wrapping things up was the over-praising of the book by the people who blurbed it. I think this is a wonderful book but I think these blurbs have been selling it the wrong way. I wouldn’t say you will be laughing on every page, because you won’t. This is a funny book with serious events and an important message, meaningful fluff, if you will. So I say, go into this with an open mind, ignore other people’s opinions of the book and make up your own mind. That way you might just find this to be as an addictive and entertaining book to read as I did!
Happy reading!
October 26, 2015
Definitely not what I expected - it was awfully odd. But I loved that the author narrated the book for audible and I thought the story was light hearted and heart warming.
Nevertheless. I would recommend Dawn's previous two books over this one
Nevertheless. I would recommend Dawn's previous two books over this one
August 1, 2016
Ok this was a weird book. All the characters were just so lovely. It's like infidelity by Enid Blyton. Even the children enjoyed every activity, I was just dying for one of the children to say, I don't want to do the bloody garden anymore it's just so sodding boring. Stop teaching us swear words and pretending to be one of us and put your knickers back on....
October 23, 2015
I received a copy of this via the GoodReads Giveaway page.
When you are so looking forward to a book and then you end up hating it.... this is the dilemma i find myself in with this book! Have loved all her previous books and found them funny, interesting and enlightening so couldn't wait to start this!!
Very difficult to review this book without giving away so many spoilers but the main character Rosie Kitt is a 38 year old english nanny who travels to america to escape sadness back home, and she starts working for the Wilder-Bingham family who have 3 children for her to take charge of. The family are dysfunctional to say the least and are ruled by Glenn Wilder-Bingham - wife, mother and grandmother - and what she says goes!
Rosie fits into life with the family very quickly as she takes over seemingly full time care for the children as other members of the family seem very uninterested in their welfare! And then Rosie gets herself involved in various situations in the family that just left me feeling cold! Struggling to think of any of the characters that i actually liked - maybe Iva the housemaid seemed to be the only decent human being amongst them! - and the story just seemed extremely silly with only the very minimum in humour. Very contrived ending too - maybe i've just got my grumpy, cynical head on today and if i read it another time I'd have a different take on it!
Did love the cover of the book though!
When you are so looking forward to a book and then you end up hating it.... this is the dilemma i find myself in with this book! Have loved all her previous books and found them funny, interesting and enlightening so couldn't wait to start this!!
Very difficult to review this book without giving away so many spoilers but the main character Rosie Kitt is a 38 year old english nanny who travels to america to escape sadness back home, and she starts working for the Wilder-Bingham family who have 3 children for her to take charge of. The family are dysfunctional to say the least and are ruled by Glenn Wilder-Bingham - wife, mother and grandmother - and what she says goes!
Rosie fits into life with the family very quickly as she takes over seemingly full time care for the children as other members of the family seem very uninterested in their welfare! And then Rosie gets herself involved in various situations in the family that just left me feeling cold! Struggling to think of any of the characters that i actually liked - maybe Iva the housemaid seemed to be the only decent human being amongst them! - and the story just seemed extremely silly with only the very minimum in humour. Very contrived ending too - maybe i've just got my grumpy, cynical head on today and if i read it another time I'd have a different take on it!
Did love the cover of the book though!
February 8, 2023
I enjoyed Dawn French's programmes and her last two novels as well as her autobiography. However not this time. On the front cover the Daily Mail says 'funny, poignant and bursting with Joie de vivre'. Yet I am sure that would not be the newspaper headline if they were reporting on a nanny who slept with various members of the family she lived with. A trusted employee kindly introducing an 18 year old to sex? I don't think so. Just imagine if the main character had been an older man seducing the eldest daughter. I found the dialogue of her speaking to the twins cringeworthy, just like watching someone trying to be 'cool' to connect with a child but not succeeding. The character Glenn was like a caricature and the final explanation of her behaviour was unconvincing. The men were weak and their characters unattractive. Sorry Dawn but I feel I wasted my money on this book which I would not recommend to anyone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2016
Utter piffle. I really enjoyed 'A Tiny Bit Marvellous' and was primed to have a light hearted, funny read but this was shambolic. I saw some of the reviews on Goodreads and was a bit worried as so many are bad. Not being one to be put off by reviews I was certain the book couldn't really be that bad. However the Goodreads community are correct and this isn't a good book or story. Don't bother, if you haven't got another book to read then pick up a newspaper instead.
November 12, 2020
To be honest, I really didn't like either Glenn or Kemble at the start of this book but further on as I got to know them, I began to thaw towards them. This is a great book
December 2, 2015
Now let me start by saying that I LOVE Dawn French. I think she's great, I think she's lovely and I think she's a brilliant actress and comedienne. However, I did not love this book. I am very disappointed actually because this book was well publicised and it has some very good praise. I don't even know if I can class this as 'read' as I skipped half of it to get to the end. Maybe it's an age thing, but I just didn't care for the characters and I just wasn't interested in reading it. Such a shame because I really wanted to love this book because I love Dawn so much. I will be reading Dawn's other books, however, as it was just the story that didn't interest me. Her writing is of course witty and I throughly enjoyed her style, but unfortunately the story just didn't connect with me.
2.5 stars.
2.5 stars.
July 20, 2023
This book was an enjoyable enough read, but the storyline didn’t reach any great heights… I was left wondering by the end what the main plot of the story actually was.
Read
January 30, 2025DNF @ 28%
This is a book I randomly picked up from the pile of free books at our resort and god do I regret it.
The first 100 pages were actually okay, nothing too bad? I was thinking this was going to have some reversed princess diaries x little women vibes and that's when I stopped reading because our flight landed.
Now imagine my surprise that when I want to add this book to my goodreads I see the reviews, but yknow, still continue because I think it really can't be that bad.
I need to stop being naive because the 10 pages after that were complete bullshit and i refuse to waste another minute on this book.
Into the fireplace it goes ✨️❤️🔥
This is a book I randomly picked up from the pile of free books at our resort and god do I regret it.
The first 100 pages were actually okay, nothing too bad? I was thinking this was going to have some reversed princess diaries x little women vibes and that's when I stopped reading because our flight landed.
Now imagine my surprise that when I want to add this book to my goodreads I see the reviews, but yknow, still continue because I think it really can't be that bad.
I need to stop being naive because the 10 pages after that were complete bullshit and i refuse to waste another minute on this book.
Into the fireplace it goes ✨️❤️🔥
August 25, 2016
Don't bother reading this book. If you do, you'll likely lose all and any previously held respect and affection for Dawn French.
Until now I thought Dawn French was a witty amusing author whose books were a nice comfort read - having read "A Tiny Bit Marvellous" and "Oh Dear Silvia". But now I just have to ask WTF?! . In fact, by halfway through the book I was starting to dislike Rosie for her reckless and interfering ways, and for often coming across as a bit sanctimonious especially when speaking to Kemble for whom she showed no genuine empathy or interest other than insulting him. I really started to feel sympathetic towards Glenn - the apparent 'villain' of the book, but who more and more came to seem like the most sane and socially responsible person in that entire household whose reactions to events were more understandable and reasonable in some ways. Even when the truth all came out, Rosie was still completely unscathed and didn't receive any of the comeuppance she deserved. The ending seemed ridiculous - as the whole book is.
Conclusion: I really wish I hadn't read this book, and I'll likely think twice before reading any of her future fiction writing now.
Until now I thought Dawn French was a witty amusing author whose books were a nice comfort read - having read "A Tiny Bit Marvellous" and "Oh Dear Silvia". But now I just have to ask WTF?! . In fact, by halfway through the book I was starting to dislike Rosie for her reckless and interfering ways, and for often coming across as a bit sanctimonious especially when speaking to Kemble for whom she showed no genuine empathy or interest other than insulting him. I really started to feel sympathetic towards Glenn - the apparent 'villain' of the book, but who more and more came to seem like the most sane and socially responsible person in that entire household whose reactions to events were more understandable and reasonable in some ways. Even when the truth all came out, Rosie was still completely unscathed and didn't receive any of the comeuppance she deserved. The ending seemed ridiculous - as the whole book is.
Conclusion: I really wish I hadn't read this book, and I'll likely think twice before reading any of her future fiction writing now.
January 2, 2024
I’m sorry WHAT?!?! Wtaf was that ending. I wanted to know WHO. I kind of wished I hadn’t read the other reviews before going into this book because they majorly spoiled the plot. A lot of reviews criticise this book for its content, and they really shouldn’t have. Dawn French is a comedian, and this was a humorous very ADULT book. From the get go, I knew I was going to love this book, contrary to the others who belittled this book.
This had me reading non stop until I finished this. Oh the storyline. Oh the jokes, the humour, the pure outlandishness of this whole book. I loved it. So now you’re asking me why I didn’t rate it 5 stars. Well… two things.
Firstly, I was getting a little frustrated with the quick changes between POV. I never really knew as I read each paragraph whose pov it actually was. One second it would be Rosie, the next it would be Thomas with no warning whatsoever. I can see where Dawn French tried to make the blend seamless, think it’s just a me thing tbh.
The second reason I cannot give this book five stars is that I really really REALLY need to know WHO. The ending made me scream!!!! Dawn please write back to one of my reviews on any platform and explain to me just who it was in your head. Please. Please. Please 🙏🏻
This had me reading non stop until I finished this. Oh the storyline. Oh the jokes, the humour, the pure outlandishness of this whole book. I loved it. So now you’re asking me why I didn’t rate it 5 stars. Well… two things.
Firstly, I was getting a little frustrated with the quick changes between POV. I never really knew as I read each paragraph whose pov it actually was. One second it would be Rosie, the next it would be Thomas with no warning whatsoever. I can see where Dawn French tried to make the blend seamless, think it’s just a me thing tbh.
The second reason I cannot give this book five stars is that I really really REALLY need to know WHO. The ending made me scream!!!! Dawn please write back to one of my reviews on any platform and explain to me just who it was in your head. Please. Please. Please 🙏🏻
June 16, 2017
I should learn that any book cover that has claims of "extremely funny" or "Page after page I laughed out loud" is a book to be put down and ignored. Those "reviewers" obviously hadn't read this book at all. I did not add "humour" to my tags. It was not funny, at all.
It was certainly not what I expected. I like Dawn French but I chose the wrong book to delve into her writing and this book has actually put me off reading any more of her stuff.
I wondered why the negative reviews as I thought the story was ok in the first few pages, then I got to the controversial bit and couldn't believe it. I'm no prude, but I felt disgusted. Seriously? A nanny should be able to be fun and bring repressed people out of themselves without being completely irresponsible. The whole thing was unbelievable, feeling forced and unnatural. In a word it was (a load of) bollocks.
It was certainly not what I expected. I like Dawn French but I chose the wrong book to delve into her writing and this book has actually put me off reading any more of her stuff.
I wondered why the negative reviews as I thought the story was ok in the first few pages, then I got to the controversial bit and couldn't believe it. I'm no prude, but I felt disgusted. Seriously? A nanny should be able to be fun and bring repressed people out of themselves without being completely irresponsible. The whole thing was unbelievable, feeling forced and unnatural. In a word it was (a load of) bollocks.
November 11, 2015
Review of According to Yes
By Dawn French.
I received this book as a giveaway from Goodreads.
I was really looking forward to reading this book expecting it to be funny and uplifting. I found it to be totally different to my expectations but unfortunately not in a good way. It is a long time since I have been so disappointed by a book.
The story is about an English girl who goes to America to be a nanny for a strange, very uptight, wealthy but dysfunctional family. It describes the way the different characters react to the nanny and the effect they have upon her.
It is easy to read but the whole thing fell a bit flat for me. I was left wondering what was the point?
By Dawn French.
I received this book as a giveaway from Goodreads.
I was really looking forward to reading this book expecting it to be funny and uplifting. I found it to be totally different to my expectations but unfortunately not in a good way. It is a long time since I have been so disappointed by a book.
The story is about an English girl who goes to America to be a nanny for a strange, very uptight, wealthy but dysfunctional family. It describes the way the different characters react to the nanny and the effect they have upon her.
It is easy to read but the whole thing fell a bit flat for me. I was left wondering what was the point?
June 3, 2016
This is a very silly book, which is exactly what I needed to read after a university literature module. I quite enjoyed it, but I found I had to keep my more cynical side shut in a drawer, and at times, some happening in the book would lever that drawer open, and I would have to stop my cynicism from oozing out and ruining the book for me. I am not usually a big fan of books that constantly psychoanalyse their characters, and which suggest they would be much nicer, kinder, friendlier people, if only Mummy had hugged them a bit more. But there were pluses in the form of some unexpected love for architecture.
May 12, 2016
Yes! This is brilliant. Morally Rosie is not a good girl, but then neither are the dis functional family she moves in with. How can she afford to exist in their world isn't covered properly but for a good old read this book is worth it. Got a long flight ahead? Take this book with you. I was amused at the larger than normal text. Probably more suited to geriatric's but this is what it is.
December 30, 2020
This was quite painful to read. It could have been fantastic (a plus-size, sex-positive Englishwoman takes on the upper east side? Excellent!) but the book contained nothing resembling a three-dimensional character, relied wholly on outdated stereotypes and refused to allow for anything negative in its heroine's character.
Struggling to find any redeeming qualities, would not recommend.
Struggling to find any redeeming qualities, would not recommend.
September 12, 2022
Without a doubt, the WORST story I have ever read. I will say that the writing is ok. But the storyline is just HORRENDOUS. I can’t even believe it made it to print. A woman sleeps with her 18 year old charge, his gay dad and his grandad but no one really minds?!! Even the boys mum is ok with it. Like… what the hell?! It’s just awful. And the sex scene with the gay dad is horrific. She’s half asleep and he just wanted to check he was definitely gay! What?!! And just when you think it couldn’t possibly get any worse … Nicole Kidman is a character for absolutely no reason!
I would say avoid but actually it’s worth reading just to see how ludicrous it is that this made it to print. And by Penguin of all people!
I would say avoid but actually it’s worth reading just to see how ludicrous it is that this made it to print. And by Penguin of all people!
November 1, 2015
Was looking forward to reading this as it's written by one of my favourite comediennes ever! I've read Dawn Frenchs other books and was thoroughly impressed although this outing fell somewhat flat.
I listened to this on Audible (I hope that counts as read! Haha) and the performances were okay. Dawns performance was the best, of course. This story itself seemed silly and ridiculous.
People acted in silly ways and sometimes actions weren't justified. A feel-good read (listen), but a little bit like having doughnuts for dinner.
I listened to this on Audible (I hope that counts as read! Haha) and the performances were okay. Dawns performance was the best, of course. This story itself seemed silly and ridiculous.
People acted in silly ways and sometimes actions weren't justified. A feel-good read (listen), but a little bit like having doughnuts for dinner.
November 20, 2015
As this began, I thought this was a cover version of Mary Poppins, but Mary Poppins was never like this! Darkly humourous as well as emotionally interesting, this is an enjoyable story. Dawn French told me that she was sitting down in January to write this book and I think that some parts might have benefitted from more rigorous editing, but on the whole it is well written and plotted.
March 5, 2016
The plot is beyond ridiculous. The characters are unconvincing and unlikeable. Pick every stereotype about wealthy entitled people, mash them together with a jolly fat girl who has the moral compass of a confused goldfish, and you get possibility the worst book I have read in the last 5 years. Awful, truly awful.
November 26, 2018
Time taken to read - 2 days
Pages - 352
Publisher - Michael Joseph
Source - Poundshop
Blurb from Goodreads
The Foreign Land of the Very Wealthy - otherwise known as Manhattan's Upper East Side - has its own rigid code of behaviour. It's a code strictly adhered to by the Wilder-Bingham family.
Emotional displays - unacceptable.
Unruly behaviour - definitely not welcome.
Fun - no thanks.
This is Glenn Wilder-Bingham's kingdom. A beautifully displayed impeccably edited fortress of restraint.
So when Rosie Kitto, an eccentric thirty-eight-year-old primary school teacher from England, bounces into their lives with a secret sorrow and a heart as big as the city, nobody realises that she hasn't read the rule book.
For the Wilder-Bingham family, whose lives begin to unravel thread by thread, the consequences are explosive. Because after a lifetime of saying no, what happens when everyone starts saying . . . yes?
My Review
Rosie Kitto has left England and bagged herself a job looked after two wee boys from a very rich family whilst their parents are mid divorce. Rosies employer is Glen Wilder, not a hair out of place, she is very conservative, cold, her home, her grand children, her rules. Rosie could not be anymore different, eccentric, embracing life, emotions and trying to work through things she has ran from in England. America has a lot to offer for Rosie but Rosie has much more to offer this family, the power of letting go and saying yes.
Let me start by saying I loved how this started, think a non magical Mary Poppins, Rosie is the breath of fresh air this family needs. The grandmother Glen doesn't do emotion, affection or letting go, Rosie is all about living in the moment, praising the children, encouraging the kids to embrace who they are and showing them with affection. She challenges Glen's rule and the males of the family respond positively. As Rosie moves in she teaches them all how to interact, how to say yes, and finds herself learning what causes the family to be the way they are.
So she is fun loving and I really liked how she broke down the boundaries without being a bitch, she was so good with the kids and just brought life to the family. However the book then took a turn that I didn't see coming, I didn't really get the point of and it just ruined it a wee bit for me. Sex in a book is never an issue, I have read 50 shades but I just felt was it really required in this story and how it comes about. Maybe one or two scenes ok I got but the other parts just, for me, seemed to come from no where and it took away from the book.
Her relationship with Glen, if you can call it that also flipped a wee bit and I was a bit like really? Like I get what the author was going for and one part I thought ah fair enough but other parts I just couldn't fathom. I am absolutely in the minority as so many seemed to love this book and I didn't hate it at all. I just struggled to get my head around Rosie's choices/behaviour because she was so fun loving and focused on the job/bairns then it took a total sweep in direction. I also felt some of the issues covered in the book weren't given as much attention, scope, depth for how big a thing it was compared to some of the smaller stuff. Not badly written at all, I do like French books, I think this is my second and I will read her others but I think the things the main character chose to do and because it was so unexpected, to me, I just couldn't wrap my head around. 2.5/5 for me this time, absolutely grab a copy and check it out, as I say so many loved it and I didn't hate it I just didn't love it.
Pages - 352
Publisher - Michael Joseph
Source - Poundshop
Blurb from Goodreads
The Foreign Land of the Very Wealthy - otherwise known as Manhattan's Upper East Side - has its own rigid code of behaviour. It's a code strictly adhered to by the Wilder-Bingham family.
Emotional displays - unacceptable.
Unruly behaviour - definitely not welcome.
Fun - no thanks.
This is Glenn Wilder-Bingham's kingdom. A beautifully displayed impeccably edited fortress of restraint.
So when Rosie Kitto, an eccentric thirty-eight-year-old primary school teacher from England, bounces into their lives with a secret sorrow and a heart as big as the city, nobody realises that she hasn't read the rule book.
For the Wilder-Bingham family, whose lives begin to unravel thread by thread, the consequences are explosive. Because after a lifetime of saying no, what happens when everyone starts saying . . . yes?
My Review
Rosie Kitto has left England and bagged herself a job looked after two wee boys from a very rich family whilst their parents are mid divorce. Rosies employer is Glen Wilder, not a hair out of place, she is very conservative, cold, her home, her grand children, her rules. Rosie could not be anymore different, eccentric, embracing life, emotions and trying to work through things she has ran from in England. America has a lot to offer for Rosie but Rosie has much more to offer this family, the power of letting go and saying yes.
Let me start by saying I loved how this started, think a non magical Mary Poppins, Rosie is the breath of fresh air this family needs. The grandmother Glen doesn't do emotion, affection or letting go, Rosie is all about living in the moment, praising the children, encouraging the kids to embrace who they are and showing them with affection. She challenges Glen's rule and the males of the family respond positively. As Rosie moves in she teaches them all how to interact, how to say yes, and finds herself learning what causes the family to be the way they are.
So she is fun loving and I really liked how she broke down the boundaries without being a bitch, she was so good with the kids and just brought life to the family. However the book then took a turn that I didn't see coming, I didn't really get the point of and it just ruined it a wee bit for me. Sex in a book is never an issue, I have read 50 shades but I just felt was it really required in this story and how it comes about. Maybe one or two scenes ok I got but the other parts just, for me, seemed to come from no where and it took away from the book.
Her relationship with Glen, if you can call it that also flipped a wee bit and I was a bit like really? Like I get what the author was going for and one part I thought ah fair enough but other parts I just couldn't fathom. I am absolutely in the minority as so many seemed to love this book and I didn't hate it at all. I just struggled to get my head around Rosie's choices/behaviour because she was so fun loving and focused on the job/bairns then it took a total sweep in direction. I also felt some of the issues covered in the book weren't given as much attention, scope, depth for how big a thing it was compared to some of the smaller stuff. Not badly written at all, I do like French books, I think this is my second and I will read her others but I think the things the main character chose to do and because it was so unexpected, to me, I just couldn't wrap my head around. 2.5/5 for me this time, absolutely grab a copy and check it out, as I say so many loved it and I didn't hate it I just didn't love it.
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