Daisy Waugh

This is, without a doubt, one of the worst books I have had the misfortune to pick up.

I was excited to receive this book because I anticipated a light-hearted romp through motherhood with anecdotes showing that whatever a well-intentioned mother inflicted upon her child, the child was likely to turn out just fine. What I sadly found was a judgmental, poorly written book portraying a very one-sided approach to mothering. Apparently, the kids will be just fine IF you are parenting the way the show more Waugh chooses to parent.

If, God forbid, you are a mother who chooses a different path - perhaps choosing natural childbirth, organic foods, or breast-feeding - there is no doubt in Waugh's mind that your child will be parented by an imbecile. I have to assume that means the child is doomed as well.

I was hoping for a book that did not attack any mother doing her very best with her child. What I got was more of the same - an attack on mothers who choose to parent differently than the author. I was appalled by the book in parts. Quoting her OB as saying that a mother can drink, do drugs, whatever she wants in the first trimester and the baby will be fine! This book is not only insulting - I believe it is dangerous.

I would not recommend this book to anyone. I am only giving it a half star instead of a star so that no one will think I forgot to rank it. show less

I just received this book and started reading it. It has already won me over by liberal use of terms like "bullsh*t" and "piss," the assertion--one that I have always agreed with--that in this modern age there is no reason in the world to deny painkillers to women in labor, and the section, "Don't Call Me Mom," which lights exactly on my number-one pet peeve as a mother. And I quote:

"There are only three people [one, in my case] in the world who can call me Mom, and they know who they are. show more To anyone else: call me ugly, for all I care. Call me anything at all. Just don't call me Mom. I am not your mom. If I were, you'd have better manners."

Yes, yes, dear God, yes.

This book is chock full of common sense and cuts straight through the (dare I say it?) bullsh*t of modern parenting. Refreshing. And quite often funny too.

I agree with Ms. Waugh's assertion that kids should just be left alone to do their kid things. Not every minute of every day has to be productive and educational. Sometimes when I hear my mother's voice coming out of my mouth, laying down some pointless rule so I can feel parental, I do stop and think: "Why is this necessary? Can't I just let him enjoy life? For most of his life, he's going to be an adult with a job and responsibilities and chores and putting up with bullsh*t and feeling guilty for taking a few minutes out to lie in the grass or look at the stars or play video games. Life is short; let him be a kid!" And I shut myself up.

So I feel entirely simpatico with Ms. Waugh, and more power to her. I hope more moms get the message. show less

This is a funny, tongue in cheek look at what we espouse to be motherhood in today’s media frenzied era. The author note all the hype put out about motherhood, and explains her simple, understated views on the same. The book is filled with wisdom and a hearty dose of humor as she debunks many of the myths the media perpetuates. From her assertion that we have children because we want to have children, not because of some media imposed sense of selflessness to her to her comments that we show more can and should feed the children what we want to and can and not the organic food the media and others insist we should, this book addresses most of the common ideas and philosophies put forth about motherhood today. The book covers all the stages of motherhood: pregnancy, baby care, child care, school, and charm school, while debunking most of what the uninitiated continue to hold near and dear. I could easily see this mother having, raising and loving her children in her own way, despite what others think or say. Nevertheless, in the process of all this, a mother who knows how to other, raise and love her children comes through loud and clear. I found her ideas refreshing and insightful in many ways. The soon-to-be-mother as well as the seasoned mother and older grandmother could easily agree with the author as they read along with her somewhat pristine but definitely wholesome and experienced ideas. In today’s day and climate, I wish there were more books that speak to the truth in all matters as this one does available for reading. I highly recommend this one, for sheer enjoyment if not for the nuggets of wisdom the author provides. I received this from Library Thing to read and review. show less

Voiced in a playful, darkly comical tone, Bordeaux Housewives lives up to the words in its title in that it's airy and exquisite—Bordeaux—and at the same time, fierce and dangerously thrilling—housewives. While I will be the first to acknowledge there isn't anything highly substantial or literarily tasteful about this book, it's a hell of a fun, flirty read, and it's one that should be accompanied by a glass of champagne and a sunny day—if only for pure entertainment.

The secrets and show more dreams and fears of Maude, Daffy, and Emma, our delightful housewives—and I say delightful in the broadest sense because once you see the ruthlessness, paranoia, and human inadequacy in them yourself, you may start thinking differently—are not only hysterical to keep up with, but also inanely human, which is why I loved the characters so much. Waugh introduces a unique, vivid cast of charming characters who are so easy to relate to and even easier to fall in love with. They're rather two-dimensional, tending to have the shallowest of weaknesses, and their rightful happily ever afters are a little saccharine, yes, but I adored them so much, I feel they deserve their happy (or not so happy) endings. They make poor decisions solely in the name of creating drama and can be annoyingly flimsy, but they are, if anything, memorable. They weren't written to give lessons or teach morals, so I don't hold anything against them; I think the characterization is, while only developed on the surface, one of the strongest aspects of the novel.

The Haunts run an undercover business beneath their sickeningly perfect cloak of domesticity—down to the sun-kissed children and house in the south of France—and get into all sorts of senseless trouble. Maude is starkly plain, and yet she's one of my favorite characters because of the reckless way her mind works. Horatio wins the "most clueless husband" award for sure, but he's equally funny and just delightful.

Daffy's life is a little bleaker. Stranded Bordeaux alone due to her pig of a husband's demands, she's the passive, obtuse character I expected to hate, but ended up cheering for, by the end of the book. She's ridiculously helpless and even a little pathetic, but she's so frail, so comically flawed, that even she hits a nerve.

And then there's Emma. Shameless thing, but a delight of a character to read about. She's unscrupulous and immensely dislikable, but that's her charm; she's toxic, but she's delicious. I loved her even though I wasn't supposed to!

The setting, I also am enchanted by. Reminiscent of the French countryside, from the fresh vegetables, the yummy men, the warm atmosphere, Bordeaux sounds homey, endearing, and even a little magical, which provides a marvelous escape. For those of you who've always wanted to run off to France: live vicariously through Bordeaux Housewives!

Pros: Hilarious // Charming // Makes me want to live in Bordeaux! // Each and every character captivated me in their own way // Pace is slow but the pages turn quickly! I finished this one before I knew it // The perfect breezy read

Cons: Slow start // Characters aren't could-be-your-best-friend realistic // Rather unexciting and absent plot

Love: It was the single piece of advice [her husband] gave to her: watch out, Daphne, [the French] all hate you. Because we won the Battle of Britain, or something, he said (she'd watched his raspberry lips moving). The Battle of something-something and something else. Lots of battles. We'd also won the Olympic bid, the war in Iraq, and there was something about a C.A.P. or S.C.A.R.F.E. or a pair of S.U.N.G.L.A.S.S.E.S. (her joke).

Verdict: While the story of Daisy Waugh's British chick-lit novel itself is nothing groundbreaking—it's mildly amusing, at most—the twisted situations three seemingly discordant families get themselves into—as well as the twisted way in which they are all connected—are brilliant. The plot thickens as words said and unsaid meddle with their lives, and the ensuing chaos is an absolute hoot. With charming characters, tongue-in-cheek humor, and a carefree, casual style akin to that of Sophie Kinsella, Bordeaux Housewives relays the juicily constructive—and of course, mistakingly destructive—power of gossip, as well as the appreciation for free will, justice, and of course, true love.

Rating: 9 out of 10 hearts (5 stars): Loved it! This book has a spot on my favorites shelf.

Source: Complimentary copy provided by TripFiction in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you, Tina!). show less