In her debut novel, My Life on a Plate, author India Knight uses sharp humor and wry observations to tell the story of Clara Hutt, who at 33 appears to have her life in order. Married to a successful man with whom she shares two children, Clara’s biggest concerns seems to be that she is slightly overweight and rather inefficient at running a smooth household. Calling herself Jabba the Hutt on bad days, she finds herself constantly questioning if “this is all there is”. She expected her husband to be more attentive and for she herself to be less bored and happier.

Overall this book was a miss with me. Clara seemed to be whining a lot and lacked self-confidence, her husband was distant and cold. He was a totally absent father, leaving all child rearing and home-making decisions to Clara. Then when he whisked her off on a romantic weekend to Paris, I thought all issues were going to be discussed, resolved and that a happy ending was in sight. Instead her husband finally reveals what he wants from life leaving Clara to pick up the pieces as best she can. From here we quickly reach an unrealistic conclusion that made me want to throw the book across the room.

My Life on a Plate seemed to be about self-centred people dealing with their mid-life crises and I really felt no connection to these trite, smug people. ( )

This novel tells a tried and true (and perhaps somewhat tired) story: the woman who supposedly has it all finds parts of her life to be significantly lacking. Clara Hutt has the home, the husband, and the children. She's always wanted the children, and she and her husband are the best of friends. But, as is the modern woman's dilemma, Clara is worried that her life and her marriage lack passion. And Clara is left with the question of whether she can rightfully expect passion in the long term. Complicating this is the fact that Clara seems to have it so much better than so many of her friends. Her friend Tamsin is miserably single, Naomi's husband is cheating on her with his secretary. Is it reasonable for CLara to want more?

Clearly, this plot is neither innovative nor unusual. Still, the book was enjoyable. Clara and the other characters are well-developed, and have enough quirks so that they defy clear stereotypes. With an engaging twist at the end this was, ultimately, a book I enjoyed. ( )

Chick-lit. Unusual for me. Was a bit enjoyable as I like to listen to the way Brits tend to speak with other Brits or in private, very vulgar language...like Bridget Jone's Diary (film). Story was interesting until the very end where it went in a direction I wasn't happy with of course. ( )

Eh. I read this because I was going to a chick lit book discussion at the library. I'm not into chick lit. This book was fine, probably a good example of the genre, fun, easy-to-read, don't have to think about it, sort of just play along. The author/protagonist writes about her plain old life, just the stuff that happens, and her humorous take on things. Why do I care? I don't, but on the other hand, I guess that's the point of chick lit. It's not supposed to be important, it's supposed to be fun, distraction reading. Just that I have other stuff I'd rather read for distractions. ( )