And God Created the Au Pair

by Benedicte Newland, Pascale Smets

Picture the perfect family…
Now forget it & read this. An achingly funny novel on modern motherhood and married life, as told through the e-mail correspondence of two sisters. When your family snapshots resemble NSPCC ads and it takes a quick-witted au pair to prevent your guests from burning alive, you have well and truly arrived in motherhood… Charlotte and Nell are sisters who live thousands of miles apart, each coping, or rather not coping, with the incalculable demands of motherhood. The daily battle to avert domestic disaster and keep up with the Dickenson-Jones's is abated only by their hilariously candid e-mail exchange. They address some crucial questions, such if your son hasn't noticed that you've given Benny the hamster away, it is safe to assume he's forgotten? What is the unassailable law of nature that guarantees a cool, elegant paint, chosen with a loving homemaker's care, will dry to the colour of greying ham? And will a glass of chardonnay make it all better? Charlotte and Nell are separated by continents but united in tales of over-busy lives and family mishaps – how to cope with children demanding their attention 24/7, husbands who are oblivious to the madness their world has become, as well as coming to terms with the fact that they are no longer the youthful free spirits they once were. And God Created the Au Pair is perhaps what Bridget Jones might write if she got married, had children and began to wonder whether being single had its advantages after all…

Genres: Chick Lit, Fiction, Humor, Contemporary, British Literature

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Alia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is just . . . well, pointless. It's written in the format of emails between two sisters, one in England and one in Canada, each with three children. And it just doesn't go anywhere. The emails just detail their daily chaos of family, friends, neighbors, etc. . . . but there's no overarching plot or storyline or anything. And I've no idea what the title of the book has to do with anything - only one sister in the novel has an au pair, and she's not what I would call a central character. It seems a shame to put it down when I'm 2/3 of the way through it . . . but honestly, I have no desire to read the rest of the book to find out what happens. Time to move on to something with a plot!

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one book that I literally laughed aloud throughout the entire read. It is a marvelous choice for parents and non-parents. Constantly hilarious. I did write the authors via the publishing house a letter of praise and offered to purchase ten of the books and asked if they would sign the copies and never heard from them. Not exactly good pr but nonetheless it is one of my all time favourites. I also liked the format of the emails between the sisters.

[Grace J · Rating 5 out of 5]

First let me say that this is written in email form, not usually my favourite format - but this is so funny and entertaining!
A series of emails, principally between two sisters who live in different countries, both with children. It's a mapping out of their everyday lives, and very wittily written.
I found myself reading this in bed, unable to put it down for the night and consequently stuffing my hand in my mouth to stop myself from laughing out loud and waking my husband.
A fabulous feel-good read, especially if you are bogged down in the trials and tribulations of domestic life. Highly recommended.

[Philippa Parton · Rating 2 out of 5]

However much I found this book funny and some very laugh out loud moments.
I struggled with the concept of it all in emails.

[D. D. · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very funny book at some points, especially if you're a mum yourself. The way it's written in email style (which was a really popular way back in 2000 if I remember correctly) is tiring but once you get the hang of it it's ok.
Would be great for a holiday read as it's so light and fun.

[Melissa (Post Vacation Blues) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Charlotte and Nell are sisters. Charlotte lives outside of London, and Nell has recently moved to Canada. The two sisters keep in touch via e-mail and phone conversations, sharing their everyday lives as well as their heartaches and joys just as if they lived right next door. Although separated by the ocean, Charlotte and Nell are each other’s sounding boards when it comes to parenting and other issues involving life as a wife and mother. Pets, neighbors, friendships, remodeling, relatives, and marriage are issues they bounce off each other daily. Can they remain sane even when the whole world seems to be completely off its rocker and out of control?

The title of And God Created the Au Pair is a bit deceptive. It’s not about being an au pair. While one of the sisters does employ an au pair, it’s not a central plot point. Authors Benedicte Newland and Pascale Smets are themselves sisters who live across the ocean from one another and write a column for the London Times called "Disp@tches from the Home Front," which has now been turned into this novel. The realism shines through in every e-mail message. By the end of the book I felt like these women were my friends, and I wanted to join in with their conversations—I truly didn’t want the book to end.

There is nothing earth-shattering or spectacular about the plot. But the everyday exploits of wives and mothers will appeal to those who are experiencing this stage of life themselves. There are many laugh-out-loud moments, the humor perfectly balancing some of the more melancholy portions. If you enjoy mom-lit, And God Created the Au Pair is a fantastic choice — and easily read in small sections while balancing a busy life.

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Saai, twee rijke huisvrouwen die enkel praten over de dwaze dingen die hun kinderen doen.

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written entirely in an e-mail format (going back and forth to other people), I wasn’t sure I’d be able to read this book. However, the writing style made it the perfect book to pick up and put down frequently. But, it took me awhile to get through this book. While at times the book was very entertaining, it wasn’t the kind of book that you just have to keep reading. And, I felt the ending was abrupt (as if the editor said, you’ve hit your max. number of pages, so end it now, in two pages). Overall, it was so-so.

[Psymum · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was looking for a light read, and this fit the bill. It was indeed funny, and I spent a bit of time laughing out loud whilst reading, much to the annoyance of my family. For that, it was worth it. Future readers, be aware, there is essentially no plot. This is basically a compilation of emails between two sisters about the hilarities of day-to-day life with small children. In that vein, I have to say that both writers are funny indeed, and would likely provide good entertainment at a dinner party (which is good, as this seems to be a very big priority in their lives). I can see how the authors kept up a column in the paper on this for a bit. It is well suited to that genre. Less well-suited, possibly, to book format. So, treat the book like a weekly Sunday paper, picking it up for a bit of laughs here and there. This might also help to distract from the fact that any book-like content that might focus on anything other than laughing at themselves or laughing (and putting down) others was pretty much entirely missing. I personally grew weary hearing about how dreadful, hopeless or boring other people were. My goodness, the judgements! It seemed that one of the sisters, "Nell" adopted a tone and content that had a bit of heart for some of her 'friends,' but this was largely lacking in the other sister - who seemed to respond flippantly to rather dire and serious circumstances in Nell's life (e.g., miscarriage, a friend's very sad divorce) before quickly moving back to mundane (if humorous) snippets about her own life. Although humour was clearly the point of the book, it would have been a more successful book had it been mixed a bit more with perspective and humanness. (Perhaps that statement would earn me the title of "soppy" and "boring" from the "characters" in the book).

[Martina]

Sestre Charlotte i Nell događaje u svom životu razmjenjuju putem e-maila. Charlotte živi u Londonu s mužem Danom i troje djece: Ellie, Maddie i Hugh. Nell živi u Kanadi s mužem Michaelom i troje djece: Josie, Rob i Ollie. Charlotte radi na preuređenju kupljene kuće i u svemu joj pomaže majstor Albert koji ju i upućuje u brojne radove koje treba napraviti. Uz probleme oko sređivanja kuće, tu je Danov brat Toby koji je u jednom trenu uselio kod njih pa malo putovao po svijetu, pa se vratio i odselio na kraju kod bake od cure. Charlotte za pomoć u kući uzima strankinje koje dođu u London učiti o zemlji i kraju, ali pomažu u čuvanju djece i kućanskim poslovima. Prvo je imala šveđanku Anu Frid, pa njezinu prijateljicu Astrid i na kraju je dobila njemicu Ermentraud. Nell se sa svojom obitelji upoznaje sa Kandaskim običaja i prepričava zgode i nezgode i vrijeme joj krati susjeda Suzette čije događaje prepričava sestri. Njezina prijateljica Rachel s kojom se često čuje ima problema u braku i na kraju je muž ostavlja dok je ona bila kod Nell i Rachel je dugo trebalo da se vrati u život, ali na kraju je nakon par boravka kod Danovog bratića Petera doselila kod njega i upisala sina ondje u školu. Nell i Charlotte također imaju prijatelje Louise i Walta koji postaju seksperti i koji žive na visokoj nozi, ali se rado posjećuju. Nell i Charlotte dugo žele i četvrto dijete. Nell ostaje trudna, ali nakon par mjeseci doživi spontani. Charlotte ostaje trudna poslije i svoje trudničke doživljaje također piše u mailovima. Na kraju Charlotte rodi djevojčicu, a Nell ostaje trudna.

[Marina · Rating 4 out of 5]

borrowed this book about a year ago from the local library and couldn’t get past the first few pages the translation was so bad. they didn’t have the original version so i finally tried reading it as an ebook. looked at reviews prior to starting and was very sceptical. howeveeer, it was so fun to read and i laughed out loud frequently. also learned a lot about canada and uk, lots of cultural references etc. kept me happy.

[Ellen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure why I finished this one. Probably should have quit after 50 pages. I only laughed out loud twice, but the front cover promised much more. It didn't have much about the au pairs, more like emails between sisters and a few friends thrown in. Could have been much more. Oh well, won't have a problem leaving this one at the give-one, take-one box.

[Gemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my word, I haven't laughed out loud reading a book like this for a long time! It was recommended to me by a friend after I said I'd enjoyed Love, Nina and I loved every single page of it, wish I could read more!

[Jess Entwistle · Rating 5 out of 5]

hilarious

[Krista Wheeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light hearted, funny book!

[ourhouseinquercy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not the first time I've read this and won't be the last.

[Susana Palma · Rating 2 out of 5]

É mais um 2,5 *...as au pair têm um papel muito pouco fundamental na história

[Marj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laugh out loud in places. Very great for any parent.

[Wendy Rolfe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Found this very slow going and hard to get into.

[Jane Van · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious. 2 british sisters' emails.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️ Written in email form, which I enjoyed (and usually don’t). Good story thread throughout and top notch humour. Light read on the holiday break.

[Nicky Kataoka · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy, fun read especially at a time when I had young kids (and a nanny!!) myself!

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no children and I've never been an au pair, yet I found this book to be hilarious when I read it years ago.

[Clare Downing · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't believe I wasted 300 plus pages on this book. There is zero storyline.
Very disappointing read.

[Maja Bubanj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moja omiljena knjiga koja me uvijek uspije nasmijati i oraspoložiti.

[Débora · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most hilarious piece of literature I’ve ever read!!

[Leona · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hilarious look at the friendship between two sisters.

[Cid · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know it's silly but I am a total Anglophile, have been since my obsession with horsey books when I was little. This is the perfect book for me, two sisters' emails to one another (as well as to a few friends and family) about the trials and tribulations of raising children. One is in London renovating a huge, old house and the other is in Toronto (my home town) where her husband has been transferred. I don't know if these are the actual emails they sent but they certainly ring true from dealing with smelly contractors to toilet training toddlers. The Toronto sister has some great observations about North American life including ones on giant SUV's and homes and competitive parenting on both sides of the pond. When my children are really getting to me I re-read this book.

[Jonnie Comet · Rating 3 out of 5]

After finishing this book I realised what the plot is supposed to be. It moves slowly, like things do in real life. The narrative style (emails between two sisters) is like 'Bridget Jones' in that it appears to dwell on such apparently pointless details that you completely miss the fact that big things are really happening. I think this is what people mean when they say this book is so charming.

It is also riotously funny; both women are deft at using the most implausible analogies and joking about mistreating their children (and others'). It is mom-on-mom humour and not at all ill-placed.

The very end is very cute. At long last everything happens as it should.

[Lbclark · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was pretty hilarious if you have ever been around children for an extended period of time. However, the book has very little to do with au pairs (contrary to title). The format of the book is 2 sisters emailing back and forth, as one has recently moved from England to Canada. They talk about their lives, and exchange hilarious stories about their any children, neighbors, and friends. Definitely fun to read, but is definitely a beach read or good for a "holiday" (as they say in the book!)