What do you think?
Rate this book
Camberwell Beauty
Don't miss the unforgettable new novel from Jenny Eclair - INHERITANCE is out now
___________
'Viciously funny' Daily Mail
Welcome to one of the nicest streets in one of London's vilest a determined middle-class oasis of skips and bay trees, where Volvos sniff each others' bumpers and men called Giles live with women called Samantha.
This is a satellite-dish-free zone of tall houses, standing shoulder to shoulder with big front doors, five floors apiece. Come inside, shut the door and smell the you could almost be in Kensington. This is where the actors, writers and media types live, where small children wearing smart uniforms and shoes in the shape of lightbulbs get ferried every day to schools that are not local.
Some people are luckier than others; fortune smiles on some and gobs on the rest. Jo Metcalf (no. 95) smokes and spies on the smug Cunninghams down the street as they play their bile-inducing game of happy families. Why is the grass greener on the other side of the fence? But happiness is a fragile thing and hairline cracks in a perfect world can become craters of misery . . .
Full of comic insight and realistic observation of contemporary British life, this is the debut novel from Sunday Times bestseller Jenny Eclair.
_____________________
PRAISE FOR JENNY
'Wonderfully written, insightful and riveting' Daily Mail
'Both heart-rending and compelling' Clare Mackintosh
'SO immersive, atmospheric and compelling' Marian Keyes
'Witty, moving, dark and absorbing' Jo Brand
'An elegant, gripping and mesmeric read' Helen Lederer
'An absolute page-turner of a story' Judy Finnigan
'Compelling , compassionate and keenly observed' Independent
___________
'Viciously funny' Daily Mail
Welcome to one of the nicest streets in one of London's vilest a determined middle-class oasis of skips and bay trees, where Volvos sniff each others' bumpers and men called Giles live with women called Samantha.
This is a satellite-dish-free zone of tall houses, standing shoulder to shoulder with big front doors, five floors apiece. Come inside, shut the door and smell the you could almost be in Kensington. This is where the actors, writers and media types live, where small children wearing smart uniforms and shoes in the shape of lightbulbs get ferried every day to schools that are not local.
Some people are luckier than others; fortune smiles on some and gobs on the rest. Jo Metcalf (no. 95) smokes and spies on the smug Cunninghams down the street as they play their bile-inducing game of happy families. Why is the grass greener on the other side of the fence? But happiness is a fragile thing and hairline cracks in a perfect world can become craters of misery . . .
Full of comic insight and realistic observation of contemporary British life, this is the debut novel from Sunday Times bestseller Jenny Eclair.
_____________________
PRAISE FOR JENNY
'Wonderfully written, insightful and riveting' Daily Mail
'Both heart-rending and compelling' Clare Mackintosh
'SO immersive, atmospheric and compelling' Marian Keyes
'Witty, moving, dark and absorbing' Jo Brand
'An elegant, gripping and mesmeric read' Helen Lederer
'An absolute page-turner of a story' Judy Finnigan
'Compelling , compassionate and keenly observed' Independent
415 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 17, 2000
279 people are currently reading
386 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Eclair
36 books296 followersJenny Eclair is an English comedian, author and actor. She has appeared on numerous tv shows, most notably Grumpy Old Women, and Loose Women, performed on stage and hosted her own radio shows. She continues to tour her one woman stand up shows throughout the UK and was the first female comic to win The Edinburgh Fringe Perrier Award, in 1995.
She has written three novels, as well as contributed to many comedic anthologies.
She has written three novels, as well as contributed to many comedic anthologies.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
October 26, 2012
First of all, this is not a novel. This is a rant. Everyone in this book hates everyone and everything. Even the third person narrator hates everything they are describing. You can tell. The leitmotif of this book seems to be farting - not exactly something you would expect from chick-lit, but, hey, we live in the 21st century. The reason I wanted to read it was Camberwell. I live in Camberwell and you don't find a lot of literature using this borough as setting, it is not Notting Hill after all. Unfortunately I didn't find any Camberwell in the book (apart from ocassional mentioning of streets and bus numbers) or beauty for that matter. It was supposed to be 2 stars but I updgraded it to three stars because the storyline was carried out interestingly and kept me hooked.
UPDATE: Recently I was driving with my friend past Jenny Eclair's house in Camberwell/Dulwich and we saw her taking out her rubbish. I thought I'd let you know this happened.
UPDATE: Recently I was driving with my friend past Jenny Eclair's house in Camberwell/Dulwich and we saw her taking out her rubbish. I thought I'd let you know this happened.
July 1, 2020
Wickedly funny moments. Full of specific details, dripping London-ese. Biting. Mean. Funny. Hard-eyed, anti-sentimental view of marriage and motherhood. Very much in Jenny Eclair's voice. Entertaining...mostly. But the more the main character unravels the less entertaining and the more disturbing the book gets. The abrupt ending left me thinking, "What the Hell?!" and "What was the point in that?!" I mean, really, what was the point in all of that? It feels like the book is missing a second half? or a least a final few chapters.
March 16, 2021
I have read and enjoyed three other novels by Jenny Eclair, so when I saw this in the 99p section, I immediately bought it. I wish now I’d read the reviews and not bothered. It’s cliched, predictable and really crude.
The characters are complete stereotypes: unattractive (ie overweight) but kind hearted woman is married to attractive (ie not overweight) but feckless husband. A few doors away, a new couple move in, yep, attractive (ie not overweight) but shallow wife and her unattractive (ie overweight) but patient husband.
Both men earn huge salaries, allowing their wives to play at having careers, one runs a loss making second hand bookshop and the other helps out at a casting agency. Both families have nannies and the children (two of each for each couple, there’s a surprise) attend private schools.
The most irritating part for me was the description of the suspected gay child. Jed is devoid of any character, and twirls around in fluffy mules whilst colouring in fashion designs. His suspected sexuality is always referred to as being negative, poof, sexual deviant etc. The only time he does anything is when he slaps his mother across the face, and in that he imagines he’s some kind of screen siren.
This book, has dated badly and should be consigned to the ‘terrible first novel’. Stick to Eclair’s recent witty books.
The characters are complete stereotypes: unattractive (ie overweight) but kind hearted woman is married to attractive (ie not overweight) but feckless husband. A few doors away, a new couple move in, yep, attractive (ie not overweight) but shallow wife and her unattractive (ie overweight) but patient husband.
Both men earn huge salaries, allowing their wives to play at having careers, one runs a loss making second hand bookshop and the other helps out at a casting agency. Both families have nannies and the children (two of each for each couple, there’s a surprise) attend private schools.
The most irritating part for me was the description of the suspected gay child. Jed is devoid of any character, and twirls around in fluffy mules whilst colouring in fashion designs. His suspected sexuality is always referred to as being negative, poof, sexual deviant etc. The only time he does anything is when he slaps his mother across the face, and in that he imagines he’s some kind of screen siren.
This book, has dated badly and should be consigned to the ‘terrible first novel’. Stick to Eclair’s recent witty books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2015
Well I have just finished Moving, the latest novel by Jenny Eclair which I loved and found amazing. I also thoroughly enjoyed her previous novel but Camberwell Beauty was that chocolate ice cream which you love and want to have yet another helping of, but, which you know will make you fat and feel awful. It was enjoyable but was also quite disgusting at the same time. Everyone was horrible, kids included except Jo. The ending knocked me for six and possibly could have ended differently.
March 21, 2022
?Jenny writes people's dark sides. These two couples living quite comfortable lives have become friends mainly due to proximity, they have nothing in common other than their children of a similar age and a wandering eye. Jo is doing her best and turning a blind eye to her husband's failings and her awful daughter. Anna is frivolous and selfish and brings about her own downfall with is an epic descent. It all spirals to a dramatic end.
October 25, 2015
E romanul de debut al actriței de comedie care e considerată de Daily Mirror una dintre cele mai sălbatice și rele comediante din Anglia.
Romanul disecă în mod minunat problemele vieții urbane. Acțiunea se petrece în sudul Londrei pe strada Lark Grove care e o oază pentru clasa de mijloc.
In momentul în care Anna și familia ei se muta în Casa Roz, o casă încântătoare, Jo, care locuiește în apropiere face tot posibilul pentru a se împrieteni cu aceasta, lucru pe care în final îl va regreta amarnic.
Cartea e scrisă din perspectiva personajelor principale, respectiv reprezentații celor două familii, dând ocazia cititorului să aibă o părere completă a situației.
Consider cartea plină de un umor de calitate. Avem de toate în ea, de la viață familiilor implicate, legăturile extraconjugale și nu numai.
Mela Ruja Diaconu.
25.10.2015.
Romanul disecă în mod minunat problemele vieții urbane. Acțiunea se petrece în sudul Londrei pe strada Lark Grove care e o oază pentru clasa de mijloc.
In momentul în care Anna și familia ei se muta în Casa Roz, o casă încântătoare, Jo, care locuiește în apropiere face tot posibilul pentru a se împrieteni cu aceasta, lucru pe care în final îl va regreta amarnic.
Cartea e scrisă din perspectiva personajelor principale, respectiv reprezentații celor două familii, dând ocazia cititorului să aibă o părere completă a situației.
Consider cartea plină de un umor de calitate. Avem de toate în ea, de la viață familiilor implicate, legăturile extraconjugale și nu numai.
Mela Ruja Diaconu.
25.10.2015.
May 14, 2022
I'm probably about 20 years too late reading this one! It first published in 2000 and I know I would have loved it then.
It wasn't laugh out loud funny but she certainly brought a smile to my face every few pages.
Definitely choose Moving or Life Death and Vanilla Slices over this one as they are superbly brilliant Jenny Eclair novels.
This one was super slow building up to the main drama. It really only picked up from about 250 pages in despite the incredibly short chapters.
Rereading this one in another 20 years time will make it incredibly nostalgic for anyone who wants a snapshot of middle class London life of the late 90's early 2000's.
Content wise the fat shaming throughout was a bit too much and cringeworthy for me.
It wasn't laugh out loud funny but she certainly brought a smile to my face every few pages.
Definitely choose Moving or Life Death and Vanilla Slices over this one as they are superbly brilliant Jenny Eclair novels.
This one was super slow building up to the main drama. It really only picked up from about 250 pages in despite the incredibly short chapters.
Rereading this one in another 20 years time will make it incredibly nostalgic for anyone who wants a snapshot of middle class London life of the late 90's early 2000's.
Content wise the fat shaming throughout was a bit too much and cringeworthy for me.
July 3, 2012
Let me start by saying that this is no chick lit book! I first read it several years ago and it has been languishing in my loft until a recent clear out bought it to light again. It is an observant, sometimes witty and sometimes dark view of two urban families who become friends.
I usually root for a character when reading, but there isn't anyone here to love. That's not a criticism though, we can all pretend that people like those featured don't exist, especially self-centred and spiteful Anna, but deep down, we know they do.
The ending in this book is fairly shocking, so not for those easily upset.
Oh, and I love Jenny Eclair and can't wait for her new book out in a few days!
I usually root for a character when reading, but there isn't anyone here to love. That's not a criticism though, we can all pretend that people like those featured don't exist, especially self-centred and spiteful Anna, but deep down, we know they do.
The ending in this book is fairly shocking, so not for those easily upset.
Oh, and I love Jenny Eclair and can't wait for her new book out in a few days!
July 1, 2020
Once started, I couldn’t put this book down. It has laugh out loud comedy, but very soon becomes very dark. Compelling to read, but most of the characters are quite awful people, perhaps a sign of our society . The ending left me stunned!
August 8, 2022
amazing read-unable to put down
Another fantastically witty book by Jenny Eclair, her realistic descriptions of characters that you don't want to love but can't help but adore will have you snorting with laughter and an ending that will make you gasp.
Another fantastically witty book by Jenny Eclair, her realistic descriptions of characters that you don't want to love but can't help but adore will have you snorting with laughter and an ending that will make you gasp.
July 30, 2013
Thoroughly ridiculous ending. That is all......
May 9, 2015
Found this a nice easy read. Funny in places but I didn't like either of the female main characters. The ending was sad.
August 31, 2020
Started off well but then I found it crude
October 26, 2018
Just finished this. Thank goodness. At the outset i found it hilarious but as Anna and her decline set in the book began to pall. Some people may live lives as described but it was uncomfortable reading. The constant swearing and indelicate habits, both hygiene related and sexual became cringeworthy. I guess it all gave a clarity to the characters and their sad, often confused lives and made you grateful not to be one of them!
Clear descriptions throughout, and a horribly satisfying conclusion. An uncomfortable read. I would recommend with care!!
Clear descriptions throughout, and a horribly satisfying conclusion. An uncomfortable read. I would recommend with care!!
July 24, 2020
Not normally the sort of thing I would go for, but very funny
This isn’t really my genre of book, but knowing of Jenny eclair, I thought I’d give it a try, plus it was only 99p. The characters were very real, but I have to say, I didn’t like any of them that much, possibly the nicest character was Jo, I suspect that was half the point. It was funny, and both my husband and I enjoyed it immensely. Made a change from the sort of dark stuff I usually read. She has another book out so I might well read it. If you want to giggle, this book will definitely give you that.
This isn’t really my genre of book, but knowing of Jenny eclair, I thought I’d give it a try, plus it was only 99p. The characters were very real, but I have to say, I didn’t like any of them that much, possibly the nicest character was Jo, I suspect that was half the point. It was funny, and both my husband and I enjoyed it immensely. Made a change from the sort of dark stuff I usually read. She has another book out so I might well read it. If you want to giggle, this book will definitely give you that.
November 26, 2024
Hmm not sure what to say or think… a “funny”, very real read, “enjoyed” the realism, made me laugh / confused, kept me reading, got a little confused at the start as to who was narrating each chapter so a bit more direction would have been nice. The ending I thought was quite random and absurd. Nothing at all like Jenny Eclair’a other two books of fiction: Moving and Life Death and vanilla slices were incredible books and writing but this reads along the lines of
“Why mummy drinks” and “hurrah for gin” which I loved and enjoyed but wasn’t what I was expected.
“Why mummy drinks” and “hurrah for gin” which I loved and enjoyed but wasn’t what I was expected.
September 5, 2025
I found this book when I was doing a clear-out - no idea how it came to be in my house but I always try to read a book before getting rid of it, in case I find a gem.
This was so NOT a gem!
It's just a crude rant against all sorts of stereotypes, full of totally unlikeable characters and foul language. A ten-minute stand-up by the author might be funny; a whole book full of it is quite another thing! I did read to the end, as I don't like to leave a book unfinished, but I wish I'd spent the time on something more worthwhile.
This was so NOT a gem!
It's just a crude rant against all sorts of stereotypes, full of totally unlikeable characters and foul language. A ten-minute stand-up by the author might be funny; a whole book full of it is quite another thing! I did read to the end, as I don't like to leave a book unfinished, but I wish I'd spent the time on something more worthwhile.
November 18, 2021
I have enjoyed Jenny Eclair books in the past so I was looking forward to this one. It was described on the cover as ‘viciously funny’. Vicious is an accurate description and not funny unless you have a nasty temperament. The cruel jibes and treatment of a small child in the story was very off putting for me. Not my idea of humour at all. She is a talented writer intent on pushing boundaries of decency.
June 18, 2020
Entertaining Observations of The Human Condition. A wonderfully absorbing, funny and observant book, full of larger-than-life Marmite characters who both fascinate and repel at the same time.
The Metcalfs and the Cunnnghams live privileged, indulgent lives on one of nicest streets in London; the good end, that is. And yet plenty of money and all the material things in the world can’t fix absolutely everything. Big-hearted Jo Metcalf at number 95 is desperate for a good friend and homes in on the rather elusive, beautiful Anna Cunningham who lives at the Pink House, and a friendship ensues. Their men chum along but they’re not really from the same mould: Nigel the philanderer likes to dabble in the white stuff, as opposed to Anna’s husband Chris, who is practically saintly in comparison. But their friendships endure over the years despite Anna taking everything and everyone for granted and even Jo’s martyrdom is sometimes pushed to its limits. Eventually Anna pushes everyone too far and makes a mistake, culminating in an event which has devastating consequences for them all.
Although Jenny Eclair’s writing is sharp and at times outrageously funny – or sometimes simply outrageous – this isn’t a shallow read. There are layers, dark depths, and subtle character motivations are revealed along the way. Can anyone who wasn’t shown how to love by their own mother show love to their own children? And there’s a strong message about the power of love and forgiveness within a marriage, too.
If you’re of a nervous disposition and don’t enjoy brutal truth in fiction, then possibly not one for you.
The Metcalfs and the Cunnnghams live privileged, indulgent lives on one of nicest streets in London; the good end, that is. And yet plenty of money and all the material things in the world can’t fix absolutely everything. Big-hearted Jo Metcalf at number 95 is desperate for a good friend and homes in on the rather elusive, beautiful Anna Cunningham who lives at the Pink House, and a friendship ensues. Their men chum along but they’re not really from the same mould: Nigel the philanderer likes to dabble in the white stuff, as opposed to Anna’s husband Chris, who is practically saintly in comparison. But their friendships endure over the years despite Anna taking everything and everyone for granted and even Jo’s martyrdom is sometimes pushed to its limits. Eventually Anna pushes everyone too far and makes a mistake, culminating in an event which has devastating consequences for them all.
Although Jenny Eclair’s writing is sharp and at times outrageously funny – or sometimes simply outrageous – this isn’t a shallow read. There are layers, dark depths, and subtle character motivations are revealed along the way. Can anyone who wasn’t shown how to love by their own mother show love to their own children? And there’s a strong message about the power of love and forgiveness within a marriage, too.
If you’re of a nervous disposition and don’t enjoy brutal truth in fiction, then possibly not one for you.
July 27, 2020
Love, Love, Love Jenny Eclair and the two books I've read before (Moving and Life Death and Vanilla Slices were excellent), this one I believe was her first novel and although I enjoyed it, her work definitely gets better. Will absolutely continue to read her books, I'm working my way through them all!
February 3, 2021
Good read but disappointing ending
This was enjoyable but not as enjoyable as the others I have read - such a shame both main characters are not particularly nice and the ending seemed a little hurried - I would have liked one more chapter to give Anna a final ending. Seemed a little ‘up in the air’. Still would recommend though.
This was enjoyable but not as enjoyable as the others I have read - such a shame both main characters are not particularly nice and the ending seemed a little hurried - I would have liked one more chapter to give Anna a final ending. Seemed a little ‘up in the air’. Still would recommend though.
March 29, 2021
Acerbic cruel humour
The lives of contrasting middle aged women, Anna and Jo and their generally dislikable families provide an acerbic comedy of middle class mores and manners. Anna becomes increasingly dislikable and eventually disgusting in her behaviour. Plenty of humour but sometimes cringeworthy. Enjoyable.
The lives of contrasting middle aged women, Anna and Jo and their generally dislikable families provide an acerbic comedy of middle class mores and manners. Anna becomes increasingly dislikable and eventually disgusting in her behaviour. Plenty of humour but sometimes cringeworthy. Enjoyable.
August 17, 2024
I'd put off reading this for a while for some reason, but I'm glad I finally read it. It's a story of best friends by location rather than commonality, and seemingly mismatched couples. Of far from perfect kids and how life isn't chick lit perfect. I'm on the move so a brief review. For a debut novel it's good, not quite a page turner but one to hold the attention.
March 31, 2018
Probably in the wrong frame of mind to read this gritty slice of realism but left feeling profoundly depressed. Not a single redeeming character. Anna's utter viciousness contrasted with Jo's self-indulgent smugness. Possibly too well written but utterly without hope.
August 29, 2019
Brilliant!
I wasn't sure at first if I was going to like this book......then I was hooked! Just wish it hasn't ended so abruptly. When I could have read the same number of word again and again. I think I am officially your no 1 fan. So is my mum now.
I wasn't sure at first if I was going to like this book......then I was hooked! Just wish it hasn't ended so abruptly. When I could have read the same number of word again and again. I think I am officially your no 1 fan. So is my mum now.
October 1, 2019
Disappointing but perhaps I’d been spoiled by the other Jenny Eclair books which I simply couldn’t put down. Some very funny lines but overall, just an implausible story with some unbelievable characters. If this had been the first of her books that I’d read, I probably wouldn’t have tried another!
October 19, 2019
A perfect mood lifter if you need one....
This was the funniest book I have ever read. So clever and the author gives us a great insight into other people’s heads and lives. I am going to wait for a while and read it again.
This was the funniest book I have ever read. So clever and the author gives us a great insight into other people’s heads and lives. I am going to wait for a while and read it again.
June 26, 2020
Well this was definitely a different sort of read, they were all awful but still a compelling read n at times funny, poignant n sad. Read cos I loved reading 1of her more recent novels n this one was a 99p kindle read :)
July 30, 2020
I really wanted to like this, but sadly it's utter cringeworthy drivel with a ridiculous plot and way too much oversharing of grisly bodily function detail that no one wants to read about. I'm sure Jenny Eclair can do much better than this.
July 30, 2020
I thought this was great. Mainly funny with a few sad bits and some trauma. Contains swear words. Loved the way the mums were so brutally honest about their children. Makes a refreshing change from the "my child is perfect" crowd.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews