What do you think?
The angel in the house
A romantic comedy, of sorts. Robert has taken a long time to fall in love, and finally, he does so, with Angela. He thinks she's the angel he's been waiting for. And she certainly does have angelic qualities, but underneath she's something else entirely, something Robert can't quite fathom. Who, or what, is she committed to that takes up so much time? Why can't she invite him home? Why is she so guarded about her early life growing up in Ireland with the strange Aunts Bridie, Regine and Maisie? And why, exactly, has her Uncle Mikey stayed in the attic for the last fifty years? Pungent and funny, packed with hilariously grotesque characters. A rare mix of comedy and really fine writing.
- GenresFiction
336 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2000
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 16, 2022
I didn't really enjoy this book. The cover said that it was funny but I didn't find that. It also took me ages to read as it did not hold my attention well.
Also the ending wrapped up a bit quickly and left a lot of unanswered questions.
Also the ending wrapped up a bit quickly and left a lot of unanswered questions.
July 31, 2025
I really had difficulty finishing this book.
Right from the start it was obvious that Angela was a horrible do-gooder. One of these people who’s only doing it for themselves and even ignores the boundaries of others in doing so.
The family back home in Ireland was a jumble of extreme cliches. Actually, cliches and caricatures permeated the whole story. And unfortunately not in a tongue-in-cheek or funny way.
Some characters were simply mean to each other and there were several cases of violence which by the sounds of things were supposed to be funny, but in actual fact were abuse and no laughing matter.
And then there were the cringeworthy sexual innuendos. Plus transgressive behaviour and desires. Like Robert secretly kissing Angela when she was asleep and had no knowledge of, or say in this. His wish that he had locked her up in a bedroom for ever, just to keep her all to himself is not romantic at all but just plain creepy. This type of writing perpetuates ideas that controlling behaviour is romance/love and that transgressions are acceptable.
Apart from all of the above, the storyline and writing is boring, drawn out, boring, predictable and in many places very childish.
Right from the start it was obvious that Angela was a horrible do-gooder. One of these people who’s only doing it for themselves and even ignores the boundaries of others in doing so.
The family back home in Ireland was a jumble of extreme cliches. Actually, cliches and caricatures permeated the whole story. And unfortunately not in a tongue-in-cheek or funny way.
Some characters were simply mean to each other and there were several cases of violence which by the sounds of things were supposed to be funny, but in actual fact were abuse and no laughing matter.
And then there were the cringeworthy sexual innuendos. Plus transgressive behaviour and desires. Like Robert secretly kissing Angela when she was asleep and had no knowledge of, or say in this. His wish that he had locked her up in a bedroom for ever, just to keep her all to himself is not romantic at all but just plain creepy. This type of writing perpetuates ideas that controlling behaviour is romance/love and that transgressions are acceptable.
Apart from all of the above, the storyline and writing is boring, drawn out, boring, predictable and in many places very childish.
July 6, 2026
Been on my bookshelf for about 25 years since I bought it and first read it. One in, one out policy meant I decided to read it before it went. Really enjoyed it, an easy read with frustrating miscommunications providing the basis of the narrative. Without it the book would be done in no time. The house full of nutty spinster aunts and uncle Mickey in Ireland was an interesting aspect. But the book has to go. It was an enjoyable read but doesn’t quite pass the bookshelf test and I probably wouldn’t want to read it again for a few years. Really Glad I read it again though.
April 8, 2026
Not going to lie...almost did not finish this book after a few questionable phrases gave me the ick...but in the end it turned out to be a well-written and somewhat amusing comedy of errors. Glad I finished it but would not read again.
May 27, 2026
I couldn't finish this book. It didn't hold my attention. I expected it to be amusing, and it wasn't. The storyline was hard to follow.
September 11, 2011
I absolutely loved this book. Extremely pleased to have bought it for 10p from the library, I also feel quite sad that nobody else will borrow it from the library and enjoy it as I have done.
It's so hard to decide who is my favourite character:
Robert, the kind-hearted painter who prefers his own company and who, despite being admired by many people around him, always sems to think the worst of himself?, the strong minded Angela, always helping others, never asking for anything herself and confused about her vocation? Robert's seemingly interfering, yet well-meaning mother, Bonnie, with her dated American accent and phrases as well as a big secret of her own? Uncle Mikey, the eccentric yet endearing uncle in the attic in Ireland? Or one of the other fantastically developed characters, such as Sr Carmel with her Bonbons or Mother Mary Margaret with her cigarettes and gin. They are all so cleverly developed, to choose one as a favourite would do an injustice to the others.
The writing is brilliant. I laughed out loud at the humourous comments and events, especially the antics of the Aunts, but it was sad enough at times to make me cry too. As Robert and Angela got caught in a web of misunderstandings and miscommunications, I cringed as more and more character became entangled in the story and the wired got even more crossed. I actually cheered when, finally, the penny dropped.
This is not your run-of-the-mill love story. I highly recommend this to anyone who has a sense of humour and appreciates good writing.
It's so hard to decide who is my favourite character:
Robert, the kind-hearted painter who prefers his own company and who, despite being admired by many people around him, always sems to think the worst of himself?, the strong minded Angela, always helping others, never asking for anything herself and confused about her vocation? Robert's seemingly interfering, yet well-meaning mother, Bonnie, with her dated American accent and phrases as well as a big secret of her own? Uncle Mikey, the eccentric yet endearing uncle in the attic in Ireland? Or one of the other fantastically developed characters, such as Sr Carmel with her Bonbons or Mother Mary Margaret with her cigarettes and gin. They are all so cleverly developed, to choose one as a favourite would do an injustice to the others.
The writing is brilliant. I laughed out loud at the humourous comments and events, especially the antics of the Aunts, but it was sad enough at times to make me cry too. As Robert and Angela got caught in a web of misunderstandings and miscommunications, I cringed as more and more character became entangled in the story and the wired got even more crossed. I actually cheered when, finally, the penny dropped.
This is not your run-of-the-mill love story. I highly recommend this to anyone who has a sense of humour and appreciates good writing.
September 9, 2012
I used to read many books like this when I was doing my research for my PhD. I wrote my thesis about William Kennedy, an Irish-American author, and on the side I read a lot of Irish novels. I remember enjoying "Involved" by Kate O'Riordan too.
"The Angel In The House" is typical in this regard. After all that reading, my conclusion was that the suffocating power of the family and matriarchal figures was a key topic. This is so too, here, in the form of a group of Aunts who in a way decide for Angela that her future is to become a nun.
At the start of the book we find her working as a novice in a Shelter in London, but her Mother Superior is reluctant to let her take her vows. When she meets Robert in the Victoria and Albert Museum her convictions weaken as their relationship develops.
Here there are many characters, environments and situations unlike those I have found in my recent reading, which has perhaps concerned the upper classes. The depiction of life in the Shelter was my favourite part, strangely enough, more so than the romantic elements. The "impediment" to Robert and Angela's relationship rose from a mutual misundestanding, but I just couldn't believe that this could continue for so long, and made things too farcical for my liking.
It is an unusual story, but too light-hearted to be memorable.
"The Angel In The House" is typical in this regard. After all that reading, my conclusion was that the suffocating power of the family and matriarchal figures was a key topic. This is so too, here, in the form of a group of Aunts who in a way decide for Angela that her future is to become a nun.
At the start of the book we find her working as a novice in a Shelter in London, but her Mother Superior is reluctant to let her take her vows. When she meets Robert in the Victoria and Albert Museum her convictions weaken as their relationship develops.
Here there are many characters, environments and situations unlike those I have found in my recent reading, which has perhaps concerned the upper classes. The depiction of life in the Shelter was my favourite part, strangely enough, more so than the romantic elements. The "impediment" to Robert and Angela's relationship rose from a mutual misundestanding, but I just couldn't believe that this could continue for so long, and made things too farcical for my liking.
It is an unusual story, but too light-hearted to be memorable.
November 1, 2010
I shall endeavour to refrain any gushing remarks of "how wonderful" this book is - but its tough. An excellent read. Its warm, quaint and full of Irish humour.
The female protagonist's vocation always leads to people wondering about sex (particularly when the female in question is beautiful) which is usually a cliché. But this book is well written enough (without all the silly innuendos that usually accompany books about people of the church) that you can't associate it with the trash that's out there.
I felt the story wasn't your typical chick lit, there was depth, non-dramatic but poignant scenes and a great ending.
The female protagonist's vocation always leads to people wondering about sex (particularly when the female in question is beautiful) which is usually a cliché. But this book is well written enough (without all the silly innuendos that usually accompany books about people of the church) that you can't associate it with the trash that's out there.
I felt the story wasn't your typical chick lit, there was depth, non-dramatic but poignant scenes and a great ending.
January 2, 2012
This is a weird little book: soulmates kept apart by shyness at first and misunderstandings later. In this instance she is a nun, nearly - her full profession keeps being postponed by the wise senior. As if falling in love is not enough of a problem for desperate to fulfil her vocation Angela, she has a set of mad aunts, an mute agoraphobic uncle and too personal an interest in one of her clients who has his own family problems. Doesn't sound as if it turns out well, does it? No spoilers here, read it and find out!
Want to Read
March 20, 2010Alle haben darauf gewartet, dass Robert sich endlich verliebt. Seine Mutter Bonnie, seine Freunde Peter und Anita – und allen voran er selbst! Jetzt ist es geschehen: Angela mit ihrem kurzen schwarzen Haar und dem charmanten irischen Akzent verkörpert alles, was sich der schüchterne Londoner Restaurator erträumt hat. Anscheinend geht es ihr genauso, aber dann mischen sich Freunde, Bekannte und Verwandte ein – und vom ersten Rendezvous an läuft alles schief ...
Currently Reading
March 30, 2008Have yet to finish this book......
August 8, 2011
Think you might need to have Irish Catholic roots to laugh out loud at this one. Left me slightly bemused!
November 1, 2012
Not enough interest for me. I read a third then gave up.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews