[.uk] Soapsuds: A Novel (ISBN 0345470834)

SO much better than expected.....:
I picked up the audiobook of Soapsuds expection to be amused, but nothing more. I was really pleasantly surprised, this book is surprisingly funny and well-written. The story centers on Kate McPhee, a Bristish stage dancer and actress who takes a job on an American soap opera, Live For Tomorrow (just like the author, Finnoula Hughes). The result is part fish-out-of-water story, part coming of age tale. It truly doesn't have much of a plot, but following Kate's experience is still vastly entertaining. Sometimes the Alice in Wonderland references get tiresome, but that is the basic theme of the book. The first day at work, Kat's impressive acting skills earn her attention of the show's over-the-top alpha female producer, Daphne, but also the show's resident diva, Merideth Contini. The resemblance between Meredith and Hughes' real-life former co-star Susan Lucci is uncanny, and even the characters have similar names- Regina Abel and Erica Kane. (Get it- Cain and Abel?) The detestable Merideth's jealousy and divalike tantrums get Kate's character, Detective Devon Marrick, switching sexual preference straight away. But the change makes newcomer Kate more popular than ever, and leads to a big level of fame for her that she has a tough time getting used to. Throughout the book, we go through Kate's friendships with other cast members, as well as her relatioonships with men- or rather, the barely-there relationships that can exist when she works 12+ hours a day. She had her heart broken by her ex in London, and he eventually shakes her up further by showing up in LA. There is also a magician, a writer with 4 dogs, and finally, a married co-star who Kate falls for, who happens to be married to her best friend. The rest of the book is just a dishy behind-the scenes look at the soap opera world, but it is fascinating, and comes from someone who knows her stuff. The characters have surprising warmth and depth, and Kate is a very likeable and actually relatable. The narrator of the audiobook is fantastic, and is wonderful at doing vioces. Overall, a great listen.

Entertaining Read...:
Soapsuds is an entertaining book which is basically about life on a soap opera. The main character; Kate, is on Live For Tomorrow dealing with all sorts of interesting people. She moved to LA after finding her boyfriend and best friend together. She's desperately trying to get over that and move on with her life. The book reminded me a lot of the movie Soapdish because it dealt with one main person and the main characters interactions with the other people on the show. I felt that at some times there were too many people in the story which made it hard to follow. Also, I wasn't crazy about the ending because I felt that it wasn't really thought out. Even though, it was an entertaining escape from reality.

Such a disappointment:
Oh my how I really wanted to like this book. I am a person that with a good storyline and great writing I could read a book in a day's time; it took me over a month to get through this book and I was on vacation for a week!! I found it very difficult to follow and to keep track of the players when we are constantly waffling back and forth between real names and stage names. And I feel there were too many characters to keep track of but I guess that's just the way with a soap opera. I also found the story to be quite depressing. I felt bad for the lead character but then she's going to turn around and do the exact same thing to her best friend? Maybe I was not taking the book in the light it was intended, maybe I missed the boat but this one sank as far as I'm concerned.

I loved this!:
Bravo! Soapsuds was such a delight. It is so much fun to read a book about soap operas. It has so many cliches about soap operas. Everything from the hunks that are required to take their shirts off to the constant recastings! My favorite parts are when the diva of the show, Meredith Contini, is around. She represents many of the divas that have been on their shows form many years, for example, Susan Lucci or Deidre Hall. The scenes in which she is hysterical about her character being aged is a laugh riot. It reminded me of rumors about Susan Lucci and Sarah Michelle Gellar not getting along because AMC (All My Children) gave Erica a teenage daughter.

Great Book!:
This book is so funny! I loved the book so much that I bought it on Audio CD also which is narrated by Finola Hughes. If you watch soaps you will love this book. Even if you do not watch soaps you'll love it because this book is well written, light, engaging and funny!