Featured Reading Guide
Katie Fforde
When Perdita Dylan delivers her baby vegetables to a local hotel and finds that her unpredictable ex-husband, Lucas, has taken over the kitchen, she is horrified – particularly when she discovers he’s being groomed as the latest celebrity chef and needs her picturesque, if primitive cottage, and her, in supporting roles. Her life is further complicated when Kitty, her 87-year-old friend, has a stroke. Perdita needs someone to lean on – and Lucas seems so keen to help that she starts to wonder if he’s really such a villain. Can she cope with all this alone? Or should she face up to the fact that…
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Katie Fforde lives in Gloucestershire with her husband and some of her three children. Recently her old hobbies of ironing and housework have given way to singing, Flamenco dancing and husky racing. She claims this keeps her fit.
topAbout the Book
When Perdita Dylan delivers her baby vegetables to a local hotel and finds that her unpredictable ex-husband, Lucas, has taken over the kitchen, she is horrified – particularly when she discovers he’s being groomed as the latest celebrity chef and needs her picturesque, if primitive cottage, and her, in supporting roles. Her life is further complicated when Kitty, her 87-year-old friend, has a stroke. Perdita needs someone to lean on – and Lucas seems so keen to help that she starts to wonder if he’s really such a villain. Can she cope with all this alone? Or should she face up to the fact that ‘You can’t cuddle lettuces’?
topKatie Fforde interview/review
prairieden – 25-03-99
‘I started writing when I was 32 and had three children. I had thought I had wanted to write when we were still living in Wales and only had two children, but I had always thought it would be something I would start when the children were less demanding. But my mother gave me a ‘writing kit’ for Christmas. It consisted of a ream of paper, a dictionary, a thesaurus, pens, pencils, rubbers, etc. and packets of Tippex. (It came in packets those days). I started writing that year and became hooked. Living Dangerously came out about five years later. I had tried to write for Mills and Boon and failed (often – about seven books). Living Dangerously started when, having failed to give up writing, I decided to write about what I knew. I was working for a health food café at the time so I kept it all very close to home.
My agent was wonderful; she encouraged me chapter by chapter, coaxing it out of me. For me, having an agent was crucial. Other writers may have had different experiences.
The most important piece of advice I would give anyone with ambitions to write fiction would be persevere. It took me eight years between starting and getting onto the shelves. It takes some people longer. Because you’re not an “overnight success” it doesn’t mean you won’t get there eventually.’
topStarting Points for Discussion
- Perdita Dylan appears to be very successful and independent; she runs her own business, watches over Kitty and does a bit of matchmaking amongst her friends. Why do you think she still struggles with the past and the person she used to be?
- Lucas appears to have changed from an arrogant stockbroker to a caring chef. Do you believe in his transformation? What has brought it about?
- The book is full of sexual tension as Lucas and Perdita become involved in each other’s personal and professional lives and the sparks start flying. Discuss how Katie Fforde uses the heat and stresses of the kitchen environment as a metaphor for the passion building between the couple.
- Although this book may appear to be uncomplicated, it has various sub-plots dealing with issues of betrayal, birth and death. Does the romance and humour sit comfortably with some of the darker elements?
- In Thyme Out Perdita must face the loss of her dearest friend and surrogate parent, Kitty. What effect do you think this death has on the character of Perdita and how does it allow developments to take place in the novel?
- Soul-mates, fate and the importance of friendships are very important issues in Thyme Out. Do you believe that there are predestined elements in the relationships we have?
Other Books by Katie Fforde
A Perfect Proposal
Sophie Apperly s family has never taken her seriously. Fiercely academic, they…
Artistic Licence
There’s an art to choosing men but Thea’s just discovering it … Fed up with…
Flora’s Lot
Flora Stanza has sub-let her London life in a bid to join the family antiques…
Going Dutch
Jo Edwards never planned to live on a barge. She s not even sure she likes …
Highland Fling
When ‘Virtual Assistant’ Jenny Porter’s boyfriend accuses her of being impu…
Life Skills
A combination of overwork and jet-leg propels Julia Fairfax into becoming e…
Living Dangerously
Polly Cameron is happy being thirty-five and celibate, living in a small Gl…
Suggested Further Reading
- The Potter’s House Rosie Thomas
- A Dry Spell Clare Chambers
- Pillars of Salt Joanna Bell
- Fair Game Elizabeth Young
- Rising to the Occasion Linda Taylor
- Sleeping Arrangements Madeleine Wickham