Flying the Coop by Ilsa Evans

This book gets a 5 star/ 10 out of 10/ A+ rating from me. I can’t remember the last time I laughed so much when reading a book.

Ultimately it’s the story of Chris and how an impulsive, spur of the moment decision changes her life and the lives of the people around her.

There were so many things I liked about this book that it’s hard to know where to start.

The humour was a major part in my enjoyment of the book. So many funny moments but I think my favourite was when Dot was telling Chris about her chooks. When Chris realised that they were all named after politicians and she asked Dot – “No Democrats?”
and Dot replied – “I used t’have Meg Lees but when that GST came in – well – I ate her”

I loved all the characters. Grace/Zoe, Michael, Dot and Mac, Garth and Cyn, Elsie the very strange book keeper and Frank the real estate agent.

I’ll definitely be on the lookout for more books by Ilsa Evans.

Joan

Its the funniest book i have ever read. I laughed the whole way through.

Christin (the "e" is dropped off her name because her dad misspelt it when doing her birth certificate) makes a spur of the moment decision to buy a chicken farm. Can you imagine anyone doing that? Chris puts in an offer not expecting it to be excepted which it does and now she is in the egg business and thats when the fun starts. She has a teenage daughter and a 7 year old son. I was impressed with the way Isla Evans made the son into a typical little boy, playing with cars, getting dirty and doing stuff a normal 7 year would do. In alot of books these days i think they make the younger children way too old.

There isnt alot of romance but if you want a really good laugh then this is the book for you. Highly recommended and i am on the search for more of her books.

A big thank you to Joan for finding this book.

Kathy, I felt exactly the same about young Michael. He was such a 'boy'.

It was more luck than anything else that it turned out to be a good selection. I just came across it when I was looking through a list of Aussie authors.

Joan

Kathy

I found it incredibly slow and boring to be honest! Unlike both of you I didn't find anything particularly funny in it. I don't mean any criticism towards the author, she is obviously a good author because you both gave the book 10/10 and now plan to read more of her books. It just wasn't a book I could warm to or enjoy. I found the ending rather flat and was relieved when I finished it.

The only reason I stayed with this book was because of Dot & Mac - I did like their bantering and they seemed to bring some life into the story in my opinion. Grace/Zoe was an interesting character as well but I found Garth/Cynthia, Jenny/Stuart and Chris annoying.

I think one of the problems for me is I am sick and tired of books involving cheating partners, men who leave their wives quickly move in with another woman and the lonesome ex-wife is single at home with the kids! I am sick of stories that involve the ex-wife having to interact with the ex-husband's 'new' woman. I find these sorts of storylines tedious and unappealing.

I am happy that you both got so much enjoyment out of this book I am just saddened that I couldn't share in this enjoyment with you.

I loved reading about Chris’ journey as she lurched from one disaster to another while taking on such a big challenge in her life.

The author’s more recent books seem a bit more serious but I really hope she sticks with her plans for a sequel and brings us up to date with life at Beggs Eggs.

Joan

Strange as it might sound after my above comments, out of curiosity I would read a sequel to this book - the difference would be I'd wait for it to arrive at the local library I wouldn't go out and buy my own copy, which I normally do with all the books I read. I would be interested to see if a relationship developed between Neil and Chris I would also like to see Zoe's character develop. I just hope Garth and Cynthia have very little role in the next book, I really did dislike those two! For me though, the main drawcard to reading the next book would be to see what happened to Mac & Dot...I did have a soft spot for those two!

I found that Christin had very little affection for her kids... I mean u could tell she love them etc... But very rarely gave them a hug etc...

I love ERGO... And how Christin developed a relationship with him even buying him a xmas present...lol

Didn't like Garth and Cynthnia was well Cynthnia... I like her suggest with Grace/Zoe name...

I would read the next book if she writes it... Would love to see how and if a relationship builds between Neil and Christin... And how Dot and Mac got on...

I did LOL at Christin with the Dog Pooh and Elise... Too funny...

I saw another book advertise in the back of FTC that I wouldn't mind reading will see if my library has it... "Spin Cycle" will let u know if I can get a hold of it if anyone else wants to read it to...

Lee

It's interesting isn't it how we can all have such different reactions to books?
I thought that you must have been enjoying it Lee, when you said that you couldn't put it down.

Spin Cycle is the one Ilsa Evans book that my library doesn't have unfortunately. I'll keep an eye out though and if I see it in a second hand book store I might grab a copy and read it with you Lee. Otherwise I'm thinking that I might look for the Melbourne Cup one, Each Way Bet, next.
Not straight away though. I like to space things out a bit rather than read the same author back to back.

So ladies - what Australian author should we try next?

Joan

I'll check out my library web site and see what they have by her... I'll wait a couple of weeks before I get another one by IE...

Lee

Just a couple of Australian authors you might like to think about.

Kathy

Lee

There are lots of Patricia Shaw books at the library - it looks like they have most of her stories.
I notice that she has one called Opal Seekers. I'm off to Lightning Ridge - black opal country - in a couple of weeks. I wonder if the book is set there.

Joan

Kathy

Lee

Joan

Kathy