Light as a Feather
Published on 1. July 2002
Book
Paperback/Softback
272 pages
978-0-7528-3809-0 (ISBN)
Description
Orla Kennedy, press officer in a City bank, is unhappy with her job and her weight. 'People always look at the wrapper first,' she explains, 'and in my case it's bubble wrap.' Of course, she knows how to lose those pounds - she just never gets around to doing it. Then her best friend Liz asks her to be a bridesmaid, and the threat of being swathed in pink satin makes Orla think blancmange! Spurred on by this prospect, she sets up a website chatroom, LightAsAFeather.co.uk, as a support group for 'larger ladies'. Things are going swimmingly until Orla is invited to appear on daytime television, and is persuaded to let a stick-thin model be her double. As if she doesn't have enough problems, her boyfriend Sebastian is behaving most oddly, and her brother, the chanting Buddhist, has decided to move in - permanently. But divine inspiration does come - from another, unexpected source...
Reviews / Votes
This book received some great coverage, especially in view of the tough competition it faced in July. Helen secured a half-page feature article in the DAILY TELEGRAPH on sleaze in the city, as well as a review in the TELEGRAPH's book pages and a mention in the Diary. The book was one of four recommended beach reads in THE MIRROR's summer reading round-up, the PETERBOROUGH EVENING TELEGRAPH chose it as their Book of the Month for July and THE TIMES 'PLAY' magazine also reviewed. Helen was interviewed by the IRISH POST (due to appear this month) and by LBC radio - Helen was Mark Dolan's guest Sunday newspaper reviewer on 28 July. Magazine coverage was also strong, with reviews in NEW WOMAN, HEAT and BEST, as well as a competition and feature in WOMAN'S OWN due to be published in September. Finally, the launch dinner at Champney's City Health Resort was a roaring success, with journalists and Orion staff alike enjoying a healthy yet delicious meal (washed down with plenty of champagne!). The next day Helen visited key booksellers around London to sign stock and deliver goody bags containing 'Light as a Feather' t-shirts, delicious Maison Paul pastries and yet more champagne - not surprisingly, the booksellers are keen for Helen to visit again next year. 'Another fine comedy from the writer of 'Trixie Trader'SATURDAY TELEGRAPH 'Amusing stuff'HEAT 'Brilliantly observed and incredibly funny, it created a character even more lovable and identifiaMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Orion Publishing Co
Dimensions
Height: 199 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight
250 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7528-3809-0 (9780752838090)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Helen Dunne is in her mid 30s and lives in North London. She has been a financial journalist since graduating from Liverpool University in 1988. She joined the Daily Telegraph in 1993, where she became Associate City Editor. In 2003 she moved to the Mail on Sunday as Deputy City Editor. She lives in London.