How Perfect Is That

by Sarah Bird

Book Overview

Blythe Young-a wannabe Texas princess, a heroine as plucky, driven, and desperate as Vanity Fair 's Becky Sharp-is plummeting precipitously from up- to downstairs, banging her head on every step of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0307268284
• ISBN13: 9780307268280
• Release Date: June 2008
• Publisher: Knopf Publishing Group
• Length: 302 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.0" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

Definitely read this entertaining story!!

Sarah Bird has very cleverly written an engaging and humorous depiction of Austin, Texas...from the homeless to the haute couture. Social climber Blythe Young has hustled her way to the top of Austin's elite society. But a nasty split from her patrician husband leaves her penniless and worst of all, a social outcast! To make matters worse, her catering company is failing and she is wanted by the IRS. With her life in a shambles, she is taken in by her old college roommate, whom she had disdained during her ascent into high society. Absolutely hilarious antics ensue when Blythe vows to regain her prominent social standing. Ms. Bird has brilliantly crafted a creative, witty storyline with a delectable cast of unique, complex characters. Her writing is very imaginative, descriptive and laugh-out-loud funny. Through this compelling story, Ms. Bird makes an indirect comment about Austin's high society...their lifestyles and politics. She also teaches a wonderful lesson on the value of female friendships. I thoroughly enjoyed this truly entertaining novel and I highly recommend it!

Bridget's review

Blythe Young has made some serious mistakes in her life and is on a dangerous downward spiral. She has lost all that was important to her. Her friends, her husband and worst of all, her status. She is now forced to work for her money and has a "the world owes me" attitude. With the IRS hot on her trail, how will she survive? She can't go home and she drugged her clients so she can't exactly ask for her check. Then a lightbulb appears and she realizes that she does have somewhere she can go. Her college roommate, Millie, who has a heart of gold will surely take her in. In her desperation she uses the only means she knows to get what she wants. She lies and sucks up. Will Millie take Blythe under her wing and show her the error of her ways or will Millie the saint become as frustrated and fed up with Blythe as everyone else seems to be? I really enjoyed this book. If you have ever made a mistake or lost touch with someone important to you then you will be able to relate to Blythe in some way, shape, or form. Thank you to Sarah from Pocket Books for sending me this book to review.

Perfectly funny

Loved this book! With snappy wit and insight, Sarah Bird delivers yet another wonderful reading experience. The characters are sharply defined in a way that makes you almost hurt for them, yet wanting more and more. Unlike many books I read, this one kept strong throughout--it was with real sadness that I turned the last page. I hope Ms. Bird won't keep her readers waiting too long for our next fix.

You'll love this book

This is one smart, funny book. Sarah Bird is a wonderful writer and she's outdone herself with this achingly insightful look at Austin, Texas, from the homeless hoboes to the insecure super-rich. It's funny, it's true, there are characters you care about. Read it as quick as I could and loved every minute.

Sarah Bird: A Uniter, Not a Divider

A couple of years ago an advertisement for Sarah Bird's The Flamenco Academy: A Novel caught my eye, and I stopped by a local Austin, Texas bookstore (BookPeople) to hear a reading. In the pages of The Flamenco Academy: A Novel I became a Sarah Bird fan. However, after reading her other books, especially, The Yokota Officers Club: A Novel (Ballantine Reader's Circle) and The Mommy Club (Ballantine Reader's Circle), I fell in love with Bird's writing and became an earnest Bird stalker. As you can imagine, I excitedly anticipated the release of her new book, How Perfect Is That. At the same locally owned bookstore, I grabbed a front seat to hear Bird talk about her new book that characterizes Austin's elite -- so that it is. Not being able to wait for the time or space to read the book, I called in sick and settled down to read How Perfect Is That. So what if I got fired for being a no-show, it was worth it. That Sarah Bird knows how to create a character, and How Perfect Is That gives readers a slew of tasty characters to devour. From Trey Biggs Dix to Kittie Lee Teeter, Bird is an attuned anthropologist who gives her audience a tour through Austin's social scene with several side trips to its prominent bastions of counterculture, politics and dropouts. Certainly, Bird is a Uniter-Not-A-Divider, as she cooks the worlds of the do-gooders, homeless and social climbers into one juicy dish. With so many things in life that disappoint, thank goodness Sarah Bird is not one. If you liked any of Bird's previous six novels, you will love this book. If you haven't read her other books, get started!