‘Notting Hell A Novel”… intrigue and gossip in W.11

reviewed by Gabrielle Pantera

Rating: HHH

This is not your typical British chick-lit novel.

“There was a lot of speculation, especially about the character of Si Kasparian,” says ‘Notting Hell’ author Rachel Johnson. “Sadly, he was completely made up…and sigh wistfully.” The story is launched much like ‘Pride and Prejudice’ when mega-wealthy Si Kasparian becomes a new neighbor.

‘Notting Hell’ is centered on the lives of the two women living in Notting Hill and their observations of their neighbors and their neighborhood. Notting Hill is a posh neighborhood in West London, near the northwest corner of Hyde Park. It’s the location of the annual Notting Hill Carnival, the setting for the 1999 film ‘Notting Hill’ starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant.

This affluent enclave is revealed from the point of view of two women. Mimi Fleming and Clare Sturgises are neighbors, best friends and competitors. Mimi is a freelance journalist who’s husband Ralph inherited their home in Notting Hill. They have three children and can barely make ends meet. Ralph wants to move to a more affordable part of town, but Mimi can’t imagine leaving Notting Hill.

Clare is a garden designer who’s married, but has no children after trying for many years. Clare designs gardens in a feng shui way. Clare takes care of many of the gardens in their enclosed garden area in Notting Hill. Since her family is not expanding, she hopes to expand her business.

Humor is layered throughout, but it gets repetitive with the two narrators. It would have been interesting to have some of the novel told from a man’s point of view.  That the two women are polar opposites helps keep the story moving, but not enough. The plot device used to create the conflict was weak. Designer names and brands figure a bit too prominently.

‘Notting Hell’ ends more like an American romance novel than British chick-lit, which Americans will like. A view of the Notting Hill lifestyle and how things can get out of control when you’re not paying attention to what’s really important.

Notting Hell Trade Paperback 340 pages Publisher: Touchstone book; (April, 2008) Language: English. ISBN- 978-1416532071 $14.00