Authors: Sarah-Kate Lynch

On Top of Everything (28 page)

Copyright

A BLACK SWAN BOOK published by Random House New Zealand
18 Poland Road, Glenfield, Auckland, New Zealand

For more information about our titles go to www.randomhouse.co.nz

A catalogue record for this book is available from the National Library of New Zealand

Random House International
, Random House, 20 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London, SW1V 2SA, United Kingdom;
Random House Australia Pty Ltd
, Level 3, 100 Pacific Highway, North Sydney 2060, Australia;
Random House South Africa Pty Ltd
, Isle of Houghton, Corner Boundary Road and Carse O’Gowrie, Houghton 2198, South Africa;
Random House Publishers India Private Ltd,
301 World Trade Tower, Hotel Intercontinental Grand Complex, Barakhamba Lane, New Delhi 110 001, India

First published 2008

The moral rights of the author have been asserted

ISBN 978 177553 367 2

This book is copyright. Except for the purposes of fair reviewing no part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Random House New Zealand uses non-chlorine-bleached papers from sustainably managed plantation forests.

Design: Elin Bruhn Termannsen
Cover photograph: Aaron McLean
Printed in Australia by Griffin Press

‘the most hilarious and irreverent New Zealand novel in years. A wickedly funny debut’
Sunday Star-Times

‘This book is laugh-a-minute … fast-paced and funny’
Waikato Times

‘a romantic and rollicking good read … hits the spot with its light-hearted look at life and love’
Next

‘a frothy, hilarious read’
Dunedin Star

‘a truly lovely read — as moreish as a sweet, creamy cheese which tickles you with pepper on its way down.
Blessed Are
is seductive, feel-good but not pulpy. It fills you up, like cheese itself. But it bubbles, too, like champagne.’
Weekend Herald

‘funnier than anything I’ve read in recent years’
The Press

‘Sheer entertainment’
Next

‘Self-assured, witty, well-structured and a jolly good read’
She

‘A tasty, surprising, frequently hilarious and occasionally tearful experience’
Otago Daily Times

‘page-turning moments of drama and laugh-out-loud humour’
The Dominion

‘fluent, zesty prose’
The Evening Post

‘
By Bread Alone
is the third truly, madly, deeply humorous novel from this gifted writer.’
Next

‘By George, she’s got it. Our very own Sarah-Kate Lynch has cracked the chick-lit nut.
By Bread Alone
makes for perfect holiday reading.’
The Dominion Post

‘without a doubt
By Bread Alone
is going to be the season’s mega-hit … it’s the perfect chill-out holiday read. Sarah-Kate has woven a tale full of fabulous characters, delightful dialogue and her trademark humour, underscored by a poignancy that is both surprising and deeply moving. Described so magically that you can see the colours, smell the “apple starter” and taste the sourdough.’
Femme

‘
By Bread Alone
is evocative without being mawkish, entertaining enough to elicit laughter and at times so sad it brought forth a tear or two … witty, charming, faithfully passionate to its subject and emotionally adept. If only this book was a man’
Sunday Star-Times

‘as delectable and easy to read as the sumptuous cuisine described in it’
Next

‘a deftly turned tale’
Canvas, New Zealand Herald

‘The pleasure for the reader is in Lynch’s exuberant wit, her wicked observations, her wacky plot detours … and her delight in food’
The Dominion Post

‘great escapist summer reading’
Otago Daily Times

‘Lynch writes with great pace, an easy style and plenty of humour’
The Press

‘Funny, touching and delicious! A perfect summer read’
View, Herald on Sunday