Sunday, September 6, 2015

Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella Review

"MEET BECKY BLOOMWOOD, AN IRRESISTIBLE HEROINE WITH A BIG HEART, BIG DREAMS --- AND JUST ONE LITTLE WEAKNESS ...

Becky Bloomwood has what most twenty-five-year-olds only dream of: a flat in London's trendiest neighborhood, a troupe of glamorous socialite friends, and a closet brimming with the season's must-haves. The only trouble is, she can't actually afford it --- not any of it. Her job writing at Successful Saving magazine not only bores her to tears, it doesn't pay much at all. Still, how can she resist that perfect pair of shoes? Or the divine silk blouse in the window of that ultra-trendy boutique? But lately Becky's been chased by dismal letters from Visa and the Endwich Bank --- letters with large red sums she can't bear to read --- and they're getting ever harder to ignore. She tries cutting back; she even tries making more money. But none of her efforts succeeds. Her only consolation is to buy herself something ... just a little something ...

Finally, a story arises that Becky actually cares about, and her front-page article catalyzes a chain of events that will transform her life --- and the lives of those around her --- forever."

Those who know some things about personal finance will immediately hate this book. I know I do. Becky Bloomwood's spending habits make me cringe in terror. Just from reading the first chapter, I'm already planning out her budget. Of course, that means no Prada or any other high-end fashion apparels. I get the temptation, but no...

So there. That is already a mark against the book. Little to none emotional attachment to Becky Bloomwood. I'm highly unsympathetic towards her spending and "stuff unpaid bills in her draw" approach. Plus, her habit of lying and just avoiding the truth? Yeah... She and I won't do very well if we are in the same room. 

Also, let's talk about originality. After reading two books from Sophie Kinsella (Can You Keep a Secret? and I've Got Your Number), I'm starting to see a real trend here. Lying heroines. Sort-of mysterious love interests. (Or in Jack Harper's case, totally secretive and mysterious.) Rich love interests, too. And a lot of embarrassing moments? Oh, yeah. Check, check, check them all. One is okay. Two is just a coincidence. And three... Well, that just marks the spot. It gets so tedious. 

(Of course, I'm saying that one of these three books is copying the format and subplots of the other two. It might not be Confessions of a Shopaholic that is unoriginal.) 

Let's talk about the movie and the book. Yes, I watched the movie first. Honestly, it is Luke Brandon's actor that draw me in. (Hello, Hugh Dancy.) Nope. The movie and the book are not very similar. Other than than the same names of characters, I could mistaken the two as unique works. Not a book and its movie adaptation. 

If we talk about Luke Brandon, all I'm going to talk about is Hugh Dancy's face. So no. No, I'm not going into this. 

Despite the highly embarrassing moments, the painful similarities to other Kinsella books, and the annoying main character, there are some moments that are worthy. Good, noteworthy. But would I suffer through the book to read that part again? Nope. 

In conclusion, Confessions of a Shopaholic is not a favorite of mine. I will never touch it again. Even with a ten-foot pole. 

Rating: One out of Five

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