Worshipping (and Confessing) at the Church of VISA! (Confessions of a Shopaholic - Sophie Kinsella)

Member Name: dkm1981

Product:	Confessions of a Shopaholic - Sophie Kinsella
Date:	02/05/09 (151 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great 'chick-lit' book

Disadvantages: Not laugh out loud funny

We've all done it - decided we're going to give up smoking / eating junk food / spending money, and then convinced ourselves that social smoking doesn't count / one takeaway is fine because it's a treat / I have to buy this book about tips on saving money in order to start saving money. Well, this is what Confessions of a Shopaholic (previously published as 'The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic) is all about. It is the first of five books in the series by Sophie Kinsella (who also writes under her real name - Madeleine Wickham).

I've never read any of the Shopaholic books before, but I've read and enjoyed some of her other books including 'The Undomestic Goddess' and 'Can You Keep A Secret'. This particular book, as you probably know, was recently made it to the big screen, featuring Isla Fisher. So, it was this publicity, coupled with the fact that it was half price in Waterstones, that made me pick it up.

-The Book-

Rebecca Broomwood has an addiction to shopping and this addiction has left her with mounting debts and a series of strongly worded letters from banks and shops that she owes money to. Her dad tells her that she needs to 'Cut Back' or 'Make More Money'.

The first half of the book looks at her attempts to cut back, which include making a cheap curry (but obviously she has to buy an apron, balti pan and spices -all investments of course - first) and visiting a museum for free (which somehow results in her buying a year's membership at the Victoria and Albert Museum).

When she realises that she isn't a cutting back type of girl, she moves on to MMM (make more money) with equally disastrous results - apparently making picture frames and marrying a millionaire are more difficult than they seem!

-My Opinion-

'Confessions of a Shopaholic' isn't a laugh-out-loud book, but it will certainly make you smile. Mainly because you will empathise with the main character and her often ridiculous rationale. The character is only a slightly exaggerated version of you and everyone you know (however frightening that may be!). Like I said before, we're all guilty of some of the things that she does.

The style of the book is very similar to Bridget Jones' Diary and if you enjoyed that, you will enjoy this. Each chapter begins with letters from the various establishments to whom Becky owes money. I thought this worked particularly well as it showed the things that were happening that Becky is unable to admit even to us - her unseen confidante - for example, just how bad her debt was getting.

The contradictions are amusing - Becky's first step to cutting back, is to buy a shiny new notebook and pen to write down all her outgoings in. Her first step to making more money is to spend £100 on a frame-making kit.

It's a fun read, that will definitely lift your mood in this period of the dreaded 'credit crunch' and I enjoyed every minute of it. I found myself getting frustrated with Becky's lack of self-discipline, yet I was always rooting for her to come out triumphant in the end!

-Overall-

You can see a little bit of yourself, and probably everyone you know, in Becky Bloomwood and it'll make you smile, giggle and probably just a little bit horrified at yourself. But, it is a great 'chick-lit' book that will make you realise that there are other people just like you out there, and it'll entertain you in the process.

Summary: Definitely worth putting on your holiday list.