Simply Divine - Frivolously Funny (Simply Divine - Wendy Holden)

Member Name: campb3ll

Product:	Simply Divine - Wendy Holden
Date:	21/08/02 (100 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Sharp, witty dialogue

Disadvantages: None worth mentioning

This story starts a few weeks ago when I was walking past a charity shop of the cancer research type. The bookstand happened to catch my eye and I discovered this little gem. (I'm trying to step up my charitable donations and, being a bit broke, shopping in the occasional charity shop seems to fit the bill. This particular book was in perfect condition and a snip at £1.20 - a saving of £5.79 against the original cover price.)

I don't normally read modern fiction but after a brief perusal (I confess, I'm the annoying person who left smudged thumbprints and dog-eared all the books you?ve ever bought) I had to buy it.

The story follows the romantically hapless Jane, who belongs to the overworked-underpaid school of journalism. While Jane's life gets steadily more glum, she struggles to fill a weekly column about the increasingly glitzy life of celebrity "it" girl, Champagne. Needless to say, quite a lot of the book rests on the strained relationship between Jane and Champagne.

As a side story to space out the OTT Champagne moments (also the name of Jane's column) there's the even more bizarre and hapless life of Jane's best friend, Tally. Being a rather impoverished aristocrat, Tally is in danger of losing the family mansion through family debts - not to mention her appalling taste in men.

I won't give away too much of the plot, beyond the fact that there is the obligatory happy ending - Jane finds her Prince Charming where she least expects to and Tally narrowly avoids losing her home.

This book probably sits quite happily in the modern fiction section but could have romance/humour tagged on. If libraries and bookstores were more specific it would sit in the Witty and Amusing Mind Candy section. It's perfect holiday reading or whenever you feel like a dose of frivolous escapism.

Do note that the language and subject matter means only older teens and upwards.

Summary: