Rich and Satisfying Chick Lit (Virtue - Serena Mackesy)

Member Name: Hayley Deakin

Product:	Virtue - Serena Mackesy
Date:	22/05/09 (2 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Clever writing, believable characters, darkness and wit in equally convincing measure.

Disadvantages: The cover lets the book down.

I first read this story when I was around 20, and identified with Anna Waters, the main character of the book. Although she is, of course, an exaggeration of those of us who've had a sheltered childhood, she's very human, very likeable and very realistic. I've just bought the book a second time at 27 to read it again, and it's every bit as enjoyable as I remembered!

The cover, as said before, doesn't do the story justice, but I have to admit the glossy image it portrays was what originally hooked me, but as I said, I was pretty young and tacky myself at the time! The story inside is nothing like the manner of the cover suggests.

The author really delves into what life is like for each of the characters, even though most of the book is only from Anna's point of view. To read this book is to feel the beautiful rich girl's pain and isolation, the unsociable genius' deeply-buried agony, and much more. Very much recommended!

As an ameteur writer myself, I've realised in re-reading the book that Harriet has most of the qualities of a Mary Sue (wish-fulfillment character). She's rich, beautiful, spunky, has a tragic past and has men falling at her feet. And yet, she's fantastically likeable! I have to bow to Ms. Mackesey's skill in achieving this.

Summary: Two friends, one an ex-nerd, the other a weary rich girl, watch out for eachother.