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entrancedbywords's review
5.0
When I was a teen, I had read the first book. I'm not entirely sure how long I've had the sequel or why I didn't read it sooner.
But this take of Belle De Jour is 100% different to her first book.
This one reads more as a diary entry rather than as a detailed entry of a sex workers life and what it may/may not cost her personal life.
The further adventures of a London Call Girl is more about an older woman whose trying to leave her once famous past behind, trying to navigate her life through "normal" romances including struggles with the men in her life and trying to navigate the boring 9-5 life.
It's a simple little read that shows Belle can attempt to be just like the rest of us.
But this take of Belle De Jour is 100% different to her first book.
This one reads more as a diary entry rather than as a detailed entry of a sex workers life and what it may/may not cost her personal life.
The further adventures of a London Call Girl is more about an older woman whose trying to leave her once famous past behind, trying to navigate her life through "normal" romances including struggles with the men in her life and trying to navigate the boring 9-5 life.
It's a simple little read that shows Belle can attempt to be just like the rest of us.
knitnetic's review
2.0
I should say, before I go any further, that if it weren't for the first 75 pages of this book, it would have had an even lower grade.
Firstly, this book is not what it claims to be -- considering the fact that Belle is out of the sex trade within the first 100 pages and her 'Adventures' consist almost entirely of a passive-aggressive, co-dependent relationship with a cheating former ex, do not expect this to be anything like the first book.
At first, I was intrigued by Belle's new-found regrets over being in the sex industry. I felt that the first several chapters gave a more realistic view of the challenges of the job than we saw in the first book, with more attention given to the problems that come with such employments.
Unfortunately, one of the problems she addresses is how it hurt her relationship with an ex she refers to as 'The Boy' - an ex who she returns to after having left the industry for a plain-Jane office job. The thing is, there is nothing in the way she describes this relationship that makes it seem like one that ought to have been saved in the first place, let alone resuscitated six months after its death. The Boy is a needy, mooching, codependent mess who keeps a blog of the various female conquests he's had during their relationship. What's worse, he makes her needy and codependent as well. Example: she finds out about the blog because she has installed a keystroke tracker on his computer and hacked into his e-mail. Now, I tend more toward the stalker-ish than most people, but seriously -- this creeped me way out.
The best thing I can say about this book? It clearly confirms Belle's theory that sex work, when well-paid and regulated, is empowering to women and their bodies. Why do I think this, you ask? Because she clearly lost her mind and all sense of self when she left the business.
Final Opinion: Run away. Run far, far away. Have you read the first chapter and think you'll enjoy it? You won't.
Firstly, this book is not what it claims to be -- considering the fact that Belle is out of the sex trade within the first 100 pages and her 'Adventures' consist almost entirely of a passive-aggressive, co-dependent relationship with a cheating former ex, do not expect this to be anything like the first book.
At first, I was intrigued by Belle's new-found regrets over being in the sex industry. I felt that the first several chapters gave a more realistic view of the challenges of the job than we saw in the first book, with more attention given to the problems that come with such employments.
Unfortunately, one of the problems she addresses is how it hurt her relationship with an ex she refers to as 'The Boy' - an ex who she returns to after having left the industry for a plain-Jane office job. The thing is, there is nothing in the way she describes this relationship that makes it seem like one that ought to have been saved in the first place, let alone resuscitated six months after its death. The Boy is a needy, mooching, codependent mess who keeps a blog of the various female conquests he's had during their relationship. What's worse, he makes her needy and codependent as well. Example: she finds out about the blog because she has installed a keystroke tracker on his computer and hacked into his e-mail. Now, I tend more toward the stalker-ish than most people, but seriously -- this creeped me way out.
The best thing I can say about this book? It clearly confirms Belle's theory that sex work, when well-paid and regulated, is empowering to women and their bodies. Why do I think this, you ask? Because she clearly lost her mind and all sense of self when she left the business.
Final Opinion: Run away. Run far, far away. Have you read the first chapter and think you'll enjoy it? You won't.
lisawreading's review
2.0
I really enjoy the Showtime series "Secret Diary of A Call Girl", and I enjoyed the first Belle de Jour book as well. This follow up book is, for starters, completely misnamed. "The Further Adventure of a London Call Girl" follows Belle into her post-call girl life. She makes the decision to get out of the business within the first 30 or so pages, and the rest of the book follows Belle through endless ruminations on relationships and her tumultuous on-again, off-agains with "The Boy", who appears to be incapable of fidelity. There are some laughs, some clever insights into love, sex, and desire, and plenty of cheekiness, but this is a case where the parts are greater than the whole. "The Further Adventures..." seems to exist mainly as a way to capitalize on the success of the first book. Yes, it was a quick, fun, light read, but I wouldn't actually recommend it unless you really have nothing else to read.
fireth's review
4.0
Belle De Jour, a former call girl, who gained 'fame' through her blog (which i'm addicted to, btw). Had a friend to buy me this book for my birthday. A Bridget-Jones-y rant with more sex and rants and her trying to cope with family and love life after her career in the whore industy ends.
karen_lancashire's review against another edition
2.0
Unfortunately no where near as good as the first.
its_tara's review
1.0
Firstly, I should say that this book is really rather explicit, and is very much not suitable for younger readers.
Secondly, I should say that I didn’t finish this book. I got bored. When reading something is a chore, it’s definitely time to stop. I liked the first book in the series, and picked the second up because I found it in a second hand book store, and thought it’d be another nice chick-lit, give me a few laughs, and be easy reading.
Note, it wasn’t.
Given this book is meant to be about Belle giving up the sex trade and trying to make an honest living, the first chunk of the book (i.e. the majority of the part I read) was actually about her having apparently passive aggressive sex with one ex, and continuing to see clients.
The whole thing was written in the same diary style as the first book, and Belle’s voice is enjoyable – aside from when she’s complaining. As a female myself I know things get a bit rubbish sometimes and we like to have a moan, but really, I found myself getting bored with this.
I don’t enjoy writing bad reviews, and this is the first one I’ve really had to do, but I didn’t enjoy this book I’m afraid. For a better read, go for Bridget Jones’ Diary, or the first one of these books.
Secondly, I should say that I didn’t finish this book. I got bored. When reading something is a chore, it’s definitely time to stop. I liked the first book in the series, and picked the second up because I found it in a second hand book store, and thought it’d be another nice chick-lit, give me a few laughs, and be easy reading.
Note, it wasn’t.
Given this book is meant to be about Belle giving up the sex trade and trying to make an honest living, the first chunk of the book (i.e. the majority of the part I read) was actually about her having apparently passive aggressive sex with one ex, and continuing to see clients.
The whole thing was written in the same diary style as the first book, and Belle’s voice is enjoyable – aside from when she’s complaining. As a female myself I know things get a bit rubbish sometimes and we like to have a moan, but really, I found myself getting bored with this.
I don’t enjoy writing bad reviews, and this is the first one I’ve really had to do, but I didn’t enjoy this book I’m afraid. For a better read, go for Bridget Jones’ Diary, or the first one of these books.
jankmammal's review
2.0
Found this a bit annoying compared to the first one, which I liked. The constant whingeing about her duplicitous boyfriend got a bit wearing.
zzzrevel's review
3.0
Well I was on vacation and this came into
my hands for 2 Euro so I read it.
It's in a diary format and entertaining enough
that I kept reading but there is nothing
thrilling about it, unless you like some
casual sex references.
I'd skip it if you didn't need a beach read
desperately.
my hands for 2 Euro so I read it.
It's in a diary format and entertaining enough
that I kept reading but there is nothing
thrilling about it, unless you like some
casual sex references.
I'd skip it if you didn't need a beach read
desperately.
eleohno's review
3.0
It is a bit disappointing when you pick up a book about a London Call Girl and the first thing she does is drop out of business.