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claireblack3's review against another edition
2.0
90% of this book stressed me out but the ending was cute
comrademun's review against another edition
3.0
reading this book was like eating a whole bag of chips: you know it's not good for you, it's something you won't tell your friends about, but DAMN, it was enjoyable while it lasted.
graciegrace1178's review against another edition
4.0
What I think is most fascinating about this one is its ability to reflect on societal ideals and standards for women in the 1990s and 2000s.
Is the main character relentlessly materialistic? Yes. But she feels she HAS to be to keep up with what the world demands of her. Does she lie to make her schemes work? Yes. But again, she does so because she feels that she HAS to so that she can make enough money to have a roof over her head and food and live a stable, relatively independent life.
This says more about her context than anything. She acts out of desperation and cultural confusion; she makes purchases because she fears what will happen if she doesn't. She buys because she imagines the theoretical gains from her purchases and deems them worthy. That's fascinating. She thinks so MUCH about shopping; she imagines it as crucial to her livelihood. And, honestly, with the amount that others comment on her choices, she might be right. We know the pretty bias is real, and here is a character is doing everything she can to take proper advantage of that.
Her addiction is primarily borne of anxiety and fear and the assumption that she has to be a certain way for everything to work out. Yet the focus of so many reviews is on how "insufferable" she is as a narrator. Yes, it's true, but her insufferability says so MUCH about her. Hats off to Kinsella for crafting a character who is generally not particularly likable but who is capable of conveying so much through her general unlikability.
Also: her role in as a Woman in Finance adds SO much to her character and the central conflict. SOLID CHOICE, KINSELLA. I might add more to this section later, but I think my reading notes might have this bit covered tbh.
4 stars for the way this book made me consider what it means to have an addiction to shopping and how it may present in a person's psychology. An additional .2 for the absurd situations that seemingly came out of nowhere For the Plot and that were quite delightful for their absurdity.
Is the main character relentlessly materialistic? Yes. But she feels she HAS to be to keep up with what the world demands of her. Does she lie to make her schemes work? Yes. But again, she does so because she feels that she HAS to so that she can make enough money to have a roof over her head and food and live a stable, relatively independent life.
This says more about her context than anything. She acts out of desperation and cultural confusion; she makes purchases because she fears what will happen if she doesn't. She buys because she imagines the theoretical gains from her purchases and deems them worthy. That's fascinating. She thinks so MUCH about shopping; she imagines it as crucial to her livelihood. And, honestly, with the amount that others comment on her choices, she might be right. We know the pretty bias is real, and here is a character is doing everything she can to take proper advantage of that.
Her addiction is primarily borne of anxiety and fear and the assumption that she has to be a certain way for everything to work out. Yet the focus of so many reviews is on how "insufferable" she is as a narrator. Yes, it's true, but her insufferability says so MUCH about her. Hats off to Kinsella for crafting a character who is generally not particularly likable but who is capable of conveying so much through her general unlikability.
Also: her role in as a Woman in Finance adds SO much to her character and the central conflict. SOLID CHOICE, KINSELLA. I might add more to this section later, but I think my reading notes might have this bit covered tbh.
4 stars for the way this book made me consider what it means to have an addiction to shopping and how it may present in a person's psychology. An additional .2 for the absurd situations that seemingly came out of nowhere For the Plot and that were quite delightful for their absurdity.
nicole_marissa's review against another edition
4.0
this is a cute fun read. as I've mentioned in other reviews, it isn't for everyone but I enjoyed it thoroughly and actually related to some of the main characters trials and tribulations.
anuxr's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5