'Daughter'-ly concerns
I'm back!
Now that that's out of the way. Today we look at a book that asks us to sympathize with the offspring of ultra-rich, ultra-successful parents.
Lizzie's mother, a fashion model with her own line of clothes, has been dubbed the most beautiful woman on the planet. But Lizzie's mom is also completely clueless as to how this might affect her daughter's self-esteem. An shy, awkward fourteen-year-old who's more than a size 6, Lizzie takes solace in her writing and her two best friends: adventurous Carina and soulful Hudson - daughters of the filthy rich and supremely talented, respectively. Lizzie's world begins to look brighter when a childhood crush shows interest in her, but her issues with her mom causes Lizzie to lash out at her. With the help of a friendly photographer, Andrea, who makes her finally see where her real beauty lies, Lizzie develops some confidence and ventures out into the world of modeling. But she still has a lot to learn about what's real, what's fake, and how to own up to her mistakes.
Eh. I don't mean to be flippant, but this book didn't really make an impression on me. Overstuffed with small side characters and unnecessary drama, the story only works when it's focusing on the dynamics between Lizzie and her mother - and Lizzie and Andrea. There is actual pathos behind Lizzie's frustration with Katia (yes, her mom's name is Katia - go figure) and I really like how Philbin went out of her way to describe Lizzie's offbeat looks. She's not just fronting. And the relationship between Lizzie and the energetic and sincere Andrea is a joy to read about. Funny, smart, and real, Andrea is exactly what a girl like Lizzie needs in her life.
The rest is more or less disposable. Although the friendship between Lizzie, Carina, and Hudson is strong, it often seems like it's just there to pad the book. Carina and Hudson have their own problems with their respective parents ... that add nothing to the story. The gang of mean girls is a snore. The romance subplot is cut-and-dry, hitting every formulaic beat. Plus, the fact that Lizzie and her crush bond over liking The Great Gatsby is more laughable than moving. Although it is the only detail that is realistically rendered: two fourteen-year-olds gushing over Gatsby for the wrong reasons. The rest of the time, it's easy to mistake all of these characters for sixteen.
The problems this book has are inoffensive at best, however. Slightly marred by a needless cliff-hanger ending, this is a pretty decent feel-good read with a genuinely nice message about personal beauty and coming into your own. Rating: 3.5 photo shoots out of 5.
Now that that's out of the way. Today we look at a book that asks us to sympathize with the offspring of ultra-rich, ultra-successful parents.
Eh. I don't mean to be flippant, but this book didn't really make an impression on me. Overstuffed with small side characters and unnecessary drama, the story only works when it's focusing on the dynamics between Lizzie and her mother - and Lizzie and Andrea. There is actual pathos behind Lizzie's frustration with Katia (yes, her mom's name is Katia - go figure) and I really like how Philbin went out of her way to describe Lizzie's offbeat looks. She's not just fronting. And the relationship between Lizzie and the energetic and sincere Andrea is a joy to read about. Funny, smart, and real, Andrea is exactly what a girl like Lizzie needs in her life.
The rest is more or less disposable. Although the friendship between Lizzie, Carina, and Hudson is strong, it often seems like it's just there to pad the book. Carina and Hudson have their own problems with their respective parents ... that add nothing to the story. The gang of mean girls is a snore. The romance subplot is cut-and-dry, hitting every formulaic beat. Plus, the fact that Lizzie and her crush bond over liking The Great Gatsby is more laughable than moving. Although it is the only detail that is realistically rendered: two fourteen-year-olds gushing over Gatsby for the wrong reasons. The rest of the time, it's easy to mistake all of these characters for sixteen.
The problems this book has are inoffensive at best, however. Slightly marred by a needless cliff-hanger ending, this is a pretty decent feel-good read with a genuinely nice message about personal beauty and coming into your own. Rating: 3.5 photo shoots out of 5.
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