"Bridget Jones Goes Shopping"

On the heels of the phenomenal success of Bridget Jones's Diary comes a multitude of trendy Brit-Chick Lit novels. CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC stands out amongst the crowd.

Becky Bloomwood is a Shopaholic. Being somewhat of a shopaholic myself, I can relate. There's just something about slipping your foot into a fabulous pair of new shoes; or finding that perfect little handbag. It's exciting, sure. You've just got to know when to say when. Anyone other than me ever purchase a bunch of useless cosmetics just to get the "free" beach bag? All this spending has landed Becky in big trouble, though. She just can't seem to stop shopping. Much of her time is spent avoiding the notices from credit card companies, and letter after letter from her bank manager. She knows she needs to earn more money to pay off these bills before things get completely out of control. After all, Becky writes for a financial magazine and advises consumers on personal savings and investment strategies. How's that for irony? Alas, her schemes to make some quick money usually backfire, leaving her in even more debt and up to her ears in "little white lies". How many women do you know who would walk up to a sexy millionaire bachelor and ask to borrow ten pounds so she can afford to buy a particular scarf for herself - er, for her dying aunt?

Take a few overdue Visa payments, stir in an out-of-control bank overdraft, add a hunky PR exec, and mix it all together with an unhealthy obsession for shopping, and you've got a recipe for a first-rate, hilarious romp through the shops of London. Recommended for the woman who has everything - or is still haunting the malls in search of everything!

Reviewed by Kelly Jones
Posted February 15, 2002

Summary

Going Broke was never this much fun...

Becky Bloomwood has a fabulous flat in London's trendiest neighborhood, a troupe of glamorous socialite friends, and a closet brimming with the season's must-haves. The only trouble is that she can't actually afford it -- not any of it. Her job writing at Successful Savings not only bores her to tears, it doesn't pay much at all. And lately Becky's been chased by dismal letters from Visa and the Endwich Bank--letters with large red sums she can't bear to read--and they're getting harder to ignore. She tries cutting back; she even tries making more money. But none of her efforts succeeds. Becky's only consolation is to buy herself something...just a little something...

Finally a story arises that Becky actually cares about, and her front-page article catalyzes a chain of events that will transform her life--and the lives of those around her--forever.

Sophie Kinsella has brillantly tapped into our collective consumer conscience to deliver a novel of our times--and a heroine who grows stronger every time she weakens. Becky Bloomwood's hilarious schemes to pay back her debts are as endearing as they are desperate. Her "confessions" are the perfect pick-me-up when life is hanging the (bank) balance.