"That's all" - Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly

Revenge Wears Prada

When I heard Lauren Weisberger was releasing a second title to accompany the best selling "The Devil Wears Prada" I was absolutely ecstatic! I had the date firmly etched on my Iphone calendar but of course I could remember without the use of technology. I was also slightly sceptical that the roaring hit of the first would not shine through another "Miranda problem" (quote Emily Charlton) being "Revenge Wears Prada". 

The second episode to the first outstanding story tells the tale of Anh-dre-ah (imagine Meryl Streep's brilliant voice of Miranda Priestly from the movie) Sachs ten years later. She is about to get married and prior to this, uncovers what she feels is evidence of her future husband's infidelity. However, she still goes through with the wedding regardless of her doubts. Throughout the novel, Weisberger allows us to rediscover Andrea's life and makes us fall in love with the new characters such as Max, whom Andrea marries, by writing chapters that reveals the story of how they met and how herself and Emily Charlton (of course being Andy's new best friend) set up their greatly desired for wedding magazine The Plunge. I actually really enjoy the parts of the book that reveal more about the work that the magazine undertakes which makes me really jealous of the lavish lifestyles and weddings they get to visit/write about. Why can't I have this job? Emily and Andrea's successful magazine is nothing like wedding magazines on the current market, and by exploiting the contacts made whilst at Runway, it quickly ends up on the desk of The Devil (Miranda Priestly for those of you who don't know).

Miranda could have been played by NO ONE else but Meryl Streep. When reading the both books, I always carried the many voices of the cast of the movie.

Throughout my time reading this novel, most of the time I could be found in firmly plonked on a chair in Costa with a skinny caramel latte (very New York city) in my grasp, I found myself missing the usual sharp tongue of Emily Charlton. I always find myself reading in the voices of the actors in the movie (old habits die hard) which for me, make the book much more fun and enjoyable to read. When Andy falls pregnant with her first child, she is quick to use this as an excuse to put off Miranda's generous offer to buy the magazine. Her pregnancy changes the way Miranda treats her, much to my dislike. She becomes friendly towards her and at times, complimentary. I think I prefer the way the character resumes her icy front to Emily as it is more like the character from the first book. However, this I presume is Miranda's manipulating mind trying to win over Andy's sceptical heart as it is clear the ten years that have passed have failed to clear the dark clouds of Runway.

The book concludes with The Plunge being sold, I won't reveal how this happens but I have to say that it was a surprise - an entertaining one! It completely changed the way I first reviewed this book as it went from a read-it-if-you-have-time book to a must-read! All I can say is that Lauren Weisberger, you have done it again. This novel is dreamy, glamorous and of course high fashion providing us with a first class ticket to New York without the hassle of packing an overnight bag.

However, here is some advice. Don't jump straight into this book without reading the first. The movie is completely different to the first book and I think you might find it a shock to your Prada-desiring heart that some of the characters have different names and different personalities to those portrayed in the film. This is not to say that the movie is something not to be watched. On the contrary, it is a MUST SEE film. All I am saying is that it may not be what you expect. That's all!

Congratulations Lauren Weisberger, 'Revenge Wears Prada' is still in the running to becoming Britain's Next Top Novel!

Surely a honeymoon isn't this eventful?

Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella

To fully escape from everyday life and feel the heat of this Greek honeymoon novel took me a while I have to admit. Though, this could have been due to the fact that I have read A LOT of books during the summer and nothing to do with the obviously brilliant writing style of Sophie Kinsella. 

The novel divides itself by covering the lives of two sisters, Lottie and Fliss. Lottie being the thirty-something-year old woman who is desperate to get hitched to her partner Richard. When Richard doesn't match Lottie's passion for marriage, their relationship comes to a sudden end and she is quick to resume a fling she once had as a teen. However, so that Lottie doesn't repeat her usual pattern of relationships, she lays down a 'no sex before marriage' law with Ben (the man she suddenly gets engaged to after a 15 year separation). Her wedding night (clichéd), hence the title of the book, seems the best way to bring her longly awaited romantic fantasies to life, not to her sister's liking. 

Fliss, on the other hand, is in the process of getting divorced with the difficulty of keeping things civil in order to protect her son from emotional damage, but due to the phrases he comes out with, he clearly already is. Fliss obviously isn't impressed with her sister's impulse antics and takes on the lovely task of stalling the wedding. When this fails, she embarks on a journey of stopping Ben and Lottie from consummating their marriage so that an annulment is possible. Who really knows this stuff?? But of course, Fliss does. I do feel the way this is gone about is somewhat unrealistic, who really poisons their own sister potentially killing her just so they don't have sex?! I certainly wouldn't even dream of spiking my own sister's drink with whiskey let alone giving her something she is allergic to! I do find myself getting slightly pissed off with the many members of staff at the Greek hotel, where Ben and Lottie are having their nightmare-moon, who are constantly offering their drink pouring skills who are also trying to stall their wedding night under the control of Fliss. Although, some restaurants could learn a thing or two about customer service from this novel!

It does seem that I am criticising this book a lot which I guess I am in a way but this is because I was somewhat disappointed with this novel as Kinsella's Shopaholic books are simply genius and are by far my favourite books of all time. However, there are many extremely entertaining scenarios in Wedding Night such as a hilarious yet kind of disgusting incident of trying to consummate marriage in an airport toilet. Hmmm... can really see the appeal there Lottie... not. I am a sucker for a happy ending though and this book doesn't fail to bring this. Lottie is greeted by ex Richard on the sexless island of Greece and it is hinted that Fliss ends up dating Ben's best friend Lorcan who joined Fliss on her travels (he also doesn't approve of the 'wedding in a dash').

This story did capture my heart (after allowing myself the time to read several chapters one after another) with the reality of emotions (not the plot) the characters went through. Every girl dreams of their wedding day and curiously wonders whether their current partner/boyfriend will ever be The One, which made character Lottie seem like an extension of myself. After this discovery, I was completely hooked (even though the plot at times is downright silly). With that I could practically taste the Moussaka which I have to admit was a welcoming surprise. 

I'm not sure that this would win but this has made it as a post on Britain's Next Top Novel.

Looking for Tara?

Looking for Alaska - John Green

In case you hadn't guessed from the heading, 'Looking for Alaska' is a book that is extremely difficult to put down. And to part with, when you inevitably finish devouring it in a mere two sittings (sob!). So be sure to let family and friends know that you may be MIA, to ensure that missing persons are not alerted of your disappearance.

 

'Looking for Alaska' tells the tale of Miles Halter, about to embark on a 'Great Perhaps'. Halter, obsessed with famous last words, begins term at a new boarding school, friendless. He soon meets his roommate Chip, who has nicknamed himself The Colonel and in turn immediately nicknames Miles, a beanstalk of a boy, 'Pudge'. We soon meet The Colonel's group of friends, including the eponymous Alaska, and it is perhaps testament to John Greens lyrical writing and exceptional characterisation that we immediately fall in love with the gang, although they are far from perfect.

 

Alaska in particular is flawed - drinking, smoking and sex, alongside novels, appearing to be a few of her favourite things. Green's depiction of Alaska is truly excellent; I, alongside Miles, fell quickly in love with her. Although arguably the most flawed character, she is also loveable and quirky, clearly the mature leader of a clan of rather immature boys, despite Chip's self given and rather optimistic title. However it is testament to John Green's skill as an author, that although sulky, sullen and temperamental, Alaska is easily the character I felt the most for, and the easiest character to relate to, although by no means understand, which I would hazard a guess from the title was Green's aim.

 

I regret to inform you, that
you are no longer in the
running to become
'Britain's Next Top Novel'

'Looking for Alaska' is set in two halves, Before and After. Before and After referring to the defining event, which will not be spoilt in this review, don't you worry. Both are poignant and gripping. I experienced a plethora of emotions throughout: laughter ; joy; friendship (this is an emotion trust me); bitterness; angst; love; sadness and desperation to name a few.

Although not the longest novel, Green manages to draw upon an array of teenage experiences with an alarming accuracy and a huge level of... humour. For what is a deeply thought provoking novel, there is a huge amount of comedy and this is what makes the book and the characters themselves so appealing. The book does not take itself too seriously ('For Whom the Bell Tolls', I'm looking at you). Though broaching many difficult issues,  it manages to maintain a relatively uplifting outlook on life. This is not to say it is not downright depressing at times (you will cry and if you don't ARE YOU AN ANIMAL?), but alas, life can be too and Green's realism is what keeps readers coming back for more.  

 

Not only is Green's writing style lush with a capital 'L', but his words stay with you long after you have finished the book. Take for example Alaska's musings on the escape from the Labyrinth of suffering. This provoked in me a deep sense of unease: Can we ever escape the labyrinth? I, alongside Alaska and Miles, pondered this question and the idea of a 'Great Perhaps' for many hours after putting down the book for the final time. In fact I still am pondering whilst writing this review, and so keep getting distracted. Thanks very much John! Perhaps, Miles' conclusion that 'The only way out of the Labyrinth of suffering is to forgive' is something that we can all learn from. Perhaps, like Miles,we can take comfort from the last words of Thomas Edison: 'Its very beautiful over there' and conclude alongside him that although we do not know 'where there is' we can live in hope of finding it, and finding it beautiful.  

 

And on that note John Green, I forgive you for leaving me full of perhaps and ponders for nights on end, and I thank you for giving me a tiny piece of a beautiful 'there'. 

After nearly no deliberation, it's a fantastic book people, I am pleased to announce...

 

Congratulations John Green, 'Looking for Alaska' is still in the running to become 'Britain's Next Top Novel'