Trading Up

Rating:
Summary: Pleasantly Unconventional
Review: The first thing that i liked about the book was that Janey was not supposed to be liked. That is rare in books and Bushnell made it work. Janey was a mystery and you had to read on to solve her. I found that fascinating. Many reviewers state that the story is not believable. Well, I lived in NY and know a few successful people there and trust me, there is nothing unbelievable about the plot. NY can be even worse than depicted in this novel. And it doesn't matter how rich a man is; he will still tolerate a beautiful women if he is in love. By the way, men generally like difficult women.

I loved the plot because it was unconventional. Janey did things that as a reader I found appalling but still fascinating. She struggled between her emotions and that was very real. I also disagree with one critics opinion that Mimi just completely changed in the book. Mimi fell in love in the book. All women know what love is capable of. Mimi's hollow life became filled and her image softened. I loved the transformation.

The ending was increadible. I have read few endings like it. It was rushed but properly so. Janey was rushing in the story! When she made her comeback, I fell in love with Janey. Anyone would love her for her strength! Yes, Janey was shallow among other thigs, but she was a fighter. That's respectable! Janey's journey was confusing at times but that's what made it so much better. She felt like a human being, not a conventional character with a typical 'bad girl' or 'good girl' personality. Bushnell did a wonderful job! Read it!!!

Rating:
Summary: Too long
Review: This book was too long and not as good as I expected it to be.

Rating:
Summary: Great Fun!
Review: Trading Up tells the story of Janey Wilcox, an ambitious blonde who has finally made her mark on the fashion industry by becoming a Victoria's Secret model. Now that she's semi-famous, she thinks she can leave behind the world of sleeping with rich men to get ahead, but her reputation precedes her and she still doesn't get the respect she thinks she deserves. Not about to give up, Janey finds herself a high-class best friend and decides to marry a rich older man who just happens to be an executive at a movie company. But Janey still isn't satisfied...she'll do anything it takes, including stabbing her 'friends' in the back and lying to her husband, to get what she wants.

Despite these flaws, Trading Up is still a fun, raunchy book that makes you happy you're not rich and famous (and really, doesn't there need to be more things out there that make you glad you're not rich and famous?) Even if you've never read any Jackie Collins books or watched Sex and the City, you should give Trading Up a read. After reading about the despicable Janey Wilcox, you'll feel better about yourself if nothing else. I purchased this book through Amazon.com right after another great purchase, The Losers' Club by Richard Perez, about an unlucky writer addicted to the personals. Both are fun, recommended books. Enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: Trading DOWN Big Time!
Review: Unfortunately, I do not have anything good to say about this book. The plot does not make sense but is predictable at the same time. The characters are 1-dimensional and irritating to boot. Even the mention of supposed high fashion and luxury here and there could not make me enjoy this book. I really like what Candace Bushnell represents but I am afraid she did not quite make the cut this time around.

Rating:
Summary: Janey
Review: Wow, talk about a character you love to hate! I loved this book! It was pure trash, but that kind of high class, well written trash. Candace Bushnell leaves nothing to the imagination with Janey and her thoughts and antics. I've lent this book to a few friends and they all say they can't wait to see what she will have the audacity to do next. Makes you wonder if there really are people like that in real life. My guess is yes. Only one downfall for me and that was about 3/4s of the way through the book it did start to get a little long. And just when you think the ending will surely take the moral high-road and Janey will get exactly what's coming to her . . . she doesn't!

Rating:
Summary: TOO LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG
Review: Yep, my title says it all. This book is way too drawn out. My God, I am half way through the book and I'm still wondering what the plot is. SO far, it's no more than a bunch of rich bitches shopping and cheating (or trying to cheat) on their husbands. The only sympathetic character (Patty) is reduced to a few measly pages every few chapters. The story basically revolves around Janey Wilcox, a model who thinks the world revolves around her. She is by all means NOT a likeable character. I almost stood up cheered when I read the part where the man she is after for sex (Zizi) not only turns her down but calls her a WHORE to boot! Candace Bushnell has a way with similies like nobodies business. Books lie around spread open like a woman after a one night stand. Neon lights on an old hotel refuse to stop shining like an aging showgirl refusing to leave the stage. And the names of the characters, where does she get them? There's Dodo, Zizi, Pipi, Mauve, Digger, Selden, I could go on and on. The thinly veiled nod to Time Warner takes the cake. In Bushnell's world that would be Splatch Verner. I know it's not fair to review a book prior to finishing it, but I think I've read enough to do a pretty thorough job. Here's hoping that we've seen the last of Janey Wilcox and her shallow friends.

Rating:
Summary: Dreadful, vacuous characters and a waste of time.
Review: You keep hoping Janey will have some redeeming qualities or will have an epiphany around her self-centered life.. but she doesn't. The book is entirely frustrating, irritating and unsatisfying, although it does provide a probably fairly accurate glimpse into the inner workings of New York City "society".