This story is about actresses, actors, writers, and New York’s high society crowd-it is also about one building called One Fifth Avenue which is the building to try to ‘get’ into. You’re somebody and you’ve gotten somewhere in life if you can live in this building.
We meet a lot of interesting characters who live at One Fifth Avenue or are trying really hard to live there. There’s Schiffer Diamond, an older actress who has come back to New York to make a comeback-she’s still talented and beautiful. There’s Enid and her nephew Philip, once a really famous writer for movies but is having trouble getting back into the swing of things and doing anything successful again. He and Schiffer had once been an item and very much in love but somehow they never seem to be able to make it work for any length of time. Then there’s Annalisa, a woman who gives up her own career as a lawyer to follow her husband, a hedge-fund manager, to New York. They take over the best apartment in One Fifth Avenue which leads to all kinds of trouble. There’s also Lola, a twenty-something spoiled brat who makes her rounds by sleeping around. There’s Billy who is one of those hangers-on types who has tons of important friends but not a pot to pee in for himself. However, I found him a really endearing character. Finally there’s Mindy, James and their son Sam who is a computer whiz and can manage to cause his own mess of trouble. They live in the worst apartment in One Fifth Avenue and this never fails to tick Mindy off.
I really liked the characters in this book. I thought Mindy was hilarious, Billy was sweet, and Annalisa just seems to pull people in with her subtle ways. The plot is mainly about the rich and famous and all that goes on in their world. There were a few twists and turns though that kept things spinning and interesting.
Candace Bushnell fans will undoubtedly love the book and I think others will too. If you’re looking for an uncomplicated, fun read that lets you escape into the craziness of the rich for a while, then this is it. I would recommend it as a great summer-beachy kind of read.
This book will be released September 22, 2008.
You have a good weekend, too, Dar!
Lezlie
I hadn't heard she had a new book. Nice you could get an ARC. Even nicer that you enjoyed it. I haven't read any of her books but I've seen and liked S&TC – the series. Didn't like the movie all that much, though.
I haven’t seen the movie yet Mary but I do want to. I’ll probably wait till it’s out at Blockbuster though, I have trouble sitting that long in a theatre.
Stay tuned cause I’m pretty sure this will be my next giveaway!
I love S&TC but haven't watched any Lipstick Jungle (too many other good shows!). I've always wanted to read one of her books and I'll have to keep my eye open for this one! Great cover, too!
Hey Trish, stay tuned cause I'll be doing up a giveaway post on this one soon. I loved S&TC but never did watch Lipstick Jungle either. I'm a bit of a reality show junkie. Those are about the only shows I do make sure I watch-Big Brother, Survivor.
Can’t wait to read this one. Please enter my name. Thanks for the chance!
This sounds like a really fun read!
I just finished this…great review. I thought it was a fun and smart read, especially compared to her last few. This felt like a guilty pleasure…with an insider’s view.
Jill, I really enjoyed this one. You’re right, a guilty pleasure. Glad you enjoyed it.