Chasing Harry Winston: A Novel by Lauren Weisberger
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Book Reviews of Chasing Harry Winston: A Novel
Book Review: It's Fun (if you Manage your Expectations)
Summary: 4 Stars
I'm a bit puzzled by the obnoxious 1 star reviews of this book. It's not Pulitzer Prize material, but did you really expect that when you read the premise of the plot? Does it surprise you that characters who are "chasing expensive diamonds" (and men) are a bit shallow and neurotic?
I thought it was certainly worth reading. There are some very entertaining parts and funny observations that resonate with an almost-thirty-something who is looking to settle down.
I agree that the writing was mildly disjointed (jumping from scene-to-scene with no smooth transitions). Also, I thought the plot's concept was solid, but Weisberger didn't flesh it out as well as she could have. The ending is lame (especially if you are a reader who likes closure). It seemed as if Weisberger just got sick of writing it, so she tied up HALF of the loose ends and just let the rest fizzle out.
My overall impression of the book was that Weisberger was in a rush to get it finished. It had a lot more potential than it delivered on. And that is disappointing. Even so, compared to most chick-lit out there, a 75% effort by Weisberger still holds its own.
It's a fun beach read with a few hilarious stand-out scenes interspersed between several ho-hum ones. Nothing more, nothing less.
Book Review: The lives and loves of three friends
Summary: 4 Stars
Adriana, Leigh, and Emmy have been friends since college. They are about to turn 30 and want to do something to shake up their lives
Emmy has only been with three men in her life and just got dumped by her long term boyfriend. She has a new job traveling the world and the friends come up with a plan. Emmy is to have sex with a man for every continent in the world. She wants to do it, but after getting a bad start in Paris she is not so sure she can actually do it
Adriana is a spoiled rich girl who has had so many men that she can not count. The friends decide that what she needs is to settle down with one man and get engaged and they will give her a year to do it. Shortly after the bet she and her good gay friend (gotta have the gay best friend)go to a movie shoot and she gets interested in the producer.
Leigh is a book editor with a comfortable relationship with her boyfriend. Then things start changing when he suddenly proposes at a dinner celebrating their one year anniversary. Shortly afterward she is asked to edit the book of a famous writer. She is not sure what to do because she has feelings for the writer.
What happens with the three? Will Emmy and Adrianna actually do what they set out to accomplish? Read Chasing Harry Winston
Book Review: Pleasantly Surprised
Summary: 4 Stars
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this book. I didn't enjoy the author's second book at all, which I thought was just a clone of her first novel, the famous "Devil Wears Prada." I'm happy to report that Ms. Weisberger really branches out with her latest book, "Chasing Harry Winston." This book is nothing like her first two. It's a little slow in the beginning--I had some trouble getting into it. But about a quarter of the way through, the plot picked up, and I finished the book in two days. Yes, the ending is formulaic--but what else did anyone expect?? Also, I didn't really relate to any of the three female characters. But that didn't stop me from turning the pages and wondering what would happen next. Plus, I absolutely loved the story of Otis--what an adorable subplot!! Ms. Weisberger is a very talented writer--she certainly knows how to turn a phrase. I think some of the reviews here are unfair and harsh. This is a great summer read. I would call "Chasing Harry Winston" chick lit for intellectuals.Book Review: Lauren Weisberger's Best Yet!
Summary: 4 Stars
I've read both the Devil Wears Prada and Everyone Worth Knowing and was wholly unimpressed with both. I gave this book a whirl to give the author one last chance to redeem herself and she did. I really enjoyed the story lines and while there could have been a bit more character development, I could relate to the different issues that the characters faced. There was more brand dropping than necessary, but in my opinion it did not detract from the book in any meaningful manner. I would recommend the book, but maybe my perspective is different since I did not like the author's other two books at all and was hoping for something completely different. The characters were all facing challenges that you would expect single women in their late 20s living in NYC to be faced with. This was not great literature, but it was an enjoyable read that really picked up about 2/3 of the way through.Book Review: Ehhhhh.....I enjoyed it
Summary: 4 Stars
I wouldn't try to expect some profound literature with this book, so those who are so highly critical and negative should chill out with the hate because it's supposed to be a fun easy read with a simplistic plot. If you want the deep stuff, you're in the wrong genre. I think Weisberger wrote a fun novel and dived into thoughtful details that were very honest. Friends aren't always perfect and harmonious, nor do they all think/act/feel alike, so I appreciated the character differences that were spelled out throughout the book. If the girls acted and talked in the same way, it would be terribly ordinary and colorless. I don't indulge in chicklit much, but I liked this. Don't over analyze.