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3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
This book has taken on a whole new meaning for me, almost 20 years after first reading it. Rebecca Bloomwood is not your typical financial reporter. She would much rather be shopping than going to press conferences, and she has a bit of a problem with it. So much so, she’s thousands of pounds in debt! I read this again about 20 years after its release, as from the first time I picked it up, I found it hit home for me. When first reading it back in 2000, I was in my late teen's early twenties and thought nothing of Rebecca’s need to shop or the predicaments it got her in. Now in my mid-30s, while still a charming and funny read, I can relate to the stress reaction of needing to go out and do something to make you feel better. Definitely a read for the later twenties and older crowd, and well worth it. The dry humor is so well-placed that you will find yourself laughing out loud when you least expect it!
The cutest book! I've read the series about 12 times. :) It's a fabulous read for the subway
Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2.5)
This book is supposed to be a fun, funny dive into the world of shopping addiction through Becky's eyes. But honestly, I found it hard to connect with Becky as a character.
Becky's constant shopping sprees and her financial mess are meant to be funny and relatable, but I mostly found them frustrating. Instead of laughing along, I found myself getting annoyed by her choices.
The story might appeal more to those who see themselves in Becky's habits or find her antics endearing. However, it felt more like I was waiting for something to click that never quite did. So, this book has its moments, but it wasn't quite the hit I was hoping for. It could be a fun read for others, but I couldn't get into it.
This book is supposed to be a fun, funny dive into the world of shopping addiction through Becky's eyes. But honestly, I found it hard to connect with Becky as a character.
Becky's constant shopping sprees and her financial mess are meant to be funny and relatable, but I mostly found them frustrating. Instead of laughing along, I found myself getting annoyed by her choices.
The story might appeal more to those who see themselves in Becky's habits or find her antics endearing. However, it felt more like I was waiting for something to click that never quite did. So, this book has its moments, but it wasn't quite the hit I was hoping for. It could be a fun read for others, but I couldn't get into it.
Este es el primer libro que leo del genero de Adult Chick-lit y me encantó! La historia de atrapa porque es demasiado entretenida y el humor de Sophie Kinsella es simplemente increíble.
En mi opinión algunas partes me parecieron estar de más, pero aún así disfruté mucho en general de la historia.
Nota: escuché esto en audio, y recomiendo mil veces este audiolibro, simplemente excelente.
En mi opinión algunas partes me parecieron estar de más, pero aún así disfruté mucho en general de la historia.
Nota: escuché esto en audio, y recomiendo mil veces este audiolibro, simplemente excelente.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I want to start by saying I LOVE Sophie Kinsella’s writing, and some of her standalone books are absolutely masterful. However, The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic just did not have the same level of quality as some of her other work.
It wasn’t bad … it just wasn’t great.
It wasn’t bad … it just wasn’t great.
When I first started reading, I was excited. The first quarter of the book is filled with Kinsella’s signature wit, unexpected humour, and easy-to-read style. The story opens with a lighthearted, humorous portrayal of Rebecca Bloomwood, a London journalist hopelessly addicted to shopping. I found myself laughing out loud as Becky concocts increasingly outrageous excuses to avoid facing her mounting debt. I quickly settled in, ready to enjoy another Kinsella masterpiece...
However, the middle of the book just seems to drag on and on. The central gag—Rebecca dodging her financial woes with ever more elaborate excuses—quickly grows repetitive. The lack of substantial plot points or character development during this stretch makes the story feel stagnant. Quite frankly, I was bored. The humour becomes less effective because there is no balance or purpose; the narrative just meanders without direction. Listening to this as an audiobook meant I got to spend nearly seven hours listening to nothing more than Rebecca's shopping habits and excuses, which felt like the reading equivalent of running in circles.
As for Rebecca, I’ll be honest—I can’t decide if I love her, hate her, or love to hate her. One thing I know for sure is that I immediately related to her. Rebecca is very clearly ADHD-coded—her chaotic, impulsive behaviour, wild leaps between thoughts, and disregard for consequences are highly relatable and endearing. Anyone with ADHD can’t help but feel a deep pang of understanding, empathy, and solidarity with Rebecca when reading about her ever-growing pile of unread mail!
Unfortunately, it’s that middle section again that lets both the book AND Ms Bloomwood down. Her almost wilful naivety and lack of self-awareness become increasingly frustrating over time. Kinsella seems to have aimed for a portrayal of a talented ADHD woman battling imposter syndrome, unsure of her abilities and intelligence. Unfortunately, it doesn’t quite translate that way.
Instead, Rebecca often comes across as shallow and unintelligent, contradicting the flashes of cleverness we see in other parts of the book. She often feels more like a caricature than a fully fleshed-out person, which is frustrating because there is clearly more depth to her character that remains unexplored.
Instead, Rebecca often comes across as shallow and unintelligent, contradicting the flashes of cleverness we see in other parts of the book. She often feels more like a caricature than a fully fleshed-out person, which is frustrating because there is clearly more depth to her character that remains unexplored.
Thankfully, the last quarter of the book pulls things back together. The plot picks up, the humour returns, and the ending has some great twists and satisfying moments that made the slog through the middle worth it.
Ultimately, The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic has moments of brilliance, but it suffers from a bloated middle section that detracts from the book's overall appeal. Realistically, Kinsella could have taken the first and last quarters, combined them, fleshed them out a little, and produced a far funnier, sharper, and more polished story than what was presented.
Despite the issues, I love Kinsella’s writing style enough and am invested in Rebecca Bloomwood’s life just enough to give the second book in the series a chance. Here’s hoping for a fresh storyline, more redeeming qualities for the protagonist, and some depth for the secondary characters.
eu gosto que o livro tem varias coisas diferentes do filme pq sao como dois universos e agora que reli o primeiro posso ler a serie toda
خب سوفی کیندزلای عزیز دلم بار دیگر شاهکاری افرید
(البته اگه این سبک لوسو دوست داشته باشین!!)
ولی تو این ۴ تا کتابی که ازش به فارسی ترجمه شده، من اینو خیلی بیشتر دوست داشتم
چون شخصیت اصلیش خیلی مستقل تر و باهوش تر بود از بقیه شخصیتا
و اینکه دختر داستان، خیلی رویاپردازی میکنه و رویاهاش خیلی بلندن، و چون منم دقیقا همینطوریم کاملا حس میکردم میفهممش
خیلی دوستش داشتم و حتما چندبار دیگه میخونمش😍
(البته اگه این سبک لوسو دوست داشته باشین!!)
ولی تو این ۴ تا کتابی که ازش به فارسی ترجمه شده، من اینو خیلی بیشتر دوست داشتم
چون شخصیت اصلیش خیلی مستقل تر و باهوش تر بود از بقیه شخصیتا
و اینکه دختر داستان، خیلی رویاپردازی میکنه و رویاهاش خیلی بلندن، و چون منم دقیقا همینطوریم کاملا حس میکردم میفهممش
خیلی دوستش داشتم و حتما چندبار دیگه میخونمش😍
This was a cute little Rom-Com with fun and quirky characters. I love Sophie Kinsella.
This book is just the best, fluffiest comfort read ever. Now I'm way too tempted to re-read the rest of the series.