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saram84's review against another edition
2.0
Lipstick Jungle by Candace Bushnell
⭐️⭐️
Publication Date: September 6, 2005
435 pages (print)
Nico O’Neilly, Victory Ford, and Wendy Healy are all successful women living in New York City. Nico is the editor of Bonfire Magazine, Victory is an established fashion designer, and Wendy is the president of Parador Pictures. All three women are balancing the stresses of being successful, relationships, and friendships. Nico is struggling with her marriage and hoping to land a promotion at work. Wendy’s marriage is crumbling due to her hectic work schedule and Victory has just bombed her spring fashion show. All these ladies are trying to work past all their obstacles to be successful in New York City.
This story will catch a reader’s attention as a feminist read. It is a feminist read and the writing and story will remind you of that fact throughout almost to an insufferable degree. The characters always remind themselves that the men around them are weak and they deserve better. Sometimes the attitudes of the main characters drove me crazy. Also, about half way through the story, I noticed the style of the writing. Every chapter started with a character on a plane, hung over, or in some state that the reader was unaware of and then the character sat and contemplated about their previous week, month, etc. I don’t understand why big chunks of the book were written as though everything already happened and now the character is sitting on a plane and recounting it in their head. I finished but the book was way too long.
⭐️⭐️
Publication Date: September 6, 2005
435 pages (print)
Nico O’Neilly, Victory Ford, and Wendy Healy are all successful women living in New York City. Nico is the editor of Bonfire Magazine, Victory is an established fashion designer, and Wendy is the president of Parador Pictures. All three women are balancing the stresses of being successful, relationships, and friendships. Nico is struggling with her marriage and hoping to land a promotion at work. Wendy’s marriage is crumbling due to her hectic work schedule and Victory has just bombed her spring fashion show. All these ladies are trying to work past all their obstacles to be successful in New York City.
This story will catch a reader’s attention as a feminist read. It is a feminist read and the writing and story will remind you of that fact throughout almost to an insufferable degree. The characters always remind themselves that the men around them are weak and they deserve better. Sometimes the attitudes of the main characters drove me crazy. Also, about half way through the story, I noticed the style of the writing. Every chapter started with a character on a plane, hung over, or in some state that the reader was unaware of and then the character sat and contemplated about their previous week, month, etc. I don’t understand why big chunks of the book were written as though everything already happened and now the character is sitting on a plane and recounting it in their head. I finished but the book was way too long.
chazbats's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bivainyte's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lrector's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Lipstick Jungle is the stories of 3 women in New York. Each one in different industries typically dominated by men & their (sometimes ruthless) climb to be the best. I think the underlying story was good. If women acted just as men would, would they be judged the same. Why is a woman judged so harshly when she works (to the point of one husband calling it abandonment of the children) but a man should be allowed to work & the woman be thankful for all his efforts.
I didn't connect with the characters & they were all a little too similar for me. The scenarios were extreme & there wasn't a couple that had a good balance to offset the horribleness of the other relationships. I also wish there was more focus on the friendships & the women elevating women.
I didn't connect with the characters & they were all a little too similar for me. The scenarios were extreme & there wasn't a couple that had a good balance to offset the horribleness of the other relationships. I also wish there was more focus on the friendships & the women elevating women.
anitaofplaybooktag's review against another edition
3.0
An engaging read, but frankly who needs a book about three women who, when earning money and power, act just like men? Affairs, messy divorces, power plays - - it's all there, but in this case, women are pulling all the punches. If you re-named everyone with males names, the story would be more believable.
cozylittlebrownhouse's review against another edition
3.0
I was curious about the book because I enjoyed the television series on NBC which was just officially canceled for next season (bummed about that one). The novel features three powerful female characters, each fighting their way to the top of their careers while struggling with family, infidelity, and of course, men. I thought the "female power" aspect of the book was overly dominant and very much in-your-face, and NBC did a MUCH better job of plot and character development. I didn't even really care for the women in the book, but loved them all in the TV show. The male characters were also much worse in the book, particularly Kirby Atwood who becomes Nico's love toy - he is so ignorant and silly in the book, but an interesting character in the show.
From what I have heard, most of Bushnell's books are crap, and the television adaptations are much better. She may have also given us the ladies of Sex and the City, but the HBO writers are the ones who deserve all of the credit for that one too.
Not sure if I will try another Bushnell. Chick-lit just isn't really my thing.
From what I have heard, most of Bushnell's books are crap, and the television adaptations are much better. She may have also given us the ladies of Sex and the City, but the HBO writers are the ones who deserve all of the credit for that one too.
Not sure if I will try another Bushnell. Chick-lit just isn't really my thing.
melissa_h's review against another edition
3.0
I could tell right away this book was written by the author of Sex & The City. It was very fluffy, not a lot of substance, but I enjoyed it for what it was worth. It wasn't meant to be anything serious. I wasn't too happy the ending seemed rushed, but overall decent.
lauraelena28's review against another edition
4.0
I have to say I felt the ending kind of rushed, and just a slightly bit forced.
I mean, I knew that the characters would end in a "happy way" but it felt only half-natural.
Specially, in Nico's side, I was waiting for the other shoe to drop during the last pages.
I mean, I knew that the characters would end in a "happy way" but it felt only half-natural.
Specially, in Nico's side, I was waiting for the other shoe to drop during the last pages.