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Nov022009
GUEST REVIEW: Confessions of a Reluctant Recessionista by Amy Silver
by Carolyn • Posted in 4 Star Reviews, Authors Q-T, Book Reviews, Contemporary Women's Fiction, Guest Review
Guest Reviewer: Suzana from Bookalicious
Title: Confessions of a Reluctant Recessionista
Author: Amy Silver
Publisher: Arrow Books
Publication Date: 22 Oct 2009
Genre: Chick-Lit
Paperback: 327 pages
Rating: 8/10
Summary (book cover)
Cassie Cavanagh has never minded being ‘just a PA’. In fact she’s quite content with her lot. She has a city job she kind of enjoys – after all she is indispensable, you know. She has a boyfriend who showers her with gifts – what more could a girl want? And she earns enough to (just about) finance the luxuries she’s become used to. But Cassie hadn’t banked on being made redundant. Nor had she pictured her boyfriend leaving her for an older woman! Nor had she ever imagined needing to take financial advice from her student flatmate. Reluctant to embrace the art of being thrifty, if Cassie’s going to survive the recession in style, she’s a lot to learn about budgeting. And even more to learn about herself…
Review:
I’ve been looking forward to reading this book for months as the plot made it seem like something that a lot of young women could perhaps relate to or dread in these times of a global economical crisis and all the scary recession talk. So when Cassie, the narrator of the story, goes from being the indispensable PA in the City to a reluctant recessionista , the readers are bound to think, “Oh, I hope something like that doesn’t happen to me!” It’s easy to sympathize with Cassie when she loses her job as well as her (douchebag) boyfriend and you can’t really blame her for wallowing in self pity for a while. But with the help of her friends, Cassie decides to get her life back on track one way or the other and so she eventually learns that what seemed like the end of her life might just be the beginning of a new era.
The twenty-something Cassie comes across as a bit of a ditz especially at the beginning of the story, even though she claims she isn’t really, but that’s probably mainly because she got sucked into the City life where shallowness is the norm. However, when Cassie’s life is turned upside down, she gets a chance to prove both to herself and the readers what she’s really capable of. Sure, she struggles to stick to the strict budget just like proper spendaholic would, but she’s willing to accept any job and work hard at it. She may be a bit silly at times, but she’s also funny, reliable, inventive and a great friend to name just a few of her good qualities. I’ve rolled my eyes at her several times, but on the whole I quite enjoyed reading about her path of transformation and self discovery and took quite a shine to her in the process.
The comparisons with Becky Bloomwood, everyone’s favourite Shopaholic, are unavoidable, and while I have to say that Cassie doesn’t really give Becky a run for her money, the book still has several funny moments (my favourite was probably the home waxing scene, haha) and the main character also comes across as quite adorable, even though Becky will always be my favourite.
One thing I quite liked was the ending – finally a book where not *eveything* has to work out like in a fairytale. On the other hand, I think the worst thing about this book may be the cover – I don’t really hate it or anything, but it’s certainly not my favourite cover ever either; there’s just something about it that doesn’t work for me, maybe the illustration or the colours, can’t quite say. But you’ll be pleased to hear that the story itself is far more lively than the cover, hehe.
Verdict:
All in all, I did quite enjoy this book. I thought it was a great (and timely) debut and I’d definitely recommend it if you’re looking for a very light and entertaining book about finding yourself in times of crisis. It may not be the most grim account of recession, but it’s definitely an uplifting read with a lovely set of characters that really bring the story to life.
ps: I’d like to thank the wonderful Book Chick City for sending me the book and giving me the chance to review it here, it’s been an honour!
Your welcome, Suzana! It’s been a pleasure to have you and I just loved your review, thank you!
I would also like to thank Arrow Books for sending me this book.
2 Comments
Sometimes I need a book like that! Thanks for the review.
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Congrats everyone!
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