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delaneysc's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
blondierocket's review against another edition
3.0
Tells the story of a group of rich socialites who inhabit One Fifth Avenue, a very exclusive apartment building in New York. Covers the course of a year in the lives of all these neighbors who love and hate each other, through death and marriage, heartbreak and betrayal.
This is my first Bushnell book, so I’m still trying to figure out her writing style and on a scale how much I like her writing. I wanted to read Sex and the City first which would have set a better tone of what to expect, but I imagine this isn’t too far off. I tried to keep an open mind when reading.
Reader beware: explicit sexual content and description. If you’ve read your share of trashy romance novels this isn’t going to be much more than that.
This is my first Bushnell book, so I’m still trying to figure out her writing style and on a scale how much I like her writing. I wanted to read Sex and the City first which would have set a better tone of what to expect, but I imagine this isn’t too far off. I tried to keep an open mind when reading.
Reader beware: explicit sexual content and description. If you’ve read your share of trashy romance novels this isn’t going to be much more than that.
melinichole's review against another edition
1.0
I could not get into this book at all!!! Too much was going on. Too many characters to keep up with and it was a snooze.
sabs_16's review
2.0
I was excited to read something from the creator of "Sex and The City" but was somewhat disappointed by the novel. It sorta fell flat at moments and really dragged along some of the characters and plot points.
A synopsis:
"The residents of a historic Manhattan building are thrown for a loop when an elderly socialite dies, leaving her spectacular apartment up for grabs.
In the glittering world of Bushnell’s latest (Lipstick Jungle, 2006, etc.), where you live is easily as important as how (and with whom) you live. So when Louise Houghton passes away a few weeks shy of her 100th birthday, her Greenwich Village neighbors are anxious to have a say in who ends up living in her coveted 7,000-square-foot space. The players include octogenarian gossip columnist Enid Merle, her successful screenwriter nephew Philip Oakland, and the embittered middle-aged head of the co-op board, Mindy Gooch. Long resentful of the fact that her family inhabits One Fifth’s “worst” apartment, Mindy pushes through a quickie sale of Louise’s place seemingly just to thwart Enid. The new residents, Paul and Annalisa Rice, certainly seem suitable. Annalisa is a down-to-earth beauty who gave up her law practice to accompany her math-genius husband to New York, where he is developing some super-secret financial software. Paul, unlike his wife, is cold and entitled, and as his fortunes grow, a sinister, paranoid side of him emerges that alienates everyone in the building, including Annalisa. But is Paul just a creep, or something worse? Philip’s love life, meanwhile, takes a complicated turn when movie star ex-girlfriend Schiffer Diamond moves back after years of living in Los Angeles. The two share a deep connection, but reconciliation seems iffy when Philip starts sleeping with his 22-year-old “researcher” Lola Fabrikant. A pampered schemer who sets her sights on marriage—and Philip’s apartment—Lola hedges her bets by dallying with snarky celebrity blogger Thayer Core, who in turn uses her for information. Mindy’s hen-pecked novelist husband James also develops a crush on the lissome Lola, who begins paying attention to him when his new book becomes a surprise success."
A synopsis:
"The residents of a historic Manhattan building are thrown for a loop when an elderly socialite dies, leaving her spectacular apartment up for grabs.
In the glittering world of Bushnell’s latest (Lipstick Jungle, 2006, etc.), where you live is easily as important as how (and with whom) you live. So when Louise Houghton passes away a few weeks shy of her 100th birthday, her Greenwich Village neighbors are anxious to have a say in who ends up living in her coveted 7,000-square-foot space. The players include octogenarian gossip columnist Enid Merle, her successful screenwriter nephew Philip Oakland, and the embittered middle-aged head of the co-op board, Mindy Gooch. Long resentful of the fact that her family inhabits One Fifth’s “worst” apartment, Mindy pushes through a quickie sale of Louise’s place seemingly just to thwart Enid. The new residents, Paul and Annalisa Rice, certainly seem suitable. Annalisa is a down-to-earth beauty who gave up her law practice to accompany her math-genius husband to New York, where he is developing some super-secret financial software. Paul, unlike his wife, is cold and entitled, and as his fortunes grow, a sinister, paranoid side of him emerges that alienates everyone in the building, including Annalisa. But is Paul just a creep, or something worse? Philip’s love life, meanwhile, takes a complicated turn when movie star ex-girlfriend Schiffer Diamond moves back after years of living in Los Angeles. The two share a deep connection, but reconciliation seems iffy when Philip starts sleeping with his 22-year-old “researcher” Lola Fabrikant. A pampered schemer who sets her sights on marriage—and Philip’s apartment—Lola hedges her bets by dallying with snarky celebrity blogger Thayer Core, who in turn uses her for information. Mindy’s hen-pecked novelist husband James also develops a crush on the lissome Lola, who begins paying attention to him when his new book becomes a surprise success."
mimig312's review against another edition
3.0
Tough to follow at first with so many characters, but it gets really interesting eventually. I enjoyed the 2nd half of the book.
jason_pym's review
2.0
I didn't think I'd finish this let alone like it - more charmless (yet oddly compelling) New Yorkers from the Sex and the City woman. But it was all right, and I'll read more stuff by her.
margocandela's review against another edition
Lots of names and mild drama to keep track of. My favorite storyline was about smart awkward guy with the, of course, nifty looking down to earth wife. He goes more insane as his net worth skyrockets. This was before the whole economy melting down mess, but it is alluded to here and there where, I'm guessing, last minute editing would allow. It's a "period piece'', if you will.
His main function, besides making money, is to become more loathsome and paranoid while his(reluctant) social climbing wife, who is such a natural at it that none of the other socialites mind her ascending to the top so quickly and effortlessly, becomes ever more concerned. Alas, she is really liking the lifestyle his financial algorithms provide and when she brings up divorce, she's more than complacent to put it off until after another money making deal is put to bed.
Finally, she uses reverse psychology on the poor sap and he conveniently goes into a non-reversible coma. She gets to keep the fabulous apartment and riches without having to deal with his malevolent ass. And how perfect is that?
His main function, besides making money, is to become more loathsome and paranoid while his(reluctant) social climbing wife, who is such a natural at it that none of the other socialites mind her ascending to the top so quickly and effortlessly, becomes ever more concerned. Alas, she is really liking the lifestyle his financial algorithms provide and when she brings up divorce, she's more than complacent to put it off until after another money making deal is put to bed.
Finally, she uses reverse psychology on the poor sap and he conveniently goes into a non-reversible coma. She gets to keep the fabulous apartment and riches without having to deal with his malevolent ass. And how perfect is that?
hmgelo02's review against another edition
2.0
This is the first book I've read by [a:Candace Bushnell|4415|Candace Bushnell|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1195151391p2/4415.jpg], which surprises me because I'm a huge fan of the HBO series and subsequent movie based off one of her first books, Sex and the City. I came across this book very randomly and decided to put it next in my reading queue.
Although the writing was very good and the author did a great job of transitioning between the perspectives of her five main characters, I was very put off by the lives and lifestyles described by the author. It's most likely because I can't fathom the amounts of money being dealt with by the characters; the way that money is used for frivolities and the way money changes the core of these characters truly disgusted me. I suppose that was the point of the novel, but being one who doesn't waste money for the sake of doing so made it completely impossible to relate to any of the characters on even the most basic level.
Will I read more of Bushnell's books? Probably. As much as I enjoyed SATC and Lipstick Jungle TV shows, I'll probably also highly enjoy the books. I hope.
Although the writing was very good and the author did a great job of transitioning between the perspectives of her five main characters, I was very put off by the lives and lifestyles described by the author. It's most likely because I can't fathom the amounts of money being dealt with by the characters; the way that money is used for frivolities and the way money changes the core of these characters truly disgusted me. I suppose that was the point of the novel, but being one who doesn't waste money for the sake of doing so made it completely impossible to relate to any of the characters on even the most basic level.
Will I read more of Bushnell's books? Probably. As much as I enjoyed SATC and Lipstick Jungle TV shows, I'll probably also highly enjoy the books. I hope.