Chasing Harry Winston: A Novel
by Lauren Weisberger
|
List Price: Our Price: $0.01 You Save: $25.94 (100%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Chasing Harry Winston: A Novel
Book Review: Immature
Summary: 1 Stars
I say "immature" because the characters were childish (under-developed) and the parts that were supposed to be funny came across (to me) as juvenile.I even wonder if this book was one of Lauren Weisberger's early efforts (before she found her rhythm) that got published now to take advantage of the success of her other books.
There was way too much going on in this book with the three main characters. As has been pointed out by other reviewers none of them were developed very well. It might have been more enjoyable to emphasize one character in the book and make the other two supporting.
I have enjoyed Lauren Weisberger's other books so I was really surprised that 5 pages in, I was already irritated with the characters. I did my very best to stick this one out, thinking that it would get better but it did not. 2/3 into the book, I couldn't stand it anymore so I threw it away. If you still find yourself wanting to read this book, I would say (as have others) to check it out from your local library and save your money.
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: Boring...
Summary: 1 Stars
This is one of the very few books, that I simply could not read it was that boring. Not only are the characters in Weisberger's the same; book after book, sometimes the character's names do not even change!
Also, her obvious prejudicial view points of people of different nationalities has finally gotten on my last nerve (i.e. all Dutch people are clog-stomping people); but that aside the characters were completely and utterly boring. Not even likeable or was I able to dislike them as they were that bland and devoid of personality.
Her novels have gotten progressively worse but at least the Devil wears Prada and Everyone Worth Knowing, I was able to at least dislike the protagonist to the point I rooted for the villain, this one I don't know if there was a villain because I just didn't care enough to find out.
If you must borrow if from the Library and I guarantee you will probably be returning it within 24 hours not even bothering to find out the ending.
Book Review: Four hours of my life I'll never get back
Summary: 1 Stars
Just about everything that can be said has been articulated by other 1-star reviewers, and with more literary style and substance than the author they're reviewing. All I can add is that I find it difficult to believe that the same woman who wrote "The Devil Wears Prada" also wrote this screaming yawn. Seriously, Weisberger either had an incredibly gifted editor for her first book, an editor too intimidated to get tough with this book, a combination of both, or - and this is most likely - only one exceptional book in her.
I paid full price at an airport for the hardcover, expecting an engrossing distraction on a transatlantic flight. Instead, I twitched and writhed my way through it - basically speed-reading and flipping past huge hunks o' nothin' ... and on my way off the plane handed it to a flight attendant who had earlier expressed interest in the new title. One less customer at the book stall for this novel. Weisberger made money on my purchase, but the bucks stopped there.
Book Review: Not good, not bad...
Summary: 3 Stars
After loving the author's first book, The Devil Wears Prada, and being really disappointed by her second, Everyone Worth Knowing, I was hoping Chasing Harry Winston would be more like the first and less like the second. There were parts of this one that I really liked and parts that I thought were ridiculous. The writing was at times clever and entertaining, but at other times unrealistic and contrived. There was way too much awkward and gratuitious name dropping of celebrities and other books, and the characters all seemed really shallow and underdeveloped. Overall it seems like the author spent a lot of time writing certain parts but not so much on others. Definitely not worth $25.95 for a hardcover of less than 300 pages, but at 40+% off at Costco, not necessarily a waste. I'd recommend it as a quick, light beach read, but if you're looking for really good chick lit, try Emily Giffin's latest - Love The One You're With or Sherri Rifkin's LoveHampton.