books: review

> JEMIMA J: A Novel about Ugly Ducklings and Swans (2001)
Jane Green's fluffy modern-day Cinderella story makes a great escape

By Bibliophelia
The Book Maven

Written by: Jane Green

Format: Paperback

Price: $11.95

Publisher: Broadway Books

ISBN: 0767905180

Genre: ChickLit

Our Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Jemima J is a fast, although not necessarily simple, read. While dabbling on Internet singles sites, Londoner Jemima Jones reinvents herself as JJ, a slim, blonde, gym-going social b-fly -- in short, everything she's not. When her cyber-boyfriend wants to meet her in person, Jemima is forced to transform herself into JJ or come clean. So she does the impossible, rapidly dropping the weight, getting a complete makeover thanks to her stylish pal Geraldine, and jetting off to Santa Monica, CA to meet her fantasy man. Will he be all he says he is or will JJ miss her friend Ben, the former co-worker who's become a London celebrity?

Jemima J includes lots of references to places in and around Santa Monica. While I was annoyed that the book seems to mention only chain stores (Barnes & Noble, Borders, Starbucks) and stereotype Angelenos, I was impressed that the homeless epidemic is touched upon. Having just visited Santa Monica a week prior to reading this book, I can say that it is a city of startling incongruities that has attracted both the affluent and the destitute. Santa Monica is never quite what it appears to be on the surface. Perhaps that's why it makes the perfect location for JJ to figure out who she is and what she wants out of life.

The book is also peppered with a plethora of coincidences and strangers-in-the-night type moments. Be it serendipity or fate, the episodes are perfect segways and obviously good visuals for film.

Some readers may be bothered by the author's penchant for switching voice and touching on merely the surface levels of her characters, but take it for what it's worth. Jemima J is a great beach read, the kind of book you curl up with and read straight through. Sure it's fluffy and not a challenging read, but it is a book that will make you think about perceptions of beauty and the lengths people go through to feel like they fit in.

Interested in reading more about or purchasing Jemima J, click here.

(02-805)

related links:

Jane Green - author profile