Book Review
Book Author: Allison Pearson
Review Author: Veronique de Turenne
When Veronique de Turenne begins her review on the book I Think I Love You, by Allison Pearson, one is immediately caught off guard by Turenne’s use of diction. She does a nice job summarizing the book for the reader: a 13 year old girl named Petra Williams is in love with a certain pop celebrity. Turenne, with such phrases as “Darwinian nightmare” and “Bambi-eyed pop god,” allows the reader to revel in the choice of words of both herself and the numerous quotations from Pearson that are witty as well. For example, Turenne cites Pearson’s description of the most voluptuous girl of the teen group, quoting that her breasts were, “developed overnight as though she'd got fed up of waiting and used a bike pump.”
The charming details that Turenne presents are, of course, the result of an already charming novel by Pearson. These details are best appreciated in Pearson’s description of characters. As another addition to Pearson’s lovely description of Petra’s womanly friend, Pearson also writes that she handles her breasts, “like they were hamsters, even getting them out occasionally and petting them.” Such overflowing details add to the overall whimsical nature of this review.
The imagery created by Pearson is not only believable for an audience, it is also quite humorous. For example, Turenne quotes Pearson when Pearson is describing what Petra Williams does in her day: “She devours fan mags, memorizes David Cassidy facts, and sleeps on her back ‘so my face was ready to receive a kiss in case he came in the night.’" With this irresistible humor, the reader is ready to receive this book, and its review, with open arms.
Although I do not argue that this review is written with a specific critical perspective, I could see it potentially being called a New Historicism piece because Turenne does mention and comment on the author’s “wit and skill.” One connection I can make with this review is during a brief discussion that we had during class in which we discussed the difference between true literature and mass fiction. Turenne does lovingly note that this novel is a bit of “chick lit,” which is understandable because of its lighthearted plot developments.
pass- Great, I especially like the Imagery analysis.
ReplyDeletePass- thorough, nice analysis of this book and emphasis on requirements.
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