A little cynical and very entertaining, 12 Nov 2008
What I like about Candace Bushnell's writing is the way she goes into her character's heads and describes all the nasty little thoughts they have all the time. Often, many protagonists are quite pathetic, like in "Trading Up", and here with Lola. One Fifth drags you into the glamourous NY, but through the back door. Bushnell gives you the impression that you get to know a part of the NY society, but without the make up. The only thing that makes me keep away 1 star is that the story is a bit slow in the middle.

Best avoid One Fifth Avenue..., 08 Nov 2008
I bought this book for some light reading and it for that it served its purpose just fine.I must admit I haven't read anything else by Candace Bushnell so I cannot be sure if this is the style she adopts in all of her books; however, I found the writing to be impersonal, cold and it didn't move me at all. I also disliked all the characters, Lola especially got on my nerves with her sole ambition being to 'climb' New York high society and make a name for herself. Furthermore, many scenes describing a more intimate nature were written in such a forced clinical manner, that I found myself cringing at various points. I suggest you buy this if you just want an inconsequential read, somthing to read for the sake of reading, but don't expect too much. I recommend any book by Marian Keyes a million times more, they are funnier and superbly written!


WELL READ TALE OF THE RICH AND FATUOUS, 26 Oct 2008
Gather round all you Sex and the City and Lipstick Jungle fans and don't miss a word of Candace Bushnell's latest take on the merry/wary-go-round that is her New York City. Bushnell is one author with her finger on the pulse, ear to the ground, and a stiletto heeled step ahead of the pack when it comes to fictional residents of this city of 8 million. Yes, they are fictional folks but Bushnell's painterly pen brings them to crying, laughing, plotting life. How many of us considered Carrie a dear friend?

This time out we go through the exclusive doors of an upscale Art Deco apartment building to meet Schiffer Diamond, Lola Fabrikant, Mindy Gooch, Annalisa Rice and Enid Merle. A keen observer Bushnell details each one's foibles, frailties, and fantasies with insight and humor. Her metier is often satire, and it is put to good use with this group. Most wouldn't want to have them as neighbors but One Fifth Avenue is a great place to visit, and you won't want to miss a detail.

Poor insecure Mindy frets because she lives in the building's smallest apartment (after all, this is where address and floor space = social acceptance), and Enid is an over-the-hill gossip columnist. Schiffer is an actress, and Annalisa with pots of new money is eager to buy her way into high society. Money talks - hers screams. Lola is young, lovely, used to getting her own way, and isn't about to be ignored.

Award winning actress Donna Murphy delivers a can't stop-listening-to narration of this tale of the rich and fatuous. A highly acclaimed musical actress Murphy's reading is enhanced not only by her acting prowess but also by her naturally melodious voice.

- Gail Cooke

Surprisingly enjoyable, 11 Oct 2008
I bought this book on a whim, needing a pick me up on a cold and dreary weekend. I wasn't sure if Bushnell could deliver the goods, but this novel was genuinely enjoyable. She's created an interesting little story and filled it with a mix of likable and not so likable characters. While her insight into New York society seems slightly dated, in spite of the many new media references, her passion for the city shines through as she manages to capture both its glorious history and the never-ending struggle for success.

This book won't put any demands on you as a reader, but it will help to while away a few hours.

A little cynical and very entertaining, 12 Nov 2008
What I like about Candace Bushnell's writing is the way she goes into her character's heads and describes all the nasty little thoughts they have all the time. Often, many protagonists are quite pathetic, like in "Trading Up", and here with Lola. One Fifth drags you into the glamourous NY, but through the back door. Bushnell gives you the impression that you get to know a part of the NY society, but without the make up. The only thing that makes me keep away 1 star is that the story is a bit slow in the middle.

Best avoid One Fifth Avenue..., 08 Nov 2008
I bought this book for some light reading and it for that it served its purpose just fine.I must admit I haven't read anything else by Candace Bushnell so I cannot be sure if this is the style she adopts in all of her books; however, I found the writing to be impersonal, cold and it didn't move me at all. I also disliked all the characters, Lola especially got on my nerves with her sole ambition being to 'climb' New York high society and make a name for herself. Furthermore, many scenes describing a more intimate nature were written in such a forced clinical manner, that I found myself cringing at various points. I suggest you buy this if you just want an inconsequential read, somthing to read for the sake of reading, but don't expect too much. I recommend any book by Marian Keyes a million times more, they are funnier and superbly written!


WELL READ TALE OF THE RICH AND FATUOUS, 26 Oct 2008
Gather round all you Sex and the City and Lipstick Jungle fans and don't miss a word of Candace Bushnell's latest take on the merry/wary-go-round that is her New York City. Bushnell is one author with her finger on the pulse, ear to the ground, and a stiletto heeled step ahead of the pack when it comes to fictional residents of this city of 8 million. Yes, they are fictional folks but Bushnell's painterly pen brings them to crying, laughing, plotting life. How many of us considered Carrie a dear friend?

This time out we go through the exclusive doors of an upscale Art Deco apartment building to meet Schiffer Diamond, Lola Fabrikant, Mindy Gooch, Annalisa Rice and Enid Merle. A keen observer Bushnell details each one's foibles, frailties, and fantasies with insight and humor. Her metier is often satire, and it is put to good use with this group. Most wouldn't want to have them as neighbors but One Fifth Avenue is a great place to visit, and you won't want to miss a detail.

Poor insecure Mindy frets because she lives in the building's smallest apartment (after all, this is where address and floor space = social acceptance), and Enid is an over-the-hill gossip columnist. Schiffer is an actress, and Annalisa with pots of new money is eager to buy her way into high society. Money talks - hers screams. Lola is young, lovely, used to getting her own way, and isn't about to be ignored.

Award winning actress Donna Murphy delivers a can't stop-listening-to narration of this tale of the rich and fatuous. A highly acclaimed musical actress Murphy's reading is enhanced not only by her acting prowess but also by her naturally melodious voice.

- Gail Cooke

Surprisingly enjoyable, 11 Oct 2008
I bought this book on a whim, needing a pick me up on a cold and dreary weekend. I wasn't sure if Bushnell could deliver the goods, but this novel was genuinely enjoyable. She's created an interesting little story and filled it with a mix of likable and not so likable characters. While her insight into New York society seems slightly dated, in spite of the many new media references, her passion for the city shines through as she manages to capture both its glorious history and the never-ending struggle for success.

This book won't put any demands on you as a reader, but it will help to while away a few hours.

Thoroughly Disappointing! , 21 Oct 2008
I took this book on a flight, hoping for some light in-flight entertainment. Instead what I got was a complete disappointment. Chick-flicks are a powerful genre, quite capable of reducing me to laughter. This barely required a smile or indeed any emotion except that of patience. I started it so I wanted to finish it, and so I plodded through.

Characters are well crafted (I prefer Nico), and there is even a plot. But the story just doesn't have enough magic to make it something special. While there are all these billions of books waiting to be discovered, Lipstick Jungle, in my personal opinion doesn't deserve that precious reading time.

Brilliant book, 15 Aug 2008
As a fan of SATC, I thought I'd read another Candace Bushnell book and was not disappointed. I really enjoyed this book, and finished it in a few days (it normally takes me a few weeks to read a book). Buy it!

Don't bother, 02 Jun 2008
The best thing about this book is that it's not the 'classic' chick lit. It's women with brains and their own independance. But it's not particully well written, at times I even disliked the characters (which I'm sure was not intended) and the storyline wasn't particully interesting, exciting or engaging, by the end I was left dissatisfied by the lack of storyline. Even the diversion from the usual chick lit plot wasn't completely satisfied, so even the best thing about this book wasn't done particully well

Pile of c+*p, 03 Oct 2007
Do not waste your time or money. This book is badly written, the characters are contrived and unbelievable. The plot is abysmal. Bushnell actually does not know how to write very well so misses out a significant portion of the plot so one minute the characters are in trouble, then on the next page it is a few months later and they have sucessfully sorted out all their problems.

SATC TV series - the episodes were not written by her. The idea and characters were taken from her book but the vast majority of seasons 1 through 6 have NOTHING to do with her, other than the original idea, the pilot and the first few episodes. This is not the sharp-witted TV series, it's unintelligent, unimaginative and dull. I give it one star because I have to but it is not even worth that.

Great fun, 24 Jan 2007
More Jackie Collins that SATC, this book transports you to a world of power, sex, designer clothes and hot hot men, with the three ladies concerned (Wendy, Nico and Victory) living top notch lives in NY. Im not ashamed to say, I really enjoyed this. Its pacy, sexy and racy, everything you would expect from the co-writer of the award winning SATC. But dont expect to see any Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte or Miranda characters. These ladies are feistier, louder, and power hungry and whilst I didnt sympathise or connect with any of them, I could help but admire them. Sip a Cosmo, slip of your Blahnik rip offs from Primark, and fantasise that you too could be a hot fashion designer, president of a movie house or editor of a monthly glossy mag... I did!

A little cynical and very entertaining, 12 Nov 2008
What I like about Candace Bushnell's writing is the way she goes into her character's heads and describes all the nasty little thoughts they have all the time. Often, many protagonists are quite pathetic, like in "Trading Up", and here with Lola. One Fifth drags you into the glamourous NY, but through the back door. Bushnell gives you the impression that you get to know a part of the NY society, but without the make up. The only thing that makes me keep away 1 star is that the story is a bit slow in the middle.

Best avoid One Fifth Avenue..., 08 Nov 2008
I bought this book for some light reading and it for that it served its purpose just fine.I must admit I haven't read anything else by Candace Bushnell so I cannot be sure if this is the style she adopts in all of her books; however, I found the writing to be impersonal, cold and it didn't move me at all. I also disliked all the characters, Lola especially got on my nerves with her sole ambition being to 'climb' New York high society and make a name for herself. Furthermore, many scenes describing a more intimate nature were written in such a forced clinical manner, that I found myself cringing at various points. I suggest you buy this if you just want an inconsequential read, somthing to read for the sake of reading, but don't expect too much. I recommend any book by Marian Keyes a million times more, they are funnier and superbly written!


WELL READ TALE OF THE RICH AND FATUOUS, 26 Oct 2008
Gather round all you Sex and the City and Lipstick Jungle fans and don't miss a word of Candace Bushnell's latest take on the merry/wary-go-round that is her New York City. Bushnell is one author with her finger on the pulse, ear to the ground, and a stiletto heeled step ahead of the pack when it comes to fictional residents of this city of 8 million. Yes, they are fictional folks but Bushnell's painterly pen brings them to crying, laughing, plotting life. How many of us considered Carrie a dear friend?

This time out we go through the exclusive doors of an upscale Art Deco apartment building to meet Schiffer Diamond, Lola Fabrikant, Mindy Gooch, Annalisa Rice and Enid Merle. A keen observer Bushnell details each one's foibles, frailties, and fantasies with insight and humor. Her metier is often satire, and it is put to good use with this group. Most wouldn't want to have them as neighbors but One Fifth Avenue is a great place to visit, and you won't want to miss a detail.

Poor insecure Mindy frets because she lives in the building's smallest apartment (after all, this is where address and floor space = social acceptance), and Enid is an over-the-hill gossip columnist. Schiffer is an actress, and Annalisa with pots of new money is eager to buy her way into high society. Money talks - hers screams. Lola is young, lovely, used to getting her own way, and isn't about to be ignored.

Award winning actress Donna Murphy delivers a can't stop-listening-to narration of this tale of the rich and fatuous. A highly acclaimed musical actress Murphy's reading is enhanced not only by her acting prowess but also by her naturally melodious voice.

- Gail Cooke

Surprisingly enjoyable, 11 Oct 2008
I bought this book on a whim, needing a pick me up on a cold and dreary weekend. I wasn't sure if Bushnell could deliver the goods, but this novel was genuinely enjoyable. She's created an interesting little story and filled it with a mix of likable and not so likable characters. While her insight into New York society seems slightly dated, in spite of the many new media references, her passion for the city shines through as she manages to capture both its glorious history and the never-ending struggle for success.

This book won't put any demands on you as a reader, but it will help to while away a few hours.

Thoroughly Disappointing! , 21 Oct 2008
I took this book on a flight, hoping for some light in-flight entertainment. Instead what I got was a complete disappointment. Chick-flicks are a powerful genre, quite capable of reducing me to laughter. This barely required a smile or indeed any emotion except that of patience. I started it so I wanted to finish it, and so I plodded through.

Characters are well crafted (I prefer Nico), and there is even a plot. But the story just doesn't have enough magic to make it something special. While there are all these billions of books waiting to be discovered, Lipstick Jungle, in my personal opinion doesn't deserve that precious reading time.

Brilliant book, 15 Aug 2008
As a fan of SATC, I thought I'd read another Candace Bushnell book and was not disappointed. I really enjoyed this book, and finished it in a few days (it normally takes me a few weeks to read a book). Buy it!

Don't bother, 02 Jun 2008
The best thing about this book is that it's not the 'classic' chick lit. It's women with brains and their own independance. But it's not particully well written, at times I even disliked the characters (which I'm sure was not intended) and the storyline wasn't particully interesting, exciting or engaging, by the end I was left dissatisfied by the lack of storyline. Even the diversion from the usual chick lit plot wasn't completely satisfied, so even the best thing about this book wasn't done particully well

Pile of c+*p, 03 Oct 2007
Do not waste your time or money. This book is badly written, the characters are contrived and unbelievable. The plot is abysmal. Bushnell actually does not know how to write very well so misses out a significant portion of the plot so one minute the characters are in trouble, then on the next page it is a few months later and they have sucessfully sorted out all their problems.

SATC TV series - the episodes were not written by her. The idea and characters were taken from her book but the vast majority of seasons 1 through 6 have NOTHING to do with her, other than the original idea, the pilot and the first few episodes. This is not the sharp-witted TV series, it's unintelligent, unimaginative and dull. I give it one star because I have to but it is not even worth that.

Great fun, 24 Jan 2007
More Jackie Collins that SATC, this book transports you to a world of power, sex, designer clothes and hot hot men, with the three ladies concerned (Wendy, Nico and Victory) living top notch lives in NY. Im not ashamed to say, I really enjoyed this. Its pacy, sexy and racy, everything you would expect from the co-writer of the award winning SATC. But dont expect to see any Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte or Miranda characters. These ladies are feistier, louder, and power hungry and whilst I didnt sympathise or connect with any of them, I could help but admire them. Sip a Cosmo, slip of your Blahnik rip offs from Primark, and fantasise that you too could be a hot fashion designer, president of a movie house or editor of a monthly glossy mag... I did!

"Sex and the City" the inspiration behind the TV series, 11 Jul 2008
I'm writing this review as a fan of the TV series based upon this book and the film which I have seen just recently - both of which have made me laugh and cry.

If like myself you are backtracking from these to this book I'd be weary. The characters from the series are here, sometimes appearing more or less frequently or have been renamed.

However from the way it is written I can't work out if it's a novel, a social commentary or a collection of Bushnell's newspaper columns with bits in between. The novel is a light read because if you're familiar with Sex And The City - Series 1 [1998], a lot of the dialogue and storylines will be familiar.


Dont buy this book!, 15 Feb 2008
I am a die-hard SATC fan, but was sorely disappointed by this book. The writing is really poor- changing tenses and narrator-prespectives at will. Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte & Samantha are bit-parts in this book, they're not the central cast so if you want more of SATC, buy the dvd set or go see the movie- this book will certainly not give you what you need.

Interesting read for Sex and the City fans!, 03 Dec 2006
If you are expecting something identical to the TV series then you probably would be disappointed, as the show is clearly only based on it. Carrie and Big feature a lot but Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha only appear a handful of times. If anything, this book made me cringe and feel less positive about finding my Mr Right than before I picked it up! It made me glad I don't live in Manhattan! However, I still would recommend it, it is a good, light read and humorous to say the least. Just don't let it put you off men completely, I'm sure there are a few decent ones out there!!!

The ultimate feel good book!!, 21 Feb 2005
Excellent read, feel good novel. TV series based on this novel, both excellent. A MUST READ! *****

A must if you love love the show., 05 Jan 2005
The book is a must if you love the show, however... Not only are the charcters completely different, the book is written atrociously. Especially the dialogues, which read as though composed by a small child. But if your a fan of the show then the general story will keep you captivated, the simplicity of it means that it can easily be read in a day, and is light on the mind.

Candace Bushnell made her reputation as the creator of the hit US TV series Sex and the City, based on her book of the same name (based in turn on her Eros-intensive New York Observer column). In Four Blondes, she returns with a quartet of novellas on her favourite subject--the mating habits of wealthy, sex-, status- and media-obsessed New Yorkers. These are people for whom a million or two does not make you rich, and who consider Louis Vuitton and Prada bare necessities. Janey Wilcox, for example, is a former model who each summer chooses a house in the Hamptons--or rather, picks up a wealthy man with a pricey rental. With one movie in her past, her "lukewarm celebrity was established and she figured out pretty quickly that it could get her things and keep on getting them, as long as she maintained her standards". Yet even Janey eventually realises that what she's getting isn't exactly what she wants. Cecelia, on the other hand, has gotten the ultimate prize: a royal husband. Still, she finds herself descending into paranoia as the Manhattan media circus reports her every flaw. Then there is Winnie Diekes, a high-powered magazine columnist whose marriage flounders as she pushes her unambitious husband to write the book that will make him--and her--famous.

Finally, in the most clearly autobiographical story, a writer gives up on the commitment-impaired men of New York and goes to London to find a husband. There she trawls for the so-called typical Englishman--"a guy who had sex with his socks on, possessed a microscopic willy, and came in two minutes". Bushnell is famous for this sort of sexual brashness, and the book is full of her sharp wit, both in and out of the boudoir. She also clearly enjoys her characters and their misadventures, with one exception: the politically correct Winnie, with her distaste for alcohol, night life, and casual sex, inspires an odd sort of authorial contempt. Otherwise, though, the Bushnell's ironic takes on the sexual foibles of the rich and famous are mordant, mischievous fun. --Lesley Reed

A little cynical and very entertaining, 12 Nov 2008
What I like about Candace Bushnell's writing is the way she goes into her character's heads and describes all the nasty little thoughts they have all the time. Often, many protagonists are quite pathetic, like in "Trading Up", and here with Lola. One Fifth drags you into the glamourous NY, but through the back door. Bushnell gives you the impression that you get to know a part of the NY society, but without the make up. The only thing that makes me keep away 1 star is that the story is a bit slow in the middle.

Best avoid One Fifth Avenue..., 08 Nov 2008
I bought this book for some light reading and it for that it served its purpose just fine.I must admit I haven't read anything else by Candace Bushnell so I cannot be sure if this is the style she adopts in all of her books; however, I found the writing to be impersonal, cold and it didn't move me at all. I also disliked all the characters, Lola especially got on my nerves with her sole ambition being to 'climb' New York high society and make a name for herself. Furthermore, many scenes describing a more intimate nature were written in such a forced clinical manner, that I found myself cringing at various points. I suggest you buy this if you just want an inconsequential read, somthing to read for the sake of reading, but don't expect too much. I recommend any book by Marian Keyes a million times more, they are funnier and superbly written!


WELL READ TALE OF THE RICH AND FATUOUS, 26 Oct 2008
Gather round all you Sex and the City and Lipstick Jungle fans and don't miss a word of Candace Bushnell's latest take on the merry/wary-go-round that is her New York City. Bushnell is one author with her finger on the pulse, ear to the ground, and a stiletto heeled step ahead of the pack when it comes to fictional residents of this city of 8 million. Yes, they are fictional folks but Bushnell's painterly pen brings them to crying, laughing, plotting life. How many of us considered Carrie a dear friend?

This time out we go through the exclusive doors of an upscale Art Deco apartment building to meet Schiffer Diamond, Lola Fabrikant, Mindy Gooch, Annalisa Rice and Enid Merle. A keen observer Bushnell details each one's foibles, frailties, and fantasies with insight and humor. Her metier is often satire, and it is put to good use with this group. Most wouldn't want to have them as neighbors but One Fifth Avenue is a great place to visit, and you won't want to miss a detail.

Poor insecure Mindy frets because she lives in the building's smallest apartment (after all, this is where address and floor space = social acceptance), and Enid is an over-the-hill gossip columnist. Schiffer is an actress, and Annalisa with pots of new money is eager to buy her way into high society. Money talks - hers screams. Lola is young, lovely, used to getting her own way, and isn't about to be ignored.

Award winning actress Donna Murphy delivers a can't stop-listening-to narration of this tale of the rich and fatuous. A highly acclaimed musical actress Murphy's reading is enhanced not only by her acting prowess but also by her naturally melodious voice.

- Gail Cooke

Surprisingly enjoyable, 11 Oct 2008
I bought this book on a whim, needing a pick me up on a cold and dreary weekend. I wasn't sure if Bushnell could deliver the goods, but this novel was genuinely enjoyable. She's created an interesting little story and filled it with a mix of likable and not so likable characters. While her insight into New York society seems slightly dated, in spite of the many new media references, her passion for the city shines through as she manages to capture both its glorious history and the never-ending struggle for success.

This book won't put any demands on you as a reader, but it will help to while away a few hours.

Thoroughly Disappointing! , 21 Oct 2008
I took this book on a flight, hoping for some light in-flight entertainment. Instead what I got was a complete disappointment. Chick-flicks are a powerful genre, quite capable of reducing me to laughter. This barely required a smile or indeed any emotion except that of patience. I started it so I wanted to finish it, and so I plodded through.

Characters are well crafted (I prefer Nico), and there is even a plot. But the story just doesn't have enough magic to make it something special. While there are all these billions of books waiting to be discovered, Lipstick Jungle, in my personal opinion doesn't deserve that precious reading time.

Brilliant book, 15 Aug 2008
As a fan of SATC, I thought I'd read another Candace Bushnell book and was not disappointed. I really enjoyed this book, and finished it in a few days (it normally takes me a few weeks to read a book). Buy it!

Don't bother, 02 Jun 2008
The best thing about this book is that it's not the 'classic' chick lit. It's women with brains and their own independance. But it's not particully well written, at times I even disliked the characters (which I'm sure was not intended) and the storyline wasn't particully interesting, exciting or engaging, by the end I was left dissatisfied by the lack of storyline. Even the diversion from the usual chick lit plot wasn't completely satisfied, so even the best thing about this book wasn't done particully well

Pile of c+*p, 03 Oct 2007
Do not waste your time or money. This book is badly written, the characters are contrived and unbelievable. The plot is abysmal. Bushnell actually does not know how to write very well so misses out a significant portion of the plot so one minute the characters are in trouble, then on the next page it is a few months later and they have sucessfully sorted out all their problems.

SATC TV series - the episodes were not written by her. The idea and characters were taken from her book but the vast majority of seasons 1 through 6 have NOTHING to do with her, other than the original idea, the pilot and the first few episodes. This is not the sharp-witted TV series, it's unintelligent, unimaginative and dull. I give it one star because I have to but it is not even worth that.

Great fun, 24 Jan 2007
More Jackie Collins that SATC, this book transports you to a world of power, sex, designer clothes and hot hot men, with the three ladies concerned (Wendy, Nico and Victory) living top notch lives in NY. Im not ashamed to say, I really enjoyed this. Its pacy, sexy and racy, everything you would expect from the co-writer of the award winning SATC. But dont expect to see any Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte or Miranda characters. These ladies are feistier, louder, and power hungry and whilst I didnt sympathise or connect with any of them, I could help but admire them. Sip a Cosmo, slip of your Blahnik rip offs from Primark, and fantasise that you too could be a hot fashion designer, president of a movie house or editor of a monthly glossy mag... I did!

"Sex and the City" the inspiration behind the TV series, 11 Jul 2008
I'm writing this review as a fan of the TV series based upon this book and the film which I have seen just recently - both of which have made me laugh and cry.

If like myself you are backtracking from these to this book I'd be weary. The characters from the series are here, sometimes appearing more or less frequently or have been renamed.

However from the way it is written I can't work out if it's a novel, a social commentary or a collection of Bushnell's newspaper columns with bits in between. The novel is a light read because if you're familiar with Sex And The City - Series 1 [1998], a lot of the dialogue and storylines will be familiar.


Dont buy this book!, 15 Feb 2008
I am a die-hard SATC fan, but was sorely disappointed by this book. The writing is really poor- changing tenses and narrator-prespectives at will. Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte & Samantha are bit-parts in this book, they're not the central cast so if you want more of SATC, buy the dvd set or go see the movie- this book will certainly not give you what you need.

Interesting read for Sex and the City fans!, 03 Dec 2006
If you are expecting something identical to the TV series then you probably would be disappointed, as the show is clearly only based on it. Carrie and Big feature a lot but Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha only appear a handful of times. If anything, this book made me cringe and feel less positive about finding my Mr Right than before I picked it up! It made me glad I don't live in Manhattan! However, I still would recommend it, it is a good, light read and humorous to say the least. Just don't let it put you off men completely, I'm sure there are a few decent ones out there!!!

The ultimate feel good book!!, 21 Feb 2005
Excellent read, feel good novel. TV series based on this novel, both excellent. A MUST READ! *****

A must if you love love the show., 05 Jan 2005
The book is a must if you love the show, however... Not only are the charcters completely different, the book is written atrociously. Especially the dialogues, which read as though composed by a small child. But if your a fan of the show then the general story will keep you captivated, the simplicity of it means that it can easily be read in a day, and is light on the mind.

Shallow, unoriginal and dull, 28 Mar 2007
Being a major fan of Sex and the City I was quite looking forward to reading this book. What a mistake on my part...
The book, which contains four short novellas, has none of the wit of the television series, only spiteful comments made by self-obsessed characters. Out of four stories there was no trace of an original plot line and the fourth story was downright offensive to British people.
Save yourself some money and don't buy this book.

Good, but not amazing, 02 Nov 2006
I normally love Candace Bushnell books, but i have to admit that even though this one was quite interesting, it didn't quite... take off. It consists of what might be seen as 4 novellas written in 4 different styles about the lives of 4 women in New York. It's a good book, and an interesting insight into those lives as archetypes of NY women (or rather _some_ NY women). And even nicer is that she picks up her characters pretty much where she left them, like in Trading up where we follow Janey Wilcox after her rise to fame. Good book, but not absolutely amazing. At least not for me.

Satire and the City, 11 Mar 2005
I was extremely pleased with Four Blondes. I had very much enjoyed reading Sex and the City for its dark humour and wit, and had assumed that Four Blondes would be unlikely to live up to the same caliber. However I was proved wrong.

Like S&TC, Four Blondes is a collection of short stories, this time focusing on the four women in the title. Divided into four stories, that of the ageing party girl/model, the anorexic princess, the high powered businesswoman and a writer looking for love, Bushnell paints each story with a satiric brush. Despite having money, looks and power, the first three women are seemingly insecure and unhappy. Four Blondes shows how each woman tries to regain a sense of control over their seemingly overwhelming, highly pressured lives, and how different personalities are more effective at this than others. Some women prosper whilst others fall short.

If I can find a fault with the book it is with the final woman's story, obviously based on Bushnell herself. I found her story rushed and pointless, as though it was added only to bulk up the book. It seemded more of a footnote than a story itself. It wasn't unenjoyable, but it was not as superb as the previous three tales.

The relative shortness of each woman's tale (compared to an entire book) was refreshing as it meant that the reader does not becomes bored with each story and is always left wanting more. A great read for anyone who lacks the concentration to read lengthy novels with a running narrative.

Somehow managing to be more glamorous than its older, expectionally successful sister, Four Blondes is a very dark, sometimes depressing look at New York woman who have it all. All that glitters is most definately not always gold.

An absolute must read.

Be Careful What You Wish For . . . You May Get It!, 14 Jul 2004
4 Blondes is three novellas and a short story about the beautiful and aspiring women in New York City. The cast of characters also include those who admire, lust for, marry, and earn a living from these blonde goddesses. Each of the four women has defined herself in terms of social position, physical goods, appearance, and how others relate to her. They each lack a core of who they are, as defined by their own inherent natures. In these stories, the women get what they think they want . . . and are disappointed in many ways. Life really begins when they move beyond their initial illusions to create a more appropriate direction for themselves. Many will find a peek into the minds and boudoirs of these women appealing, but few will find them sympathetic. It is that lack of sympathy that makes the book far less appealing than its potential to please the reader.

The book's subject is graphically portrayed by the large image of Ms. Bushnell on the back of the dust cover. Seeing her and her credentials, you immediately know that she is writing about the real people she meets in her social activities and writing work.

A number of my friends have inhabited this world at various times. Although the satire may seem broad, it isn't as broad as it would first appear. I remember being told about a well-known woman reporter who would not go out on a date until she had seen a balance sheet for the man in question that proved that his net worth was at least five million dollars.

New York has long been the capital of attention for those who aspire to be rich, famous, thin, and admired. This book needs to be compared to Tom Wolfe's Bonfire of the Vanities, because it is the female version of that same subject.

Of the stories in the book, I enjoyed Nice N'Easy by far the most. Janey Wilcox comes closest to being a whole person among the four heroines in the book. She is trying to find what she wants, and is a little confused about the best way to get things. But she persists, and emerges to a new plateau of maturity and effectiveness. If the whole book had captured that level of character progression, I would have rated it at four stars.

Single Process is a short story that had great potential, but left it unrealized. Ms. Bushnell has focused primarily on making jokes about English men, and creating a fairy tale. As far as she goes, the story works. To have worked better, she should have steered a little closer to reality and defined London as something more than anti-New York.

Platinum is simply a joke about being a real princess. This novella would have worked much better with a lot of editing down of the story.

In all four stories, Ms. Bushnell gives you lots of details about various psychological disorders, drug addiction, unpleasant sexual practices, and various forms of humiliation. She would have done better to focus on fewer dysfunctions and portrayed them better. The way these are written, the reader is assumed to have had first-hand experience with most of these practices. Such a reader would be unusual in my experience outside of the social circles being described here.

For those who don't like to read about extreme forms of depravity, skip this book.

On the other hand, her prose is well crafted and moves the stories along smoothly. She knows her subject. So if you think of this book as a longer version of tabloid writing, you will like it very much. I suspect that those who will like 4 Blondes best are readers who will take the fictional characters and ascribe them to a real celebrity, and feel excited about knowing the inside scoop on these people.

After you finish reading these stories, I suggest that you step back a bit and look at yourself in the mirror. Who do you see? Does it matter who you see? How does it make you feel to see yourself? Then change your perspective, and think about what the mirror would show if it reflected your inner self. Draw a picture of that new image. Keep it in mind!

Pursue worthy goals in worthy ways!

TERRIBLE!, 03 Jun 2004
This book is easily one of the worst I have ever read. Ever! Can this atrocity really have been brought to us by the creator of Sex & The City? Surely not!

As a Brit I was horribly offended by the author's description of British men and women... has she even been to England!? According to her British women make absolutely no effort with their appearance... British men however are ALL repressed and bumbling idiots... we have no taste, no style and are rubbish in bed.

This woman doesn't know what she is talking about! Obviously the success of Sex and the City was down to the talents of Sarah Jessica Parker and not Candace.

The three other short stories also left me completely cold. The characters were completely two dimentional and quite frankly boring. It's just the same formula time and time again...

Just awful! Buy something else.... ANYTHING ELSE!

Janey Wilcox is an MAW (that's Model/Actress/Whatever to the uninitiated). The problem with Janey, the protagonist of Trading Up, the new novel from Sex and the City author Candace Bushnell, is not the M or the A part. It's the W. Here is a rare alphabetical anomaly: in Janey's case, W stands for "prostitute". Janey never crosses the line into actual hookerdom, but she does sleep with extremely wealthy men in the hopes they'll improve her status, her financial situation, or her lifestyle.

When we first met Janey in Bushnell's novella collection 4 Blondes, she was up to her usual tricks (so to speak)--scamming a guy for a Hamptons vacation rental. At the opening of Trading Up her fortunes have improved. She's now the star of a Victoria's Secret ad campaign and as such she's found access to undreamed-of echelons of New York society. She makes friends with Mimi Kilroy, a senator's daughter "at the very top of the social heap in New York." She gets invited to all the best parties. And she finally finds a wealthy man who will actually marry her: Seldon Rose, a powerful entertainment industry executive. Of course, Janey's social ambitions are not hampered by her marriage to Seldon and the clash between her expectations (more parties) and his (normal life) send Janey into a tailspin that leads to heartbreak. Bushnell is clearly trying to channel Edith Wharton (The Custom of the Country is even invoked by Janey as a screenplay idea), but ends up sounding a lot more like a cross between Tama Janowitz and Judith Krantz. This is a novel about shopping and sex, and while it's fizzy enough, it's not Cristal. --Claire Dederer, Amazon.com

A little cynical and very entertaining, 12 Nov 2008
What I like about Candace Bushnell's writing is the way she goes into her character's heads and describes all the nasty little thoughts they have all the time. Often, many protagonists are quite pathetic, like in "Trading Up", and here with Lola. One Fifth drags you into the glamourous NY, but through the back door. Bushnell gives you the impression that you get to know a part of the NY society, but without the make up. The only thing that makes me keep away 1 star is that the story is a bit slow in the middle.

Best avoid One Fifth Avenue..., 08 Nov 2008
I bought this book for some light reading and it for that it served its purpose just fine.I must admit I haven't read anything else by Candace Bushnell so I cannot be sure if this is the style she adopts in all of her books; however, I found the writing to be impersonal, cold and it didn't move me at all. I also disliked all the characters, Lola especially got on my nerves with her sole ambition being to 'climb' New York high society and make a name for herself. Furthermore, many scenes describing a more intimate nature were written in such a forced clinical manner, that I found myself cringing at various points. I suggest you buy this if you just want an inconsequential read, somthing to read for the sake of reading, but don't expect too much. I recommend any book by Marian Keyes a million times more, they are funnier and superbly written!


WELL READ TALE OF THE RICH AND FATUOUS, 26 Oct 2008
Gather round all you Sex and the City and Lipstick Jungle fans and don't miss a word of Candace Bushnell's latest take on the merry/wary-go-round that is her New York City. Bushnell is one author with her finger on the pulse, ear to the ground, and a stiletto heeled step ahead of the pack when it comes to fictional residents of this city of 8 million. Yes, they are fictional folks but Bushnell's painterly pen brings them to crying, laughing, plotting life. How many of us considered Carrie a dear friend?

This time out we go through the exclusive doors of an upscale Art Deco apartment building to meet Schiffer Diamond, Lola Fabrikant, Mindy Gooch, Annalisa Rice and Enid Merle. A keen observer Bushnell details each one's foibles, frailties, and fantasies with insight and humor. Her metier is often satire, and it is put to good use with this group. Most wouldn't want to have them as neighbors but One Fifth Avenue is a great place to visit, and you won't want to miss a detail.

Poor insecure Mindy frets because she lives in the building's smallest apartment (after all, this is where address and floor space = social acceptance), and Enid is an over-the-hill gossip columnist. Schiffer is an actress, and Annalisa with pots of new money is eager to buy her way into high society. Money talks - hers screams. Lola is young, lovely, used to getting her own way, and isn't about to be ignored.

Award winning actress Donna Murphy delivers a can't stop-listening-to narration of this tale of the rich and fatuous. A highly acclaimed musical actress Murphy's reading is enhanced not only by her acting prowess but also by her naturally melodious voice.

- Gail Cooke

Surprisingly enjoyable, 11 Oct 2008
I bought this book on a whim, needing a pick me up on a cold and dreary weekend. I wasn't sure if Bushnell could deliver the goods, but this novel was genuinely enjoyable. She's created an interesting little story and filled it with a mix of likable and not so likable characters. While her insight into New York society seems slightly dated, in spite of the many new media references, her passion for the city shines through as she manages to capture both its glorious history and the never-ending struggle for success.

This book won't put any demands on you as a reader, but it will help to while away a few hours.

Thoroughly Disappointing! , 21 Oct 2008
I took this book on a flight, hoping for some light in-flight entertainment. Instead what I got was a complete disappointment. Chick-flicks are a powerful genre, quite capable of reducing me to laughter. This barely required a smile or indeed any emotion except that of patience. I started it so I wanted to finish it, and so I plodded through.

Characters are well crafted (I prefer Nico), and there is even a plot. But the story just doesn't have enough magic to make it something special. While there are all these billions of books waiting to be discovered, Lipstick Jungle, in my personal opinion doesn't deserve that precious reading time.

Brilliant book, 15 Aug 2008
As a fan of SATC, I thought I'd read another Candace Bushnell book and was not disappointed. I really enjoyed this book, and finished it in a few days (it normally takes me a few weeks to read a book). Buy it!

Don't bother, 02 Jun 2008
The best thing about this book is that it's not the 'classic' chick lit. It's women with brains and their own independance. But it's not particully well written, at times I even disliked the characters (which I'm sure was not intended) and the storyline wasn't particully interesting, exciting or engaging, by the end I was left dissatisfied by the lack of storyline. Even the diversion from the usual chick lit plot wasn't completely satisfied, so even the best thing about this book wasn't done particully well

Pile of c+*p, 03 Oct 2007
Do not waste your time or money. This book is badly written, the characters are contrived and unbelievable. The plot is abysmal. Bushnell actually does not know how to write very well so misses out a significant portion of the plot so one minute the characters are in trouble, then on the next page it is a few months later and they have sucessfully sorted out all their problems.

SATC TV series - the episodes were not written by her. The idea and characters were taken from her book but the vast majority of seasons 1 through 6 have NOTHING to do with her, other than the original idea, the pilot and the first few episodes. This is not the sharp-witted TV series, it's unintelligent, unimaginative and dull. I give it one star because I have to but it is not even worth that.

Great fun, 24 Jan 2007
More Jackie Collins that SATC, this book transports you to a world of power, sex, designer clothes and hot hot men, with the three ladies concerned (Wendy, Nico and Victory) living top notch lives in NY. Im not ashamed to say, I really enjoyed this. Its pacy, sexy and racy, everything you would expect from the co-writer of the award winning SATC. But dont expect to see any Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte or Miranda characters. These ladies are feistier, louder, and power hungry and whilst I didnt sympathise or connect with any of them, I could help but admire them. Sip a Cosmo, slip of your Blahnik rip offs from Primark, and fantasise that you too could be a hot fashion designer, president of a movie house or editor of a monthly glossy mag... I did!

"Sex and the City" the inspiration behind the TV series, 11 Jul 2008
I'm writing this review as a fan of the TV series based upon this book and the film which I have seen just recently - both of which have made me laugh and cry.

If like myself you are backtracking from these to this book I'd be weary. The characters from the series are here, sometimes appearing more or less frequently or have been renamed.

However from the way it is written I can't work out if it's a novel, a social commentary or a collection of Bushnell's newspaper columns with bits in between. The novel is a light read because if you're familiar with Sex And The City - Series 1 [1998], a lot of the dialogue and storylines will be familiar.


Dont buy this book!, 15 Feb 2008
I am a die-hard SATC fan, but was sorely disappointed by this book. The writing is really poor- changing tenses and narrator-prespectives at will. Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte & Samantha are bit-parts in this book, they're not the central cast so if you want more of SATC, buy the dvd set or go see the movie- this book will certainly not give you what you need.

Interesting read for Sex and the City fans!, 03 Dec 2006
If you are expecting something identical to the TV series then you probably would be disappointed, as the show is clearly only based on it. Carrie and Big feature a lot but Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha only appear a handful of times. If anything, this book made me cringe and feel less positive about finding my Mr Right than before I picked it up! It made me glad I don't live in Manhattan! However, I still would recommend it, it is a good, light read and humorous to say the least. Just don't let it put you off men completely, I'm sure there are a few decent ones out there!!!

The ultimate feel good book!!, 21 Feb 2005
Excellent read, feel good novel. TV series based on this novel, both excellent. A MUST READ! *****

A must if you love love the show., 05 Jan 2005
The book is a must if you love the show, however... Not only are the charcters completely different, the book is written atrociously. Especially the dialogues, which read as though composed by a small child. But if your a fan of the show then the general story will keep you captivated, the simplicity of it means that it can easily be read in a day, and is light on the mind.

Shallow, unoriginal and dull, 28 Mar 2007
Being a major fan of Sex and the City I was quite looking forward to reading this book. What a mistake on my part...
The book, which contains four short novellas, has none of the wit of the television series, only spiteful comments made by self-obsessed characters. Out of four stories there was no trace of an original plot line and the fourth story was downright offensive to British people.
Save yourself some money and don't buy this book.

Good, but not amazing, 02 Nov 2006
I normally love Candace Bushnell books, but i have to admit that even though this one was quite interesting, it didn't quite... take off. It consists of what might be seen as 4 novellas written in 4 different styles about the lives of 4 women in New York. It's a good book, and an interesting insight into those lives as archetypes of NY women (or rather _some_ NY women). And even nicer is that she picks up her characters pretty much where she left them, like in Trading up where we follow Janey Wilcox after her rise to fame. Good book, but not absolutely amazing. At least not for me.

Satire and the City, 11 Mar 2005
I was extremely pleased with Four Blondes. I had very much enjoyed reading Sex and the City for its dark humour and wit, and had assumed that Four Blondes would be unlikely to live up to the same caliber. However I was proved wrong.

Like S&TC, Four Blondes is a collection of short stories, this time focusing on the four women in the title. Divided into four stories, that of the ageing party girl/model, the anorexic princess, the high powered businesswoman and a writer looking for love, Bushnell paints each story with a satiric brush. Despite having money, looks and power, the first three women are seemingly insecure and unhappy. Four Blondes shows how each woman tries to regain a sense of control over their seemingly overwhelming, highly pressured lives, and how different personalities are more effective at this than others. Some women prosper whilst others fall short.

If I can find a fault with the book it is with the final woman's story, obviously based on Bushnell herself. I found her story rushed and pointless, as though it was added only to bulk up the book. It seemded more of a footnote than a story itself. It wasn't unenjoyable, but it was not as superb as the previous three tales.

The relative shortness of each woman's tale (compared to an entire book) was refreshing as it meant that the reader does not becomes bored with each story and is always left wanting more. A great read for anyone who lacks the concentration to read lengthy novels with a running narrative.

Somehow managing to be more glamorous than its older, expectionally successful sister, Four Blondes is a very dark, sometimes depressing look at New York woman who have it all. All that glitters is most definately not always gold.

An absolute must read.

Be Careful What You Wish For . . . You May Get It!, 14 Jul 2004
4 Blondes is three novellas and a short story about the beautiful and aspiring women in New York City. The cast of characters also include those who admire, lust for, marry, and earn a living from these blonde goddesses. Each of the four women has defined herself in terms of social position, physical goods, appearance, and how others relate to her. They each lack a core of who they are, as defined by their own inherent natures. In these stories, the women get what they think they want . . . and are disappointed in many ways. Life really begins when they move beyond their initial illusions to create a more appropriate direction for themselves. Many will find a peek into the minds and boudoirs of these women appealing, but few will find them sympathetic. It is that lack of sympathy that makes the book far less appealing than its potential to please the reader.

The book's subject is graphically portrayed by the large image of Ms. Bushnell on the back of the dust cover. Seeing her and her credentials, you immediately know that she is writing about the real people she meets in her social activities and writing work.

A number of my friends have inhabited this world at various times. Although the satire may seem broad, it isn't as broad as it would first appear. I remember being told about a well-known woman reporter who would not go out on a date until she had seen a balance sheet for the man in question that proved that his net worth was at least five million dollars.

New York has long been the capital of attention for those who aspire to be rich, famous, thin, and admired. This book needs to be compared to Tom Wolfe's Bonfire of the Vanities, because it is the female version of that same subject.

Of the stories in the book, I enjoyed Nice N'Easy by far the most. Janey Wilcox comes closest to being a whole person among the four heroines in the book. She is trying to find what she wants, and is a little confused about the best way to get things. But she persists, and emerges to a new plateau of maturity and effectiveness. If the whole book had captured that level of character progression, I would have rated it at four stars.

Single Process is a short story that had great potential, but left it unrealized. Ms. Bushnell has focused primarily on making jokes about English men, and creating a fairy tale. As far as she goes, the story works. To have worked better, she should have steered a little closer to reality and defined London as something more than anti-New York.

Platinum is simply a joke about being a real princess. This novella would have worked much better with a lot of editing down of the story.

In all four stories, Ms. Bushnell gives you lots of details about various psychological disorders, drug addiction, unpleasant sexual practices, and various forms of humiliation. She would have done better to focus on fewer dysfunctions and portrayed them better. The way these are written, the reader is assumed to have had first-hand experience with most of these practices. Such a reader would be unusual in my experience outside of the social circles being described here.

For those who don't like to read about extreme forms of depravity, skip this book.

On the other hand, her prose is well crafted and moves the stories along smoothly. She knows her subject. So if you think of this book as a longer version of tabloid writing, you will like it very much. I suspect that those who will like 4 Blondes best are readers who will take the fictional characters and ascribe them to a real celebrity, and feel excited about knowing the inside scoop on these people.

After you finish reading these stories, I suggest that you step back a bit and look at yourself in the mirror. Who do you see? Does it matter who you see? How does it make you feel to see yourself? Then change your perspective, and think about what the mirror would show if it reflected your inner self. Draw a picture of that new image. Keep it in mind!

Pursue worthy goals in worthy ways!

TERRIBLE!, 03 Jun 2004
This book is easily one of the worst I have ever read. Ever! Can this atrocity really have been brought to us by the creator of Sex & The City? Surely not!

As a Brit I was horribly offended by the author's description of British men and women... has she even been to England!? According to her British women make absolutely no effort with their appearance... British men however are ALL repressed and bumbling idiots... we have no taste, no style and are rubbish in bed.

This woman doesn't know what she is talking about! Obviously the success of Sex and the City was down to the talents of Sarah Jessica Parker and not Candace.

The three other short stories also left me completely cold. The characters were completely two dimentional and quite frankly boring. It's just the same formula time and time again...

Just awful! Buy something else.... ANYTHING ELSE!

Pure Entertainment, 06 Mar 2008
Yes, the character is shallow and a little unlikeable, but I found this book extremely entertaining. It's sort of like watching the life of someone who truly thinks that life owes them, and because of that, she gets exactly what she wants. I like the little insight into the main character's background that we get half-way through the book that go someway toward explaining why she is who she is. It is purely and simply entertaining, in a voyeuristic, unreachable way.

Fun,Mindless,Reading, 19 Sep 2007
I brought Trading up on a whim before I went on a 4 hour Coach journey to Bristol. I wanted a book I could get lost in to help the journey go faster. Being a massive fan of Sex in the City I figured I couldn't go wrong with a book written by its creator. Luckily for me I picked right! Trading up is a glamorous tale sharply written by Candace Bushnell. It is so totally unbelievable and ridiculously far fetched to real life that you can't help but switch off your brain and enjoy! It's a fantastic trashy read with beautiful people, spite, revenge and glamour, and it totally beats a copy of heat magazine hands down for a long journey!

Good holiday read, 11 Sep 2006
This book fascinated and entertained me. It's perfect for the beach or airport, as it doesn't require much reflection or work interlectually on the reader's part. You just sit back and enjoy.

I liked the story, the charaters and all the glamour. Janey's (the main character) view on everything is so different from my own. Some may find it appalling, naive and stupid. I found it entertaining. I've met people like Janey and always wanted to look inside their mind. Janey is indeed naive and self-obsessed, but she also has a strong belief in her own succes, despite of her flaws. I don't share her values, but I liked reading about it - widening my horizon.

I also like the many little stories that are intertwined. I like how the author picks up characters from earlier books and how you meet some of the characters from "Trading up" in her next book "Lipstick jungle" (which is also really good!).

It's an extra bonus that it takes place in NYC. I love NYC and enjoy reading about it. I'm fascinated by the place. The fancy restaurants where one table is more prestigous than the other, where you can meet famous people etc. I liked reading about small things that are important to people in a world far away from my own little Danish capital.

The lost sparkle., 23 Aug 2004
Having read the previous two books by the author, I was disappointed and somehow offended by the lack of depth and the superficiality of the character. Here is a girl who is absolutely clueless, floats about in a bubble, in a dream of ‘beauty can get me anywhere’ and I own the world even though I cannot spell properly.
When some people finally start to realise who she is – mind you in the real world she would have been slapped many times over by now -, that she is a pretty face – no brains whatsoever, her response is to throw her hands up in the air and dramatically exclaim ‘ nobody understands me’. Sadly, there is nothing to understand. I have never encountered such a sallow, moronic and frankly annoying character in the books I have read over the years. Surely, every novel of such genre, includes the obligatory amount of glamour, so that the common people might escape their reality for a few moments.
But nobody of the real people wants to waste their time with such nonsense. I followed the book to the end, wishing the character would at least admit to her flaws and emerge a bit more mature, and in the process hoping to restore my faith in the author. Sadly this never happened –even though there was some sort of attempt in doing so in the very end-.
And I am wondering why a once witty and funny writer would settle in creating such a stupid character and this pointless story. Out of all the characters in 4 blonds, we had to get stuck with the bimbo of the year. Hardly interesting reading. And I ask, why her?

NON-STOP READING!!!, 09 Jul 2004
I admit, I have read all of Candace Bushnell's books,but Trading Up is one of those books that you can't stop reading. As in her other books, Candace Bushnell describes with such vivid detail, life of the rich, powerful and beautiful in New York City that you find yourself entering deeply into the story and you really can't let go of the book. Her protagonist Janey Wilcox, is one of those women you love to hate. She has practically everything, beauty, sex appeal, men at her feet and several well-kept secrets. However, the author introduces to us, another side to the New York sex and social agenda, that by the end you find yourself being compasionate towards Jane Wilcox, a fighter, a survivor of a corrupt society that you start liking the character and feeling for her. This is a must-have, must-read book. Enjoy your read!!

A little cynical and very entertaining, 12 Nov 2008
What I like about Candace Bushnell's writing is the way she goes into her character's heads and describes all the nasty little thoughts they have all the time. Often, many protagonists are quite pathetic, like in "Trading Up", and here with Lola. One Fifth drags you into the glamourous NY, but through the back door. Bushnell gives you the impression that you get to know a part of the NY society, but without the make up. The only thing that makes me keep away 1 star is that the story is a bit slow in the middle.

Best avoid One Fifth Avenue..., 08 Nov 2008
I bought this book for some light reading and it for that it served its purpose just fine.I must admit I haven't read anything else by Candace Bushnell so I cannot be sure if this is the style she adopts in all of her books; however, I found the writing to be impersonal, cold and it didn't move me at all. I also disliked all the characters, Lola especially got on my nerves with her sole ambition being to 'climb' New York high society and make a name for herself. Furthermore, many scenes describing a more intimate nature were written in such a forced clinical manner, that I found myself cringing at various points. I suggest you buy this if you just want an inconsequential read, somthing to read for the sake of reading, but don't expect too much. I recommend any book by Marian Keyes a million times more, they are funnier and superbly written!


WELL READ TALE OF THE RICH AND FATUOUS, 26 Oct 2008
Gather round all you Sex and the City and Lipstick Jungle fans and don't miss a word of Candace Bushnell's latest take on the merry/wary-go-round that is her New York City. Bushnell is one author with her finger on the pulse, ear to the ground, and a stiletto heeled step ahead of the pack when it comes to fictional residents of this city of 8 million. Yes, they are fictional folks but Bushnell's painterly pen brings them to crying, laughing, plotting life. How many of us considered Carrie a dear friend?

This time out we go through the exclusive doors of an upscale Art Deco apartment building to meet Schiffer Diamond, Lola Fabrikant, Mindy Gooch, Annalisa Rice and Enid Merle. A keen observer Bushnell details each one's foibles, frailties, and fantasies with insight and humor. Her metier is often satire, and it is put to good use with this group. Most wouldn't want to have them as neighbors but One Fifth Avenue is a great place to visit, and you won't want to miss a detail.

Poor insecure Mindy frets because she lives in the building's smallest apartment (after all, this is where address and floor space = social acceptance), and Enid is an over-the-hill gossip columnist. Schiffer is an actress, and Annalisa with pots of new money is eager to buy her way into high society. Money talks - hers screams. Lola is young, lovely, used to getting her own way, and isn't about to be ignored.

Award winning actress Donna Murphy delivers a can't stop-listening-to narration of this tale of the rich and fatuous. A highly acclaimed musical actress Murphy's reading is enhanced not only by her acting prowess but also by her naturally melodious voice.

- Gail Cooke

Surprisingly enjoyable, 11 Oct 2008
I bought this book on a whim, needing a pick me up on a cold and dreary weekend. I wasn't sure if Bushnell could deliver the goods, but this novel was genuinely enjoyable. She's created an interesting little story and filled it with a mix of likable and not so likable characters. While her insight into New York society seems slightly dated, in spite of the many new media references, her passion for the city shines through as she manages to capture both its glorious history and the never-ending struggle for success.

This book won't put any demands on you as a reader, but it will help to while away a few hours.

Thoroughly Disappointing! , 21 Oct 2008
I took this book on a flight, hoping for some light in-flight entertainment. Instead what I got was a complete disappointment. Chick-flicks are a powerful genre, quite capable of reducing me to laughter. This barely required a smile or indeed any emotion except that of patience. I started it so I wanted to finish it, and so I plodded through.

Characters are well crafted (I prefer Nico), and there is even a plot. But the story just doesn't have enough magic to make it something special. While there are all these billions of books waiting to be discovered, Lipstick Jungle, in my personal opinion doesn't deserve that precious reading time.

Brilliant book, 15 Aug 2008
As a fan of SATC, I thought I'd read another Candace Bushnell book and was not disappointed. I really enjoyed this book, and finished it in a few days (it normally takes me a few weeks to read a book). Buy it!

Don't bother, 02 Jun 2008
The best thing about this book is that it's not the 'classic' chick lit. It's women with brains and their own independance. But it's not particully well written, at times I even disliked the characters (which I'm sure was not intended) and the storyline wasn't particully interesting, exciting or engaging, by the end I was left dissatisfied by the lack of storyline. Even the diversion from the usual chick lit plot wasn't completely satisfied, so even the best thing about this book wasn't done particully well

Pile of c+*p, 03 Oct 2007
Do not waste your time or money. This book is badly written, the characters are contrived and unbelievable. The plot is abysmal. Bushnell actually does not know how to write very well so misses out a significant portion of the plot so one minute the characters are in trouble, then on the next page it is a few months later and they have sucessfully sorted out all their problems.

SATC TV series - the episodes were not written by her. The idea and characters were taken from her book but the vast majority of seasons 1 through 6 have NOTHING to do with her, other than the original idea, the pilot and the first few episodes. This is not the sharp-witted TV series, it's unintelligent, unimaginative and dull. I give it one star because I have to but it is not even worth that.

Great fun, 24 Jan 2007
More Jackie Collins that SATC, this book transports you to a world of power, sex, designer clothes and hot hot men, with the three ladies concerned (Wendy, Nico and Victory) living top notch lives in NY. Im not ashamed to say, I really enjoyed this. Its pacy, sexy and racy, everything you would expect from the co-writer of the award winning SATC. But dont expect to see any Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte or Miranda characters. These ladies are feistier, louder, and power hungry and whilst I didnt sympathise or connect with any of them, I could help but admire them. Sip a Cosmo, slip of your Blahnik rip offs from Primark, and fantasise that you too could be a hot fashion designer, president of a movie house or editor of a monthly glossy mag... I did!

"Sex and the City" the inspiration behind the TV series, 11 Jul 2008
I'm writing this review as a fan of the TV series based upon this book and the film which I have seen just recently - both of which have made me laugh and cry.

If like myself you are backtracking from these to this book I'd be weary. The characters from the series are here, sometimes appearing more or less frequently or have been renamed.

However from the way it is written I can't work out if it's a novel, a social commentary or a collection of Bushnell's newspaper columns with bits in between. The novel is a light read because if you're familiar with Sex And The City - Series 1 [1998], a lot of the dialogue and storylines will be familiar.


Dont buy this book!, 15 Feb 2008
I am a die-hard SATC fan, but was sorely disappointed by this book. The writing is really poor- changing tenses and narrator-prespectives at will. Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte & Samantha are bit-parts in this book, they're not the central cast so if you want more of SATC, buy the dvd set or go see the movie- this book will certainly not give you what you need.

Interesting read for Sex and the City fans!, 03 Dec 2006
If you are expecting something identical to the TV series then you probably would be disappointed, as the show is clearly only based on it. Carrie and Big feature a lot but Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha only appear a handful of times. If anything, this book made me cringe and feel less positive about finding my Mr Right than before I picked it up! It made me glad I don't live in Manhattan! However, I still would recommend it, it is a good, light read and humorous to say the least. Just don't let it put you off men completely, I'm sure there are a few decent ones out there!!!

The ultimate feel good book!!, 21 Feb 2005
Excellent read, feel good novel. TV series based on this novel, both excellent. A MUST READ! *****

A must if you love love the show., 05 Jan 2005
The book is a must if you love the show, however... Not only are the charcters completely different, the book is written atrociously. Especially the dialogues, which read as though composed by a small child. But if your a fan of the show then the general story will keep you captivated, the simplicity of it means that it can easily be read in a day, and is light on the mind.

Shallow, unoriginal and dull, 28 Mar 2007
Being a major fan of Sex and the City I was quite looking forward to reading this book. What a mistake on my part...
The book, which contains four short novellas, has none of the wit of the television series, only spiteful comments made by self-obsessed characters. Out of four stories there was no trace of an original plot line and the fourth story was downright offensive to British people.
Save yourself some money and don't buy this book.

Good, but not amazing, 02 Nov 2006
I normally love Candace Bushnell books, but i have to admit that even though this one was quite interesting, it didn't quite... take off. It consists of what might be seen as 4 novellas written in 4 different styles about the lives of 4 women in New York. It's a good book, and an interesting insight into those lives as archetypes of NY women (or rather _some_ NY women). And even nicer is that she picks up her characters pretty much where she left them, like in Trading up where we follow Janey Wilcox after her rise to fame. Good book, but not absolutely amazing. At least not for me.

Satire and the City, 11 Mar 2005
I was extremely pleased with Four Blondes. I had very much enjoyed reading Sex and the City for its dark humour and wit, and had assumed that Four Blondes would be unlikely to live up to the same caliber. However I was proved wrong.

Like S&TC, Four Blondes is a collection of short stories, this time focusing on the four women in the title. Divided into four stories, that of the ageing party girl/model, the anorexic princess, the high powered businesswoman and a writer looking for love, Bushnell paints each story with a satiric brush. Despite having money, looks and power, the first three women are seemingly insecure and unhappy. Four Blondes shows how each woman tries to regain a sense of control over their seemingly overwhelming, highly pressured lives, and how different personalities are more effective at this than others. Some women prosper whilst others fall short.

If I can find a fault with the book it is with the final woman's story, obviously based on Bushnell herself. I found her story rushed and pointless, as though it was added only to bulk up the book. It seemded more of a footnote than a story itself. It wasn't unenjoyable, but it was not as superb as the previous three tales.

The relative shortness of each woman's tale (compared to an entire book) was refreshing as it meant that the reader does not becomes bored with each story and is always left wanting more. A great read for anyone who lacks the concentration to read lengthy novels with a running narrative.

Somehow managing to be more glamorous than its older, expectionally successful sister, Four Blondes is a very dark, sometimes depressing look at New York woman who have it all. All that glitters is most definately not always gold.

An absolute must read.

Be Careful What You Wish For . . . You May Get It!, 14 Jul 2004
4 Blondes is three novellas and a short story about the beautiful and aspiring women in New York City. The cast of characters also include those who admire, lust for, marry, and earn a living from these blonde goddesses. Each of the four women has defined herself in terms of social position, physical goods, appearance, and how others relate to her. They each lack a core of who they are, as defined by their own inherent natures. In these stories, the women get what they think they want . . . and are disappointed in many ways. Life really begins when they move beyond their initial illusions to create a more appropriate direction for themselves. Many will find a peek into the minds and boudoirs of these women appealing, but few will find them sympathetic. It is that lack of sympathy that makes the book far less appealing than its potential to please the reader.

The book's subject is graphically portrayed by the large image of Ms. Bushnell on the back of the dust cover. Seeing her and her credentials, you immediately know that she is writing about the real people she meets in her social activities and writing work.

A number of my friends have inhabited this world at various times. Although the satire may seem broad, it isn't as broad as it would first appear. I remember being told about a well-known woman reporter who would not go out on a date until she had seen a balance sheet for the man in question that proved that his net worth was at least five million dollars.

New York has long been the capital of attention for those who aspire to be rich, famous, thin, and admired. This book needs to be compared to Tom Wolfe's Bonfire of the Vanities, because it is the female version of that same subject.

Of the stories in the book, I enjoyed Nice N'Easy by far the most. Janey Wilcox comes closest to being a whole person among the four heroines in the book. She is trying to find what she wants, and is a little confused about the best way to get things. But she persists, and emerges to a new plateau of maturity and effectiveness. If the whole book had captured that level of character progression, I would have rated it at four stars.

Single Process is a short story that had great potential, but left it unrealized. Ms. Bushnell has focused primarily on making jokes about English men, and creating a fairy tale. As far as she goes, the story works. To have worked better, she should have steered a little closer to reality and defined London as something more than anti-New York.

Platinum is simply a joke about being a real princess. This novella would have worked much better with a lot of editing down of the story.

In all four stories, Ms. Bushnell gives you lots of details about various psychological disorders, drug addiction, unpleasant sexual practices, and various forms of humiliation. She would have done better to focus on fewer dysfunctions and portrayed them better. The way these are written, the reader is assumed to have had first-hand experience with most of these practices. Such a reader would be unusual in my experience outside of the social circles being described here.

For those who don't like to read about extreme forms of depravity, skip this book.

On the other hand, her prose is well crafted and moves the stories along smoothly. She knows her subject. So if you think of this book as a longer version of tabloid writing, you will like it very much. I suspect that those who will like 4 Blondes best are readers who will take the fictional characters and ascribe them to a real celebrity, and feel excited about knowing the inside scoop on these people.

After you finish reading these stories, I suggest that you step back a bit and look at yourself in the mirror. Who do you see? Does it matter who you see? How does it make you feel to see yourself? Then change your perspective, and think about what the mirror would show if it reflected your inner self. Draw a picture of that new image. Keep it in mind!

Pursue worthy goals in worthy ways!

TERRIBLE!, 03 Jun 2004
This book is easily one of the worst I have ever read. Ever! Can this atrocity really have been brought to us by the creator of Sex & The City? Surely not!

As a Brit I was horribly offended by the author's description of British men and women... has she even been to England!? According to her British women make absolutely no effort with their appearance... British men however are ALL repressed and bumbling idiots... we have no taste, no style and are rubbish in bed.

This woman doesn't know what she is talking about! Obviously the success of Sex and the City was down to the talents of Sarah Jessica Parker and not Candace.

The three other short stories also left me completely cold. The characters were completely two dimentional and quite frankly boring. It's just the same formula time and time again...

Just awful! Buy something else.... ANYTHING ELSE!

Pure Entertainment, 06 Mar 2008
Yes, the character is shallow and a little unlikeable, but I found this book extremely entertaining. It's sort of like watching the life of someone who truly thinks that life owes them, and because of that, she gets exactly what she wants. I like the little insight into the main character's background that we get half-way through the book that go someway toward explaining why she is who she is. It is purely and simply entertaining, in a voyeuristic, unreachable way.

Fun,Mindless,Reading, 19 Sep 2007
I brought Trading up on a whim before I went on a 4 hour Coach journey to Bristol. I wanted a book I could get lost in to help the journey go faster. Being a massive fan of Sex in the City I figured I couldn't go wrong with a book written by its creator. Luckily for me I picked right! Trading up is a glamorous tale sharply written by Candace Bushnell. It is so totally unbelievable and ridiculously far fetched to real life that you can't help but switch off your brain and enjoy! It's a fantastic trashy read with beautiful people, spite, revenge and glamour, and it totally beats a copy of heat magazine hands down for a long journey!

Good holiday read, 11 Sep 2006
This book fascinated and entertained me. It's perfect for the beach or airport, as it doesn't require much reflection or work interlectually on the reader's part. You just sit back and enjoy.

I liked the story, the charaters and all the glamour. Janey's (the main character) view on everything is so different from my own. Some may find it appalling, naive and stupid. I found it entertaining. I've met people like Janey and always wanted to look inside their mind. Janey is indeed naive and self-obsessed, but she also has a strong belief in her own succes, despite of her flaws. I don't share her values, but I liked reading about it - widening my horizon.

I also like the many little stories that are intertwined. I like how the author picks up characters from earlier books and how you meet some of the characters from "Trading up" in her next book "Lipstick jungle" (which is also really good!).

It's an extra bonus that it takes place in NYC. I love NYC and enjoy reading about it. I'm fascinated by the place. The fancy restaurants where one table is more prestigous than the other, where you can meet famous people etc. I liked reading about small things that are important to people in a world far away from my own little Danish capital.

The lost sparkle., 23 Aug 2004
Having read the previous two books by the author, I was disappointed and somehow offended by the lack of depth and the superficiality of the character. Here is a girl who is absolutely clueless, floats about in a bubble, in a dream of ‘beauty can get me anywhere’ and I own the world even though I cannot spell properly.
When some people finally start to realise who she is – mind you in the real world she would have been slapped many times over by now -, that she is a pretty face – no brains whatsoever, her response is to throw her hands up in the air and dramatically exclaim ‘ nobody understands me’. Sadly, there is nothing to understand. I have never encountered such a sallow, moronic and frankly annoying character in the books I have read over the years. Surely, every novel of such genre, includes the obligatory amount of glamour, so that the common people might escape their reality for a few moments.
But nobody of the real people wants to waste their time with such nonsense. I followed the book to the end, wishing the character would at least admit to her flaws and emerge a bit more mature, and in the process hoping to restore my faith in the author. Sadly this never happened –even though there was some sort of attempt in doing so in the very end-.
And I am wondering why a once witty and funny writer would settle in creating such a stupid character and this pointless story. Out of all the characters in 4 blonds, we had to get stuck with the bimbo of the year. Hardly interesting reading. And I ask, why her?

NON-STOP READING!!!, 09 Jul 2004
I admit, I have read all of Candace Bushnell's books,but Trading Up is one of those books that you can't stop reading. As in her other books, Candace Bushnell describes with such vivid detail, life of the rich, powerful and beautiful in New York City that you find yourself entering deeply into the story and you really can't let go of the book. Her protagonist Janey Wilcox, is one of those women you love to hate. She has practically everything, beauty, sex appeal, men at her feet and several well-kept secrets. However, the author introduces to us, another side to the New York sex and social agenda, that by the end you find yourself being compasionate towards Jane Wilcox, a fighter, a survivor of a corrupt society that you start liking the character and feeling for her. This is a must-have, must-read book. Enjoy your read!!

A little cynical and very entertaining, 12 Nov 2008
What I like about Candace Bushnell's writing is the way she goes into her character's heads and describes all the nasty little thoughts they have all the time. Often, many protagonists are quite pathetic, like in "Trading Up", and here with Lola. One Fifth drags you into the glamourous NY, but through the back door. Bushnell gives you the impression that you get to know a part of the NY society, but without the make up. The only thing that makes me keep away 1 star is that the story is a bit slow in the middle.

Best avoid One Fifth Avenue..., 08 Nov 2008
I bought this book for some light reading and it for that it served its purpose just fine.I must admit I haven't read anything else by Candace Bushnell so I cannot be sure if this is the style she adopts in all of her books; however, I found the writing to be impersonal, cold and it didn't move me at all. I also disliked all the characters, Lola especially got on my nerves with her sole ambition being to 'climb' New York high society and make a name for herself. Furthermore, many scenes describing a more intimate nature were written in such a forced clinical manner, that I found myself cringing at various points. I suggest you buy this if you just want an inconsequential read, somthing to read for the sake of reading, but don't expect too much. I recommend any book by Marian Keyes a million times more, they are funnier and superbly written!


WELL READ TALE OF THE RICH AND FATUOUS, 26 Oct 2008
Gather round all you Sex and the City and Lipstick Jungle fans and don't miss a word of Candace Bushnell's latest take on the merry/wary-go-round that is her New York City. Bushnell is one author with her finger on the pulse, ear to the ground, and a stiletto heeled step ahead of the pack when it comes to fictional residents of this city of 8 million. Yes, they are fictional folks but Bushnell's painterly pen brings them to crying, laughing, plotting life. How many of us considered Carrie a dear friend?

This time out we go through the exclusive doors of an upscale Art Deco apartment building to meet Schiffer Diamond, Lola Fabrikant, Mindy Gooch, Annalisa Rice and Enid Merle. A keen observer Bushnell details each one's foibles, frailties, and fantasies with insight and humor. Her metier is often satire, and it is put to good use with this group. Most wouldn't want to have them as neighbors but One Fifth Avenue is a great place to visit, and you won't want to miss a detail.

Poor insecure Mindy frets because she lives in the building's smallest apartment (after all, this is where address and floor space = social acceptance), and Enid is an over-the-hill gossip columnist. Schiffer is an actress, and Annalisa with pots of new money is eager to buy her way into high society. Money talks - hers screams. Lola is young, lovely, used to getting her own way, and isn't about to be ignored.

Award winning actress Donna Murphy delivers a can't stop-listening-to narration of this tale of the rich and fatuous. A highly acclaimed musical actress Murphy's reading is enhanced not only by her acting prowess but also by her naturally melodious voice.

- Gail Cooke

Surprisingly enjoyable, 11 Oct 2008
I bought this book on a whim, needing a pick me up on a cold and dreary weekend. I wasn't sure if Bushnell could deliver the goods, but this novel was genuinely enjoyable. She's created an interesting little story and filled it with a mix of likable and not so likable characters. While her insight into New York society seems slightly dated, in spite of the many new media references, her passion for the city shines through as she manages to capture both its glorious history and the never-ending struggle for success.

This book won't put any demands on you as a reader, but it will help to while away a few hours.

A little cynical and very entertaining, 12 Nov 2008
What I like about Candace Bushnell's writing is the way she goes into her character's heads and describes all the nasty little thoughts they have all the time. Often, many protagonists are quite pathetic, like in "Trading Up", and here with Lola. One Fifth drags you into the glamourous NY, but through the back door. Bushnell gives you the impression that you get to know a part of the NY society, but without the make up. The only thing that makes me keep away 1 star is that the story is a bit slow in the middle.

Best avoid One Fifth Avenue..., 08 Nov 2008
I bought this book for some light reading and it for that it served its purpose just fine.I must admit I haven't read anything else by Candace Bushnell so I cannot be sure if this is the style she adopts in all of her books; however, I found the writing to be impersonal, cold and it didn't move me at all. I also disliked all the characters, Lola especially got on my nerves with her sole ambition being to 'climb' New York high society and make a name for herself. Furthermore, many scenes describing a more intimate nature were wr