Confessions of a Shopaholic (by Sophie Kinsella)
common sense media says
Chick-lit fave gets a movie tie-in.
parents & educators say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that, as the title suggests, this book features rampant consumerism; it describes shopping trips the way a chef might wax eloquent about a gourmet meal or an artist rhapsodize about a masterpiece. The main character, Becky, is shallow and self-absorbed, though by the end she's a little less so. There are several references to adults drinking and sex (nothing explicit). It's implied that couples have sex by the third date.
Violence:
Not applicable.
Sex:
Becky breaks up with a man who says he doesn't believe in sex before marriage and tells her roommate what happened on their "crucial third date." They start kissing and she reaches for his trouser zipper. "He actually had to punch me in the face to get me off him. . ." When he asks her if she is prepared to wait for him, she tells him she's sure he won't be able to resist her for long. Her roommate calls her a "man-eater" and makes fun of what she suspects is the small size of the man's penis. When a man kisses Becky for the first time, his hands cup her bottom and fingers under her skirt hem. The next morning she is in his bed, feeling "sated" and noting that "God, he really knows how to . . ." She doesn't share any specific details, noting, "Can't you use your imagination?"
Language:
Though the British curse words come across as charming ("sodding," "bugger," "shagged," "todger"), there are a few recognized on this side of the Atlantic: "f--k," "s--t," "t-ts," "bitch."
Consumerism:
As one might expect, the book is pretty much about shopping. Pages drip with high-end brand names of everything from luggage to clothes to shoes to lotion to perfume. The first thing Becky does is size up what a person is wearing; she comforts herself by shopping. She cares very much about what other people think; "if I buy something from a shop that's a bit uncool, I cut the label out." She compulsively spends a lot of money even when she is deeply in debt. She uses multiple credit cards (mentioned by name, particularly Visa). She tries (sort of) to cut her spending but is unsuccessful. She throws away bills or hides them in a drawer without opening them. She does eventually (sort of) learn to be a bit more responsible, but this is not a didactic tale. She finds an unlikely way to make more money so she can pay her bills; she is not a role model for stay-within-your-budget spending.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
There are multiple references to drinking mixed drinks (gin and tonic), champagne, and wine, sometimes in excess. These are adults, however. Looking over her credit card bill, she deems her three bottles of wine "essential." Becky keeps drinking to force herself to be attracted to a rich man she doesn't really like. Neighbors offer her a sherry in the afternoon -- "Never too early for a sherry!" -- and Becky decides they're alcoholics. A minor character smokes and Becky thinks "even though I don't really smoke anymore, I suddenly feel as though I could do with one myself."
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Most useful reviews by all members
massie11
kid, 11 years old
kid, 11 years old
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
best book ever
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rockchick101
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
perfect for older kids.
I love this book but it is very rude in places.If you are ever unsure about a book or a film for your kids then you could always read or watch it first and see if you think it is appropriate for them.
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sourcecoderocks
kid, 13 years old
kid, 13 years old
Awesome!!!
Great book!!! It has a good message and it helps you learn about money management. This book kept me hooked the whole time.
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slovesdogs2000
kid, 11 years old
kid, 11 years old
Perfect for tweens
There really wasn't anything bad except Becky downs a bottle of Vodka right from the bottle, shes INSANE about shopping and sells her friends dress for her friends wedding so she can be on TV, and if your kids don't know about debt and stuff they will not understand this at all. I'm 9 and I understood it so I think your kid should be atleast a tween to understand it.
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joolz_43344
adult
adult
Look forward to seeing the movie
I haven't seen the movie yet, but I think the book will be a bit different from the movie. The movie looks like it makes the girl extremely stupid as shown on the previews that she ends up googling the word 'finance'. But, in the book, she is pretty smart about finance. It's just she has a hard time practicing it. There is some language in the book, and of course drinking and only a little sex at the end. I definately don't encourage pre-teens to read it. I look forward to seeing the movie!
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Read me up and ...
kid, 13 years old
kid, 13 years old
Perfect for anyone from 10 to anyone
Its a good book and any people from the age of 10 to anything can read it. It sends a good message out to children and adults about how to spend their money. Yes, it might have some drinking and kissing but it has a good statement. As long as they don't start it's the perfect book and it's fine for children (from the age of 10) and adults. Give them a chance to see the movie as well as it gives them even more of an idea of what can go wrong in your life if it ends up like Becky's. Don't forget every story has a happy ending even if you don't see it.
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dressagehorse
teen, 13 years old
teen, 13 years old
Great book, funny!
This is a fantastic book! It teaches you a lot about money management in a hilarious tale that will entertain any mature reader. Language might be something some parents would worry about, but it is fine for 10+.
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Coolness17
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
It's a good show no matter what.
It teaches a lesson that if you lie there are some consequences you have to face and that's important for kids (and adults) to know. But again there are a lot of things to look out for like, drinking, swearing, and stuff like that.
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spandana
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
A must read for every girl who loves shopping and wants some romance in her life
This book is all about Becky Bloomwood who is totally addicted to shopping. She lands in all kinds of debts due to her excessive shopping habits and goes through life in a funny, comical fantastic way. She stands up to things which she thinks are wrong and has a sense of pride and dignity. This book is about how she handles things in her life continuously falling into 'shopahol'.
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hha27
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
a great book
its a great book to read and lots of things about managment that every kid can follow its a good book to read!
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