Confessions of a Shopaholic is a delightful book about a self-confessed shopaholic, RebeccaBloomwood, who is also (ironically) a Financial Advisor. At the outset, Rebecca appears to be one of those everyday people we encounter, happily ensconced in ‘La-laLand’, thinking that nothing could ever go wrong in their world. Her daily routine itself is characterized by the number of shops she visits and the usually(totally unnecessary) stuff she ends up buying.
She tries pitifully (and attimes, to the readers’ delight) to console herself after every purchase andjustify its need. Finally, the situation spirals out of control and makes herdo things she never thought she would – overspend on her credit card, hide threatening letters from the bank, cook up excuses to avoid meeting the bank executives and finally.
Even run away to her parents house where she will be‘safe from the outside world’ – you name it and she does it with aplomb. Shefinally meets her match in Luke Brandon – a stable practical man (who also seesthrough her and gets a glimpse into the real Rebecca) and succumbs to hischarms. In true fictional fantasy, she is able to get a job, get an amazing paypacket, settle all her loans and fall happily in love with Luke.
Onreading this book, what struck me was that there is probably a Rebecca in allof us. How many of us have given in to temptation and bought a ‘littlesomething’ to make us feel better? How many of us feel scared to see ominouslooking mail from banks? And yet, how many of us are as ‘real’ as Rebecca is?She valiantly fights for her neighbours’ rights; knowing fully well she is nofinancial genius. She is terrified when she is to have a Financial debate withthe ‘brainy’ Luke Brandon and his team on National Television, yet she doesn’tback out. She not only awakens Luke’s conscience, but also makes him fall inlove with her.
At the end, she demonstrates that all you need to survive inthis world is your heart in the right place and that is exactly what makes herso endearing. She MAKES the readers fall in love with her and rejoice at herhappiness.