Finished the Book

Candace Bushnell's The Lipstick Jungle was much more than I expected.

If you are a fan of what I call "snapshot" stories, or stories that provide a current snapshot view into the main characters' lives, without delving too deeply into their backstories, then you'll enjoy this.

The novel revolves around three New York City power-women (Wendy -- President of a motion picture company, Nico -- Editor-in-chief of a magazine, and Victory -- Successful fashion designer) who are in their early forties. The novel goes back and forth between the three women's perspectives, but it is told in the third person.

The formula used in the writing is simple: Protagonist is successful and has it all, comes to a crossroads, faces challenges, has resolution. Most stories fall into this category, but not all of them work. It may be cliche to say so, but I like the formula and I like the content and the way it was put together. Another bonus is the fact that the author is writing from an insider's perspective, and her attention to detail is excellent.

If you are looking for a super-fast read, this is not your book. While it is a page-turner, it is 435 pages long, and does take some time. I can usually blast through your basic fluff novel in one to two evenings. This one took me a week.