We're So Famous

When I first decided to read this book, I was expecting something more suited for an airhead middle school student. However, I was very pleasantly surprised. Although the premise of "We're So Famous" is unquestionably juvenile, the story and the characters kept me engrossed until the end. To sum it up: This book is an amusing account of three girls' quest for fame in a world that has long since forgotten the tunes of their favorite band, Bananarama.

Jay-sus! Could there be a more accurate account of my life??! This bloke couldn't make me laugh harder. Jaime Clarke is a veritable master of witticisms, quirky/loveable characters and unexpected but spot-on observations of the human condition. Love his characters, detest his characters, pity his characters, and then love them all over again. Nearly missed my train last Thursday trying to get through the final pages of this brilliant read.Jamie, if you're out there, thank you. Thank you.. Write another. You have a fan in Bristol.

The cover of this book intrigued me, as did the blurb by Ellis. And I wasn't disappointed. This book is really, really funny and Clarke has an inventive mind. The details will get you, and the story as a whole holds together pretty well. Sure, it's all pretty familiar stuff, but this is the first book that I know of that weaves together our collective celebrity conscience to show us how over-the-top we are when it comes to celebrities. I read it in one sitting and would recommend it to anyone who needs a laugh.

This is a truly enjoyable book but it also presents an interesting look at how we perceive fame. A compelling satire -- Clarke's writing makes it impossible not to root for the three dynamic heroines. After all, who hasn't wanted to be famous at some point in their life? The writing itself builds momentum while playing with the form of the novel by giving each each protagonist her own section to narrate. Don't make the mistake of taking this book too literally -- all the 80's references and name dropping are meant to build the satire (and you can't take a band with a name like Bananarama *too* seriously).

Well this book isn't going to enter some western literary canon but then again that doesn't seem to be its point. It's a light, fun confection, and for that worth its cover price and then some. Highly recommended for fans of eighties pop music (some of the arcane bits are really well done) and fans of pop culture in general, for whom this little book's references might work, as they did for me, like an old friend recalling good times.