"Summer and the City"


I wasn't so impressed with Candace Bushnell's first prequel book to the Sex and the City series, The Carrie Diaries (see my review here -- I've since revised the rating from 8/10 to 7/10). So does the continuation of Carrie's story about her first arriving in New York City fare any better? Let's see...

I'm going to try to review Summer and the City with as few spoilers as possible. Suffice it to say that throughout the book Carrie begins hanging out with a couple of her best friends from the TV series and meets one of the men featured in the very first episode (now your brain is ticking over wondering who it is!).

Reading this novel very much helped to reconcile the previous book with the TV series version of Carrie. She makes a brief trip back to Castlebury and a few of the hometown characters from The Carrie Diaries stumble onto the pages of Summer and the City, but mostly to explain why they're never mentioned in the TV series. They're brought up to be dismissed.

Carrie deals with the issues of reinventing herself in New York City. The other characters, with their varying personalities, represent the different choices of who Carrie could become. Should she assume a fake identity, like one of her friends who's lying to her fiance? Will she crumble under the pressure of New York and have to crawl back home in disgrace? Has she changed in the big (Big, ho ho!) city? Is she a snob for no longer respecting her previous small-town existence?

These questions were answered in a believable and well-written way. I also enjoyed the struggles and self-doubt in Carrie's quest to become a writer -- I could relate to this all too well! Although quite painful in spots, Carrie doesn't give up on writing and of course, we know that's the right decision from what her future holds.

I felt much more compelled to keep reading in this second instalment of the prequels. Overall, I'd suggest reading The Carrie Diaries only so you fully understand Summer and the City. It's the questionable main course you must suffer through to earn your dessert. And what a dessert it is.

Rating: 8/10.

Have you read Summer and the City yet? Do you agree?

13 comments:

  1. Thanks for linking up to friendly wednesday! I'm a new follower. Have a great week!

    www.savingthosedollars.blogspot.com

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  2. I'm a new follower. We are meant to be together. I LOVE Sex and the City. What a great book review! I can't wait to check your blog out further!
    :)
    Ali

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  3. Thanks for linking up at Thoughtful Thursday:)

    and for sharing this book review with us. I haven't read Summer in the City, but having read your thoughts on it, hmmm... I'm not so sure I'll read it. Maybe I'll just stick to the movies ;)

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  4. I haven't read either books yet, currently reading Are you a Marilyn or a Jackie? As much as I am a huge fan of SATC, I am not sure how many more prequel books do we need and sequels to the prequels... LOL! They released the actresses for the SATC prequel...what do you think? Blake Lively as Samantha, Selena Gomez as Charlotte, Emma Roberts as Miranda, and Elizabeth Olson as Carrie.

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  5. I completely agree!
    I really enjoyed Summer in the City, and a found a lot that I could relate to. Being 32, while Carrie is a mere 17 in this book, could mean that either I am very immature OR she is too mature for her age?! Either way, I really enjoyed this book and am even looking forward to the next instalment in the Carrie Diaries...
    Mia

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  6. Even though I didn't love The Carrie Diaries, I'm going to give Summer and the City a try! Hope it's better.

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  7. Oh my gosh - VERY cool! I didn't know that this existed! I need my Carrie (Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda!) fix! I'm glad you posted this - must go get it! :)

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  8. I love Sex and the City, and this book sounds interesting to me. Great review!


    Following your lovely blog. I am also inviting you to visit http://olahmomma.com/momlounge where you can add your blog ( http://olahmomma.com/momlounge/node/add/blog-list ), express yourself, and meet and be seen with more mom bloggers.
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  9. so I've never picked up these books, although I can't think why...i'm a book nerd and I love the tv series! might have to now. thanks for reviewing!
    can't wait to read more!!!

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  10. I never enjoyed the show as much as everyone else, but that book sounds really good to me. Maybe I just to better in written form than on screen. Thanks for the review!

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  11. Great to have found a kindred spirit in you, Ali. "Sex and the City" never gets old for me!

    Hmm, I just went and searched those actresses on IMDB, B.Inspired. I think they seem like good choices for the four SATC girls. I liked Emma Roberts in "Nancy Drew"!

    Haha, I agree, Mia. I think it might be that I'm immature for my age. I still love all the teenage dramas like "The OC" and "Buffy". : )

    Have a great weekend, everyone.

    xx
    Becks

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  12. I've been looking for some new books to read and have just read through some of your reviews and totally been inspired.
    Found you from clairejustinoxox blog hop :)
    Rachel
    http://yummymummysgalore.blogspot.com

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  13. Thanks, Rachel. I love your blog already, and am now a follower.

    It was especially cool to see you mention "The Good Life" in one of your posts. It's one of our favourite old shows as well -- we have it on DVD. Mr Big is totally in love with Barbara! ; )

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