3.5 stars. Amusing summer read; probably not for those who relate to Sex and the City, since about a much older crowd. ( )

One Fifth Avenue/Candace Bushnell Despite being chick-lit-fic, the sophisticated writing and thoroughly developed plot of this novel made it a delight to read.
 
Not a single character was ignored in Bushnell's well-crafted book. I loved how this followed the young, the old, the dying, the new, the hopeful...everyone in the city's high society played a part and none of their roles were ignored.
 
This is the finest glimpse possible into New York's highest society, albeit fictional. These are the people that we, alongside their fellow characters, love to love and love to hate. I'm not sure if this type of book makes me feel better about myself but it definitely brought me joy and happiness for the hours I was reading it.
 
The plot was very intricately woven. I didn't see the end coming until the end and when I did it was oh so marvellous and truly showed how though people come and go nothing ever really changes. I felt that each character had a suitable and, perhaps, satisfying end, even if I wasn't happy with it.
 
Cleverly interweaving several storylines into one easy-to-read narrative, Bushnell's voice is both witty and matter-of-fact. Her writing feels like a gossip magazine and like a trusted friend at the same time.
 
This delectable book was well worth my time, and I'll definitely look out for more of Bushnell's work when I need a good story. ( )

Sharp and saucy, this novel is definitely a fun, gritty read with several threads running concurrently but woven to create a perfect tapestry with a skilful pattern. The story itself is fairly predictable but Bushnell keeps the reader on her toes by introducing well-defined characters who slowly evolve throughout the take; they are stereotypical but not static.
The ending is neat and satisfying, showing how the world turns. ( )

book club book, I think ( )

Bushnell knows New York high society. I enjoyed how she intermingled her cast of characters to include outsiders, wanna be insiders, new money, and old society. The characters, representative of different social classes, are lovingly fleshed out by Bushnell so that they do not become trite stereotypes. I particularly fell in love with Annalisa Rice, Billy Litchfield, and Philip's Aunt Enid.

After reading One Fifth Avenue, I started feeling better about not moving to New York after high school. I never would have survived! I'm so naive. Bushnell enlightened and entertained me. A must read for anyone who wants to know how high society lives and survives in these tough economic times. ( )