Customer Reviews

Almost 5' 4": Confessions of an Unconventional Model

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There are so many relevent issues in this freshman memoir: surviving as a single woman living a challenging dream in post 9/11 New York; the real-and-gritty look at an overly romanticized industry; the internal emotions of one person's struggle to make it.

But particularly poignant right now is Jade's recollections of all the questionable photoshoots she chooses to do in order to pursue her dream, and her ability to come to terms with her decisions. In a world where American Idols (Antonella), Miss New Jerseys and pop stars are caught either deliberately or accidentally with their pants down, this is a captivating look at a young woman's struggle to make it in the entertainment world.

Perhaps readers will come to understand and even sympathize with today's young celebrities who get caught in compromising situations. 40 years ago, what happened on the casting couch stayed on the casting couch (ewww). Today that same event is broadcast on YouTube.

I love it when something like this happens to me - I hear about a great new book, I read it and I end up LOVING it and discovering a new voice at the same time - this book fits the bill perfectly. What first attracted the book to me is that I am 5 feet 4 and thought the title was clever, the storyline of a "petite" model making it in the modelling world where taller is better is also a subject matter that I found fascinating (although I have never had a desire to model). Usually, I read books about weight challenged women as opposed to height challenged (although I have never thought that 5 feet 4 was a bad thing - although in the modelling world it seems to be).

Isobella Jade is truly unconventional and as I started reading this book, my affection AND admiration for her grew in leaps and bounds - this girl was absolutely determined to make in the business and would stop at nothing to make her dream come true.

In Almost 5' 4", Jade candidly and touchingly tells us her story of how following her dream brought her so much more than just the joy of modelling. It seems to me that Jade, walking her path to her dream, discovered so much more about herself, about how much she can adapt, about how strong she is, about how determined she is and about how doing what your heart tells you to is not necessarily a bad thing.

To be sure, there are some difficult passages to read in this book and I don't know (actually I do know that I would not have the strength of will that she has) to follow my dream to this point- its hard to read about Jade living in the street with $23.00 to her name! on some level, this book can be scary, it brought out in me some of my deep fears and insecurity - of not having a roof over your head or of not having enough to eat, but somehow even though Jade is going through this, she never sees the completely dark side of her situation and manages to make it work!

This book is relatively short and it was a fast and easy read for me. Although I enjoyed reading the parts about the modelling business, what stuck out for me here is the heart and strength of Isobella Jade. I loved this book.

Isobella gives a new spin on the word model and what it means to be one. This is fast, honest and sexy read.

An amazing memoir based on the true story of the trials and tribulations of a petite model

This book was a quick read. I sat down and read it in one day. I wanted to see what was going to happen on the next page. The author used great voice and vivid imagery. A true tale of chasing your dreams - even in heels through NYC. The author is not just a model, she's an inspiration anyone fighting for their chance at success.

Almost 5'4" is the story of a survivor's journey through the not so pretty side of modeling. Isobella makes you root for her as she deals with lecherous photographers, poverty level wages and her quest to find her place in the business she loves.

This is a well told story of the often times difficult life of a petite model in NYC. She never lost sight of her dream and wound up with a book written with humor and insight. I enjoyed reading this book and especially enjoyed the voice the author used when telling her tale.

The book isn't just about modeling, nor just about being nude in front of the camera. It's about the underdog, its about struggling to get ahead, its about following and being passionate about your dream. Its a must read for all those that believe in hard work leads to success and for those that need a little encouragement and a friendly voice to say "I believe in myself".

A fascinating look into the struggles of the fashion industry, from the outside-in. This is scandalous, rabble-rousing writing at its best.