Confessions of a Sociopathic Social Climber: The Katya Livingston Chronicles [Hardcover]

Adele Lang (Author)

Book Description

Series: Katya Livingston Chronicles | Publication Date: June 4, 2002

After weasel-eyed tax inspectors question her work-related claims, Katya Livingston is forced to keep a financial diary. As well as documenting the cruel and parsimonious ways of her ad agency boss, Katya waxes lyrical about putting up with loser friends, mortal enemies, and thoroughly bad restaurants. She also throws in a completely candid account of her love life, just in case some of it is tax deductible. What begins as a private account of expenses rapidly becomes, through Katya's chronic delusions of grandeur, a matter of public record: first as a tawdry gossip column, then as a salacious book, and finally as a Hollywood B-movie.

Bitingly written with wit and style reminiscent of Candace Bushnell, Adèle Lang's novel is a cutting, bitchy, hilarious take on the young-single-British-woman genre.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

It's really not a bad idea. Adele Lang joins the throng of post-Bridget Jones novelists with Confessions of a Sociopathic Social Climber, a fictional diary by Katya Livingstone, an advertising copywriter-turned-journalist who is, in short, a nasty piece of work. Katya has never met a friend she didn't stab in the back, a boss she didn't take advantage of, or a man whose net worth she didn't appraise in five seconds flat. Most of Ms. Jones's offspring are dear, dewy, put-upon creatures. Sure, they crack wise, but mostly they seem to mope around hoping for Mr. Right to happen upon them. The idea of a vile anti-heroine out to screw the world before it screws her has a certain appeal. Unfortunately, Lang's reach has exceeded her grasp, and the result is far from heavenly. The book veers wildly in tone. We never know quite how we're supposed to feel about Katya: Should we despise her? Admire her for her chutzpah? Or just shut the book in frustration? Meanwhile, sloppy grammar and unfunny jokes topple this tenuous house of cards. --Claire Dederer

From Publishers Weekly

A single, saucy British woman delivers her narcissistic rants in diary form (sound familiar?) in Adele Lang's Confessions of a Sociopathic Social Climber. Katya Livingston is a vain, nasty advertising copywriter who lands a gig producing a gossip column for a London tabloid - really just an outlet to crow about her prolific intake of alcohol and the search for "bonkable bachelors." The column leads to a book deal and even a brush with B-movie stardom as Katya rails against vegans, foreigners and the poorly dressed. What this sendup of the tired Bridget genre lacks in originality is made up for in sheer bitchiness.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books; First Edition edition (June 4, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312288115
• ISBN-13: 978-0312288112
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (96 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,381,614 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dry humour., June 3, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Confessions of a Sociopathic Social Climber: The Katya Livingston Chronicles (Hardcover)

It's hard to get really dry humour right, but Ms. Lang manages to do it quite nicely. Her central character, while sometimes unlikeable, really resonates with verve, something that you don't see everyday. She's witty and wicked and pulls no punches whatsoever. Her quest for fame and fortune is relatable as well. I would have to say this is one of the better books I have read all year, along with "Heartbreaker" and "The Nanny Diaries".
It will stay on my shelf for a long time.

22 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Understandably friendless, May 20, 2002

By 

J. Daitch "muppyd" (matthews, nc) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Confessions of a Sociopathic Social Climber: The Katya Livingston Chronicles (Hardcover)

Written in the vein of "Bridget Jones Diary" this diary entry book follows one year in the life of a very unlikable character, Katya. Katya believes she is better than all her acquaintances and will stop at nothing in pursuit of fame and fortune. Whilst smoking and drinking her way through the year, she manages to secure several interesting occupations, none of which satisfy her greediness. This book is a fast read, somewhat amusing and you'll find yourself sympathizing with her "friends," most of which cannot stand her.

24 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sarcastic and fun!, July 11, 2002

By 

Dianna Johnston "Compulsive Reader" (Joplin, MO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Confessions of a Sociopathic Social Climber: The Katya Livingston Chronicles (Hardcover)

Kelly Ripa did a good thing by choosing Confessions of a Sociopathic Social Climber as one of her book club picks -- now all of America (and beyond) knows about the evil, selfish, irresponsible Katya Livingston -- and I think my life is somehow better for it...

This book is written in diary form and spans an entire year in the life of Katya Livingston, quite possibly the most self-centered, conceited, full-of-bull character I've come across in a long time. But these qualities that, in a real person, would make you despise her, only serve to make you love her once you are assured this book is fiction. Reading Katya's story was so much fun -- trying to see how she could top herself was almost like a game. Poisoning small animals, blatantly making fun of her friends and others who are less fortunate, and knowing without any doubt all men want her are just three things on her long repertoire list. Each page houses every bad quality you can think of -- and frankly, that's all the fun.

Adele Lang has done an excellent job creating a character readers will love to hate. Katya is quite a breath of fresh air -- so refreshingly honest and frank. This gal does not beat around the bush on anything! I will most definitely read the next offering of Adele's. I'm thinking a Katya Livingston Part Two is in order!