Customer Reviews

What's the Girl Worth?

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

 

 

I'm not much on review writing, but after reading this book I felt compelled. The story of 20 year old Catherine's journey halfway around the world to "find herself" could have easily turned into a travelogue. It didn't. If you happen to be looking for a tourist's guide to Spain, I would recommond Fodor's... not this novel. What it did turn into is the story of a very real girl who is battling with the same demons many of us do... self image, past relationships, the desire to make the right decisions.

I was thrilled to find a protagonist I could relate to for once. The girl has issues... She knows she has issues, but she is a little confused about what those issues are... and as a refreshing change, those issues do not involve the family fortune, finding a new husband to finance a Park Avenue penthouse, or terminal illness. Those issues do involve being a child of divorce and alcoholism, and an all consuming need to succeed on her own, emotionally and financially. It is that need that we see constantly driving Catherine as she navigates her way through the unfamiliar territory of Madrid.

For me, this was a five star novel; however, I have to admit that Fitzpatrick can be a bit long winded at times. For the lines I decided to skip over here and there because they seemed a bit irrelevant, I have deducted one star. Also in the spirit of fairness, I should caution that this is not a "feel good" novel. Although I wouldn't necessarily characterize it as "dark", it is a bit moody, and does not wrap everything up in a nice, neat bow at the end as many would prefer for a novel to do.

Engulfing Christina's treats in just two days, I long for more. What's the girl worth? I'm thinking a lot. While a pretty girl in a strange land always makes for story, a dark western eye's subtle slice through Europe is entriguing. Ms. Fitzpatrick offers the sol y sombra of Madrid, battling her amorous and paternal demons with the distilled emotion and stabbing sincerity of a matador. While her problems are salt of the earth, her texture is sublime. Although she may fall at times, you'll want to lift her up. I can't wait to lift her up again.

The novel What's the Girl Worth? written by Christina Fitzpatrick is worth four stars. It's a story about Catherine, cocktail waitress by night and college student by day, who takes a summer internship in Madrid, Spain. While in Spain she learned about Spanish culture as well as herself.
I really liked this book because through the plot the reader learns about Spanish culture. During her trip Catherine went to a bull fight accompanied by her father. It was very descriptive, making you feel for the bulls. Most things are more laid back in Spain. In the story Catherine and her friends go out to bars and clubs all the time. During Catherine's father's visit he went with them to these places because everything was more mellow then they are back in America. Also in Madrid they have siesta everyday which is a time for resting or relaxing. Stores and restaurants close and everything is quiet and peaceful. L liked how everybody does this at the same time every day.
Through Catherine's journey in Spain, she also had a personal journey. She overcame and accepted things about her father. I liked how in accepting these things from the past, she also learned new things about herself.
I really enjoyed reading this book and I would recommend it.

Initially, I started reading this book because it is about someone who went to BU (where I am currently an undergrad). However, after forcing my way through it, I want my $13 back. The author's writing is full of unfounded self-importance, and, to be honest, I could not stand the main character. I could relate to her problems, but not to her tendency to do nothing but whine about them. Overall, I found I spent the entire book just waiting for it to be over. For Catherine to DO something... even the promised "exciting nightlife" scenes are boring and dull.