Gossip Girl #1 (audiobook)
Gossip Girl: A Novel
By Cecily von Ziegesar
Audiobook read by Christina Ricci
So, I had heard a lot about these books before I "read" this one (on audiobook) and I was actually pleasantly surprised. I had anticipated shallow, vapid, mean characters doing horrible things - but the main characters were actually quite sympathetic, and there was genuine character growth (at least for the Serena character).
Basically, the story centers on the rivalry between ex-best friends Serena and Blair. Serena was always more beautiful and popular, but when she moved to boarding school, Blair took over as Queen Bee. Then Serena is kicked out of boarding school and Blair, threatened by her appearance, spreads vicious reasons about why Serena was kicked out - while Serena just wants to be friends with Blair again.
Anyway. There are other characters, like the non-rich Dan, who loves Serena in secret; Vanessa, a goth girl who loves Dan in secret; Blair's boyfriend Nate, who loves Serena in secret; and Dan's sweet sophomore sister Jenny who doesn't know what she's getting into by befriending Blair and Serena.
This was an OK audiobook - Christina Ricci's bored, Valley-girl drone suits the characters and storyline. Every few chapters, a different voice actress comes on (with obnoxious techno music in the background) to dish gossip as the anonymous "Gossip Girl" -- either talking about things which we just saw happen, or giving hints as to the events yet to come. I haven't read any of these actual books, but I guess in the books, GG's monologues are in the form of an online blog or something.
Anyway. I can see why girls would like these books - everything is sooo over-the-top with the teen characters drinking martinis in bars; smoking all the time; wearing fabulous outfits; going to art openings and attending chic parties - it is totally escapist and the hint of "badness" probably just lures in the readers. While there is some sexual content, the only actual sexual scenes are handled with awkwardness and humour - reminding you that these characters really are just 16 or thereabouts.
Rating: Obviously girls aged 13 and up are devouring these books; and that is probably the target audience
