Comic relief in time of economic turmoil

Rebecca Bloomwood loves to shop. She does not buy things out of necessity but as a means of feeding her shopping addiction. Purchasing designer clothing and expensive accessories on a middle class income causes Rebecca's credit cards to max out and her bank account to flounder. Written by former finance expert, Sophie Kinsella, Confessions of a Shopaholic is a comic novel about a young Englishwoman whose love for shopping puts her in debt and close to financial ruin.

The irony of the tale is that, like the author, Rebecca is an employee for a finance company. Rebecca's inner conflict between facing her debts--and hiding from them--reflects a very real fear faced by people today. However, Kinsella manages to spin Rebecca's hilarious story with lovable characters and amusing situations. The author's ability to weave light, entertaining passages with the drama of the personal finance world will have readers breezing through the book's pages and wanting more upon reaching the end.

The good news is there is much more of Rebecca's story for fans to enjoy. Just in time for Valentine's Day, Confessions of a Shopaholic will appear on the silver screen on Feb. 13, 2009. Although the setting has been altered by turning Rebecca into a New Yorker, the film promises to be a spectacular comedy. Starring Isla Fisher (Wedding Crashers, Definitely/Maybe) and Hugh Dancy (The Jane Austen Book Club, Ella Enchanted), The Internet Movie Database synopsis describes, "a college grad [who] lands a job as a financial journalist in New York City where she nurtures her shopping addiction and falls for a wealthy entrepreneur." The movie is directed by P. J. Hogan and also features actors Joan Cusack and John Goodman who play the roles of Rebecca's parents.

In addition to the film and debut novel, fans of Rebecca Bloomwood can also read the rest of the Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella. These titles include: Shopaholic Takes Manhattan, Shopaholic Ties the Knot, Shopaholic and Sister and Shopaholic and Baby.

This writer can be contacted at features@theeastcarolinian.com.