Book: Model Student: A Tale of Co-Eds and Covergirls, by Robin Hazelwood
Summary (edited down a LOT):
“It’s the late 1980s… every girl in America dreams of becoming the next Cindy, Claudia, or Naomi, and seventeen-year-old Emily Woods is no different. She looks different, though – striking enough to start a career… but Emily is more than just a small-town beauty with stars in her eyes: She’s been accepted to Columbia University, and she’s not about to let couture and klieg lights get in the way of an Ivy League education.
Thus begins Emily’s double life… Before long, the seamier side of the fashion industry-cocaine and cads, collagen and implants, fad diets and eating disorders-becomes close up and personal. All of a sudden, Emily realizes how far she’s strayed from her dream of having it all. With sliding grades that threaten her future at Columbia andspotty bookings that put her career as a model in question, Emily is finally forced to make a choice between style and substance.”
How I found it: through Candy Covered Books, through a recommendation for that site by Daneen over at spoiled pretty.
Well?: Surprisingly, I loved it. Though it fell flat at parts and took a good chapter or two to get into, it was a ton better than I expected from a dated book written by an ex-model. But it hands over a raw-feeling view of the modelling industry from the eyes of an 18-year-old model who you grow to love; you’re right there yelling at her when she makes stupid decisions and grinning in encouragement when she bites back. It darkens substantially as you read on, and this works well to keep you interested – I started reading and finished this (400 page novel) in all of two days!
Ages: I don’t know. I’m U18 and it was fine for me, but I’m not your average Jane Doe. I’d say 18 and up to be safe, so don’t go recommending this to your 12-year-old niece! Most of it’s pretty clean, but some of it’s pretty gritty.
Rating: 3.5/5
I loved it, but it is understandably written for a very specific audience. The sweet old grandma down the street isn’t going to love this, and neither is your mother!
