I had really high hopes for this book but it came up short. It was your typical poor model story " I was so awkward and skinny but look at me now...
This book was pretty good, but i had some issues with it.first of all, Jirina is suppose to be 15, but i really was'nt feeling it.
While I did enjoy reading this book, there was a disconnect. I completely forgot that the narrator was only 15 for most of the book.
I love this book! It is riveting- I read it for 13 hours straight!
A Model SummerPaulina PorizkovaAfter reading Paulina Porizkova's novel, A MODEL SUMMER, I find it difficult to enjoy, as I previously did, the innocent-looking faces of the young models I encounter in the magazines and elsewhere; for fiction as we very well know is based on fact, and I shudder at the fact that to become a top model, young people often endure terrible trials and temptations. However, I want to believe this book is an intentional exaggeration on the part of Paulina Porizkova, a model herself, in order to warn aspiring young models, especially females, of the tragedies that could befall them on their way to the top.
I remember being fascinated by Paulina in her model heyday--when she was on the cover of every magazine, was witty on talk shows, and gave a good performance in a movie (Anna). It seemed incredible that someone could be so beautiful and talented and glamorous and still seem likable and down to earth.
While I think the book is nicely written and well-paced, I think it lacked when it came to Jirina and the ending. I liked Jirina because she seemed like a smart and interesting character.
Very unusual. Would put girls off modelling forever, which is a good thing I found it a little depressing, but enjoyed it.
I tried to read this book, but Paulina's writing translated into English has missed the mark. The book is predictable, boring, uses too many words, and is not smooth reading.
I read this book because I know Paulina Poriskova since her Estee Lauder time. Summer Model proves that Paulina is not only the most beautiful woman in the world, but she has a good talent in story telling and writing.
I read an article on Poritzkova a few months ago where she was talking up the release of this book, and I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. So when I saw it on Amazon, I ordered it right away.
An extremely well-written book about an innocent girl named Jirina thrust into an uncaring, precarious industry. Having modeled in the 1980's, I was struck by the accuracy, the ability to describe the fashion world, and its effect on young girl's life in only one summer.
If you are looking for a great beach read this summer this is the book for you. The underbelly of the modeling agency is not pretty.
[***** = breathtaking, **** = excellent, *** = good, ** = flawed, * = bad]The book breaks off without resolving a true ending. But it contains a lot of humor, a likeable heroine, and a wealth of realistic details about the profession of modeling.
A great, fictionalized behind-the-scenes look at the modeling industry and the effect it can have on a young, pretty girl thrust into a very adult world. Porizkova does a great job of taking the reader through the experiences of an awkward young woman trying to find herself as she is picked apart and struggling to survive on her own in Paris in the 80s.
