Posh

by: Lucy Jackson

Published by: St Martin's Griffin

Reviewed by Beth Cummings

Posh feels like a spoof. It is a rather silly and predictable book, but fun to read. The fact that the author chose to write under a pseudonym–and advertise the fact–give me reason to question just what she is trying to do with the book. It offers a stereotypical view of life in the ultra-upscale world of the rich and nearly famous.

The story focuses on individuals connected to Griffin School, an elite private K-12 school in New York City’ s Upper East Side. (Note that the school and the publishing company have the same name.) The headmistress of the school, Kathryn “Lazy” Hoffman, is supposed to be bright but acts like a fool. She is extremely hypocritical in the ways that she breaks the established school rules. She also attempts to present the school, its staff and students as an epitome of decorum.

Posh also follows the trials and tribulations of a group of students: Julianne–not so well off, but bright and caring; Morgan–Julianne’s wealthy best friend who recently lost her mother to cancer; and Michael–Julianne’s rich, spoiled, dysfunctional and disturbed boyfriend. Julianne’s mother, Dee (a divorced former author who currently drives a cab) and Michael’s mother, Susan (a strange woman who spends more time sewing clothes for her dog than dealing with her son) are used to demonstrate parental opposites.

While these characters are somewhat interesting and entertaining, they are not especially believable. They exist on a very superficial level most of the time. Yet there are moments when Julianne is analyzing her relationship to her friends and their problems that may ring true for adolescents.

The book is sort of a crossover between young adult fiction and a romance novel. There is even a spot in the book where Julianne describes the difference between literature and light fiction, putting the works of Updike, Cheever, Joyce Carol Oates and Virginia Wolff into the former–and the fast-paced novels of John Grisham in the other.

Posh definitely falls into the light fiction classification, but that doesn’t make it less enjoyable to read. It would be the perfect choice for reading while flying cross country or waiting in the doctor’s office – fast, amusing, but not serious.

However, I spent a lot of time wondering who is the “real” author–and “acclaimed short story writer and novelist.”

Armchair Interviews says: Light, fun read.