Olivia Joules and the Overactive Imagination by Helen Fielding

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Book Review

Olivia Joules and the Overactive Imagination appears to be Helen Fielding's attempt to escape from the repressive (albeit profitable) genre of Bridget Jones and associated chick fic. Instead she has moved up to the more mature genre of thriller - specifically the comedy spy spoof.

It's difficult to review a book when you get to the end and can remember almost nothing about it. That's how interesting I found this story.

Image: Olivia Joules and the Overactive Imagination

Synopsis 

A brief summary

The Overactive Imagination revolves around Olivia Joules, a freelance journalist sent to the States to cover the launch of a new face cream. Whilst there she is caught up in a bomb attack and becomes convinced that her cool, handsome host is actually an al-Qaeda terrorist. What follows is a tour of many of the cliches of the spy genre.

It is, of course, not meant to be taken seriously. The story is clearly intended to be funny on two levels with us laughing not only at the obvious gags in the writing but also at the heroine's hilarious lack of self-knowledge.

Analysis 

Funny on two levels?

If only. I'd have settled for funny on any level. Even "mildly amusing" would have been welcome.

Yes, there's a ridiculous plot. Yes the protagonist makes a fool of herself with her overactive imagination. No, it's not funny.

The failings of the book are perhaps best underlined by the need to put the words "overactive imagination" in the title. A good spoof doesn't need to spell itself out to the reader quite so blatantly.

Part of the problem is that not only can we not laugh at Joules (she's not funny) we can't laugh with with her either. She is a shallow, vain, stupid woman.

At the end of the day this is simply yet another piece of chick fic with a different hook. It's all about an insecure, self-obsessed young woman who has little room in her skull for anything other than looking good and shagging.

It's not even well written. It's a book of flat prose, adverbs and telling not showing. Even Olivia Joules could probably read this novel without engaging her brain

Conclusion 

I was left with the impression that Fielding had knocked this book out one rainy weekend when she was bored.

Totally forgettable.

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Olivia Joules and the Overactive Imagination

Olivia Joules and the Overactive Imagination

by: Helen Fielding

Amazon Price: $11.20 (as of 07/06/2009)Buy Now

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