Book Review: Strictly Shimmer
A couple of weeks ago, my Mum handed me a copy of Strictly Shimmer, an official Strictly Come Dancing novel. Never one to miss out on anything Strictly-related, I started reading straight away.
The novel centres around Amanda, a new production runner on Strictly. She secretly loves to dance, and is a closeted Strictly fan, afraid to reveal her passion for the show and dancing to her businesslike colleagues. As time goes on, her secrets start to slip, until she finally realises her dream and gets to show the others what she can do.
The story isn't too bad. Girl gets glamorous new job, makes lovely friends, moves into her own place, develops crushes. Typical first job experience. It was very predictable. Fine for the commute to work, not very challenging.
The story is based around the most recent series, with references to Blackpool and Movie Week, and to the costumes displayed in TV centre (like Tom & Camilla's samba outfits, not salsa as she writes). The strangest thing was the descriptions of the couples. They are all there, but while the pro dancers are referred to by name, the celebrities are described at length. When their names are used, they are changed. I rolled my eyes at the reference to Karla & Artem. I can only assume this is to do with some bizarre copyright or legal reason. There is also a fictional partnership - Kelly & Lars. Kelly is a former soap star in relationship crisis. Lars is a new pro (who I visioned as Artem, even though Artem is in the story - I have limited powers of imagination).
The biggest crime about this book is the errors in it. It was clearly a rush job to get it published (it was released on 20th December), but they should have put some time aside for someone to proof read the thing. On several occasions the character names are incorrect (I spent a paragraph trying to work out who Sarah was, then realised that it should be Chloe). There was a line where Amanda switched from first to third person. The chairs in the studio switched colours a couple of times. And there were a few other errors I spotted. This is sloppy and made me feel more negative about a mediocre book.
Besides, she referred to the Ann character as a 'national treasure'. Definitely a step too far...
There is a follow-up book on the way later this year, although I'm not sure I'll be reading it. Unless they need a proof-reader...
The novel centres around Amanda, a new production runner on Strictly. She secretly loves to dance, and is a closeted Strictly fan, afraid to reveal her passion for the show and dancing to her businesslike colleagues. As time goes on, her secrets start to slip, until she finally realises her dream and gets to show the others what she can do.
The story isn't too bad. Girl gets glamorous new job, makes lovely friends, moves into her own place, develops crushes. Typical first job experience. It was very predictable. Fine for the commute to work, not very challenging.
The story is based around the most recent series, with references to Blackpool and Movie Week, and to the costumes displayed in TV centre (like Tom & Camilla's samba outfits, not salsa as she writes). The strangest thing was the descriptions of the couples. They are all there, but while the pro dancers are referred to by name, the celebrities are described at length. When their names are used, they are changed. I rolled my eyes at the reference to Karla & Artem. I can only assume this is to do with some bizarre copyright or legal reason. There is also a fictional partnership - Kelly & Lars. Kelly is a former soap star in relationship crisis. Lars is a new pro (who I visioned as Artem, even though Artem is in the story - I have limited powers of imagination).
The biggest crime about this book is the errors in it. It was clearly a rush job to get it published (it was released on 20th December), but they should have put some time aside for someone to proof read the thing. On several occasions the character names are incorrect (I spent a paragraph trying to work out who Sarah was, then realised that it should be Chloe). There was a line where Amanda switched from first to third person. The chairs in the studio switched colours a couple of times. And there were a few other errors I spotted. This is sloppy and made me feel more negative about a mediocre book.
Besides, she referred to the Ann character as a 'national treasure'. Definitely a step too far...
There is a follow-up book on the way later this year, although I'm not sure I'll be reading it. Unless they need a proof-reader...
posted by Loulabelle44 @ 9:06 am
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