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Oct
28
Book Review: Queen of Babble by Meg Cabot
2008 at 8am Posted by Rebecca Joines Schinsky
Last week, this book lady was pretty sick (and I’m still coughing like crazy), and I needed something light and fluffy to read, so I asked for recommendations. There were a lot of great suggestions—many of which are now on my TBR list for future occasions requiring light reading—but when Meg suggested Queen of Babble, something just felt right. I opened it around noon on Sunday, after returning to bed, where my hubby was snuggled up watching football, and I was happily entertained until I finished it several hours (and one nap) later.
Queen of Babble is the story of twenty-something Lizzie Nichols, a freshly minted college graduate (or so she thinks) who is set to spend the summer at her boyfriend’s home in England, where she will wow him with her recent weight loss and soak up all that European culture shopping has to offer. Having always been overweight, Lizzie is still working through her insecurities and is just a tad too excited about her British beau Andrew.
When she arrives in England, things aren’t quite as wonderful as Lizzie imagined. She discovers that not only does Andrew not have his own flat, he lives at his parents’ home, where he doesn’t even have his own room. This set-up won’t be very conducive to fulfilling Lizzie’s love nest fantasies about days spent lolling about in bed, but she decides to be understanding and tries to convince herself it’s going to be great anyway. She is very willing (I’d say too willing) to believe Andrew’s excuses and to make them for him because she is so thrilled to finally have a boyfriend.
Until one of his little brothers tells her that Andrew said she was “a fatty.”
Then, as you can imagine, things start to go downhill.
After Lizzie discovers that Andrew has large gambling debts (which he asks her to pay) and is committing welfare fraud to fill in the gaps, she hits the road. Literally. She hops a train to France, where her best friend Shari is spending the summer at a friend’s estate.
And that’s when things start to get interesting.
After she leaves Andrew, Lizzie meets a boy, becomes embroiled in a bit of a love triangle, solves a crisis or two, and gains a newfound sense of confidence and self-respect. Don’t worry, I’m not going to spoil the details for you.
Queen of Babble was a great light read for a day when I didn’t feel like thinking about much. It would be good beach or travel reading, and it definitely has the makings of a fun chick flick. There were a few really funny scenes toward the end that I could see happening on the big screen as I read them. This book isn’t going to change your life or make you want to be a better person, but it will give you a few good chuckles, and you’ll probably recognize yourself or someone you know within its pages. 3.5 out of 5, which is all I really ask for in a book like this.
Author Meg Cabot has a great website and blog, if you’re interested. Thanks again to Meg for a fun recommendation.
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So glad you were entertained, Rebecca! I had very similar reactions to the story. Just something light, frothy and fun — good reading for a sick day.
Cabot has two sequels to “Queen of Babble,” too, but I haven’t picked those up yet. I may or may not — so many good books out there. But I’m glad I didn’t let you down, haha!
My friend told me that was going to be made into a movie! Possibly with Kristen Bell from Veronica Mars? I definitely hope to read this book soon
You are so right – there are times when you just need a read like this one. I haven’t read any of Cabot’s work, but I know lot of people love it.
I accidentally read the second book in the series before the first one (don’t you hate that!) I think all series should have the words “THIS BOOK IS PART OF A SERIES” printed very largely on the cover so that I stop doing this!
But back to the topic…I love Meg Cabot!
I definetly hope to read this book, its been on my list for a while now.
Queen of babble is a good and fluffy book, not to deep and perfect for a lazy day in the sun or a sickday in bed, as you say.
The second book in the Lizzie Nichols series – Queen of babble in the big city – is a tad better, but it not as fluffy. The atmosphere is different as it is set in New York and not on the french countryside…