Fiction Pick of the Week: Prospect Park West

Prospect Park West
by Amy Sohn 2009
In a recent article I read, Prospect Park West was given as an example as chick-lit “grown up”. Indeed, that seems to be the case! As chick lit often does, this novel tackles the lives of women in New York who battle their own obsessions, insecurities and loneliness as they adapt to their new roles as mothers. Prospect Park West differs from typical chick lit in that it is far more graphic than standard fare… as one reviewer commented, “I started blushing on the first page and didn’t ever stop”. I can’t help but think this book was heavily influenced by the Sex and the City series – no topic seems to be off limits and in fact, Amy Sohn also wrote a behind the scenes account of the series called Sex in the City: Kiss and Tell. The book would appeal to those who like strong characters and a plot that moves along quickly as the women get themselves into humourous and often embarrassing situations. If you prefer more left to the imagination, this may not be the book for you!