Wow! This book was heart wrenching and addictive. Arabelle is an unusual beauty from New Zealand who is trying to make it in the modeling world. Without any luck in American, she heads to exotic lands such as Thailand, London, and Amsterdam. The novel is done in journal entries that vary between her teenage self, adult self, and present. The reader is lead on the rather sad and confusing journey as she tries to make a look for herself in an often floundering market. Arabelle has yet to have an actual boyfriend and really struggles to learn who she genuinely is. She experiments with different relationships with a few very different people, but ends up picking only those that seem to use and abuse her inherit innocence and persistence to please others. Throughout the whole book she battles severe, capital D depression, which is called The Shadows.
I think every young person, male or female, can understand the struggles Arabelle goes through and how she acts out in her desperation for just a little bit of understanding. The book ends with a peaceful note and the main character definitely gets rewards for all her struggles. I can’t help but wonder if this is autobiographical by the author because of the poignant insights this story pours out.
Be warned of many stomach churning moments and adult situations.
Fleur Gaskin is from New Zealand. She was an international model for six years, working in over ten countries, mainly in Asia and Europe. She has been in TV commercials, walked on runways and done many print jobs including Elle, Marie Claire and Vogue magazines.
She presently lives in Singapore with her husband.
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