Friday, January 28, 2011

Here Lies Bridget by Paige Harbison Review

Here Lies BridgetHere Lies Bridget by Paige Harbison

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Heroine, Bridget Duke, rules her high school, but when she crashes her car and ends up in limbo, she must confront the people she has wronged, all of whom want her to go to hell. The outcome of these meetings will decide her final destination.

My Take: This is pure, enjoyable entertainment. It's a nice cross between Cinderella, a twisted "It's a Wonderful Life," and "Mean Girls." Bridget's a b****, with a capital B. Problem is, she doesn't know it. She's been queen bee for the last few years. She rules her kingdom through manipulation, intimidation, and fear. What Bridget doesn't see is that her reign is about to end. Her serfs are starting to ignore her.

In a self-absorbed tizzy fit, Bridget drives off too fast in her (used) 2009 BMW while feeling sorry for herself. She's so sad. She crashes. In limbo she sees herself through the eyes of others. She is led to the shoes of different significant people and steps into them. As she does so, the past week is played through their eyes and she feels what they feel.

Will she live? Will she die? Will she change? Will she make a difference?

The story is fun and takes a few surprising turns, although nothing too extreme. Clean language besides a few high school name calling words that I wouldn't use but we heard when we were in high school. Dialogue is incredibly entertaining. Bridget is the most self-centered protagonist you can't help but love. The other characters are also very well developed as Bridget sees herself through their eyes. Ending is cute and not too cheesy. Just kind of. Which I liked.

I haven't read this author before. I will DEFINITELY read her again. She has excellent insights and builds them into her characters and the story easily. Really loved it.

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