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(More customer reviews)As a huge SATC fan, I couldn't wait to get into this book. However, the more I read, the more I felt cheated. I'm not sure Amy Sohn has even watched the episodes more than once, and if you are going to write a guide to a popular show, you should be at least as familiar with the characters as its fans. What I find most annoying is the inaccurate and glib writing of the book. The women characters are summarized using broad, vague descriptions of their personalities (Samantha as wild and sexy, Miranda as stern and cynical, etc.)that you would find in a basic overview of the series--not in a supposedly in-depth book. All of the characters' personalities had depth, even from season one. Carrie is described in glowing words as "the best friend every girl wants and the girlfriend of every guy's dreams." Well, only if the guy wants a cheater (because, remember, she cheated on Aidan) and although Carrie would be fun to hang out with, I would rather have Miranda as a close friend. Carrie is often self-involved and oblivious to her friends' needs, whereas Miranda often listens to Carrie babble on and on about her problems even if she is she short on sleep, has a mother dying in the hospital, or is nauseous from morning-sickness. Big is romanticized as worldly, sophisticated, and driven. Which he was. But he was also emotionally distant, selfish, and a jerk. I'm really annoyed by the misrepresentations of the characters and some of the events in the series. Here are two things Sohn wrote that are especially galling (and outright wrong): 1. In the Big character description, Sohn writes that "...time and time again, Big was there for her when she needed him most--when she felt lonely, was strapped for money, or when everybody else let her down." I'd like some examples of that. Where was he in 5th season when Carrie said: "I'm lonely. The loneliness is palpable."? He loaned her money only once: 4th season, when she needed to buy her apt--and she ripped up the check anyway. Big was very important to Carrie, and to the show, but Sohn misrepresents him. 2. In the ludicrous, over-generalized wrap-up summaries to season 6, part 2, Sohn writes: "...when her (Steve's mom) alcoholism became apparent, Miranda took on the responsibility of his family, as well." What? Steve's mom, Mary, (a character overlooked in the book, and no mention of the wonderful actress who played her either)(Magda--both the character and actress--also ignored)had a stroke and it was severe enough that she couldn't live alone. There were hints that Mary liked her beer, but never was alcoholism suggested. If Sohn had checked her facts (HBO's SATC web site is still up)she wouldn't have written something so wrong. There are other examples like this, but these are the two that infuriated me the most. Many things are left out of this "updated" version. Sohn mentions how great season 3 was and how it attracted lots of guest stars. She mentions: Vince Vaughn, but neglects Carrie Fisher, who appeared in an episode with him. She mentions Sarah Michelle Gellar, but not Matthew McConaughey--again, they appeared in the same episode. And what about Hugh Hefner and the women's visit to the Playboy Mansion? The "Map" was something I specifically looked forward to, and it was a joke. She mentions that you can use it to take a walking tour of NYC to follow in the girls' footsteps, but while general locations of places are pointed out, there are no addresses! This is especially funny when you read this: "Note that businesses and addresses are circa 2002." One, I thought this was the "updated" book and two, there are no addresses EXCEPT for the girls' apartments--which are not real places anyway! Sohn couldn't take the time to give addresses for the real places for those of us who aren't NYC dwellers? What I liked about the book (the few things I did) were the lots and lots of pictures. And the fashion section is wonderful too. The interviews with the main/recurring characters (male and female) are good, although if the women could get bios, why couldn't the men? Sohn covers all aspects of the show by including sections about the writers, production, post-production, making the sets, etc. What she should have covered more was the music. The music in this show is very good and interesting and always adds depth and feeling to the scenes. She neglects this dimension of SATC and includes only a tiny paragraph music--and doesn't even name the person who puts the music together or give his title. She calls him "Lieberstein" and includes three quotes from him. The "Ripple Effect" section is good--although limited. Probably the show started other trends that aren't mentioned (in fact, on the season 6, part 2 dvd commentary, Michael Patrick King mentions that Burberry started a new accessory based on an item that SATC asked them to create). Also, Sohn implies that the Trey-Charlotte Scots-style marriage (Trey in a kilt) influenced Guy Ritchie to wear a kilt in his marriage with Madonna. However, anyone who has listened to the 3rd season dvd commentary (and if you haven't, do so--immediately!) knows that Michael Patrick King talked about that. They were worried it would be too weird (the kilt), but right about the time the marriage episode aired, Madonna married a kilted Guy R., so they were relieved. This "guide" to SATC would have been much improved by an indepth summary of each episode, instead of a paragraph. Plus, a list of guest stars/actors, the writer(s), director, and exec. producer for each episode would have been helpful too. Do you want to know who played Friar F**k in season 4, episode 1? Look it up on the internet or pull out the dvd because Sohn doesn't tell you. Also, this show received many awards and was nominated for many more. Is that information included ANYWHERE in this book? Nope. What an oversight. The behind the scenes "tidbits" are very short and really not that interesting. If you want really good behind the scenes info, listen to the dvd commentaries. They are really, really good. Overall, this is a poor excuse for a SATC book. Sohn doesn't appear to know the material as well as she should, and she leaves out lots of good information that should have been included. Her glib descriptions of the characters (men and women) make them seem more simple and uncomplicated than they were. Although she gives lip service to the idea that the characters changed and strengthened, she doesn't seem to understand what that means. This was a very good show that discussed real subjects and portrayed women and relationships fairly accurately (at least, more so than sitcoms on the network channels). This book is too inferior for the show, sort of like Wal-Mart trying to sell Manolo Blahniks.
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After six wildly successful and critically acclaimed season, HBO's Sex and the City lowered its curtain with an extraordinary finale befitting its remarkable run. Now Sex and the City, the first true comedy about sex and love from a female point of view (and the show that made cosmopolitans and designer shoes part of every single woman's night out), lives on in this luscious, uniquely entertaining, and one-of-a-kind book. Sex and the City: Kiss and Tell, the official companion book, celebrates the show with behind-the-scenes stories on all six seasons and original interview with each of the primary actors. Ever wonder which designer made that outrageous outfit of Carrie's? What real-life stories inspired those shocking episodes? How many dates the fabulous foursome have really been on? Packed with over 750 full-color photographs, this stunning volume will answer all these questions and more with information not available anywhere eels. Topped off with a introduction by Sarah Jessica Parker, Sex and the City: Kiss and Tell will excite anyone who has experienced even the slightest flirtation with the sexiest, funniest show on television.
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