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On Shopping
Partially extracted from The Shops and updated with new material, On Shopping is part series of essays, part lists of essential information, you will never wonder about where to get the perfect 2-inches-off-the-waist pants again. This is a book for everyone who's ever had to part with cash, which is to say, a book for everyone.
- GenresNonfictionShort Stories
56 pages, Paperback
First published May 6, 2005
46 people want to read
About the author
India Knight
35 books158 followersIndia Knight is a British journalist. Her novels have been translated into 28 languages.
Knight, a native French speaker, lived in Brussels until about the time she turned nine. After migrating to the United Kingdom, she was educated in London. She was awarded an exhibition to Trinity College, Cambridge, where she read Modern Languages from 1984-1987, before starting her career in journalism.
In addition to writing for and contributing to major British magazines and newspapers, India Knight writes a prominent weekly column for The Sunday Times. She is also a regular guest on British radio and television.
After writing an article in The Sunday Times about her daughter's special needs - her youngest child has DiGeorge syndrome.
Knight lives in London with her three children.
Knight, a native French speaker, lived in Brussels until about the time she turned nine. After migrating to the United Kingdom, she was educated in London. She was awarded an exhibition to Trinity College, Cambridge, where she read Modern Languages from 1984-1987, before starting her career in journalism.
In addition to writing for and contributing to major British magazines and newspapers, India Knight writes a prominent weekly column for The Sunday Times. She is also a regular guest on British radio and television.
After writing an article in The Sunday Times about her daughter's special needs - her youngest child has DiGeorge syndrome.
Knight lives in London with her three children.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 28, 2023
Okay, firstly I read a lot of non-fiction and I do not think it is easy to make a person laugh, given the genre. But, that she did! Comparing wearing a piece of clothing that strikes her as awful to looking like a 'diplodocus' was somehow really funny to me.
Secondly, I appreciate the fact that she mentioned a lot of websites to get clothes, make-up and furniture from. I also appreciate that she talked about how important skincare and moisturizing are, given the fact that this was written around 2005. I believe that skincare was not the rage it is not, but I could be wrong. And lastly, I could sense she was a journalist, because she kept my attention very well with her randomly funny storytelling.
My most interesting insight was about her jealousy towards her mother. Usually I hear about the opposite. But seeing a daughter feel like her mother is elegant and she herself is not, so she looks up to 'prostitutes', is a very deep take. I never knew of the concept of jealousy towards a parent.
Now, there are two things that were....interesting. Her father and his girlfriend are disturbing. Why show a child p**n, of her own father? What the hell? And, way less important than my first point: I would have appreciated it more if she was able to delve into the psychology behind shopping, like the beginning of the book. But I admit, no matter if she did or not, this book was entertaining.
Secondly, I appreciate the fact that she mentioned a lot of websites to get clothes, make-up and furniture from. I also appreciate that she talked about how important skincare and moisturizing are, given the fact that this was written around 2005. I believe that skincare was not the rage it is not, but I could be wrong. And lastly, I could sense she was a journalist, because she kept my attention very well with her randomly funny storytelling.
My most interesting insight was about her jealousy towards her mother. Usually I hear about the opposite. But seeing a daughter feel like her mother is elegant and she herself is not, so she looks up to 'prostitutes', is a very deep take. I never knew of the concept of jealousy towards a parent.
Now, there are two things that were....interesting. Her father and his girlfriend are disturbing. Why show a child p**n, of her own father? What the hell? And, way less important than my first point: I would have appreciated it more if she was able to delve into the psychology behind shopping, like the beginning of the book. But I admit, no matter if she did or not, this book was entertaining.
January 7, 2015
India Knight writes in a chatty, wide-ranging, engaging way, blogging in the pre-blogging era, it seems to me. She writes about why even straight blokes should enjoy shopping, how her mom treated rude shop assistants, how to adjust your make-up for certain effects, and which websites will deliver excellent service and difficult to find products. In short: stuff virtually no man will find interesting. And yet she writes so engagingly that the topics sparkle enticingly. Her best comment is that one can practise her make-up tips when one is bored on a winter's evening after reading all the novels shortlisted for the Man Booker prize. I may not search for her books, but this was a pleasant discovery of how excellent writing can interest a willing reader to explore new topics.
Hoewel India Knight se onderwerpe bloedweinig mans sal interesseer (inkopies, grimering, die hantering van onbeskofte winkelpersoneel), skryf sy plesierig, wydlopig, onderhoudend en geselserig. Fassinerend hoe goeie skryfwerk 'n gewillige leser kan oortuig om ongewone onderwerpe te ondersoek.
Hoewel India Knight se onderwerpe bloedweinig mans sal interesseer (inkopies, grimering, die hantering van onbeskofte winkelpersoneel), skryf sy plesierig, wydlopig, onderhoudend en geselserig. Fassinerend hoe goeie skryfwerk 'n gewillige leser kan oortuig om ongewone onderwerpe te ondersoek.
February 5, 2020
Trash.
And I quote:
“But the way those girls looked - glacial and hot at the same time, like sexy Nazis - really gave me the willies on the one hand, and made me sick with jealousy on the other.”
“also she breathed through her mouth, like a rapist”
Only read because I collect these Penguin editions.
And I quote:
“But the way those girls looked - glacial and hot at the same time, like sexy Nazis - really gave me the willies on the one hand, and made me sick with jealousy on the other.”
“also she breathed through her mouth, like a rapist”
Only read because I collect these Penguin editions.
June 16, 2013
Complete codswallop.
June 21, 2019
So....this was pretty awful. Maybe it was the juxtaposition with Dawkins (the previous book in the set). But it seems rather dated—curiously more so than even Lady Chatterley’s Trial (the first in the set), which may be more of a period piece but the issues carry forward. This just lacks all heft, there is not anything special about the style, and the language and tone both are throwbacks to a time before we were (1) more deliberate with our words and their impact, and (2) more empowering of other women. Maybe I would have enjoyed this more when I was younger, more self-conscious, more self-judgmental, back in a time we were less careful with our words and less supportive of our sisters, less concerned with the bigger issues that have taken up more focus both personally and nationally in the last couple decades? (At the same time, there were tips here and there that I received with somewhat reluctant interest.) I’m glad, I’m a sense, for its inclusion in the set, to represent the spectrum, but...no more please. #book7 #pocketpenguins #penguin70s
February 8, 2012
Even though this is clearly a book written for the female of the species - packed full of shopping, fashion and make-up tips - us blokes can enjoy it too for two very good reasons. Firstly it also gives tips on presents that we can get for other halves without visiting Ann Summers and secondly, it is really, really funny.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews