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The J.A.P. Chronicles
Sex and the City meets Jane Austen in a wickedly funny, razor-sharp novel about the fortunes and misfortunes, expectations and regrets of seven women who shared long-ago summers at an elite Jewish girls’ camp.
Anyone who’s ever wondered what happened to the girls in the exclusive cliques of adolescence will delight in The J.A.P. Chronicles . With the wry wit and keen eye and ear of a latter-day Jane Austen, Isabel Rose (herself a scion of a prominent New York family) provides the ultimate insider’s look at the glamorous upper-crust society that even Carrie Bradshaw would give her Jimmy Choos to join.
When seven former bunkmates at Willow Lake Camp reunite for the camp’s one hundredth anniversary, the event brings more than just a revival of the old camp spirit. Ali Cohen, an Oscar-nominated filmmaker and former camp outcast, plans to make a documentary about her former bunkmates. The ugly duckling turned successful self-made swan secretly hopes that that her teenage tormentors will have grown into adult losers.
As each woman steps into focus, however, it becomes clear that it is not quite that simple. Sure, Arden can’t keep a job (even as a nanny!), Jessica is stuck in regional theater, and Dafna has lost both her job and her $20,000 per month stipend from her father. But Laura is apparently flourishing as a Los Angeles superagent, and Beth has found happiness by throwing over her dull but successful fiancé for her wedding photographer. Even Wendy, golden girl turned Short Hills housewife, has managed to skirt around old regrets and long-stifled urges—until seeing an old acquaintance stirs them up again.
Funny, smart, and ultimately moving, The J.A.P. Chronicles opens a whole new perspective on the girls from the “best families” and on the money, culture, and expectations that define their lives.
Anyone who’s ever wondered what happened to the girls in the exclusive cliques of adolescence will delight in The J.A.P. Chronicles . With the wry wit and keen eye and ear of a latter-day Jane Austen, Isabel Rose (herself a scion of a prominent New York family) provides the ultimate insider’s look at the glamorous upper-crust society that even Carrie Bradshaw would give her Jimmy Choos to join.
When seven former bunkmates at Willow Lake Camp reunite for the camp’s one hundredth anniversary, the event brings more than just a revival of the old camp spirit. Ali Cohen, an Oscar-nominated filmmaker and former camp outcast, plans to make a documentary about her former bunkmates. The ugly duckling turned successful self-made swan secretly hopes that that her teenage tormentors will have grown into adult losers.
As each woman steps into focus, however, it becomes clear that it is not quite that simple. Sure, Arden can’t keep a job (even as a nanny!), Jessica is stuck in regional theater, and Dafna has lost both her job and her $20,000 per month stipend from her father. But Laura is apparently flourishing as a Los Angeles superagent, and Beth has found happiness by throwing over her dull but successful fiancé for her wedding photographer. Even Wendy, golden girl turned Short Hills housewife, has managed to skirt around old regrets and long-stifled urges—until seeing an old acquaintance stirs them up again.
Funny, smart, and ultimately moving, The J.A.P. Chronicles opens a whole new perspective on the girls from the “best families” and on the money, culture, and expectations that define their lives.
352 pages, Paperback
First published May 17, 2005
9 people are currently reading
253 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
December 22, 2010
Despite only giving this book a 2, I did finally come to enjoy the ending. But in order to get to the ending, the reader has to slog through the first 150 pages of incongruous and one-dimensional nonsense.
What I didn't like about the book:
1.) Too many stereotypes. The book is called The J.A.P. Chronicles, so I'm not sure why I was so surprised to find it filled with stereotypes of rich young Jewish women, and their overbearing rich Jewish mothers. I actually don't mind stereotypes in novels if they're used as satire, but this is not a satire novel, it's one where you are meant to connect with the characters. The first narrator of the story (who is not too far off from the artsy stereotype herself) describes her own sisters as being an amorphous blob of chatty, superficial and self-absorbed women.
2.) Unrealistic characters. People do horrible things to each other in the novel, and that is really not the unrealistic part. People get involved in drugs, have crazy sex, sodomize other children. I get it, it's dramatic and the book revolves around people's "defining moments." those things can be pretty defining. However, the men in the book are one dimensional and not really believable. I feel bad for the men of the novel who get such a cursory nod as to barely exist within the books pages.
3.) Timing problems. This is simple. It just irks me when I try to do the math in my head regarding a calendar and it's just off. At one point, the character Beth is asked how long it took for her boyfriend to pop the question. "A little over a year" is her response. When did he ask her, on the anniversary of the day they met. Another example would be Wendy and Carol meeting up at Dafna's wedding. They all live in New York, what is Carol doing in Palm Beach if she wasn't invited to the wedding? That kind of thing I find distracting and unnecessary.
What I did like:
I did like some of the character development toward the end of the novel. The interesting characters were definitely Arden and Laura and to some extent Jessica and Ali. But a very large portion of the beginning of the book is taken up by Dafna and Beth, whose characters don't really learn anything about themselves and in the end, the decisions they make are the ones you would expect them to make. Timing wise, the introduction of the characters made sense, but I think less time should have been given to the beginning. Once I got to characters I actually found myself caring about, I was not really interested in getting much out of the book and was focused on just finishing it so I could move on to something else.
I also liked the idea that in trying to expose the hypocrisy of her old tormentors, Ali ends up learning of her own hypocrisy. In asking others to detail their "defining moments" the characters learn about themselves through self reflection, and that is a good lesson to reinforce.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys "chick-lit" and isn't bothered by the inclusion of some one-dimensional characters.
What I didn't like about the book:
1.) Too many stereotypes. The book is called The J.A.P. Chronicles, so I'm not sure why I was so surprised to find it filled with stereotypes of rich young Jewish women, and their overbearing rich Jewish mothers. I actually don't mind stereotypes in novels if they're used as satire, but this is not a satire novel, it's one where you are meant to connect with the characters. The first narrator of the story (who is not too far off from the artsy stereotype herself) describes her own sisters as being an amorphous blob of chatty, superficial and self-absorbed women.
2.) Unrealistic characters. People do horrible things to each other in the novel, and that is really not the unrealistic part. People get involved in drugs, have crazy sex, sodomize other children. I get it, it's dramatic and the book revolves around people's "defining moments." those things can be pretty defining. However, the men in the book are one dimensional and not really believable. I feel bad for the men of the novel who get such a cursory nod as to barely exist within the books pages.
3.) Timing problems. This is simple. It just irks me when I try to do the math in my head regarding a calendar and it's just off. At one point, the character Beth is asked how long it took for her boyfriend to pop the question. "A little over a year" is her response. When did he ask her, on the anniversary of the day they met. Another example would be Wendy and Carol meeting up at Dafna's wedding. They all live in New York, what is Carol doing in Palm Beach if she wasn't invited to the wedding? That kind of thing I find distracting and unnecessary.
What I did like:
I did like some of the character development toward the end of the novel. The interesting characters were definitely Arden and Laura and to some extent Jessica and Ali. But a very large portion of the beginning of the book is taken up by Dafna and Beth, whose characters don't really learn anything about themselves and in the end, the decisions they make are the ones you would expect them to make. Timing wise, the introduction of the characters made sense, but I think less time should have been given to the beginning. Once I got to characters I actually found myself caring about, I was not really interested in getting much out of the book and was focused on just finishing it so I could move on to something else.
I also liked the idea that in trying to expose the hypocrisy of her old tormentors, Ali ends up learning of her own hypocrisy. In asking others to detail their "defining moments" the characters learn about themselves through self reflection, and that is a good lesson to reinforce.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys "chick-lit" and isn't bothered by the inclusion of some one-dimensional characters.
January 5, 2011
I picked up this book because I liked the cover design. All I can say is this book proves the truth in the old saying 'you can't judge a book by its cover'.
The story of incredibly snobbish and superficial socialites...I had to force myself to finish it.
The story of incredibly snobbish and superficial socialites...I had to force myself to finish it.
July 9, 2007
This is an easy 'beach read'. It kept my interest, in part b/c it was a little naughty. Not very deep, but still worth the read. I enjoyed it.
May 25, 2008
This was "just okay". I felt no connection to the charcters. I wouldn't recommend this one :(
March 8, 2019
Readable, chick lit extraordinaire.
A guilty pleasure, if you will.
Not remarkable in the least, but readable.
A guilty pleasure, if you will.
Not remarkable in the least, but readable.
August 5, 2018
I wish I read reviews before picking up this book. The stereotypes are so grossly exaggerated and the stories don't connect like you'd imagine they would. The main narrator is likable enough and I wish her voice carried through in a more coherent way. Sad to say it but save your time and skip this read.
June 17, 2024
Not the type of book I usually choose, and the end of the chapter really caught me off guard. I had a bit of a hard time keeping track of the different timelines and keeping all the characters straight, but overall an enjoyable read.
July 6, 2017
OK chick lit. I went to summer camp also but these girls were just plain catty!
December 7, 2023
I read this a long time ago and was just thinking about it. I remember absolutely loving it and then being disappointed that the author never wrote any other novels.
January 14, 2020
I loved this book. It reminded me of Eleanor Olyphant is Completely Fine in a way, I expected it to be light and fluffy but it took an unexpectedly dark turn. I don't understand all the crap reviews. I loved the characters and the different perspectives.
July 27, 2007
This book started out terribly slow and seemingly predictable. It was like, "Oh Ali Cohen, little, rich Jewish girl...Her life is so terrible...She hated camp, blah blah...Her youthful summers were ruined by evil girls, and years later when all those girls turned into "JAPPY" Upper-East Side women like she expected, she turned out to be an independent film maker-on the Lower-East Side. There is a lot of wit and designer name-dropping in the beginning, but that cools down as we finally start to learn more about the characters in Ali’s life towards the middle of the book. The book actually made many turns that took me by surprise and I agree with a review that I read that quoted the novel as “a guilty pleasure.” It makes for a funny read-especially for the girls/women who know EXACTLY what Rose is talking about.
March 29, 2010
I kept reading this book expecting it to get better. It didn't.
If you judge the book by its cover (and cover copy) you expect to get some frothy/snarky chicklit. Girls at a Jewish summer camp go all Mean Girl. Now they're grown up.
What you actually get is graphically hardcore tales of abuse, repressed homosexuality, drug use, sadism, and avarice. Each woman's story is told to the main character, who I never found quite likable, despite her early victimhood.
What ended up bothering me the most about the book was that so little time was spend with each woman that it felt more about "How many ways can I shock the reader with salacious tales?" than "How can I tell these stories and make these characters interesting and relatable?"
If you judge the book by its cover (and cover copy) you expect to get some frothy/snarky chicklit. Girls at a Jewish summer camp go all Mean Girl. Now they're grown up.
What you actually get is graphically hardcore tales of abuse, repressed homosexuality, drug use, sadism, and avarice. Each woman's story is told to the main character, who I never found quite likable, despite her early victimhood.
What ended up bothering me the most about the book was that so little time was spend with each woman that it felt more about "How many ways can I shock the reader with salacious tales?" than "How can I tell these stories and make these characters interesting and relatable?"
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
April 27, 2011I took a look at other reviews before writing mine and discovered I agree with many of the comments. First - Don't judge a book by its cover. I was expecting some fluff, something I was in the mood for when I got it and found it full of sex and drugs and disturbingly sad and upsetting things. Somehow I've got to get to where I can put down a book I've begun. That is very hard for me. It is well written, even though there were a number of stereotypes and I can't think of any characters, except the bunk mates, who were fleshed out.
I could probably add more, but if you are into angst, you may enjoy it. I will occasionally read angst, but I like to choose it carefully, and usually prefer it in YA.
I could probably add more, but if you are into angst, you may enjoy it. I will occasionally read angst, but I like to choose it carefully, and usually prefer it in YA.
July 14, 2012
I hated the beginning and would have put it down if I wasn't on vacation with nothing else to read. But I kept going - and I'm glad I did.
The story developed. The characters developed. Although not totally believable... sure there was a lot of exaggeration... but it was a fun read even though a lot of the material wasn't fun. Comedy would be a stretch... there may have been a couple of chuckles - but mostly eye rolls and oy veys.
As to some of the reviews on Goodreads... .OMG
There is no way you could read the back of this book and think you were getting a "feel good girlfriend story."
And if you have no connection to the JAPS of NYC you probably won't have any interest so save yourself some time.
The story developed. The characters developed. Although not totally believable... sure there was a lot of exaggeration... but it was a fun read even though a lot of the material wasn't fun. Comedy would be a stretch... there may have been a couple of chuckles - but mostly eye rolls and oy veys.
As to some of the reviews on Goodreads... .OMG
There is no way you could read the back of this book and think you were getting a "feel good girlfriend story."
And if you have no connection to the JAPS of NYC you probably won't have any interest so save yourself some time.
August 12, 2016
The Blurb on the back said "Sex in the city meets Jane Austen" I should have realized that it would be a hot mess.
The premise seemed innocuous a group of girls getting together for the 100th anniversary of their childhood summer camp. It quickly deviates into a tragic tale of bullying, hatred, revenge and trauma. One woman is attempting to recover from sexual abuse at the hands of her rabbi, another from a sexual attack from a fellow camper. Many of the women are vapid, empty characters who apparently lost any personality upon popping out their children. In this world husbands and boyfriends cheat, as do wives and girlfriends. There is more tragedy than joy.
The structure of the book is off putting, jumping from character to character and in and out of time lines.
The premise seemed innocuous a group of girls getting together for the 100th anniversary of their childhood summer camp. It quickly deviates into a tragic tale of bullying, hatred, revenge and trauma. One woman is attempting to recover from sexual abuse at the hands of her rabbi, another from a sexual attack from a fellow camper. Many of the women are vapid, empty characters who apparently lost any personality upon popping out their children. In this world husbands and boyfriends cheat, as do wives and girlfriends. There is more tragedy than joy.
The structure of the book is off putting, jumping from character to character and in and out of time lines.
March 12, 2016
I really was not enjoying this book in the beginning. This book honestly has everything in it you can imagine. Not trying to offend anyone with this list but Jewish women who act like teenagers, constant back and forth ness, lesbians, sex, bulimia, drugs, cheating, molestation, a loveless relationship, weddings, pregnancy, cancer, revenge etc. it had ways to much going on. At the end I was like okay this story line is okay. It was just like the synopsis said and then the ending happened. It made it feel like the whole reason this book started was all for nothing. Nothing really resulted from the
JAP chronicles. Also what does J.A.P. Even stand for? I have no idea.
JAP chronicles. Also what does J.A.P. Even stand for? I have no idea.
March 25, 2012
This book was entertaining enough. Something that doesn't require brain power, so a good summer read. At first, I found myself really annoyed and so put off by one of the characters I actually debated not finishing it. Too much of that New York Times "plight of the not quite as rich anymore" feature article feel to it. This is definitely a PRE-financial collapse book. But I soldiered on and by about the fourth chapter or so it began to entertain and came in with enough drama that I was able to sweep through with no problem.
War and Peace it ain't, but good enough for a fun read.
War and Peace it ain't, but good enough for a fun read.
February 7, 2009
The author's biography reads like an overachiever - for a reason. She's good at what she does. This book was exceptionally written with characters that stayed true to form. Each character's voice was clearly portrayed throughout the book as each character struggled with crisis - finding the an available salon, drug addiction, homelessness, molestation, ending an engagement and dying from cancer.
A very moving story told with humor and horror.
A very moving story told with humor and horror.
February 2, 2009
What a disappointment! I picked this book up because the cover caught my eye and from the back summary I thought it would be a warm story about friendship. I didn't really like any of the characters too much and did not believe any of them cared about anything other than themselves. The writing wasn't bad - and I did like that each chapter had a focus on a different girl. It would have been better if it was wrapped up better.
January 12, 2010
Read this one over the weekend while I was sick. It was a fairly good chick lit book but there were more characters than could be reasonably kept track of....or maybe it was just because I was sick. Near the end, I was reading about people I had only seen mentioned briefly in the beginning of the book. Story of wealthy Jewish women who grew up attending summer camp together and how their adult lives turned out.
July 3, 2013
My experience at sleep-away camp was much nicer than the protangonist of this novel. Set 10 years after the 7 girls left Camp Willow Lake, Ali Cohen has been hired to make a documentary about the camp's 100th anniversary. She decides to interview the girls/women who made her miserable while she attended camp. Some of their stories away from Willow Lake will astound you but it also makes Jewish women seem very shrill, pretentious and materialistic.
March 22, 2007
I liked this book. It was interesting to me because I never got to go to Jewish summer camp but always heard about it and people either thought it was the most wonderful experience ever or absolutely hated it. I thought this book had a nice story line. It's not the next NYTimes Best Seller, but it was entertaining.
November 15, 2011
Reading this book was a chore. It was almost the first book I put down without finishing but some how I managed to finish it. There are way too many characters and their stories are very disjointed. It was hard to connect with any of them and I constantly had to re-read the book jacket to remember who everyone was. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
March 10, 2008
Surprisingly dark and gritty. This was not the beach read book that I expected it to be which probably influenced my less than overwhelming enjoyment of it. Don't read this book if you're looking for something light and fun.
July 12, 2008
I found this book in the vacation house I was renting and figured I'd give it a whirl. A lot better than I thought it'd be—and certainly the cover wouldn't lead me to believe I'd be reading about girl-on-girl rape!
August 7, 2008
TRASHY!!! I should have put it down about 1/2 way through it but I kept going. This book was about what a handful of friends from Jewish Summer Camp had turned into. The review for this book was pretty good and I thought it would be good. NO BUENO! I didn't think it was worth reading at all.
September 15, 2008
I don't really remember this book, so I don't remember if I really liked it or not. Sorry, this review is no help. Oh, ps, J.A.P. doens't stand for Japanese people, but for Jewish American Princesses.
May 21, 2007
hmmm...lost me a bit towards the end. The Laura revelation came a little too late and the Ali/Wendy/Arden revelation came a little too soon.
August 17, 2007
Not so much. I picked this up at a used book sale and I'm pretty glad I didn't spend too much money. The characters were bitchy and annoying.
September 20, 2007
despite title - really good.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews