Overexposed: A Novel

by Susan Shapiro

Edgy Manhattan shutterbug Rachel Solomon can't wait to escape her difficult Midwestern Jewish family of doctors―and her crazy, condescending WASP friend and photography mentor, Elizabeth Mann. Not so easy when Elizabeth marries Rachel's surgeon-brother, moves to the Midwest, and becomes the daughter Rachel's mother always wanted―one who pops out four babies in a row, who are named after Rachel's dead Yiddish-speaking relatives.

Although Rachel long ago rejected the suburban female role, she's shocked to find she's been replaced. With unsparing candor, sparkling emotional insights, and hilarity, the girl who cut herself out of old photographs now has to fight her way back into the Solomons' photo albums, homes, and hearts.

From the author of the hilarious fictional debut Speed Shrinking ―which became an international phenomenon―and the acclaimed memoir of past passion Five Men Who Broke My Heart comes a new book that blows the lid off of the secrets of female friendship. Based on a true story, Susan Shapiro's darkly comic novel Overexposed chronicles the brilliantly twisted tale of two strong women who wind up switching lives.

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit, Adult Fiction

320 pages, Hardcover

First published August 3, 2010

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I ate this book up. It was well written and had a good pace. I'm not usually into books like this, but for whatever reason I decided to give it a try and it was worth it. It didn't have an incredibly cliche ending which was great.

I don't understand what Ricky sees in Elizabeth. I would have stopped being friends with her long ago. I also don't understand her revelation at the end that she doesn't spend enough time with her family. It seems that she's spending the time she can and when she does they don't give her any respect or credit for accomplishing what she has. They give her some, but not much.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm giving it 4 stars for humor and well-drawn characters. But I'm giving it 2 stars for plot arc. Seriously, if I wanted to spend this much time hearing someone talk about a toxic relationship when there's never a big climax or a resolution to the story, well, I've got plenty of friends I can call up for that. Is it weird to condemn a book for being TOO much like real life? (Complain, complain, complain, no one ever confronts anybody, nothing ever really happens or changes, complain, complain)

[Chivon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute little book. I like the span of time that this story took you through and how it followed the dynamic of two friends Elizabeth and Ricky.

I enjoyed Ricky' character, she was a sweet girl who was intent on following her dreams and she made it.

I love her sarcasm... Very decent book.

[Laura Zam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this novel. Though the story was very moving at times, I was also laughing out loud throughout. Susan Shapiro writes some of the best (wittiest) dialogue of any writer I know. There's much fun to be had between these pages. The main character, Rachel, was very identifiable and lovable, despite her quirkiness. I was sad to leave her behind when the book ended!

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finally connected to the story after 4 or more chapters. It's title sure is appropriate. Main characters Rachel Solomon aka Nicky Solo and Elizabeth Mann create a twist and turn relationship. Life in a Jewish family, with "is there a doctor in the house". Read the book

[Erin Jewell · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like a 2.75. Could have told the whole story in half the number of chapters

[Aroog · Rating 1 out of 5]

dnf

[Michelle Hart]

P73

[Ali · Rating 2 out of 5]

dnf . I just have too many other things to read and I couldn't get into it

[Louise Silk · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to read this book because the author is a writing instructor and I had hoped to see a quality piece of writing. It's not.

The best part of the book is the author's ability to write dialogue but after that there is nothing redeeming of note. The characters are insipid and shallow. The plot is boring and uneventful. I can't think of one reason to waste your time with this.

[Tracy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only sort of liked her other fiction book which I reviewed in the last week or two. I've gotten through about 80 pages and I'm not enjoying it. I don't have much else to read so I might just keep on. It's about a photographer who moves to NY and becomes friends with someone who eventually seems to take her place in her family by marrying her brother.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was my first attempt at reading a book in the humour genre. I was bitterly disappointed. I didn't laugh, but worse, I didn't relate. Maybe it is because I can't relate to the strong Jewish ties in the book, but I think the protagonist was too narcissistic to enjoy and every character seemed a caricature of reality.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've really enjoyed Susan Shapiro's memoirs. She can be very funny, engaging and observant. For this reason, I found Overexposed disappointing. The pettiness and endless nattering of the main character was tiresome.

[Fuschia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure why I bothered to finish this one, pretty lame.

[Tori]

2010- Ugh. I really didn't care for this book, and I felt too much of the plot was revealed on the inside cover.

[Camille]

witty

[Rhonda]

Very good fast reading

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty much every character in this book was unlikeable! It made it really hard to find somebody to root for. On the other hand, this book was a quick and easy read.

[Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two thumbs up. Just a good solid story.

[Madge · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it but not as much as some of her other works. A good beach read but not sure that is what the author was going for.

[Marcia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hard to like a book when you do not like any of the characters.