This One Is Mine (Jill)
This One Is Mine
By Maria Semple
Completed December 3, 2008
This One Is Mine is the debut novel by former TV screenwriter, Maria Semple. It’s a chick lit book, full of humor, man troubles, fashion woes and self-exploration. More intriguing for me was the satirical look at the Beverly Hills life of the two main characters.
Violet Parry was in a loveless marriage with a famous music producer. A former screenwriter, she gave up her career to take care of her home, and eventually, her daughter, Dot. Violet was frustrated with the drudgery of her life, and when she stumbled upon former drug addict, bass-playing, Hep C-infected Teddy Reyes, he brought her some excitement that she yearned for in her life.
Meanwhile, Violet’s sister-in-law, Sally, was a body-obsessed, status-obsessed young woman who pegged her affections on an up-and-coming sports broadcaster, Jeremy. Jeremy had the personality of a toenail, but he was on his way to fame and fortune – and was intensely loyal to Sally.
As I followed Violet and Sally’s lives, Semple showed off her former screenwriting skills by creating a very descriptive story. You knew what the characters were thinking not only by their language but also by their gestures, facial expressions and body language. Semple’s power of observation allowed her to show the story to her reader.
I am not an enormous fan of chick lit, and this book certainly is not for people who are offended by foul language (especially anatomical references). However, this would be a great book for the poolside or cruise deck. If you loved Sex and the City, then give This One Is Mine a try. ( 
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