From Publishers Weekly
Set in 1980, this smooth, predictable first novel by model, actress and children's book author Porizkova tells the story of Jirina, who arrives in Paris a beautiful 15-year-old aspiring model. A Swede of Czech background, Jirina escapes teasing classmates when she's discovered and shipped off to a well-known modeling agency. Leaving behind divorced, unsympathetic parents and a beloved little sister, Jirina moves into the apartment of agency head Jean-Claude; his depressed ex-model wife, Marina; their neglected baby daughter; and another Swedish teen model. As household tensions rise, Jirina strikes out on her own, befriending the famous model Evalinda (also from Sweden), a gay makeup artist and a rich, cultured man who worships her—all while nursing a crush on a dashing Australian photographer. Jirina slowly gains confidence; meanwhile, those around her abuse drugs, have abortions, attempt suicide, get gay-bashed and die tragically. Jirina loses her virginity, finds disappointment in love and learns to use sex to forward her career. Her drive is palpable and her voice believable, but Jirina isn't much fun (others,
bien sûr, are downright mean), and you can see the plot points coming from way down the runway. Too many loose ends make for an unsatisfying finale.
(Apr.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Booklist
Jirina is a tall, lanky 15-year-old Czechoslovak from Sweden. Teased and taunted for her inability to fit in, Jirina jumps at a chance to model in Paris. However, the idea of being a glamorous model doesn't live up to the reality. Subject to harsh physical scrutiny; smarmy photographers; long, grueling days; and hostile fellow models, Jirina has to grow up fast or go home. And grow up she does--experimenting with alcohol, drugs, and sex, eventually becoming pregnant.
A Model Summer is the debut novel by Porizkova, a very famous model herself. But while revealing modeling's dirty secrets, Porizkova loses sight of her narrator, sacrificing Jirina for the expose. Jirina is supposed to be a teenager; her voice is more like that of a 35-year-old. And for a girl who is supposed to be smart--commenting on classical music and existential literature--she questions nothing about what is happening around her. Ultimately, it is a novel full of contradictions that ends without any real closure.
Carolyn KubiszCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
