Carol Alt

This Year's Model is a brief and glitzy yet honest glimpse into the world of modeling, fashion, and friendship. The narration is truthful and at times seems much more mature than the protagonist's eighteen years, but instead of weighing the story down, it actually makes it easier to connect to. Almost no one would want to read about the exploits of a beautiful ditz, so Ms. Alt gives us a world of sophisticated, intelligent and messed-up people trying to make a living and get ahead. The show more characters are real--sometimes tragic, sometimes hilarious, sometimes appaling--but real nonetheless. Much more than just a simple industry tale, this novel is a stark examination of the relationships between friends and family as they are tugged on by ambitions and desires. Though there isn't a whole lot of action and the plot only takes a jolting, meteoric rise at the very end, I was not able to put this book down. Yes, it's candy--but it's fashion-infused, Shakespeare-quoting, almost-real-life candy. You know, the kind that can be good for you. I wouldn't balk at reading a sequel to This Year's Model. In fact, it would be welcome. show less

A frivolous and wild look at the high fashion trade by Carol Alt, herself a super model in the 1990’s. This story follows a naïve 19 year old as she enters the modeling world and takes off like a rocket, becoming the current “flavor-of-the-month“.

We are given a peek under the veil of glamour that surrounds the fashion industry. We are shown the every-man for himself mentality, the jealousy and back-biting that occurs. Models can be treated like cattle, poked and prodded, and starved show more all in order to get that perfect shot. Young girls, seduced by the call of fame and fortune are used and discarded as trends dictate. They face too many temptations from drugs and alcohol, yet if they succumb to these temptations, their career is often abruptly over.

Certainly not great literature, but an interesting look at an industry that I know very little about. A quick and light read. show less

Carol Ault’s new novel, This Year’s Model, published by HarperCollins (Avon A) is a story of friendship played against a background of high and low fashion. The two friends are a study in contrasts: light and dark, reckless and self-disciplined, indulgent and moral, cynical and realistic, genetic and athletic, eating and starving.

The story is fast-paced with good character development of the two central figures and their satellites. There is interesting information throughout the book show more about behavior and products in the business of modeling and the mental and physical strength it takes to be a supermodel. An important theme is the isolation of the “supe” when surrounded by dressers, designers, editors, photographers, and other models. Engulfed in chaos, how the supe reacts, learns, reasons, and makes decisions in these long periods of solitude can make or break even the most gorgeous model. Survival requires self-discipline.

There certainly are opportunities for sequels with strong, continuing story lines. Ms. Alt, a supermodel, offers some advice and insight about modeling at the end of the book. This Year’s Model could be a very good movie with super roles for several actors. show less

An unassuming fictional book about a 5' 11" 120 lb 18 year old Catholic girl who puts her college education on hold to pursue a summer of work as a fashion model. I shouldn't have been surprised by someone as accomplished as Alt, an actual model, writing such an impressive first book but I was. While not written for young adults this is an interesting book written from the main character's point of view. The book ends in Palm Springs at a hotel called Esperanza Hotel but is probably The show more Riviera. The ending seems planned to be followed by another book covering Melody Ann Croft's success after a big Sports Illustrated photo shoot. Good girl/bad girl foil; rich men who don't know how to communicate; lots of time planning time-consuming meetings with people whose only purpose is to further the models' careers. show less