Review: The Most Famous Girl in the World by Iman Hariri-Kia
Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark for my copy! All thoughts are my own!
This book truly could not be coming out at a better time than with the announcement of Anna Delvey joining the cast of Dancing with the Stars. I was literally reading this book while Good Morning America made the announcement. So, if you were totally and completely riveted by her story and the Netflix show, Inventing Anna, you are going to want to read this book.
But it more than a fictionalized version of Anna Delvey. It’s about the media and how someone can rise to fame not of their own actions, but with an obsession that takes hold with our virality culture. I really liked how this book felt so different in terms of content from Iman’s debut but still stayed true to her almost irreverent writing style. It’s not a romance, but there is romance. It’s not a thriller, but it’s so thrilling. It’s not a mystery, but you’re left wondering what the heck is going to happen next.
Synopsis:
“Rose Aslani is mid-bikini wax when her phone lights up with a notification: Famed scam artist Poppy Hastings will be released from prison today.
It's been two years since Rose—a first-generation Middle Eastern American, functional trainwreck, and reporter for online journal The Shred—wrote the investigative article that exposed Poppy as a socialite grifter. Normally, one of her articles going viral would be cause for celebration, but the highly publicized trial that followed turned Poppy into the internet's favorite celebrity. And Rose has been reeling from the aftermath ever since. Although Poppy served her time for defrauding some of the richest, most powerful men in the world, Rose knows this is only the tip of the iceberg for Poppy's crimes. She just can't prove it yet… At least not without the help of a devilishly handsome FBI agent gone rogue.
As Poppy's star rises as an influencer and pop-culture icon, Rose quickly descends into a downward spiral of guilt and obsession. Her article created Poppy's fame, so Rose needs to right her wrong by exposing Poppy for the monster that she is. But it's not going to be easy taking down the most famous girl in the world.
Campy, satirical, and utterly hilarious, The Most Famous Girl in the World is both a scathing indictment of modern celebrity and a thrilling rollercoaster ride of unhinged hijinks that will keep you gasping at every turn of the page.” —NetGalley
What I Liked:
The Concept—Like most of the world, I watched Inventing Anna and got wrapped up in the whole Anna Delvey of it all. I thought this was such a fun concept, seeing it from a media persona’s POV.
The Pacing—Wow does this book MOVE. It almost made me anxious because things kept piling on for Rose and Iman’s writing of Rose’s anxiety, frustrations, fears, and anger is so visceral you can’t help but fall into the first person POV.
The Energy—Like the pacing, the energy of the book is just infectious. Iman’s writing is natural and readable, giving the reader moments were they laugh out loud, cringe, gasp and propulsive.
The Ending—I literally was like…are we getting a sequel??? (are we???)
What Didn’t Work:
Some of the Language—Like I said, there are some cringe moments. I mostly had this happen when I felt like the fourth wall was totally broken one or two times and it took me out of the story.
Character Authenticity: 4/5. Spice Rating: 2.5/5 Overall Rating: 4/5
Content Warnings:
alcohol and drug use, drug abuse, murder, violence, death