Parvenue Throws a Party

By Wendy Boucher

Janice Darcy believes that she has something to offer. Why should other moms just moving to her upscale neighborhood struggle as she did to figure out what it takes to be "in?" Janice starts a secret... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0976676605
• ISBN13: 9780976676607
• Release Date: August 2005
• Publisher: Hoyden Press, LLC
• Length: 245 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.8" x 5.8"

Customer Reviews

a light, breezy, fun read

Remember the pretty, popular girls from school? The ones who had a lot of friends, always got asked out on dates, and who set the tone of what to wear and where to go? Well, Janice Darcy of Parvenue Throws A Party remembers them well, because they're the ones she fawns over, worships, and so desperately wants to be. Janice's desperate struggle for acceptance and popularity intensifies after she and her family move from Carrollwood to South Tampa. Competing against her well-manicured, wealthy, tanned, polished and stylish neighbors, she sets off on one project -- make that mishap -- after another. Like the main character in TV's I Love Lucy (minus the extreme wackiness and willing sidekick), her childish need for acceptance and attention prompt her into situations that quickly get out of hand. This book is a light, breezy, fun read; great for when you need a break from life and want to relax and enjoy a laugh or two. Boucher gives us a touching prologue that helps to explain Janice's need for acceptance, so you sympathize and identify with Janice instantly. Then you feel sorry for her, and laugh at her, then get annoyed at her, and are confused by her, and laugh at her some more, and then get angry at her, and then you want to strangle her and slap her across the face...Boucher takes this character to the far edge of likeability in a skillful way that is true to the book and believable to the reader. Having the book set in Tampa added to the fun for me. The stereotypical "rich bitch" character exists in every city in the world. Somehow, though, having Tampa's landmarks, stores and eccentricities woven throughout the story made those characters seem more realistic and Janice's struggle more endearing. I work in South Tampa and I know about the lines of demarcation (stay between Kennedy and Gandy) and I've seen the trim, blonde soccer moms in their tennis whites dropping off their kids at private school and been a tad envious as I rush by them in my never-gonna-be-paid-off small car, late for work. Perhaps there's a little Janice Darcy in me. Or in all of us. Read Parvenue Throws A Party and find out. Now, I've got to get started on those party invitations...

Can't wait for the next one!

Ms. Boucher does a marvelous job of creating the character we love to dislike. Janice is a social climber with a shakey ladder, there's no other way to put it. Try it out, you won't be disapointed.

Parvenue

We have either all known--or been--Janice Darcy, her friends or family at some point in our lives. Just think about that as you read this book... where do you fit in line-up of characters? In any case, it is a delicious (albeit sometimes painful) romp through the adjustment of moving up to a new neighborhood. Those who live in Tampa will find it an especially wicked read, but the characters and dialog transcend that locale to provide a universal story line for most readers. Read and enjoy!

Great fun

I thoroughly enjoyed Ms Boucher's book, it is inciteful, well observed and most of all, it is laugh out loud funny. I recommend it for anyone who enjoys an easy read. I can't wait to read the sequel...