Crusie, Jennifer: Bet Me
Bet Me
Author: Jennifer Crusie
Genre: Chick Lit
Pages: 337
Final Thoughts: Wow. A great light read - with some fantastic deeper issues at its core. Read either way, I enjoyed it.
I picked this up off the "best bargain" shelf at the bookstore. I've heard good things about Jennifer Crusie, and thought this presented an excellent opportunity to familiarize myself with her writing. Again, I designated this as "Cruise Reading" because I do things like that.
As it happens, I read this in two sittings, and the second extended until 3am. Now I'll admit that I stay up late more often on vacation, especially when I'm reading books. And there wasn't a pressing reason to go to bed, so under normal circumstances I might have put it down to finish the next night, but as it was I read it essentially straight through.
Moderate spoilers may appear...
Well I think the most obvious thing to comment on first is the main character Min's issue with her weight and appearance. Or rather, *the* issue, because it's not entirely Minerva's. I loved Crusie's portrayal of an imperfect woman - imperfect physically along with the other traits, and struggling actively with the reality that the world - and her mother - tells her she ought to be pounds lighter and sizes smaller, and it's so easy to believe them. I loved that Cal fell for her right from the start and consistently encouraged her to be who she was meant to be, and not torture herself to fit someone else's image of perfection. The fact that he honestly meant it and wasn't just spouting things is important, too.
And the issue of appearance and perfection, whether directly relating to weight or not, is something all women can relate to. No one body type or personality type has a monopoly on insecurities, and I loved that in my mind, at least, Min's "problem" could have been a dream to become a doctor or a missing limb or any number of things as easily as a weight struggle, because we all have those things and Min's weight is not just her own physical insecurity but also an icon for the things we all try to hide and wish away.
I like the depiction of Min as someone with an active social life, as well. She isn't socially inept, and she hasn't been wasting away without a man for years before Cal comes along. And David doesn't dump her in the beginning because of her weight at all - he dumps her because she won't sleep with him. Minerva is *normal*. She has friends and interests and a steady job. She's smart and witty and confident in the areas where she's comfortable. Crusie doesn't shortchange her at all, but creates a full, believable character full of warmth and life.
A quick word about family interactions as well - I loved that each Cal and Min stand up to the other's family in defense of each other. I could say a lot here, but I won't wax because I'm all out of eloquent. They work as a team, even before they mean to do so. I liked that.
Finally, I caught distinct echoes of Pride and Prejudice in this plot. Anyone who reads this reading journals knows I'm a drooling fan of that piece of literature, and any clever adaptation I can find of it (on that note, go find the Bollywood movie version, Bride and Prejudice, if you want a fun afternoon). At any rate, Min as Lizzie Bennett and Cal as Darcy just makes sense... I also caught Mr. Bingley, Jane Bennett, Wickham, Lady Catherine, and Miss Bingley. Crusie even added a final chapter of wrap-up, just like Austen's P&P. It's not a copy, of course, but if you're looking, I'll bet you'll see it too.
I think the most appealing thing about Bet Me is that it asks questions on so many levels, but maintains a story light enough and satisfying enough to take someone away entirely if they're not in a mental state to want or be capable of thinking on those extra levels. But they're there to explore if you so desire.
Another one I'll probably return to at least once, and I'll be keeping an eye out for more Crusie books on my library shelves. So many books, so little time!
Book #27