The Pretty Committee Strikes Back: A Clique Novel -- Lisi Harrison

Okay.  After reading this book, I really think that someone out there (not you, Naomi Wolf) should write a book about this series.  Either that, or a grown-up book club should read 'em all.  Suggestions for discussion:

Celebrity Idolatry.

She was even starting to embrace the fact that he wore shorts in the dead of winter.  It was his "thing".  And every famous athlete had to have a "thing", or else his fans wouldn't have anything to copy.  Massie's stomach suddenly tightened at the thought of Derrington surrounded by hordes of shorts-wearing fans, because in this scenario she would be the glamour girl standing by his side.  The girl every other girl wanted to be.  And nothing was more ah-mazing than that.

Note that Massie isn't disturbed by the fact that everyone emulates famous people.  She knows it and likes it -- because she wants to be one.  I read this passage at least four times, and it creeped me out every single time.  Honestly, there wasn't a whole lot about actual celebrities in the book, unless you count the the girls as such -- which is certainly a fair reading, given that that's exactly how they seem to view themselves. 

Consumerism.

I'm especially fond of this bit:

Massie ballooned with pride.  Her crush was the most popular guy in her grade.  And she was the most popular girl.  They were a perfect match, like DK and NY.

I'd say that, on average, there was at least one brand name mentioned on every page.  That's two-hundred and sixty-five instances of name-dropping.  Are companies going to start paying for this service?  Are they already?  It's pretty gross.  The fictional 'Glossip Girl' lip gloss is mentioned again and again -- it comes in a ridiculous array of flavors, I couldn't help but think of Bertie Botts -- but doesn't it seem like some sort of weird subliminal advertisement for the Gossip Girl books?

Peer Pressure:

Missing one of Massie's get-togethers meant spending a sleepless night tossing and turning, wondering if you were missing anything good and wondering if anyone was saying anything about you behind your back.  And nothing was worth that kind of torture.

Succumbing to peer pressure is what Claire is all about.  Over and over again, she scurries back to Massie & Co., even when she doesn't want to -- because she wants to be one of the shining ones.  Yes, that is pretty realistic, I agree.  But knowing that doesn't make her seem any less shallow and pathetic.  She's supposed to be the most sympathetic character of the whole crew, but she comes off as the most unattractive.

I really hope that girls aren't using this series as a place to garner advice:

"You're a sex goddess in three...two...one," she told herself.  When her countdown was over, she lifted her head and dabbed on a final coat of Cinnabon Glossip Girl, making sure the center of her bottom lip had an extra dollop, to make it look fuller.

GROSS.  Who wants to kiss THAT?

Miscellaneous:

There are strange food issues throughout -- Massie can't eat because of her nerves and Dylan won't shut up about losing ten pounds due to her recent bout of the flu.  She's so proud.  Her specific size is mentioned:  Size 2.  TWO.  A size 2 plus ten pounds does not equal fat.  Period.  The rest of the girls are sick of her yammering, partly because she won't shut up and partly because she wasn't fat in the first place, but no concern is raised.  Of course, all of the girls are extremely self-centered, so that is in character.

The book involves the girls going on a three-day 'camping' trip for a school field trip.  The camping trip costs $1500 each and the girls bring, on average, four suitcases each.  I assume that the kids who read this series understand that there are points where our heroines are being mocked.  At least, I hope they're being mocked.  If they aren't, Massie's 'lavender angora slippers' are a lot less funny.

Layne, Claire's sort-of friend, gets her period and is upset because she's 'the first one to get it'.  What the hell grade are they IN, anyway?  The average age for a first period is 12.  I've been assuming that the girls are in middle school and if so, I refuse to believe that no one else has it yet.  Over and over again, Alicia is described as having huge knockers.  Yet she doesn't have her period?  IT JUST MAKES NO SENSE.

I'm very serious when I say that these examples are just scratching the surface.  I'm so strangely fascinated that I might go back and read the others.  I've kind of been comparing my relationship with The Clique to my relationship with Days of Our Lives:  I can read one, skip three, pick up the fifth and still know what's going on AND even though I don't care about a single character, I still want to know what happens next.

Okay.  I admit it.  I'm also hoping for some more amazingly bad poetry:

I never liked him as more than a friend;
I was hurt because I got dissed.
Please don't say that this is the end:
I won't be happy till we've kissed.

[Edit: A Few Hours Later]

I have a confession to make:  After looking at Lisi Harrison's website, I kind of want to read the other Clique books.  She's really funny. 

[Even Later]

Gail Gauthier's posts on the subject are also worth reading.  (She's the author of the fabulous A Year with Butch and Spike, among others.)

Comments

,..,,,,,,,

[Emily]

My favourite character is Alicia. I would way rather be second in command than be the leader. But Massie is cool too! I imagine myself sometimes being in their clique, than actually being Massie.

[Lynda]

I luv the clique series!!!!!!!!!!!! i just cant put my finger on how many hot guys go 2 briairwood. maybe itz just the fact that they go to a private school cuz i go 2 a public skool and we have almost NO hot guys. God i wish OCD was a real skool!!! =]

[Sammi]

Please Read This
-its a good message not a bad one
I don't think that these books are sending bad messages to girls I just think that girls that are too young shouldn't be reading these books, I mean I think it's pretty stupid that girls saved up all of their money just to buy "rich" clothes I think y'all who do that just need to stop reading because that's really immmature. I really enjoy these books but I think that y'all shouldnt read these books for answers just because you can relate to the girls in this book.

And also for all of you all who are saying a bunch of bad commments about these books I dont really get why your writing what's the point?? I see why girls are posting their comments on this but if you have comments keep them to your self I mean seriously what do you all get out of being snobs??

e-mail me at babyjane2722@yahoo.com if ya wanna talk!!

[Lola]

heii everybody!
well, i personally think these books are ah-mazing! they have incredibly good sense of humor and even more sense of come backs! thx Lisi for making these books i hope everyone enjoys them as much as i do. Sheaaahhh u said u werent making the movie soon...but just in case...if u decide to make one please e-mail me. i have like, REALLY dark hair. its like almost black lmao. so i couldnt do the part of massie or claire and not even THINK about dylan =P so how bout NINA? sheeeah shes the bad gurl but at least i got a role huh? well e-mail me for anything.
Lola at your service.. muahz! byehz!

-Lola

[Danielle]

ok i love the clique bookz!
they are the best!
and u people who are insulting the bookz
just stop andkeep the commetnes to urself!
i love the clique bookz!
and Lisi,
if theres a movie coming out,
i wanna be either Massie,Kristen eh, it wouldnt hurt to be claire!
i have long brownish hair and brown eyes
so id be a Massie, or a Kristen
or a claire
she sounds pretty
and TPC rules!
~Massie rox~

[Kelseyy]

I LOVE THESE BOOKS! im almost dun with DIAL L FOR LOSER and cant wait for the 7th book in march 2007 ! i think glossip girl sounds really cool and i wish it was in realy life! i would love to get a new flavor EVERY DAY at my dorstep ! and OMG that wud b just SOOOO COOOOOOOOL if they made movies for these! i think i wud wanna be claire or kristen. PLZZZ make movies and MORE BOOKS!
THESE BOOKS ARE MY FAVE SERIES!!! p.s. I LIKE THE 5th ONE THE BEST SO FAR!!

[Danielle]

I love the Clique series! I have every book and reread them all the time!!! Is GLOSSIP GIRL real? I hope it is! IT's such a good idea!

[Rachel]

I would like to know two things.

1. Is glossip girl real ? And please give me the website.
2. Is there a book "TPC strikes back? If yes tell me because these books are really good. Iv'e went through almost eh whole series in a month. =]. Keep writitng Lisi, great job.

Comment back and answer my questions. =] thanks.

P.S - You girls who write bad comments about the books , if you don't like them then don't read them. You obviously know about the books if your saying bad things about them. And people have there own opinions. Kay. Thanks.

[Madi]

I love all of the books! I agree too if there was a movie for these books that would be awesome!! I wish Lisi H. would like name the people on the covor of the books so I know who each one is xD My fav book is probablby TPC Striks Back. I cant wait for the next book!

-Madi

[~Gina~]

okay i love the Clique books! i guess you could guess. Its really mean yet u want to still read them because u can relate to it. AGE?? i dont get it they should be in 8th or 9th grade. they look sooooo much older.and do stuff they dont need to. I hate the new cover pictures. Alica and Massie look the same. The old Alica looked so much better.

[emster]

Hey bubbles same back gurlfriend. Because I am in a clique and u probably r 2 but ur probably just 2 stupid 2 noticeunless u r a loner and that could be explained by your foul mouth!PS I love cliques and you r a total LBR or in my case a HBR( hoplessly beyond rediculous

[Serina]

OK i totally Heart the Clique Series. I really want 2 know if the Glossip Girl is real, if it is, IM me and tell me where 2 subscribe. ( my IM is anires59).

[Serina]

My favs:

1.Massie
2.Claire
3.Alicia
4.Kristin
5.Dylan
6.Layne
7.Olivia

[chels]

these books are the best.
i got alot of the books for christmas
and i couldnt stop reading them!
ohh and i cant wait for the next book to come out!!
i think there should be a movie.
and i wish glossip girl should be real
cause that would be awesome.
and to you bitches who keep writing bad comments about this books please
just go away cause nobody wants you here.
Seriously ur gay...
and have no life!
k. thats all i gotta say.

[Kayla Erickson]

I absolutly (or however u spell it) love the Clique Series!!! They r like the best books ever!! i cant stop reading them! and all u people that r dissin them u r ggaayy!!

Massie Rox!! cuz im exactly like her!!! YAY US!! ANDI THINK GLOSSIP GIRL SHOULD BE REAL 2! AND IF YALL EVA WANNA IM ME ITS deliciousbabi56!!

[Serina]

I really want the Glossip Girl to be real. I am goin to invent it. If anybody wants to help me, my IM is anires59.

[Chelsea]

I absolutely ADORE The Clique series!!! I don't think they send bad messages to girls but I know these people that tried to copy The Pretty Committee (I mean same name and everything)and I thought that was pretty pathetic but whatever floats their boat.All the people dissing the series are pittifully unworthy of even breathing our air. Although people are entitled to state their opinion they should realize they are just books. They should hang their heads in shame. This series is about a group of girls having extravagent adventures, and I would love to have my life be like that. If my parents didn't get mad at me for getting EXPELLED like the girls did than I would be oh so very lucky. Unfortunately my life is not so glamourous and these books made me feel as if I was living the life they did, and that made me feel very strong and confident once I put the fabulous book down and snapped back to reality. I also want to figure out if Glossip Girl is real or not, I typed in www.glossipgirl.com and sure enough it came up but all I saw were adds from Google so if someone else could check out the site and if you find anything please email me!
angelpuss@tampabay.rr.com

[Serina]

Hey everybody. Umm just to let you know there are a few girls helping me with the GLOSSIP GIRL thing. I CONTACTED LISI HARRISON and asked her if it was even real. it you want to know waht she said IM me at anires59.

[Serina]

Chelsea and kayla. I have had my IM tacken away from me. Please Im me ASAP
your Phone numbers or something thnx.

[Megan]

I love these books! My friend got me started on them and now I cant wait for the 7th! I wish glossip girl was real.

[Megan]

I love these books! My friend got me started on them and now I cant wait for the 7th! I wish glossip girl was real.

[girlygirlxoxo]

1.The Clique ROCKS!
2.Haters are just jealous cause they dont know what LV stands for!
3.Massie is my idol
4.I wish Glossip Girl was real =[[
5.I wish there is a Clique movie
6.omgaaawd i just LOVE the clique series!

i love these books soooo MUCH! the 5th one is the best fo sho! but ya you guys who are reading these are gayyy. don't read them if you dis'like them soo much!

mmmmhm...thats right you little gayyy-o's! the clique series are the best books eva! you know you like them. you are just jealous you are a LBR! it's not their fault they are popular. you are just JEALOUS!!! you know you want my hot BOD! I LOVE CLIQUE SERIES! THEY ARE THE BEST!