First published 2010
Jen Lancaster decides to transform herself from cultural philistine into sophisticated woman. She assembles a team of specialists including Page Six socialites, gourmet chefs, an opera enthusiast, and a master sommelier to guide her quest for enlightenment. Lancaster tackles canonical literature, watches classic films, attends opera performances, and samples artisan cheeses. She even enrolls in etiquette classes to polish her social skills. The experiments produce mixed results. High end stinky cheese proves as revolting as it smells, and her devotion to Kraft American Singles remains unshaken. Lancaster stumbles through cultural missteps while discovering genuine moments of inspiration. She compares herself to Eliza Doolittle but acknowledges that failure remains a real possibility in her transformation project.
Genres: american-fiction, autobiography, contemporary, memoir, comedy, 21st-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking, whimsical
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, personal-growth
384 pages · Hardcover · NAL