The Truth About Diamonds

Three questions that arise from the reading of this book:

1. Who knew that Nicole Richie wrote a book?
2. Did she actually write it?
3. Should anyone care?

I suppose this book may be interesting to those who find themselves fascinated by the lives of the rich and marginally famous. I'm sure that if you're familliar with Richie's circle of “friends” you'll recognize the “characters” in this book as some of those people. If you enjoy vernacular writing, with that particular vernacular being “catty and vapid,” this book may appeal to you.

I am none of these. But I did at times find the book to be raucously funny - Richie's descriptive prowess (or her ghostwriter's) is astounding (another reviewer commented on one of my favorite lines, a reunion being “bittersweet - chocolate, that is”). She's so completely self-absorbed, self-conscious, and self-centered that the narrative gives the reader a fabulous idea of what it must be like to spend time with the “real” Richie, how she speaks, and how she sees herself - and others - in her world.

Complete intellectual morphine.