Sophie Kinsella Reveals Her Own Shopping Demons

9 months ago 17th Feb 13:41

Sophie Kinsella series of Shopaholic novels cemented her as one of the most popular chick-lit writers and this popularity was cemented by a big screen adaptation of the first Shopaholic novel.

In this upbeat and deliciously funny film, Becky is the kind of heroine that everyone (at least most of us) can identify with. She is fun, friendly and engaging. But shopping, we rapidly discover, is her Achilles heel.

There is just no stopping this woman, not even credit card debt that is potentially crippling.  Because of her shopping addiction, she's constantly getting into messes. And the irony of the story is that this profligate young woman is a financial journalist, (having previously worked for a gardening magazine) who ends up dishing out financial advice to readers.

However Kinsella reveals she has a few shopping demons of her own.

What was the inspiration for your stories?  

I used to spend money and get amnesia every month when the VISA bill arrived and that’s what inspired me to create this character. I would say ‘what is this? What am I looking at? I don’t remember going to that shop and buying that?’ It is that complete denial we all have. I would say to my husband: ‘I’ve never even been to that shop, what are they talking about?’ and he would be the one to say ‘remember when you bought that?’

And than I would have that sinking feeling. That was the starting point for Becky, this crazy girl who loves to shop. I could see the comedy potential. A lot of the inspiration came from the way I think about shopping, the thrill and the excitement.

Is it just clothes that tempt you as a shopper yourself?

Oh no. I think it is what Becky talks about in the book, she goes in cycles:  makeup, shoes, clothes, cushions, that’s me. I will buy all the clothes I need and think that’s enough and then I think to myself: but I need more makeup and then there is a lamp I have to buy or a rug and ooh I need gardening tools.  And so it goes on.

I do love clothes but another thing I do is visit museums and   then of course I have to go to the museum store and do some shopping.  I will justify it by saying: ‘oh it’s cultural’ because I am shopping at a museum. I often forget what I’ve bought. I’ll buy Christmas presents for friends and put them in the cupboard. Then at Christmas they come falling out and I realise I have bought three things for the same person.

Can you reveal your own funniest shopping experience?

I found an absolutely beautiful, beige shearling coat with studs that I desperately wanted for my birthday. It was by Max Mara and it was really special. I was planning to drop hints to my husband and say ‘wouldn’t that be a lovely birthday present for me?’ I had tried it on and I had put it on hold in the shop. Then the shop manager phoned me and said: ‘another customer wants the coat’.