Shrimp is certainly a novel for a post- Sex in the City and Dawson’s Creek generation. With more in common with The OC than real life, it is still a refreshing presentation of young adults and the period of transition into full-blown independence. Cohn wrote Shrimp in response to fans’ questions about what happened next to the heroine of Gingerbread. While it is very enjoyable without having read the original and Cohn fills in the necessary details, it certainly inspires a desire to go back and find out how CC reached this point.

The tone and language of CC’s first person narrative may require some adjustment, depending on the reader’s exposure to American TV and film but in no way inhibits the experience. Rather Cohn writes with real love of San Francisco and New York and one cannot help but fantasise about booking flights to both places, despite the likely idealisation of them by the author. What is most enjoyable in this story of deciding how to launch oneself into adulthood is the representation of young women as thoughtful, comfortable with their own sexuality, and learning to enjoy and defend their own identities. Unquestionably liberal and consciously positive about sex when safely enjoyed Cohn makes clear that being a free-spirit is not incongruent with being involved with one’s family or taking responsibility for oneself. CC is, in this novel, a young woman gaining increasing autonomy and freedom through embracing her roles as big sister, daughter and friend, as well as lover and girlfriend.

The occasional swearing, the references to sex, alcohol and cannabis alongside a strong focus on relationships indicate a clear target audience of young women. The plot is driven by the will-they won’t-they of Shrimp and CC’s relationship rather than any major revelations or twists and turns. Moreover, the detail is filled in by the various family and friendship dynamics, making Shrimp a good read for those who enjoy TV dramas like those mentioned above.

Buy this Book

2008-01-01