A Model Summer (Book Review)

          A Model Summer is all about Jirina Radovanicova, a 15-year old gawky teen who was sent to Paris for modeling purposes. Her parents were divorced so she grew independently that she learned how to live by herself. It was also the reason why she hates staying in their home. That was why she agreed at once when she received a letter from Jean Pierre, an owner of a Paris’ modeling agency, asking her to give modeling a try.

          Jirina was so thin and freak looking that her classmates always tease her. She wasn’t really sure if the letter was really for her or her classmates were just playing tricks to make fun of her.

          But Jirina is determined to enter the world of modeling. Though young and alone on a foreign city, she made it a point to realize her dream. The question is at what cost?

Fortunately, at Paris, she made a good start of her career. Showing how good she is in making poses, enriching her beauty, and making it to the point that her photo was chosen to be the cover of German vogue magazine. But, making it to the top was not easy. There were lots of sacrifices that she has done – leaving her family, losing her friends, and worst of all, losing her virginity! Yes, on several occasions, Jirina slept with different photographers in order to make herself comfortable during the photo sessions. This is one top secret that models never tell.

Several months later, Jirina got pregnant. And who is the father? Unfortunately, she cannot point to any man she slept with. Will she abort the child? It is impossible to go on modeling with her condition.

Alone and confused, she thought of returning home. Missing her friends and hearing the cries of her little sister whenever she calls home is breaking her heart.

She has no one to share her problems. So she thought of her mom she usually turned to whenever she had a problem when she was a child. Her mom whom she called witch and villain of her life due to the hardships she encountered like taking care of her little sister after her parents’ divorce. She called her mom and luckily, both of them were able to understand each other and become closer than ever.

Jirina continued her job (while her tummy isn’t that obvious yet) and became a successful model.