Book Description PX This. (diary of the potted plant) is a four year journal.
MONDAY, APRIL 23, 2004. 8:23PM: well i think i am finally finished with everything i am going to try to ship it all off to the publisher tomorrow. i am so relieved and excited it's over and done with but now i feel queasy. then again, i haven't eaten since 10pm yesterday.
so i am supposed to write this "synopsis" thingie apparently it goes
on the back cover of the "literary work" and then when peoples are
browsing and they happen across the book they read this and then it
helps them decide if this is something they want to bother with.
hahahahhahahahahahaha
i mean not to say it's funny or anything but even now i wonder why anyone would bother with it at all. then again, according to many acquaintances whose opinions i respect, it's evidently all well and good because all the stuffs about my maitre-d'ing in the swankeroo new york restaurants all these years is appealing and "funny" because it is all models and actors and stars (oh my).
then on top of that, supposedly i am not so bad myself.
This is a great book. It's very cleverly written, and very entertaining. At first, it seems a little superficial, but as you get into it, the intelligence and dedication of the author begin to emerge, and the book takes on deeper themes. Abbe has fascinating insights into human nature, and her story shows the value of staying true to yourself and never giving up on your dream. Her drive, commitment and courage (p.p.s. last comma purposely omitted) are truly inspirational, and I found myself smiling and thorougly satisfied when I read the last page. You can't help but applaud as the book comes to its conclusion.
PX This covers the early years of a struggling clothing designer who supported herself by working in restaurants while she tried to get her designer label, Geld Iaz, out into the competitive world of New York fashion. The author and central character is an American-born Filipina who rides a motorcycle and has an attitude. While doing her side gig, she was privy to the inner workings of some of the best restaurants in New York and has a rare perspective on some of their celebrity clients.
It's a long book because there is lots to cover: she was in New York when 9/11 happened, she had multiple jobs in multiple places, she got addicted to web boards and e-friends when her other relationships weren't there for her, and then she finds love and goes through all the typical doubts we often all have about love. I won't spoil the ending, but it's realistic, and still ongoing at www.pxthis.com.
The book is a diary that spans four years (2000-2004). It isn't a book with standard plot arcs and predictable resolutions, though I suppose it could have been edited to have them. I guess anyone's diary could be edited like that. The writing is stylistic - kind of like how it would sound inside someone's head - more than it is "correct grammar." It's a unique voice.
The thing that makes this book worthwhile is that the author lives a very cool life and allows the readers to ride along in a sidecar as she goes through her ups and downs. After reading enough of her down times you have to marvel at her chutzpah. Some might call it arrogance, but as you travel along while she goes on her day to day experiences, it's amazing she kept at it. Chutzpah, balls, whatever you call it, is...weirdly compelling.
I just finished reading PX This a week or so ago, and I have to say, it's one of the most enjoyable books I've read over the last year. The book, written in a diary format, chronicles the true life and times of Abbe Diaz, a struggling fashion designer who moonlights as a sometime hostess, sometime maitre d' at some of New York's hippest restaurants. Though it's certainly fun to hear about her encounters with the rich, famous, and oh-so-hip clientele at these restaurants, those anecdotes are just a bonus. What I found so compelling about the book was Abbe's account of her dedication to her clothing line (How many clothing designers do you know who would dutifully set up camp on the streets of Soho, especially when it involves wheeling a cumbersome clothing rack over half of Manhattan, sitting in the hot sun, and then heading into the restaurant for work that same night?), her struggles in the restaurant industry (I've served my time in the restaurant industry myself, so I could really relate to her, although I count myself extraordinarily lucky that I've never had to deal with quite such a nightmare of a boss as the aptly named 'Loser'.), and her relationship with two important men in her life.
The author names a lot of names (Although she does use pseudonyms for a few people, they are not that difficult to figure out if you think about it and do your research), and there are quite a few people who aren't portrayed in a particularly flattering light. For this she earns a lot of respect from me -- how many people have the guts to tell the truth about relatively "big name" people (in Manhattan, anyway) in print, knowing that these same people will most likely be reading the book? Further, the author still sees a lot of these people. This isn't a book written by some outside observer whose assessment of people is based on second-hand information. This is a book written by someone who worked under and around these people, and that is part of the reason why this book is so enjoyable. I don't live in Manhattan, but I visit fairly regularly, so it's fun to hear about these people in a new (and more honest) light. Even if you've never been to Manhattan, however, I can't imagine it would hinder your enjoyment of the book.
I came away from the book with a lot of respect and admiration for the author -- she has attitude, a healthy dose of self-respect, intelligence, a fierce ambition, and she's immensely likable. I love that she's not afraid to stand up for herself and demand respect. Too many women in her position could have turned out differently (and often, they do). In my book, she's one cool chick. It's nice to hear of someone working so hard at their dream and having some success with it, despite the bumps and detours along the way.
I highly recommend this book, no matter where you live or what you do. It's got it all -- gossip, a commentary on the NYC restaurant scene, a heart-wrending account of the aftermath of 9/11, an honest account of what it means to be a struggling artist in Manhattan, a non-sensationalized love triangle... It's just an excellent read, and I'm glad I picked it up. The only thing I can think of that might bother some people is the writing style. I will say that it took some getting used to, but before I knew it, I was reading right along with no problem.
Some good news: If you read the book and love it, there is a sequel of sorts at the authors website, pxthis.com.
I plan on picking up a copy of this for one of my best friends...I have no doubt she will enjoy it as much as I did.
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"The Devil wears Prada" meets "Kitchen Confidential" , April 1, 2005
This is "The Devil wears Prada" meets "Kitchen Confidential" for the front of the (restaurant) house, in a stream of consciousness, journal format that is dishy, engaging and has smirky humor throughout.
For battle-weary vets of the latest see-and-be-seen restaurant... want to know why you're waiting 45 minutes for your `reservation' only to watch some walk-ins saunter by and get whisked away to a table? I loved the insight into "logic" re: VIP ("PX") status, strategic table seating, to how long they'll tell you the wait is (versus how long it REALLY is).
I'm a closet Star Magazine reader, so I ate up the casual reportings of celebrity behavior when the cameras have been stowed and the media is on the other side of the VIP door.
The whole 'recent real-life' dimension was fascinating. I started looking up events and people referenced. Originally I started doing this to find out how much was dramatized fiction, but the random snippets and pictures I found actually enhanced the book. I ended up keeping my laptop nearby as I read.
For example: there's an entry about a photo shoot for a review of a restaurant where Abbe is working. She ends up in the published pic, and then a popular website guide uses the photo for their restaurant listing.
So I look up the website and bingo THERE IS THE PICTURE. Cool.
Later, I'm congratulating myself because I've web-sleuthed the identities of pseudonymed bad guys, names disguised to protect the not-so-innocent. (And boy there's a lot of corroborating testimony out there!)
Intertwined throughout is Abbe's life-- defeats and triumphs with evil bosses, flaky clients and love dramas. I quite enjoyed the whole thing on so many levels; I now keep up with her doings on her blog. Go Abbe!
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