A Mini Book Review: ‘Copygirl’

This past weekend, I made the executive decision to travel back to my hometown to get some much-needed R&R after a couple of fast-paced, crunchy weeks. While at home, I snuggled with my dogs, Adeline and Sofie, and I finished reading a book I had started during winter break. This book, in particular, caught my eye in Barnes and Noble because: A) It was pink. B) It was a fiction book about a woman in advertising. C) It had a cool title, "Copygirl."

The novel, by Michelle Sassa and Anna Mitchael, follows Kay, a junior copywriter in New York City at the imaginary ad agency Smith Travino Drew & Partners. Kay is a talented copywriter but has insecurities and a perception of herself that hinders her confidence in the workplace and her interpersonal relationships. She gets the opportunity to work on a huge pitch for Kola, Coca-Cola's imaginary competitor, and has to beat the boys club at their own game to earn respect and win the new client. While she does this, she also creates a passion project, a vlog with wax dolls that she makes. The scenarios with the dolls mirror her thoughts as she reenacts scenarios with them. In end, she wins the pitch by incorporating the vlog's brand as a partner, which now has millions of followers.

As someone who has interned at a global integrated marketing agency and as an advertising and PR major, I thought it was interesting to this depiction of the agency world and Kay's imposter syndrome. I also appreciated the dynamic between Kay and her female colleagues. At first, she was defensive, which I think is precedent in such a competitive environment, but she forms strong alliances with them. It is a testament to women everywhere who brave the workplace and work their way into their profession.

However, I didn't care for the plotline with Kay and her dolls. It was hard for me to picture a successful vlog with dolls and incorporate it into a client pitch, without any logistical error. Of course, that is the point of fiction, but I would have liked to see something fresh and innovative. Also, I did enjoy the lightheartedness, but the humor didn't land with me most of the time.

All in all, I liked the novel. It was very millienialish — fun with a light touch of drama. I give this book 3/5 stars.