Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Sweet Valley Confidential...What?

So I can tell you what Francine Pascal was doing in the 20 or so years since the first SVH book was released, sure as hell not picking up any book with the words Sweet Valley in the title and reading it.

Now I admit, I haven't read all the books myself. I've probably read the majority of SVH, a good chunk of SVU, all the Sagas, and a few SVT, SVK, and Junior High (no Senior Year or Elizabeth series). Still, I could own the f-ing CREATOR in a game of Sweet Valley trivia, because she doesn't even know Lila's father's name! It's GEORGE, not RICHARD! I threw the book across the room after that one.

I was confused as hell throughout this entire book. First of all, they're pretending the whole Elizabeth series never happened, while still ripping it off. Okay. Second, it just jumped right into the story, making you feel like you were missing something. I had to Google to see if I should've read the Elizabeth series or the last SVU novels to understand what the hell was going on. Nope, that's how the book was written. Plus, I was so unnerved by all the sex and swearing. I don't want to hear about Elizabeth's orgasms, that's gross. I especially don't want to read about Todd watching porn. Ew. I mean, okay, they're adults now, but damn it, if Jessica could date 90% of SVH and we're supposed to believe she didn't sleep around, then let me believe they still don't!

Now for the spoilers.

I don't buy the character changes. Bruce, a good guy who is in love with his best friend, ELIZABETH (book thrown)? Steven married to Cara (I thought he knocked up Billie in SVU and they got married, someone please clarify this for me), then Steven being gay? Winston supposedly an asshole, though we're never shown him, then unceremoniously killed off (supposedly he fell from a balcony, I think Margo came back and pushed him)? Todd and Jessica, doing it since SVU? Olivia Davidson not mentioned in the dead list in the epilogue?

There is one good thing about Sweet Valley Confidential. 1BRUCE1 is alive and well.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't know much about the SV fandom, but it's good to see you posting again! Welcome back!

BBH said...

Yeah, lots of things wrong... **Spoiler alert** Jessica says she never liked Aaron Dallas, but they were BF/GF in the SVT series. Wouldn't Steven and Aaron, and Todd and Jessica pick places further away from Sweet Valley and SVU to have their affairs?

Steven and Billie were talking about getting married, but she had a miscarriage.

I started following your blog a couple of months ago, during a 'nostalgia' moment, but I haven't had time to really read it! Looking forward to doing that. Glad you're posting again!

BBH said...

Oh, and I think Francine Pascal only read the first 20 books before writing SV Confidential. That's my theory.

snappleaddict said...

Mr. Collins' son's name is Teddy, not Sam! And yes, I do recall from the few SVT books I read that Aaron Dallas was Jessica's flame then, and she sure didn't have any problems with how he looked then, now did she?

Obviously the best place to meet your secret gay lover that you're hiding from your wife is the public beach in your small town. Just like the best places to screw your twin sister's boyfriend are at a diner in said small town, or his apartment that he shares with said sister's mutual friend. I wouldn't do any different.

SVC needed more Lila and the appearance of Margo and maybe I would've overlooked the inconsistencies.

Unknown said...

Elizabeth and Bruce = BFF? WTF?

L said...

Hey I just wanted to say that your blog is one of the best thing ive stumbled upon in a long time. I'm 24 and the other day I found some of the california diaries in a book shop and I bought them all , just because I loved them so much as a kid! and i miss the days of sitting in font of the tv and watching the BSC, reading sweet valley high (because the show sucked.) and watching clueless over and over just so i could memories the lines and pretend to be like than haha. keep up the good work.