Sophie Kinsella is an English author, best known for writing the Shopaholic series. Her real name is Madeleine Sophie Wickham, but she prefers to sell her books under her pen name.
Kinsella is a beloved author too, and her books have always been well-received. The first two installments of the Shopaholic series were even adapted into a film, starring Isla Fisher. Unfortunately, the author shared a saddening update about her health, opening up about her fight with glioblastoma.
What is glioblastoma, the medical condition that has affected Sophie Kinsella?
Sophie Kinsella is a renowned author who rose to prominence quite early on in her life. She released her first book, The Tennis Party, when she was only 26. The book went on to become a best-seller, and it brought numerous accolades Kinsella’s way. The Tennis Party‘s success saw Kinsella burst onto the scene, and she has not looked back since.
Since then, the author has only grown in stature as a writer. The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic, which came out at the turn of the century, remains one of her best works. Such was its popularity that the book was adapted into a film called Confessions of a Shopaholic. Isla Fisher played the protagonist, Rebecca Bloomwood, who has one addiction: shopping.
Even though it is a lighthearted read, critics have praised it unanimously for using humor to shine a light on modern problems. The book remains one of Kinsella’s best-sellers, and so far she has sold 45 million copies of her works.
The author shared a depressing update recently, though. She took to Instagram to announce that she had been battling glioblastoma since 2022. “At the moment, all is stable, and I am feeling generally very well, though I get very tired, and my memory is even worse than it was before,” she wrote.
According to Cancer Research UK, glioblastoma is a very aggressive kind of brain cancer stemming from glial cells. It also happens to be the most common form of a malignant brain tumor in adults, since according to the website, 32% of brain tumors belong to this category. The prognosis depends on the grade of the tumor, and how quickly it is likely to spread.
Since Kinsella shared this update, support has been pouring in for her from all quarters. Even Isla Fisher, who starred in the film, and has been in the news for her divorce, left her best wishes for a swift recovery.
What is Confessions of a Shopaholic, starring Isla Fisher, about?
Fisher played Rebecca Bloomwood in the 2009 film that was adapted from the book. Directed by P. J. Hogan, the film also stars Hugh Dancy as Bloomwood’s boss.
As a journalist, she dreams of working for the fashion magazine Alette one day. Bloomwood derives her happiness from possessing items that she was denied as a child because they were expensive. However, as a grown woman with a source of income, she knows what she wants, even if that means going into a debt of $16,000.
Fisher shouldered the film very well, and her natural charm and comedic genius made it an enjoyable watch. Unfortunately, at the time of its release, the film drew a lot of criticism. It got scathing reviews from all quarters and ended its run with a rating of only 26% on Rotten Tomatoes.
While the film might not be a head-scratcher, it really did manage to show how people can be fiscally irresponsible in their 20s. Confessions of a Shopaholic can be streamed on Disney+.
