Beneath The surface

The Diary Of Isabella M Smugge by Ruth Leigh is a delightful contemporary look at life through the eyes of Instagram blogger Isabella Smugge.

This is a charming book showing a carefully crafted life on the surface. But underneath things are not always so rosy. It is a warning to remember that perfect lives seen on social media are merely snapshots and we should not take them too seriously. This book is just as telling in what Isabella Smugge doesn’t say as in what she does.

The ‘perfect’ life is staged. It is about looking good from all angles. The perfect life may actually be the perfect lie. This instant generation too often make snap judgements based on what they see online. It is not always real life. The theme of appearances versus reality looms large.

As the book progresses the real Isabella Smugge emerges. We witness her edges soften and as her life expands we see a heart of gold.