Sophie Kinsella, the renowned English writer, has just revealed to her fans that she has brain cancer. She did so through a post on social media in which she talked about the treatments she had to undergo and why she decided not to make the news public earlier. Let's find out more about the author of the bestseller I Love Shopping.
Life and Career
Sophie Kinsella, pseudonym of Madeleine Sophie Wickham was born in London on December 12, 1969 (thus she is 54 years old). After graduating in Politics, Economics, and Philosophy at New College, Oxford, she briefly worked as a financial journalist before dedicating herself entirely to fiction. She published seven romance novels under her real name, not very well known to the general public. In 2000, she switched to the so-called "chick lit" genre, publishing her first international success, The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic, which was translated into Italian as I Love Shopping. Between 2000 and 2010, she signed as Kinsella nine more novels, including five sequels to I Love Shopping.
The Success of I Love Shopping
I Love Shopping by Sophie Kinsella, originally titled "The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic", is one of the most emblematic novels of the chick lit genre, first published in 2000. The series has enjoyed tremendous international success, consolidating Kinsella's reputation as one of the most beloved and followed authors of her genre. The protagonist of the novel, Rebecca Bloomwood, is a financial journalist with an immoderate passion for shopping. Despite her job leading her to advise others on how to manage their money, Becky constantly finds herself overwhelmed by debt due to her compulsive spending. The contradiction between her professional life and personal life offers not only moments of lightness and humor but also opens a window on deeper themes such as self-control, responsibility, and the pursuit of happiness. The light and often hilarious tone with which Kinsella recounts Becky's adventures has won over readers looking for a pleasant and carefree read. The success of I Love Shopping led to the creation of a film of the same name in 2009, starring Isla Fisher as Becky. Although the film made some changes to the plot of the book, it further amplified interest and appreciation for Becky's character and her financial misadventures.
The Works
The series that tells the reckless adventures of Becky Bloomwood (published in Italy by Mondadori) continues with I love shopping in white (2003), I love shopping with my sister (2004), I love shopping for the baby (2007), I love mini shopping (2010), and I love shopping in Hollywood (2014). Among her other books are Can You Keep a Secret? (2003), The Domestic Goddess (2005), Remember Me? (2008), Twenties Girl (2009), I've Got Your Number (2011), Wedding Night (2013) Finding Audrey (2015), My Not So Perfect Life (2017), Surprise Me (2018), Family First (2019), I Love Shopping at Christmas (2019), Love Your Life (2020), and I Owe You One (2023) all published by Mondadori.
Personal Life
She currently lives in London with her husband Henry Wickham and five children (Freddy, Hugo, Oscar, Rex, and Sybella). Her sister, Gemma Townley, is also a writer (and musician) of modest success.
The Illness
The English writer announced on April 17 that she has brain cancer. She explained that she had undergone surgery and that she is undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy. She announced it herself with a message on social media. "I have wanted to share with you a health update for a long time - the author of many bestsellers writes - and I was waiting for the strength to do it. At the end of 2022, I was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. I didn't share it earlier because I wanted to make sure my children were able to hear and process the news in privacy and adjust to our new normal".
This article is automatically translated