Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin (2004): Summary of the Book
Something Borrowed is the debut novel of American author Emily Giffin, published in 2004. It is a romantic comedy novel about the complexities of friendship, love, and loyalty. The story follows Rachel White, a young attorney living in Manhattan who is at a crossroads in her life. She is soon to turn thirty and is struggling to come to terms with her single status and the choices she has made in life. When her best friend Darcy’s fiancé Dex reveals that he has feelings for Rachel, Rachel is forced to make a difficult decision between her loyalty to Darcy and her own desires.
The book explores the themes of morality and the gray areas between right and wrong. Rachel is a sympathetic character who the readers will root for as she navigates her complicated situation. It is a story of self-discovery and coming to terms with one’s own life. It is both humorous and heartfelt, and readers will be able to relate to Rachel’s struggles. The book has remained popular since its publication, and was adapted into a film in 2011.
Main Characters
- Rachel White is a thirty-year-old attorney living in Manhattan. She is a loyal friend and has been friends with Darcy since law school. She is driven and successful in her career, but is struggling to come to terms with her single status and the choices she has made in life.
- Darcy Rhone is Rachel’s best friend since law school. She is beautiful, stylish, and confident. She is also selfish and has a tendency to take advantage of Rachel and their friendship.
- Dexter Todd is Darcy’s fiancé and Rachel’s childhood friend and secret crush. He is charming, funny, and smart. He is torn between his loyalty to Darcy and his feelings for Rachel, which leads to a complicated situation.
Plot Summary
The story begins with Rachel attending her best friend Darcy’s engagement party. It is there that Dex, Darcy’s fiancé and Rachel’s childhood friend, reveals to her that he has feelings for her. Rachel is thrown into a difficult situation, as she is torn between her loyalty to her best friend and her own feelings for Dex. She is also struggling with her feelings of guilt and shame for wanting something that she knows she shouldn’t.
Rachel and Dex embark on a secret relationship and try to keep it a secret from Darcy. However, Rachel’s guilt and the strain of the situation begin to take a toll on her. She eventually decides to tell Darcy the truth, and the two friends have a huge fight. Rachel is devastated and decides to take a break from her job and go on a vacation to Mexico.
In Mexico, Rachel has a chance to reflect on her situation and come to terms with the choices she has made and the person she has become. She realizes that she has to be true to herself and make the choices that are best for her. She also learns to be more honest with herself and with others about her feelings. She eventually returns to New York and makes a decision about her relationship with Dex.
Interesting Facts
- The book was a New York Times bestseller and was on the list for several weeks.
- The book was adapted into a film in 2011, starring Ginnifer Goodwin as Rachel and Kate Hudson as Darcy.
- The book has been translated into over twenty languages, including Spanish, French, and German.
FAQs
What is Something Borrowed about?
Something Borrowed is a romantic comedy novel about the complexities of friendship, love, and loyalty. It follows Rachel White, a young attorney living in Manhattan who is at a crossroads in her life. When her best friend Darcy’s fiancé Dex reveals that he has feelings for her, Rachel is forced to make a difficult decision between her loyalty to Darcy and her own desires.
Who wrote Something Borrowed?
Something Borrowed was written by American author Emily Giffin and was published in 2004. It was her debut novel.
Was Something Borrowed made into a movie?
Yes, Something Borrowed was adapted into a film in 2011, starring Ginnifer Goodwin as Rachel and Kate Hudson as Darcy.
What languages was Something Borrowed translated into?
Something Borrowed has been translated into over twenty languages, including Spanish, French, and German.