In his first book, The Savage Girl, Alex Shakar tells the tale of four ambitious young adults attempting to conquer commercialism, and then redefine it. The main character Ursula Van Urden, breaks into the fashion industry by becoming a 'trendspotter'. Her first assignment leads her to 'the savage girl', a primitive, disgusting, and seemingly antithetical figure of commercial beauty. Ursula's discovery prompts the marketing campaign for a new product called "diet water," which soon becomes the epitome of commercial absurdity. In a humourous and thought provoking novel, Shakar explores such questions as:

Is advertising the motor behind society?

Has marketing and hype created a world where all our beliefs are based on fallacy?

Is there any real meaning in popular culture today, or is popular culture just a corporate strategm for encouraging people to spend money?

Alex Shakar creates four irresistibly intriguing characters who's attempt to conquer society's fashion engine, leads to some bizarre, yet plausible conclusions about society. The Savage Girl is a delightful and observant rebuttal of everything we think we know about the advertising industry. A ridiculously enticing book!

This book questions the very nature of image - something that (whether we like it or not) is a very real part of all of our lives as it provides the primary basis that we observe the people around us and judge ourselves accordingly. Read this book! It will change your world...

An amazing book with an intriguing central idea, The Savage Girl helps put into perspective every bit of chaotic thought-control that marketing has put forth upon us. Very funny and clever, I am going to recommend this to anyone who complains pop culture has gone to hell. I can't wait to read Shakar's book of short stories next!