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Summary: Material Girl Gets Sick
Review: I have almost no opinion on Karen Duffy before I read this book, but after reading what is apparently her last fling at publicity, I'm glad I never wasted my time on her. What a shallow, materialistic person she shows herself to be! Her views about about living with a serious disease are cliched and nothing more than you'd read in a magazine article in Glamour ("bring a nice bathrobe with you to the hospital"). And her gossip about her old boyfriends reveals her to be a ruthless golddigger who dangles guys along to extract more presents from them. And boy, does she crow when she hits the jackpot from some lovesick sap. She can't simply say, "so-and-so bought me a nice ring for Christmas," she has to say, "so-and-so bought me a 20 carat, near-perfect topaz ring with a beveled platinum band." I'm surprised that she didn't include copies of the insurance appraisals of all the jewelry her ex's bought her. This is somebody who lives off of reflected glory, and frankly, I felt sorry for her not because of her physical infirmities, but because of her psychological ones. Let's hope she fades into the obscurity she richly deserves. If you need information about her physical ailment, don't waste your money on buying her book, donate it to a foundation that wil actually do some good for ill people. This Material Girl gives living with sickness a bad name.
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Summary: "Patient" Is A Virtue!
Review: Ok, I admit it. I was looking for some real escapist reading and figured that a book by Karen Duffy called "Model Patient" would fit the bill. I expected a slap-dash tell all with a big dose "oh-feel-sorry-for-me-because-I-have-the-disease-of-the-week." Was I wrong. I found the book totally engrossing and found that I had had a completely skewed idea of what kind of person Duffy is. She turns out not only to be whipcrack smart but also completely down to earth about having had a major fling with minor stardom. She seems as surprised and bemused by it all as you would be if you suddenly found yourself inside your TV looking out, a refreshing perspective. She also has a surprisingly healthy relationship with the disease that almost killed her. Rather than feeling crushed by it or (gag) made somehow noble by it, she seems to treat it like the bully up the block who may not be going away but is not going to be permitted to stand in the way of a good time. I have to admit that her grit made me feel whiny about my (relatively) petty complaints. Having undergone a recent hospitalization, I was pleasantly surprised that there were some genuinely useful tips and sidebars about surviving the cure as well as the disease. And, yes, Duffy throws in enough juicy celeb gossip to easily justify the price of the book. I usually like my dish a little more salty and tart than this but there are more actual insights offered here than in your average unauthorized biography. In the end, Karen Duffy, as she comes across in this book, is just great company. I have already given away several copies to friends and family members going through, shall we say, unplanned life-altering experiences but I would recommend this to anyone who likes a brisk, eye-opening read that let's you walk in someone else's (Prada) shoes and realize that the fantasy life is the one you are already living. Eden Pell
Rating: 
Summary: Fun, light read, annoying name dropping
Review: We bought this book as my wife was recently diagnosised with sarcoidosis. The humor of the author pervades this book, and her positive attitude about her illness was enjoyable. However, the constant name dropping of who she was dating and where she was going out to gets real boring and annoying fast. A nice, very light enjoyable read, but seems more suited as a book for Duffy fans.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: Couldn't put Model Patient down. Karen Duffy proves to be a charming, eloquent and above all courageous human being. Read this book, it's wonderful.
Rating:
Summary: RX for laughs!
Review: Read two chapters of this book and call me in the morning to tell me how much you loved it! It was funny and moving, I am sure you will laugh out loud! Thanks for sharing your story Duff... You are so inspirational!
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Summary: What a waste!
Review: It amazes me how many people actually think this book is good. They must all be part of the Duff publicity circle. This woman is fake and phony! The book has very little to do with disease and almost everything to do her superficial personality and lifestyle. It is disturbing to think that she will profit from this garbage. She should donate all proceeds from the sale of the book to those that are truely less fortunate. But most likely she is laughing her "wiseass" all the way to the bank. How can this possibly help people who have a disease? Is disease a ticket to fame and fortune? Hmmm, I have a headache, does anyone think George Clooney will go out with me?
Rating: 
Summary: Cool, Funny, and Inspirational?
Review: Those who are familiar with Karen Duffy's work know that she's "not just another pretty face". This book gives new evidence of her unique outlook on life and strong personality. What a great way to turn something negative like an illness into something 100% positive, and uncommonly funny. It's hard to find inspirational books that don't sound corny, but I found one!
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Summary: Everygirl laughs thru fame and pain
Review: Duff describes herself as a c-level celeb., but with this breezy, slapstick book, she reveals she has missed her calling as a comedy writer. This hard-to-put-down memoir reads like a kooky sort of Nancy Drew-meets-ER. Will the hapless model/actress discover why her body fell apart on the night of the Emmys? Will she figure out how to decide between her drunken rock star boyfriend, the fatboy Saturday Night Live comic, and a balding, gentlemanly country music singer/actor? The citygirl exploits are balanced with sections that give practical tips for ill persons, like order in food if you're confined to a hospital bed, and bribe nurses and doctors with candy to get them to pay attention to you. A crafty, funny one, this Karen Duffy.
Rating:
Summary: Model Patient
Review: Who would have thought a book about someone with such a grave disease would actually be fun to read? Karen Duffy's tales of surving sarcoidosis were both educational and entertaining. I laughed out loud.
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Summary: Glass half-full!
Review: I strongly recommend this book to anyone who is suffering, or knows of someone suffering from a life-threatening illness. Duffy shows us how to persevere the hard times and how a little bit of laughter can go a long way. Her humor is so refreshing! Thanks for making me see the positive side of a negative situation, Karen!
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