Iconic movie inspires Cape Breton writer to take ‘girly’ art seriously in new book

Author Veronica Litt talks about her debut novel "Ugh! As If!: Clueless."

It’s been thirty years since the movie “Clueless” debuted in theatres and left its indelible mark on a generation.

Veronice Litt is an Ontario author who’s a resident of North Sydney, N.S. She calls herself an “unabashed girly art defender” which is one of the reasons her book “ugh! as if! clueless” was inspired by the 1995 film.

“I think it’s really important to amplify optimism and hope,” Litt said. “I really respect that this movie shows us the beauty, and I think the world-changing power of naiveté and femininity.”

The book is meant to be bright, shiny and for girls – just like the movie, Litt said.

“I was going to try to uncover all the things that make this genre so special and resonant.”

Litt said she thinks “Clueless” is still widely discussed because of the movie’s high-quality writing.

“It’s so sharp,” she said. “It’s so clever.”

The iconic lines that stuck with fans of the movie are complimented by a “big-hearted message,” said Litt. She called it a feel-good movie about a girl who becomes a budding activist and a group of teenagers trying to make a difference in their community.

“This movie really believes that unlikely people can change for the better and contribute to their world,” Litt said. “That’s a message that we’re still really interested in hearing.”

Litt said she hopes people will get some hope from the book and see it as a model for thinking deeply about popular and “girly” art.

“I think that this is a really smart form of media if you give it attention.”

Litt’s debut book, “ugh! as if, clueless” is available June 3.

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