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rinda's review against another edition
3.0
Silly kids book I previewed for Lina. Main character Erica is a bit annoying but plot resolves well at the end. Set in AU by an AU author so makes it somewhat redeemable for time spent.
kiaya's review against another edition
3.0
i can't believe i missed how funny this is the first time around!
debnanceatreaderbuzz's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't know a thing about this book except (1) it is a 1001 Children's Book and (2) one of the main character has the same name as I originally had and (3) it's our book club read for January. The cover was awful and the title worried me, but I sat down to read it today and read it all in a lovely whirl of a few hours. I love the wildly imaginative Erika Yurken who manages to deal with her disappointing life with an odd combination of repeated trips to the school nurse's office and zany stories to explain all the sadnesses. Completely delightful and fully deserving of being reissued here in America with a brilliant new cover.
lattelauren's review against another edition
1.0
I had high expectations for this book as this is one that is considered a classic Australian children’s book. Unfortunately, this counts as one of my least favourite books of all time. I enjoyed nothing about this book or my experience reading it and despite the short-length, it was a struggle to finish. I was familiar with the general story, having seen the film based on this book many times. I found the film to be quite average, and my feeling was the story would likely work better with younger characters as the film’s characters were around 15 while the book characters were about 11-12. Despite this, the book did not work at all for me. I felt that while the behaviour made more sense with this age cohort, it actually failed to make the characters any more relatable. Everything in this book was annoying. I hated every single character in this book and I was not interested in the plot whatsoever. The problem is with this book is that the story itself actually has no plot. It seems like a series of semi-related events with nothing happening or anything to tie these events together adequately. In my opinion, if you are interested in the story, I would watch the movie as I got much more enjoyment from that than reading this book.
incrediblemelk's review against another edition
5.0
This book was so formative for me. It's the same kind of story as [a:Sue Townsend|28707|Sue Townsend|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1220161354p2/28707.jpg]'s Adrian Mole cycle: Erica Yurken fancies herself cultured and artistically talented, but is trapped in mundane suburban surroundings with family and classmates who constantly frustrate and humiliate her. Even her nicknames, Yuk and Erk, represent being the object of disgust.
Erica hates Alison Ashley, a recent transfer student who lives in a more salubrious neighbouring suburb, as the personification of everything Erica wants and strives for, yet fails to achieve. Things come easily to Alison, and events have her constantly showing up Erica in all the ways Erica wants to excel, and moving in on the guy Erica is crushing on. The idea that they could be friends is unthinkable… until the climactic school camp.
I think that, as with Adrian Mole, the reader is meant to see through Erica's first-person narration and realise she's much more pretentious and less talented than she thinks. But I identified deeply with Erica and her hunger to be noticed and her talents acknowledged. No wonder she hates Alison, because she hates herself. Her rage was cathartic, as I still struggle when I see my peers succeeding and being recognised on a level I only wish I could reach, and all the guys I've ever liked choosing thinner, prettier girls over me.
When I was interviewed in grade six for a scholarship at an exclusive private high school, and asked about my favourite book, I said, "Hating Alison Ashley." My mother was furious when she heard this, because apparently I should have said something more advanced, more intellectual, more canonical. But I got a full scholarship, and I felt vindicated.
Erica hates Alison Ashley, a recent transfer student who lives in a more salubrious neighbouring suburb, as the personification of everything Erica wants and strives for, yet fails to achieve. Things come easily to Alison, and events have her constantly showing up Erica in all the ways Erica wants to excel, and moving in on the guy Erica is crushing on. The idea that they could be friends is unthinkable… until the climactic school camp.
I think that, as with Adrian Mole, the reader is meant to see through Erica's first-person narration and realise she's much more pretentious and less talented than she thinks. But I identified deeply with Erica and her hunger to be noticed and her talents acknowledged. No wonder she hates Alison, because she hates herself. Her rage was cathartic, as I still struggle when I see my peers succeeding and being recognised on a level I only wish I could reach, and all the guys I've ever liked choosing thinner, prettier girls over me.
When I was interviewed in grade six for a scholarship at an exclusive private high school, and asked about my favourite book, I said, "Hating Alison Ashley." My mother was furious when she heard this, because apparently I should have said something more advanced, more intellectual, more canonical. But I got a full scholarship, and I felt vindicated.
babblingbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Actual rating 3.5 stars. A funny little novel about life in an Australian Primary School. Best suited for ages 9-11, Hating Alison Ashley features a rather obnoxious grade 6 student. Readers of this age group will enjoy the humour, and the familiar situations, such as school camp.
The protagonist Erika, nicknamed Yuk, is a great example of an unreliable narrator and there is a lot of enjoyment to be had in reading between the lines on many of the situations that arise throughout the story. When the outwardly perfect Alison Ashley arrives at Barringa East Primary Erika is initially determined to impress Alison, but quickly draws the assumption that Alison is too 'high and mighty' for the disadvantaged school with its rough and tumble collection of students and stressed out teachers.
The story covers various different aspects typical to Primary School life, from visits to the sick bay to get out of class, hiding in the library to avoid social situations, messing around in art class, dealing with difficult classmates (surely every class has a 'Barry Hollis' who is always causing trouble!) and culminates in the highlight of any Primary School year, school camp.
Erika goes on a wonderful journey, and ends the book appreciating her family rather than deriding them, finding her place as a director rather than as the lead actress, and of course making up with Alison Ashley and learning to understand that her outwardly perfect life might not be so perfect afterall.
I think this is a really great book for Primary School aged students, but it's not something that will appeal much to readers over the age of 12, as it is quite a simple, and young, little tale.
The protagonist Erika, nicknamed Yuk, is a great example of an unreliable narrator and there is a lot of enjoyment to be had in reading between the lines on many of the situations that arise throughout the story. When the outwardly perfect Alison Ashley arrives at Barringa East Primary Erika is initially determined to impress Alison, but quickly draws the assumption that Alison is too 'high and mighty' for the disadvantaged school with its rough and tumble collection of students and stressed out teachers.
The story covers various different aspects typical to Primary School life, from visits to the sick bay to get out of class, hiding in the library to avoid social situations, messing around in art class, dealing with difficult classmates (surely every class has a 'Barry Hollis' who is always causing trouble!) and culminates in the highlight of any Primary School year, school camp.
Erika goes on a wonderful journey, and ends the book appreciating her family rather than deriding them, finding her place as a director rather than as the lead actress, and of course making up with Alison Ashley and learning to understand that her outwardly perfect life might not be so perfect afterall.
I think this is a really great book for Primary School aged students, but it's not something that will appeal much to readers over the age of 12, as it is quite a simple, and young, little tale.
claudia_bow's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
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