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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
jemima_reads15's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Complicated
justaromancereader's review against another edition
3.0
I used to like this book in primary school. I liked the concept of the story, but I guess it didn't hold me that much.
lisa_bee88's review against another edition
4.0
Both the book and the movie are my comfort go-to's. They are so quintessentially daggy and Australian and make me think about the good and the bad aspects of primary school and school camp.
Erica Yurken, you ill tempered, over exaggerating hypochondriac - you just get me.
Erica Yurken, you ill tempered, over exaggerating hypochondriac - you just get me.
amber_h's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Fantastic and very funny. It feels nostalgic to read this book now – although the story is in many ways timeless, it captures a 1980s Australian working class childhood beautifully.
The humour still stands up today, but I think the story would have been written differently now. Erica would have said a more heartfelt apology to Alison; Alison wouldn't have been so unfailingly nice to Erica; and Erica wouldn't have made quite the same type of observations about people throughout.
The humour still stands up today, but I think the story would have been written differently now. Erica would have said a more heartfelt apology to Alison; Alison wouldn't have been so unfailingly nice to Erica; and Erica wouldn't have made quite the same type of observations about people throughout.
saloniporwal's review against another edition
4.0
Even though the story is so simple and just about a girl who hates another, there is so much fun. Erica's crazy antics, her siblings, her mother, her mother's boyfriend will all keep you in stiches. Klein has a hidden message behind this book which ...more
depsy34's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
tulgey_wood's review against another edition
4.0
Hating Alison Ashley is about a girl named Erica. Erica wants to be the best at everything. She also wants to be rich, and beautiful, and well dressed, and famous, and very important. Alison Ashley is a new girl at Erica's school. Alison Ashley seems to be everything that Erica isn't. Rather than trying to make friends with Alison or seeing things from Alison's point of view, Erica constantly tries to lie and one up Alison.
*Spoiler Alert: But at the end Erica learns that some of the things she thought she wanted aren't really right for her anyway. She learns that it's not so bad to be herself. She learns that the grass isn't always greener on the other side. And she befriends Alison Ashley*
This is a fun book for kids and even for adults who are looking for something lighthearted and quick to read.
*Spoiler Alert: But at the end Erica learns that some of the things she thought she wanted aren't really right for her anyway. She learns that it's not so bad to be herself. She learns that the grass isn't always greener on the other side. And she befriends Alison Ashley*
This is a fun book for kids and even for adults who are looking for something lighthearted and quick to read.
jstilts's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Absolutely loved this audiobook regardless that it's aimed at kids - it's an extremely funny Australian school dramedy from the 80s, set in a rough primary school that see's new girl Alison from the posh end of town join the school due to a re-zoning fluke.
Main character Erica and (only self-proclaimed) smartest kid in the school is at first in awe of Alison but quickly becomes envious of her smart, quiet and perfect ways. Erica invents all sorts of outlandish lies to make her own life sound better while lashing out at Alison's imagined snobbery, not realising Alison's life is far from perfect - and ignoring that the rest of the school has no trouble accepting the new girl.
Things come to a head at the school camp, and it all ends rather neatly where Erica has a chance to both address her self-confidence issues and see the real Alison Ashley.
The narrator really throws herself into each role with gusto, bringing to life the whole school and family of characters. I haven't read the original book, and while it's regarded as a classic I imagine the narrator is still elevating it.
Main character Erica and (only self-proclaimed) smartest kid in the school is at first in awe of Alison but quickly becomes envious of her smart, quiet and perfect ways. Erica invents all sorts of outlandish lies to make her own life sound better while lashing out at Alison's imagined snobbery, not realising Alison's life is far from perfect - and ignoring that the rest of the school has no trouble accepting the new girl.
Things come to a head at the school camp, and it all ends rather neatly where Erica has a chance to both address her self-confidence issues and see the real Alison Ashley.
The narrator really throws herself into each role with gusto, bringing to life the whole school and family of characters. I haven't read the original book, and while it's regarded as a classic I imagine the narrator is still elevating it.
mairelon's review against another edition
4.0
I picked up Hating Alison Ashley again to write about for uni, and I wasn't expecting to love it so much again. I used to read it all the time from primary school to, like, year 9 because it's such a good story.
Erica is terrible, and I love her for it. Alison Ashley learns to be terrible, and I love her for that too.
The last scene made me so so happy too I can't even place why. It was just Very Good.
Erica is terrible, and I love her for it. Alison Ashley learns to be terrible, and I love her for that too.
The last scene made me so so happy too I can't even place why. It was just Very Good.
tazzie666devil's review
5.0
Aussie book made into an Aussie movie... what's not to love.
Love both the book and movie.
Fun, easy read.
Love supporting my Aussie authors
Love both the book and movie.
Fun, easy read.
Love supporting my Aussie authors