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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
There's so much to love in this one- the setting (an elite boarding school), the protagonist (a young girl challenging the patriarchal establishment), her character development, a secret society of insufferable boys, the lessons in social theory and feminism. Wish I had read it in my teens.
This was a compelling, set-in-a-boarding-school contemporary made truly special by its very interesting protagonist and feminist undertone.
I have read one other book by this author, which I claim to be one of the best I’ve ever read (We Were Liars). Then wondered why I’ve never read anything else by this author. I happened upon this one the other day and couldn’t wait to read it. It’s a fast & easy read, I practically read it in one session, not wanting to put it down. I love the author’s writing, dialogue, the personality comes through so clearly of the main character, Frankie. The story has me wishing I went to boarding school and was as sneaky and smart as she is in this story, even if she does get a bit carried away and makes some questionable decisions…this story had me giggling at a few parts and remembering my teenage yrs with fondness and desires to go back in time and be someone a little bit different. I’ll be searching out more by this author!
4.5
Gets that extra half star for the messages being promoted at the end, which all people should learn and follow.
Gets that extra half star for the messages being promoted at the end, which all people should learn and follow.
Really enjoyable read! It was fun and witty and realistic (yes, all 15-year-old girls DO think about boys all the time). I loved getting to know Frankie, and enjoyed her realizing her potential even more!
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is the first book I've read of Miss E. Lockhart's and OMG IS IT GOOD. I love everything about secret societies and find boarding schools fascinating. There's just something so romantic in the notions of both, don't you think?
Anyway, this book is smart and fun and not at all what I expected. In a lot of ways, it really reminded me of A Separate Peace. But more than that, it reminded me of one of my favorite episodes of Gilmore Girls, titled "You Jump, I Jump Jack." In it, Logan (who is very much like Alpha, but has a little Matthew in him too) tricks Rory into joining a secret society at Yale called The Life and Death Brigade. Not only did the plot of The Disreputable History remind me of this episode, but many of the male characters in the book reminded me to Logan and his group of care free, gallivanting, word-obsessed friends.
But, in Frankie is where the genius of the book really lies. I love that Lockhart crafted a smart, crafty, assertive, strong female character, who doesn't let institutions or men or boyfriends or even female friends dominate her or change her ideas, and inserted her into a good ol' boys type institution and in the middle of a good ol' boys type group of friends. Sure, Frankie is still at teenager with a boyfriend that she is obsessed with, so there are moments when she is submissive and does exactly what he wants her to do, but overall, she stands her ground. And when she decides she's had enough of being lied to, she takes matters into her own hands, and leaves an impression on everyone in her life.
If you haven't read this book, I highly, highly suggest it. It's the best book I've read thus far this year!
Anyway, this book is smart and fun and not at all what I expected. In a lot of ways, it really reminded me of A Separate Peace. But more than that, it reminded me of one of my favorite episodes of Gilmore Girls, titled "You Jump, I Jump Jack." In it, Logan (who is very much like Alpha, but has a little Matthew in him too) tricks Rory into joining a secret society at Yale called The Life and Death Brigade. Not only did the plot of The Disreputable History remind me of this episode, but many of the male characters in the book reminded me to Logan and his group of care free, gallivanting, word-obsessed friends.
But, in Frankie is where the genius of the book really lies. I love that Lockhart crafted a smart, crafty, assertive, strong female character, who doesn't let institutions or men or boyfriends or even female friends dominate her or change her ideas, and inserted her into a good ol' boys type institution and in the middle of a good ol' boys type group of friends. Sure, Frankie is still at teenager with a boyfriend that she is obsessed with, so there are moments when she is submissive and does exactly what he wants her to do, but overall, she stands her ground. And when she decides she's had enough of being lied to, she takes matters into her own hands, and leaves an impression on everyone in her life.
If you haven't read this book, I highly, highly suggest it. It's the best book I've read thus far this year!
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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