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holly41102's review against another edition
3.0
*2.5 stars* I wasn't really sure what to rate this. I thought maybe 3 stars but that is too much for this book and the book I don't think deserves 2. I really enjoyed the first part but towards the end I started really not enjoying the book. I still don't understand what the purpose of the part where Frankie was sitting on the pier at the start of the book and another boy came along. I would have though maybe it was her love interest but it was a different character which didn't even remember her at the pier. I found all the characters irritating and annoying and they weren't well rounded characters. This was pretty disappointing compared to Lockhart's other books.
amethystarchild's review against another edition
4.0
“The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks” is a contemporary young adult novel, with strong themes of feminism. Frankie is attending a prestigious prep school, and has finally blossomed into a beautiful sophomore girl. She attracts the attention of a handsome senior Matthew, and they start dating. She discovers that there is an all-male secret society on campus that pulls pranks. Angry and envious of her boyfriend’s brotherhood in the organization, and sick of being suppressed by her family and friends into hiding her intelligence, she hatches a scheme. She tricks the members of the society into following her orders by posing as their leader through emails. She creates elaborate pranks that make social statement, and coerces the administration into making the school a better place. When the real president gets in trouble for her misdeeds she steps forward as the culprit surprising everyone who underestimated her. She loses her boyfriend, but by the end she cares more about her own self-respect, than about the opinions of others.
Content warnings:
-Some underage drinking
-Mild swears
-Some slightly promiscuous scenarios
-Triggers: secret societies, ladies underwear, passionate kissing
My least favorite genre is Realistic fiction, so when I was assigned this book I wasn’t excited to read it, but the story telling style, and the main character Frankie were really interesting and fun. As a woman I was excited and interested by the feminist themes in the novel, I had some fist pump moments as Frankie showed us that girls can be masterminds too. It felt cheesy at certain points, and sometimes I questioned if something like this could realistically occur, but it pulled itself off pretty well. Frankie does seem a bit obsessive about wanting to be part of the club, which was strange, but coming from such a gender oppressive environment, I can perhaps she why she is at this level of dedication. I wouldn’t recommend this to a younger teenage girl, but an older teen I think would enjoy this novel. It has a good feminist message that doesn’t advocate women superiority, but instead gender equality. I recommend this book highly.
Content warnings:
-Some underage drinking
-Mild swears
-Some slightly promiscuous scenarios
-Triggers: secret societies, ladies underwear, passionate kissing
My least favorite genre is Realistic fiction, so when I was assigned this book I wasn’t excited to read it, but the story telling style, and the main character Frankie were really interesting and fun. As a woman I was excited and interested by the feminist themes in the novel, I had some fist pump moments as Frankie showed us that girls can be masterminds too. It felt cheesy at certain points, and sometimes I questioned if something like this could realistically occur, but it pulled itself off pretty well. Frankie does seem a bit obsessive about wanting to be part of the club, which was strange, but coming from such a gender oppressive environment, I can perhaps she why she is at this level of dedication. I wouldn’t recommend this to a younger teenage girl, but an older teen I think would enjoy this novel. It has a good feminist message that doesn’t advocate women superiority, but instead gender equality. I recommend this book highly.
magikspells's review against another edition
4.0
This book basically flew by. But it was a very enjoyable listen. Frankie is a pretty likable protagonist and I enjoyed the whole taking down of the patriarchy aspect of it. I did like that her sister was in on it too so it wasn't just one strong female character in the sea of men. I'm just pretty sure this wasn't a YA book, it seems way younger, particularly in the third person perspective.
protoman21's review against another edition
4.0
A fun book about a girl who wants to be a part of her boyfriend's secret society. She doesn't really care about the things they do, but she does want to feel like she belongs and doesn't want to be purposefully excluded. Frankie is a realistic character who makes mistakes and sometimes does things without realizing the real reason she is doing them or acts contrary to her true goals. Sometimes that kind of character frustrates me, despite the fact that it is realistic, but Frankie managed to remain endearing despite this character flaw. The various hijinks of the Basset Hounds were amusing and provided fine entertainment as well.
sam_salabam's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
kalehummus's review against another edition
This book was such a fun and quick read! It's about a girl who's at a WASPy school and retaliates because she (a female student) can't join an all-male secret society. Great for budding feminists and also 30-year-old women home at their parents house in the suburbs because the holidays and suburbs are just so gosh-darn boring..
julija_1975's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5