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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
This was my first dose of Aussie literature and I enjoyed it. This was a great coming of age novel although once in a while I rolled my eyes about how blatantly the author discussed some of the social issues.
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Domestic abuse, Xenophobia
I read this book at some point in high school, when I was probably around Josephine’s age. I just reread it (actually listened to the audiobook) and it was still just as great as I remembered.
I love the development of the relationship between Josephine and her grandma.
Great book! An especially good book if you're of Italian descent, if you're not this book is still great! It deals with family drama, boy drama,suicide and even discrimination. There are so many themes and messages in the book and Melina Marchetta creates a perfect combination of them all. I would recommend this to any teenage girl.
I love Ms. Marchetta. I really do. Her books always leave me educated a bit more about life after reading. I'm giving this book four stars, which to my Marchetta standards, really is rating it low. Don't get me wrong, four stars is still great. But there was one part of the book I didn't like which is too bad because it didn't happen until the very end. So really, I was enjoying this book for the most part and then, whammo! She killed it for me. There was no premonition that it was going to happen...it just did. I didn't buy Jacob's pile of rubbish bullshit for breaking up with her.
The thing is, no matter how angst-ridden, heart-wrenching, sobs-inducing her stories are, she'd still managed to give each one their happily ever after. This one sort of got her happy ending but not really.
Nonetheless, I love the way she writes the evolving stories of family, friendship and love in Australia (makes me want to pack up my family and move there!).
The thing is, no matter how angst-ridden, heart-wrenching, sobs-inducing her stories are, she'd still managed to give each one their happily ever after. This one sort of got her happy ending but not really.
Nonetheless, I love the way she writes the evolving stories of family, friendship and love in Australia (makes me want to pack up my family and move there!).
emotional
hopeful
reflective
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Marchetta is a genius. Every single book of hers is fulfilling.
"You've already drunk one. Do you think I'm made of money or something?"
"What a ridiculous question. I suppose you're going to ask me if I like pasta next?"
Josephine is such a vivid, dramatic, vivacious character who is easily lovable.
Jose's relationship with her Mama. The relationship development between her and her father, and between her and her Nonna - if you know me, I am fascinated by familial dynamics so these were a sight to behold.
As for her romances, Marchetta is my favourite. They do not drive the plot of the narrative but act as a part of it. This one in particular - Jacob and Josie - was lovely, I feel bittersweet but I am in love with realism and the fact they don't fit well at this moment in time means that one day their heads might align and they may become a possibility.
I've figured out that is doesn't matter whether I'm Josephine Andretti who was never an Alibrandi, who should have been a Sandford and who may never been a Coote. It matters who I feel like I am--and I feel like Michael and Christina's daughter and Katia's granddaughter; Sera, Anna and Lee's friend; and Robert's Cousin.
"You've already drunk one. Do you think I'm made of money or something?"
"What a ridiculous question. I suppose you're going to ask me if I like pasta next?"
Josephine is such a vivid, dramatic, vivacious character who is easily lovable.
Jose's relationship with her Mama. The relationship development between her and her father, and between her and her Nonna - if you know me, I am fascinated by familial dynamics so these were a sight to behold.
As for her romances, Marchetta is my favourite. They do not drive the plot of the narrative but act as a part of it. This one in particular - Jacob and Josie - was lovely, I feel bittersweet but I am in love with realism and the fact they don't fit well at this moment in time means that one day their heads might align and they may become a possibility.
I've figured out that is doesn't matter whether I'm Josephine Andretti who was never an Alibrandi, who should have been a Sandford and who may never been a Coote. It matters who I feel like I am--and I feel like Michael and Christina's daughter and Katia's granddaughter; Sera, Anna and Lee's friend; and Robert's Cousin.
Clarification: 4.5 stars
Oh what a tangled web she weaves! And no, I’m not referring to Shakespeare or even deception for that matter. I’m talking about Melina Marchetta and her wonderful way of weaving a story with such breathtaking and dynamic relationships. It’s almost as if I can feel the emotions that her characters are going through; which leads me to believe that I’m either an empath or Marchetta is just that good. I’m going for the latter.
I’m not going to waste time (yours or mine) by giving you a plot summary. Frankly, you can read the synopsis, other reviews, or better yet, the actual book. Instead I’ll focus on sharing a few of the many things that made me love this novel.
1. My love for this book would not be complete without Josephine Alibrandi. She has such a warm heart and forgiving nature. I loved the way she welcomed her father into her life without resentment. I love that she has values and a strong sense of family.
2. Australia has been dubbed one of the friendliest countries in the world. However Marchetta has given the rest of us a glimpse of the real Australia. And while I am sure it is a country filled with smiles, rainbows, and butterflies I’ve learned that these are not its defining traits. It is a country filled with a rich history, diversity, prejudice, and some very kick ass slang. I mean, who walks around saying words like wog? And wagged? The Australians that’s who! And while most of the slang in this book went over my head it didn’t take away from the enjoyment factor (it added to it).
3. Can I just say how refreshing it was to read about ‘real’ Italians? Because it was! I am a little misled about their culture because of shows like the Jersey Shore and Jerseylicious (which I admit are my guilty pleasures). But these were far from the Gorilla Juiceheads we watch on MTV. Marcehetta showed us the gossipy neighbors, the outdated yet strong traditions, the fiery tempered and passionate Italians that are often overshadowed by their vulgar MTV counterparts.
One has to wonder what Australia is in hiding ‘down under’. Because Melina Marchetta is certainly a hidden gem.
Oh what a tangled web she weaves! And no, I’m not referring to Shakespeare or even deception for that matter. I’m talking about Melina Marchetta and her wonderful way of weaving a story with such breathtaking and dynamic relationships. It’s almost as if I can feel the emotions that her characters are going through; which leads me to believe that I’m either an empath or Marchetta is just that good. I’m going for the latter.
I’m not going to waste time (yours or mine) by giving you a plot summary. Frankly, you can read the synopsis, other reviews, or better yet, the actual book. Instead I’ll focus on sharing a few of the many things that made me love this novel.
1. My love for this book would not be complete without Josephine Alibrandi. She has such a warm heart and forgiving nature. I loved the way she welcomed her father into her life without resentment. I love that she has values and a strong sense of family.
2. Australia has been dubbed one of the friendliest countries in the world. However Marchetta has given the rest of us a glimpse of the real Australia. And while I am sure it is a country filled with smiles, rainbows, and butterflies I’ve learned that these are not its defining traits. It is a country filled with a rich history, diversity, prejudice, and some very kick ass slang. I mean, who walks around saying words like wog? And wagged? The Australians that’s who! And while most of the slang in this book went over my head it didn’t take away from the enjoyment factor (it added to it).
3. Can I just say how refreshing it was to read about ‘real’ Italians? Because it was! I am a little misled about their culture because of shows like the Jersey Shore and Jerseylicious (which I admit are my guilty pleasures). But these were far from the Gorilla Juiceheads we watch on MTV. Marcehetta showed us the gossipy neighbors, the outdated yet strong traditions, the fiery tempered and passionate Italians that are often overshadowed by their vulgar MTV counterparts.
One has to wonder what Australia is in hiding ‘down under’. Because Melina Marchetta is certainly a hidden gem.
I actually cried. That's never happened to me before. Crazy stuff.