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bookishbethie 's review for:
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks
by E. Lockhart
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!