This funny and thought-provoking novel deserves a wider audience than the young adults it seems aimed at.
I enjoyed the quirky style of the writing which helped lighten the mood, despite describing sometimes awful situations, and several references to unfamiliar aspects of US popular culture did not detract from this too much. I really cared about what happened to the lovable characters and the story never flagged.
I was a little frustrated by some of the magical elements of the story when it was difficult to work out how much was supposed to be down to Esther’s vivid imagination. I also felt that certain changes in circumstances were not satisfactorily explained at the end.
However, the descriptions of anxiety felt true to life and the courage shown was inspirational.
I enjoyed the quirky style of the writing which helped lighten the mood, despite describing sometimes awful situations, and several references to unfamiliar aspects of US popular culture did not detract from this too much. I really cared about what happened to the lovable characters and the story never flagged.
I was a little frustrated by some of the magical elements of the story when it was difficult to work out how much was supposed to be down to Esther’s vivid imagination. I also felt that certain changes in circumstances were not satisfactorily explained at the end.
However, the descriptions of anxiety felt true to life and the courage shown was inspirational.