longlost's review
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Among the quoted praises for this book is: "The Monster of Her Age is as much an homage to film as it is to family and heart-fluttering crushes."
This is absolutely accurate. As much care is paid to the world-building of film and cinema history as it is to the story of Ellie and her family, along with her budding relationship with Riya, and it serves the story well through its intricate ties to the themes & characters and in how well it makes the world and history depicted here seem alive. The passion in this book is palpable, and it made it that much more enjoyable to read. Much like Ellie herself, I now have some films to add to my never-ending watchlist based on the discussions in this book.
The subject matter is heavy at times, but handled with care. The way trauma was presentedand discussed and the subsequent conflicting feelings Ellie harboured regarding her family really spoke to me on a personal level. Ultimately, her journey to better understanding herself and her feelings was a cathartic one to read.
This is absolutely accurate. As much care is paid to the world-building of film and cinema history as it is to the story of Ellie and her family, along with her budding relationship with Riya, and it serves the story well through its intricate ties to the themes & characters and in how well it makes the world and history depicted here seem alive. The passion in this book is palpable, and it made it that much more enjoyable to read. Much like Ellie herself, I now have some films to add to my never-ending watchlist based on the discussions in this book.
The subject matter is heavy at times, but handled with care. The way trauma was presentedand discussed and the subsequent conflicting feelings Ellie harboured regarding her family really spoke to me on a personal level. Ultimately, her journey to better understanding herself and her feelings was a cathartic one to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Child abuse, and Medical content
Moderate: Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Bullying, and Death of parent
Minor: Car accident, Misogyny, and Sexual assault
bestdressedbookworm's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I’m actually DNFing this with only about 30 pages to go. I can’t take this anymore. Ok I quickly skimmed the last 30 and it added no value. A stupid 5 page random argument and resolution that lacked any impact because I knew it wasn’t Riya.
It’s a bit pathetic when the most mature character in this entire story is the 17 year old brought in as the love interest.
In this story we follow Ellie, and her family of semi famous thespians. As a young girl she played a role in a horror movie along side her very famous grandmother Lottie Lovinger.
As the story unravels we find out a lot about some of the child star abuse aspects that happen on set, made worse by the fact that she was acting alongside a family member.
Side note: did anyone else know they used to tell Shirley Temple that he mum was being held hostage to get her to cry! That’s freaking horrible!
What really made me angry about halfway through this book is I knew there was trigger warnings for child abuse but I quickly realised it wasn’t being handled well. I get this is YA but if you are going to do this sort of plot it needs to be done better. Lottie was bullied on set and at school in some pretty traumatic ways and it seems that most people around her are more concerned with the fall out it had on the family than the affect on the child! And i didn’t even get anything in that last 30 pages that I would have hoped for.
The story itself was really interesting, but the strong subject matters were handled terribly.
maggior's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lvjy's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
a beautiful tribute to the arts industry in australia, and the references to local artists makes me so happy.
i also really enjoyed the exploration of grief and loss, and the complex family dynamics when someone has hurt you deeply but you still love them.
and to top it all off, it’s gay. what’s not to love.
i also really enjoyed the exploration of grief and loss, and the complex family dynamics when someone has hurt you deeply but you still love them.
and to top it all off, it’s gay. what’s not to love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death and Bullying
aishawilson's review
started reading this in a library one time and never found it again
niamhstorme's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Child abuse, Death, Bullying, and Medical content
jaclyn_sixminutesforme's review
5.0
I thought a lot about power dynamics while reading this book, the grossly disproportionate way that age and privilege particularly wield such influence. The capacity of art to create and perpetuate trauma, and the ways society can so readily ask people to “move on” from sites of such deep personal pain. How forgiveness even comes into this discussion. There’s something especially striking and disturbing when that impacts the life of a child, and the ripples of that continue to reverberate throughout that person’s life. This narrative does such an exquisite job of unpacking so many layers of this, setting it against this family story of celebrity and film industry success that also invites a pointed discussion about how we value art in this country. Who gets a seat at the table even, and how accessible it is as an industry.
I loved the nuanced conversations this invited around queer love stories, feminism in the horror genre, religion, film history… and the cinematic descriptions of Tasmania have made me want to plan a visit as soon as it’s safe to again! This was utterly delightful and I can’t recommend it enough—so grateful to have read an advance copy of this!
I loved the nuanced conversations this invited around queer love stories, feminism in the horror genre, religion, film history… and the cinematic descriptions of Tasmania have made me want to plan a visit as soon as it’s safe to again! This was utterly delightful and I can’t recommend it enough—so grateful to have read an advance copy of this!
tasmanian_bibliophile's review
4.0
‘Growing up, Lottie looked just the same to me as she did in the movies.’
Ellie Marsden has returned home, to Hobart, because her grandmother Lottie Lovinger is dying. Can Ellie make peace with her grandmother? Ellie is seventeen now, but she is still living with the trauma of her movie appearance with Lottie as a child.
‘Sadness has stages.’
As we wait with Ellie, as her grandmother lies in hospital, we learn about the infamous Lovinger dynasty. Their home in Battery Point is on the tourist trail, and every few hours a bus load of tourists is treated to a potted history of the Lovinger thespian fame. And Ellie, cast as a monster in the horror movie with Lottie, bullied at school and angry with both her mother and her grandmother is trying to separate person from deed. Ellie’s mother, Lottie’s ex-husbands, Ellie’s cousin Yael are some of the people who have gathered at Lovinger House.
Ellie meets Riya, who invites her to a meeting of a feminist film horror film collective. Ellie starts to look at horror movies through different eyes, questioning some of what she had come to believe. And she and Riya find their own space.
Ms Binks has set this novel in a fictional Australian film industry, one in which Australian film stars were successful without needing to flee to Hollywood. In this world, Lottie Lovinger is a big star, known and respected locally. Ellie comes to appreciate that her grandmother and the film star had separate identities (albeit with a degree of overlap).
There are some delightful characters in this novel, including several from diverse backgrounds. I enjoyed the way that Ms Binks drew the different elements (and people) together.
I enjoyed this novel and am looking forward to reading ‘The Year the Maps Changed’.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Ellie Marsden has returned home, to Hobart, because her grandmother Lottie Lovinger is dying. Can Ellie make peace with her grandmother? Ellie is seventeen now, but she is still living with the trauma of her movie appearance with Lottie as a child.
‘Sadness has stages.’
As we wait with Ellie, as her grandmother lies in hospital, we learn about the infamous Lovinger dynasty. Their home in Battery Point is on the tourist trail, and every few hours a bus load of tourists is treated to a potted history of the Lovinger thespian fame. And Ellie, cast as a monster in the horror movie with Lottie, bullied at school and angry with both her mother and her grandmother is trying to separate person from deed. Ellie’s mother, Lottie’s ex-husbands, Ellie’s cousin Yael are some of the people who have gathered at Lovinger House.
Ellie meets Riya, who invites her to a meeting of a feminist film horror film collective. Ellie starts to look at horror movies through different eyes, questioning some of what she had come to believe. And she and Riya find their own space.
Ms Binks has set this novel in a fictional Australian film industry, one in which Australian film stars were successful without needing to flee to Hollywood. In this world, Lottie Lovinger is a big star, known and respected locally. Ellie comes to appreciate that her grandmother and the film star had separate identities (albeit with a degree of overlap).
There are some delightful characters in this novel, including several from diverse backgrounds. I enjoyed the way that Ms Binks drew the different elements (and people) together.
I enjoyed this novel and am looking forward to reading ‘The Year the Maps Changed’.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
charlijaynes's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
literally_just_tears's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.75
This book has it all. It checks all the boxes for something I'd like. It's Australian, feminist, sapphic and contains a great message.
How this book deals with love, loss, trauma and healing is just so tender and from-the-heart. It really is such a sweet book.
It feels a little bit like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo with the personality and target audience of Heartstopper. I recommend to lovers of both books!
Overall a well rounded and criminally underrated read.
How this book deals with love, loss, trauma and healing is just so tender and from-the-heart. It really is such a sweet book.
It feels a little bit like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo with the personality and target audience of Heartstopper. I recommend to lovers of both books!
Overall a well rounded and criminally underrated read.