the_daily_orange's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars! I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone!
The story is heart-warming and the messages are great. I love all the characters - Audrey's family is both dysfunctional and loving. Her brother Frank is an awesome character. The arguments between him and his mum are easily my favourite parts of the book. Also how he came along with Audrey to confront her bully in Starbucks and the way he stood by her and supported her was just the sweetest thing ever.
This wasn't a completely 5 star read for me because:
1. It was somewhat an instant love, and considering the protagonist's condition in the beginning of the book, it did feel rather unlikely.
2. The healing process felt quick with no setbacks. I know this is a short book, but Audrey's complete recovery from anxiety disorder felt just a little unrealistic.
I'm also currently reading "It's kind of a funny story" by Ned Vizzini which is another book about mental illness in teenagers. Compared to his book, Finding Audrey was a light read, but that does not mean Sophie Kinsella was not taking the issues seriously. I think it has to do with the author's own experience. You can only learn so much from researching. I did feel Finding Audrey lacked a strong impact, whereas Ned Vizzini's book was more depressing and sometimes it was literally suffocating to read about Craig's thoughts. You really do get hit in the heart with that book. However, I do believe people have a choice when it comes to how they tell the story and I like the way Sophie Kinsella told it. After all, what we pick up from each book also highly depends on us the readers.
The story is heart-warming and the messages are great. I love all the characters - Audrey's family is both dysfunctional and loving. Her brother Frank is an awesome character. The arguments between him and his mum are easily my favourite parts of the book. Also how he came along with Audrey to confront her bully in Starbucks and the way he stood by her and supported her was just the sweetest thing ever.
This wasn't a completely 5 star read for me because:
1. It was somewhat an instant love, and considering the protagonist's condition in the beginning of the book, it did feel rather unlikely.
2. The healing process felt quick with no setbacks. I know this is a short book, but Audrey's complete recovery from anxiety disorder felt just a little unrealistic.
I'm also currently reading "It's kind of a funny story" by Ned Vizzini which is another book about mental illness in teenagers. Compared to his book, Finding Audrey was a light read, but that does not mean Sophie Kinsella was not taking the issues seriously. I think it has to do with the author's own experience. You can only learn so much from researching. I did feel Finding Audrey lacked a strong impact, whereas Ned Vizzini's book was more depressing and sometimes it was literally suffocating to read about Craig's thoughts. You really do get hit in the heart with that book. However, I do believe people have a choice when it comes to how they tell the story and I like the way Sophie Kinsella told it. After all, what we pick up from each book also highly depends on us the readers.
always_need_more_books's review against another edition
4.0
I've read and enjoyed most of Sophie Kinsella's Shopaholic books so thought I'd give this a try. Its the story of Audrey, a teenage girl who has had something happen to her at school (we are never told exactly what but it involved some other girls who were expelled for what they did). As a result she had a breakdown and has since been suffering from depression and anxiety disorders. She is unable to leave the house and wears dark glasses so she can avoid making eye contact with people.
The story centres on her recovery with the help of her brother's friend Linus. There is also a large part of the book taken over to her brother Frank's addiction to gaming and her mother trying to deal with it.
Its a sweet, amusing story - I was reading as a mum not a teenager so I would imagine your sympathy's fall with different characters depending on who you are! It was a good insight into the effects bullying can have a teenagers and what help there is out there for them.
The story centres on her recovery with the help of her brother's friend Linus. There is also a large part of the book taken over to her brother Frank's addiction to gaming and her mother trying to deal with it.
Its a sweet, amusing story - I was reading as a mum not a teenager so I would imagine your sympathy's fall with different characters depending on who you are! It was a good insight into the effects bullying can have a teenagers and what help there is out there for them.
helenephoebe's review against another edition
3.0
This is the first YA book I've read by Sophie Kinsella, though I have read most of her other books, including the Shopaholic series which I love. I have felt over the last few years, however, that her writing doesn't seem to grab me as much in her later books. I still enjoy much more her earlier works. This one follows that pattern.
I thought that the premise for the book was good and based on something that a lot of teenagers will have been around, although it isn't explicitly said what happened to Audrey. Bullying is central in a lot of high schools though often not as high profile as Audrey's case seems to have been in this novel. I myself was bullied for many years, perhaps why this appealed to me so much. It was good to see it being discussed openly in a YA book, especially alongside the mental health implications.
Audrey was an interesting character and I especially enjoyed seeing her developing relationship with Linus and her friendship with her brother, Frank. The interactions between the different characters and how that affected Audrey was what kept the story moving along. Audrey's parents were also intriguing characters and almost polar opposites in the way they wanted to deal with problems that arose.
I listened to this on audiobook and I don't know if that had an affect on my thoughts about it, but I did want to keep listening to find out what happened next.
I thought that the premise for the book was good and based on something that a lot of teenagers will have been around, although it isn't explicitly said what happened to Audrey. Bullying is central in a lot of high schools though often not as high profile as Audrey's case seems to have been in this novel. I myself was bullied for many years, perhaps why this appealed to me so much. It was good to see it being discussed openly in a YA book, especially alongside the mental health implications.
Audrey was an interesting character and I especially enjoyed seeing her developing relationship with Linus and her friendship with her brother, Frank. The interactions between the different characters and how that affected Audrey was what kept the story moving along. Audrey's parents were also intriguing characters and almost polar opposites in the way they wanted to deal with problems that arose.
I listened to this on audiobook and I don't know if that had an affect on my thoughts about it, but I did want to keep listening to find out what happened next.
keeleyadams's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
tearbear20's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book!!! It was funny, heart warming, and just a joy to read. I related to Audrey and I loved her thoughts throughout the story. I loved her crazy mom and Linus!!!! SO ADORABLE!!! I need to read more by Sophie Kinsella. I am so happy that this was the first book I read by her. 4.5 stars!!!!
antoniasophie03's review against another edition
5.0
In meinen Augen ein sehr gutes Buch,dass über "Social Anxiety" und Panikattacken sehr gut aufklärt und trotzdem spannend bleibt.
xcxalexandra's review against another edition
4.0
3.75
Sophie Kinsella abordează un subiect interesant, unul pe care nu l-am mai întâlnit înainte: o adolescentă cu anxietate socială severă care nu poate să iasă din casă. Audrey are 14 ani și, în urma hărțuirii la școală, are niște traume care nu îi permit să comunice cu nimeni din afara familiei. Reușește, totuși, să se împrietenească cu Linus, unul dintre colegii fratelui ei mai mare. Cartea urmărește progresul lui Audrey și vindecarea sa treptată cu ajutorul celor din jur și a propriei voințe.
Mie cartea mi-a plăcut. Nu m-a dat pe spate, dar am apreciat în mod deosebit abordarea problemei anxietății sociale. Ea nu acaparează în întregime povestea, ci doar atât cât este nevoie. Audrey nu are crize și atacuri de panică în fiecare secundă, dar nici nu este vreodată complet părăsită de boala de care suferă. Chiar mi-a plăcut asta. Rareori întâlnești cărți despre boli mentale, e frumos să găsești una care e și realistă.
De asemenea, mi-a plăcut că relația dintre Audrey și Linus a fost una veridică, manifestându-se așa cum se întâmplă cel mai adesea în adolescență. În ciuda problemei lui Audrey, interacțiunile lor sunt normale, nu par a fi forțate de autor.
Nu am foarte multe de spus despre poveste. Nu am rămas profund impresionată. Mi-a plăcut și atât. Am râs pe alocuri la glumele introduse și chiar m-am identificat cu anumite fragmente. Sunt lucruri de reproșat, dar cartea nu încearcă să fie perfectă, așa că am să respect asta. E o carte bunicică. Nu e un must-read, dar o citire nu strică.
Sophie Kinsella abordează un subiect interesant, unul pe care nu l-am mai întâlnit înainte: o adolescentă cu anxietate socială severă care nu poate să iasă din casă. Audrey are 14 ani și, în urma hărțuirii la școală, are niște traume care nu îi permit să comunice cu nimeni din afara familiei. Reușește, totuși, să se împrietenească cu Linus, unul dintre colegii fratelui ei mai mare. Cartea urmărește progresul lui Audrey și vindecarea sa treptată cu ajutorul celor din jur și a propriei voințe.
Mie cartea mi-a plăcut. Nu m-a dat pe spate, dar am apreciat în mod deosebit abordarea problemei anxietății sociale. Ea nu acaparează în întregime povestea, ci doar atât cât este nevoie. Audrey nu are crize și atacuri de panică în fiecare secundă, dar nici nu este vreodată complet părăsită de boala de care suferă. Chiar mi-a plăcut asta. Rareori întâlnești cărți despre boli mentale, e frumos să găsești una care e și realistă.
De asemenea, mi-a plăcut că relația dintre Audrey și Linus a fost una veridică, manifestându-se așa cum se întâmplă cel mai adesea în adolescență. În ciuda problemei lui Audrey, interacțiunile lor sunt normale, nu par a fi forțate de autor.
Nu am foarte multe de spus despre poveste. Nu am rămas profund impresionată. Mi-a plăcut și atât. Am râs pe alocuri la glumele introduse și chiar m-am identificat cu anumite fragmente. Sunt lucruri de reproșat, dar cartea nu încearcă să fie perfectă, așa că am să respect asta. E o carte bunicică. Nu e un must-read, dar o citire nu strică.
reinalikesreading's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
caylabcba's review against another edition
4.0
I recently read the first book that has ever made me ugly cry. Well, ugly cry in a good way! Finding Audrey was such an amazing read. It is about a girl with an anxiety disorder slowly overcoming her anxiety with the love and support of her family, and her new found friend, Linus. I just have so many feels for this book! I want to share with you all my emotions about Finding Audrey.
Read the rest of my book review at https://caylasbooktopia.wordpress.com/2017/06/04/book-review-finding-audrey/
Read the rest of my book review at https://caylasbooktopia.wordpress.com/2017/06/04/book-review-finding-audrey/
losetimereading's review against another edition
4.0
Loved it! Sophie Kinsella is just as funny and heart warming with her YA fiction as her chicklit... win!