saguaros's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
The first book I read by Melina MArchetta was Jellicoe Road. I so loved it that I had to get my hands on her other books. Unfortunately, my local library had just one of them, Saving Francesca. Fortunately, it was so good I didn't mind not being able to read the other ones right away.
Francesca is starting year eleven in a new school that used to be boys only, without any of her old friends and nobody she knows well to support her. On top of that, her lively, energetic mother suddenly cannot get out of bed anymore, and spends her days in her room. Nobody tells Francesca why or what is happening and she feels her world, and family, slowly unravel around her. Used to be passive, and always prefering to keep out of things, Francesca finds that she will have to fight for what she loves, and that more people than she thinks will love her back, unconditionally.
I do not know how Melina Marchetta does it, but I found myself three-quarters in this novel, with no real idea how I got there, and what exactly had happened besides the daily routines of the characters, but knowing that things had changed, things had moved, and I could not stop reading without knowing how it ended. There is a point where I realized I loved those characters, even the small unimportant ones. It just creeped up on me and suddenly I was in love, which I think is a testament to the author's storytelling skills. This book also explores really well what it is like to be a child with a parent who suffers from depression. I know, I've been there. And while it is different for everybody, each family being unique in its own way, there is an understanding of the confusion and pain that comes with something like this, which made me connect (and cry) with the story. That said, it is so clearly written, that anybody would or could understand what Francesca is going through, or at least empathize. It's a book about friendship, love and family and the things, however small, that bind us together. I am really looking forward to any other book by this author.
The first book I read by Melina MArchetta was Jellicoe Road. I so loved it that I had to get my hands on her other books. Unfortunately, my local library had just one of them, Saving Francesca. Fortunately, it was so good I didn't mind not being able to read the other ones right away.
Francesca is starting year eleven in a new school that used to be boys only, without any of her old friends and nobody she knows well to support her. On top of that, her lively, energetic mother suddenly cannot get out of bed anymore, and spends her days in her room. Nobody tells Francesca why or what is happening and she feels her world, and family, slowly unravel around her. Used to be passive, and always prefering to keep out of things, Francesca finds that she will have to fight for what she loves, and that more people than she thinks will love her back, unconditionally.
I do not know how Melina Marchetta does it, but I found myself three-quarters in this novel, with no real idea how I got there, and what exactly had happened besides the daily routines of the characters, but knowing that things had changed, things had moved, and I could not stop reading without knowing how it ended. There is a point where I realized I loved those characters, even the small unimportant ones. It just creeped up on me and suddenly I was in love, which I think is a testament to the author's storytelling skills. This book also explores really well what it is like to be a child with a parent who suffers from depression. I know, I've been there. And while it is different for everybody, each family being unique in its own way, there is an understanding of the confusion and pain that comes with something like this, which made me connect (and cry) with the story. That said, it is so clearly written, that anybody would or could understand what Francesca is going through, or at least empathize. It's a book about friendship, love and family and the things, however small, that bind us together. I am really looking forward to any other book by this author.
emilyanne3000's review against another edition
5.0
Only a truly good book can evoke so much emotion. Really, I felt the whole time I was either laughing or flat-out bawling.
Saving Francesca really pulls at your heartstrings. Ultimately, it is about a girl who loses the strong, leader-like mother she knows to acute depression. Francesca suddenly has no one to tell her who she is, or to give advice.
Francesca is on her own to find friends. And finding good friends at "a school that pretend's it's coed by giving the girls their own bathroom" is kind of hard. Also, Francesca has family problems to figure out, including her aunt's wedding, her fathers guilt, and her grandmas stolen S biscuit recipe.
The characters, and Francesca's voice are what makes this such a good novel. You have the funny characters, who are deeper than they seem. You have the opinionated characters, who take great care of their friends. You have characters looking for their personality, when it is right there all along, just hidden. You have the shy characters, sweet characters, eccentric characters.
And, meanwhile, Francesca is telling the story, with her voice that is so real it cracks open your heart. You love her sarcastic comments, scattered thoughts, fragile outlook, growing opinions, angry moods, and "journey to self discovery".
You will grow to love Francesca, Mia, Thomas, Tara, Justine, Siobhan, Will, and Luca. I strongly recommend you read this. It is not exciting or action filled, but it is filled with things that happen to someone everyday but people fail to realize what they are feeling. Marchetta strikes truth in this amazing novel.
5/5 bookcases
Saving Francesca really pulls at your heartstrings. Ultimately, it is about a girl who loses the strong, leader-like mother she knows to acute depression. Francesca suddenly has no one to tell her who she is, or to give advice.
Francesca is on her own to find friends. And finding good friends at "a school that pretend's it's coed by giving the girls their own bathroom" is kind of hard. Also, Francesca has family problems to figure out, including her aunt's wedding, her fathers guilt, and her grandmas stolen S biscuit recipe.
The characters, and Francesca's voice are what makes this such a good novel. You have the funny characters, who are deeper than they seem. You have the opinionated characters, who take great care of their friends. You have characters looking for their personality, when it is right there all along, just hidden. You have the shy characters, sweet characters, eccentric characters.
And, meanwhile, Francesca is telling the story, with her voice that is so real it cracks open your heart. You love her sarcastic comments, scattered thoughts, fragile outlook, growing opinions, angry moods, and "journey to self discovery".
You will grow to love Francesca, Mia, Thomas, Tara, Justine, Siobhan, Will, and Luca. I strongly recommend you read this. It is not exciting or action filled, but it is filled with things that happen to someone everyday but people fail to realize what they are feeling. Marchetta strikes truth in this amazing novel.
5/5 bookcases
stuhlsem's review against another edition
5.0
Perfect twice!
Francesca is simultaneously trying to break into a traditionally all-boys' school in its first year being co-ed and trying to break out of a depression that has consumed her mother and is threatening her family. Forced to hang out with girls who were at the fringes of her previous school (not to mention the boys!), Francesca starts to learn to hear her own voice and make up her mind about her life. In the process, she makes real friends, falls in love (of course), and helps her mother recover. Marchetta is clever, the writing is tight, and all the characters are real. What's not to love?
Francesca is simultaneously trying to break into a traditionally all-boys' school in its first year being co-ed and trying to break out of a depression that has consumed her mother and is threatening her family. Forced to hang out with girls who were at the fringes of her previous school (not to mention the boys!), Francesca starts to learn to hear her own voice and make up her mind about her life. In the process, she makes real friends, falls in love (of course), and helps her mother recover. Marchetta is clever, the writing is tight, and all the characters are real. What's not to love?
saphawk's review against another edition
4.0
I am not normally drawn to slice of life books, but I'm glad that I read this one. The characters and the situation drew me in and in the end made me cry. That doesn't happen to me often with books. I really enjoyed it.
davidup_15's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
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
4.5
Melina Marchetta is amazing at writing compelling human relationships, and creating deeply relatable characters that you become extremely invested in. I didn't love this quite as much as Looking for Alibrandi, but it has the same warmth of family, friends, romance, and culture. I found Francesca and Will's romance a little strange, and I don't think Will is necessarily a good person, but I loved the friendship group formed, and the dynamic of the girls entering what was previously an all-boys' school. I also loved the exploration of mental health and illness, especially caring for family members suffering from it.
ciaralo's review against another edition
5.0
Without a doubt, one of the best books I've ever read. Review to come when I stop sobbing.
gus_reads's review against another edition
4.0
3.75/5 ⭐
Lo leí hace como mil años (vale, igual 4) y lo acabo de añadir. Lo recuerdo como un libro juvenil de entretenimiento bueno, de lectura ágil y no problematic. No es el libro de mi vida ni el de la vida de nadie pero cumple su función y es más realista y agradable de leer que muchos juveniles románticos actuales.
Lo leí hace como mil años (vale, igual 4) y lo acabo de añadir. Lo recuerdo como un libro juvenil de entretenimiento bueno, de lectura ágil y no problematic. No es el libro de mi vida ni el de la vida de nadie pero cumple su función y es más realista y agradable de leer que muchos juveniles románticos actuales.
readbynataliek's review against another edition
4.0
Such a hilarious read! I was laughing out loud through the book.
I was so nostalgic throughout this book, it reminded me of Australia and my high school experience (though it's much less complicated without the mother's depression). I loved seeing how Francesca dealt with all of the matters in the house and her turmoil with discovering her identity. It is all too real and relatable, even years after highschool and I was still relating to Francesca's struggles.
The romance wasn't the main plot, I felt the two love interests didn't communicate that much for such a strong confession (especially for 17&18yo). But the friendship was ADORABLE arghhhhhhh love love loved the friend group.
I was so nostalgic throughout this book, it reminded me of Australia and my high school experience (though it's much less complicated without the mother's depression). I loved seeing how Francesca dealt with all of the matters in the house and her turmoil with discovering her identity. It is all too real and relatable, even years after highschool and I was still relating to Francesca's struggles.
The romance wasn't the main plot, I felt the two love interests didn't communicate that much for such a strong confession (especially for 17&18yo). But the friendship was ADORABLE arghhhhhhh love love loved the friend group.
ancillary_reader's review against another edition
4.0
I think Melina Marchetta is fast becoming one of my favorite new authors. Saving Francesca isn't as devastating and sweeping as Jellicoe Road, but I think it might be more accessible for many readers. As with Jellicoe Road, I loved the characters and their relationships - Melina Marchetta has a great ability to depict the formation of real friendships, as well as Francesca's emotional journey and growth, and she can also cause you to tear up* or laugh at a well written line or emotional scene. I probably like Jellicoe Road more, but overall, Saving Francesca is strongly written, with well portrayed characters and situations.
I'm a bit peeved the sequel/companion novel is not out in the States yet though.
*Not that I actually teared up, but hey...
I'm a bit peeved the sequel/companion novel is not out in the States yet though.
*Not that I actually teared up, but hey...
beccainabook's review against another edition
4.0
This was a really great book! It discusses growing up, love, friendship, depression, and learning to love yourself. Everyone should read this book. I am so going to read it again.