REVIEW #21 - Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta

 TITLE: Looking for Alibrandi
AUTHOR: Melina Marchetta
GENRE: contemporary
PUBLICATION DATE: Dec 18th 2007

SOURCE: library

BLURB:

For as long as Josephine Alibrandi can remember, it’s just been her, her mom, and her grandmother. Now it’s her final year at a wealthy Catholic high school. The nuns couldn’t be any stricter—but that doesn’t seem to stop all kinds of men from coming into her life.

Caught between the old-world values of her Italian grandmother, the nononsense wisdom of her mom, and the boys who continue to mystify her, Josephine is on the ride of her life. This will be the year she falls in love, the year she discovers the secrets of her family’s past—and the year she sets herself free.

Told with unmatched depth and humor, this novel—which swept the pool of Australian literary awards and became a major motion picture—is one to laugh through and cry with, to cherish and remember.

REVIEW:

Originally published in Australia in 1992, Looking for Alibrandi is Melina Marchetta's debut novel. It's my first book by this author and I can tell you one thing - she's lived up to my expectations. All the praises are fully deserved, as Melina Marchetta skillfully navigates between smaller story of just one family and a larger, global problem of cultural, ethnic and generational differences.

The plot revolves around Josephine Aribaldi, 17 year old Australian girl with Italian roots, raised by his single mother. As she uncovers the story of her mother and grandmother, their secrets and life aspirations, she discovers not only a deep bound connecting the three woman but she finally realizes who she really is.

It's a great coming-of-age book, with great both main and secondary characters. Josie is lost and still searching for what she really wants from life, but readers can tell she's on the right track. I liked her especially for her fierce attitude and the fact she wasn't afraid of speaking her own mind.

What I also liked was that there were big declarations, conversations about love and marriage, but it ended just like almost every teenage crush ends. 

You won't find epic car chases and epic fights in Looking for Alibrandi. You won't find sugar-coated half truths. But if you're looking for a smart, deep book that deals with a lot of problems of teenage girl who is different but wants to fit - this book is definitely for you.

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars