Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
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Synopsis:
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Shopaholic series comes a terrific blend of comedy, romance, and psychological recovery in a contemporary YA novel sure to inspire and entertain.
An anxiety disorder disrupts fourteen-year-old Audrey’s daily life. She has been making slow but steady progress with Dr. Sarah, but when Audrey meets Linus, her brother’s gaming teammate, she is energized. She connects with him. Audrey can talk through her fears with Linus in a way she’s never been able to do with anyone before. As their friendship deepens and her recovery gains momentum, a sweet romantic connection develops, one that helps not just Audrey but also her entire family.
Okay, first : I love Kinsella’s works (thought it was important to say write). Now, her books are the first ones I read in English, so, you know, I might need to reread them some day (I mean duh. I’m not a language snowflake). Anyway : Kinsella? She gets my humor. I mean not me me, but you get it right? Her books make me laugh. They’re refreshing. Like candies. Okay, maybe not like candies – Well, let’s say that they put me in the Kinsella bubble.
What is it? Just look, it’s just like life, but it’s fun :
Because what I love even more in them is the undercurrent of reality they hide behind the laughs. This is something that works for me, because I’m not (well, rarely) a full-angst girl. I just can’t. I read a book filled with angst and I just want to bang my head on the wall you know? So, Kinsella? Perfect. I know that some readers found shocking that she could deal with such a heavy issue – Audrey’s anxiety disorder – in a funny way. I’m not, not one bit, because it stays respectful. Full of empathy. Honest. True. And it shows something that I find necessary : people aren’t their disorder. They’re not entirely defined by it. Yes, it’s important.
Audrey suffers from an anxiety disorder : she can neither leave the house nor stare into people’s eyes. Actually I’m with her on this : eyes scare me too. I mean, she does have a point : when you look carefully at people you give them the power and the means to stare back. I hate when strangers stare right into my eyes. I’m not shy or anxious. My eyes are just my personal space. Leave it. I also hate when people I don’t know touch me. Like for real. Did you need to touch my arm to ask me what time is it? Hell no you didn’t. It’s not that I don’t like people – I’m comfortable enough – but I like my personal space more. Anyway. Audrey. I loved her. She was witty, realistic and relatable. She made me laugh and yeah, tear out a bit at some point. Even if it’s not always easy, she fights, she never gives up and I loved that about her. For me, she’s brave.
► It’s not a secret that I love family dynamics when they’re done well. SPOILER ALERT : They are. Every member of the family is flawed but so endearing and supportive, I spent such a great time following them.
● Felix made me miss my Kindergarten teaching years : 4 years old is such a great age. Really. They’re happy all the time (except when they’re not, but then, it’s short).
● Frank the gamer : I feel you. Go explain to people that no, gaming doesn’t make you crazy. Sigh. He completely won me with his witty comments.
● By the way, I’m so going to throw this book at my mum. Yes, kindly (is that what you think of me? Come on). Indeed Audrey’s mum Daily Mail obsession cracked me up, and yes, I can relate. Here’s how our mother-daughter phone calls go :
Mum : Have you bought curcuma/vitamines/royal jelly/magical product as I told you?
Anna : [awkward silence when I try to remember why the fuck I’m supposed to buy that] Hmm not yet (I mean, come on)
Mum : But you need it! There’s plenty of [add some information about how it’s gonna boost my health] in it. I saw this [show/paper/documentary] the other day and [add some descriptions about how freaking amazing this stuff is]
Anna : Okay. I’ll do it. (not really)
Two days later
Mum : Have you bought [add magical product sub-mentioned] as I told you?
Anna : Yes (not really)
Mum : I’m sure you’re already feeling better right?
Anna : I guess. So, [add some topic changer – You name it. Any word, really]
I love my mum. But yeah, that’s kind of exhausting. And the magnesium. OMG, the magnesium. But reading about this kind of character? Hilarious. Mum, I’m writing a book about you (not really).
Love interest? Adorable. Smile-inducing. I have no idea why I’m writing one-word sentences. I might be lazy. Major information : he write notes. End of story.
Just a thing : Linus? What’s this name? I kept thinking “Linux” and that was just so weird *shakes head*
● I already stated that I loved when authors used different writing formats and lucky me! Kinsella does it all the time : messages, notes, movie script : I eat that stuff, and Finding Audrey was right up my alley.
● Oh, and – the dialogues are fantastic and feel real. Hilarious. I know, I have to stop using that word. Someday (not when I talk about Kinsella)
► Let’s have a little brainstorming okay? (God. I hate that word. My fellow French use it all the freaking time for no reason. Hello, remue-méninges, you people)
That’s it. Is that really a brainstorming? Fuck if I know (in fact I do. It’s not. Not really. I mean. Who cares?)
“I think what I’ve realized is, life is all about climbing up, slipping down, and picking yourself up again. And it doesn’t matter if you slip down. As long as you’re kind of heading more or less upwards. That’s all you can hope for. More or less upwards.”
Such a great journey to follow. And sorry for the messy review but I did warn you didn’t I?
