Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella Genre: Contemporary-Romance I walked into this one thinking it was more of a romance novel than anything. But seriously, it is not. Yes, there is romance but this isn't the 'our love is so strong we overcome all odds including your mental illness' sort of book. Really, Finding Audrey is actually a rare family book. Most of the time Young-Adult books give families less credit than they deserve. In fact, the whole family issue is tossed aside for romance and maybe when convenient, parents will hop along into the plot to make it seem as if they have a real role. Here, the romance is a subplot and it was way more interesting than the other books who dumped 'family' aside. |
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.
Finding Audrey is a book where a family has daily crazy arguments but they would always stick together in the end. In fact, I find their heated disputes cute. I'm weird I know. Reading this just simply reminded me of childhood days with a bit of insanity on top.
Heard of all the weird and crazy things moms do? Add them all up, you get Audrey's mom. How about the klutz dad who simply goes along with his wife? That's Audrey's dad. The gamer addict and rebel brother? Yes, Audrey's brother. And maybe even that cute toddler who is the baby of the family? You get all of that. Finding Audrey is really just the crazy-reality-comedy book.
Let's discuss some characters:
THE MOM: She is literally insane and the source of all dramas in the house. She will never bore you. This is the mom extreme version.
Heard of all the weird and crazy things moms do? Add them all up, you get Audrey's mom. How about the klutz dad who simply goes along with his wife? That's Audrey's dad. The gamer addict and rebel brother? Yes, Audrey's brother. And maybe even that cute toddler who is the baby of the family? You get all of that. Finding Audrey is really just the crazy-reality-comedy book.
Let's discuss some characters:
THE MOM: She is literally insane and the source of all dramas in the house. She will never bore you. This is the mom extreme version.
She's standing at her bedroom window, which overlooks Rosewood Close, where we live. No, standing sounds too normal. Mom does not look normal. She's teetering, leaning over the edge, a wild look in her eye. And she's holding my brother Frank's computer. It's balanced precariously on the window ledge. Any minute, it'll crash down to the ground. That's seven hundred pounds' worth of computer. |
Then helpful dad:
"I know you're angry sweetheart," Dad's saying soothingly. "But isn't this a little extreme?" |
If you didn't know better, you would think someone was going to commit suicide and everyone was talking her out of it. But if you know Audrey's mom, it's a different story. Audrey's mom strive to be a good mother to her kids, but use such infuriating methods and constantly trying to change the family lifestyle to make them healthier and 'better people'. Despite how annoying she can get, she is still really lovable. Underneath all that craziness, we remember she's just a mom who wishes to raise her kids well.
Okay so from the blurb, we know that Audrey has a society anxiety disorder. Her therapist then suggested she could make a documentary film to maybe improve a condition. And so Audrey did.
Okay so from the blurb, we know that Audrey has a society anxiety disorder. Her therapist then suggested she could make a documentary film to maybe improve a condition. And so Audrey did.
"What do I film?" |
And of course Audrey will stumble upon many hilarious scenes:
Mum(Voice-over): Well, I've had an idea. We need to throw a party for him. Set him up with some pretty girls. |
The family stuff made me love this book so much. Thanks to Frank's gaming habits, we get to meet adorable Linus. Who is yes, by the way freaking adorable, I hope I said that already. I admit, the romance did play a part to help Audrey get better and maybe there was a little instalove but really all the fluffiness from this book. I just choose to ignore all minor negative aspects. Linus gave her a push, that's all. Even at the end, Audrey was't miraculously cured and was simply getting better which I find it to be a wonderful closure for such a book.
Most of all, I feel that the whole family was really supportive of her, even Frank. I think he played the cute and protective older brother well despite being a game addict. (Besides, his gaming habits gave rise to many hilarious conversations, what's there not to love about him?) Family affection in here was the cutest I have ever read.
In a sense, this book is realism put in a more dramatic and light-hearted way which really spiced up things in countless situations. It's hard to get tired of all that comedy. So let me tell you, I loved this book. I love it although it might not be the best portrayal of mental-illnesses or recovery. I love it although the romance wasn't the most realistic. Overall, this book was highly enjoyable and my definition of fantastic. Finding Audrey is definitely going to be one of my all-time favourites. This is an awesome comical family novel I think everyone needs to read.
*Edit My copy of Finding Audrey finally arrived in the mail and my mom signed it and refused to let me have it 'cause she doesn't believe that it belongs to me (without opening yet that is). Well, I was all like
Most of all, I feel that the whole family was really supportive of her, even Frank. I think he played the cute and protective older brother well despite being a game addict. (Besides, his gaming habits gave rise to many hilarious conversations, what's there not to love about him?) Family affection in here was the cutest I have ever read.
In a sense, this book is realism put in a more dramatic and light-hearted way which really spiced up things in countless situations. It's hard to get tired of all that comedy. So let me tell you, I loved this book. I love it although it might not be the best portrayal of mental-illnesses or recovery. I love it although the romance wasn't the most realistic. Overall, this book was highly enjoyable and my definition of fantastic. Finding Audrey is definitely going to be one of my all-time favourites. This is an awesome comical family novel I think everyone needs to read.
*Edit My copy of Finding Audrey finally arrived in the mail and my mom signed it and refused to let me have it 'cause she doesn't believe that it belongs to me (without opening yet that is). Well, I was all like