Sunday 29 January 2012

Revisit: Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta


So. Here's the thing. Melina Marchetta is one of my all-time favourite authors. She is my idol. But I've only ever read two of her books. I KNOW. But I have an excuse! Kind of. You see, for the majority of my teen years, Looking for Alibrandi was the only Marchetta available. I adored it. Obsessed over it. Reread it at least once a year (and often more frequently). I identified so strongly with Josie, and felt like this book just got me in so many ways. It was a cherished friend (and is still one of my favourite books, BTW). I longed for Marchetta to write more, so I could devour fresh words of wisdom and realism. Then Saving Francesca came out. I was 17 and... kinda disappointed.

I liked it, don't get me wrong. I liked it a lot. But I just didn't have the same connection to Frankie that I had with Josie. My subsequent wariness, and the fact that I grew out of Young Adult books for a little while (or thought I had, at least!), meant that I didn't rush to pick up the books Marchetta released in the following years. Then, thanks to a friend thrusting The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants on me, I rediscovered how awesome YA could be. I started blogging, and read countless reviews and comments on the amazingness of Marchetta's other works - some even said they were better than Alibrandi. Big. Call.

Needless to say, The Piper's Son, On The Jellicoe Road and Finnikin of the Rock quickly joined my ever-growing TBR pile. My plan was to reread Saving Francesca before tackling The Piper's Son, then on to Jellicoe Road before finally diving into Finnikin. The hitch in this plan was that every time I picked up Francesca, I couldn't bring myself to read it. Not because of my first experience with it (because I had actually really liked it), but because I knew it touched upon issues that had recently become a very sensitive subject for me. I was afraid of how it would make me feel.

Then last week, I did something that I am both incredibly excited and extremely nervous about: I signed up for a writing course taught by Marchetta. I am more excited than nervous, actually. I'm downright ecstatic. But the reason I mention it here is because it gave me the kick up the butt I needed to finally get over my fear of Francesca - or, at least, that fear was eclipsed by a frenzied desire to absorb every word Marchetta had ever written ASAP.

I'm so, so glad I reread it. Because Francesca, of course, is absolutely amazing. The very reason I was afraid to pick it up (recent personal experiences) meant that I was able to appreciate it - and yes, connect with it - in a new and powerful way that I couldn't as a teenager. It's not an easy read (though it's beautifully written); Francesca's sadness, and her mum's depression, permeate the book. But it deals with the issue in such a tender, realistic and ultimately hopeful way that, by the time I turned the last page, I actually felt a lot better than I had before I picked it up. Like Alibrandi before her, Francesca touched upon so many aspects that were completely relevant to my life, and made me feel good about them. As though I wasn't alone. My feelings for Francesca might just be on par with my love of Alibrandi. Which is really saying something.

The Piper's Son, here I come.

Rating: 5/5

Eye Candy
I pictured...



Caitlin Stasey as Francesca
James Sorensen as Will
Xenia Goodwin as Justine
Alicia Banit as Siobhan
Khan Chittenden as Jimmy
Fine Print
Genre: Young Adult
Published: 2003, Viking
Get It: Better World Books

21 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh. I am so jealous. A writing class with Marchetta! Wow. I wonder what it will be about. So glad you liked SF better this time. It's not as good as Jellicoe Road but it's still great. Looking for Alibrandi is the only MM book I haven't read.

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    1. I've heard so many amazing things about Jellicoe, I can't wait to read it! I highly recommend Looking for Alibrandi, obviously ;-) The movie is great too.

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  2. Yay! So glad you decided to reread Francesca. I actually enjoyed this one more than Alibrandi, but I think all of Matchettas books are wonderful. Youre going to love Pipers Son. It's such a beautifully written book. And hop to it with Jellicoe Road because that's another must read. I can guarantee that Jonah Griggs will be a contender for My Book Bboyfriend!!

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    1. Haha, I've seen him on other people's MBB and I have a feeling I'll love him :D

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  3. Sounds like a good read! I watched Alibrandi at school once and it was cool :) I'm planning on reading Finnikin soon!

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    1. Have you read Alibrandi? The movie is great but the book is better (naturally!), although Marchetta wrote both :)

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  4. A writing class with MM?! You lucky Aussie, you! :-p

    I love this book, I think I need to re-read it soon too.
    You MUST read Jellicoe soon and Finnikin/Froi. They're obviously completely different but you can still tell exactly who wrote them!

    Good luck with TPS, Belle, that book destroyed me. In the best way. THE MARCHETTA WAY. :-P

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    1. The class seems too good to be true - I'll probably be too starstruck to say (or write) a single thing! ;)
      I can't wait to get on to the rest, I can't beliebe I've put it off for so long!

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  5. Ahhhhh! Drop everything and read JELLICOE ROAD!!!!!!!!! Your reading-life will never be the same.

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    1. Big call! I'm reading The Piper's Son at the moment, working my way up to Jellicoe :)

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  6. Hi Belle, Thanks for your review. I read Francesca when it first came out, and I'm inspired to read it again during this AWW Challenge year. It was great to see your choice of actors for the lead roles - I, too, am a frustrated casting director and when I read a book I often imagine who should play the part if it should be made into a movie. I look forward to reading more of your reviews.

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    1. Thanks Denise! I always "cast" actors when I'm reading, I've done it since I was a kid. Just my way of imagining it I guess :)

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  7. I'm glad you were able to pick up this book and delve into it.. it's such a great read. I'm envious that you will be in Marchetta's writing class... what an amazing experience! I must say I enjoyed On the Jellicoe Road more than this title... so don't wait too long to pick it up!
    Best of luck with your writing!
    P.s- love the pics you used, Caitlin definitely suits Francesca!

    Jayne @ The Australian Bookshelf

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    1. Thanks Jayne! I'm keen to read On the Jellicoe Road, I've heard so many amazing things about it. I'll get to it soon!

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  8. I loved Looking for Alibrandi

    Thanks for sharing your review for the AWW challenge

    Shelleyrae @ Book’d Out

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    1. If you liked Looking for Alibrandi I think you'd definitely enjoy this one, Shelleyrae :)

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  9. Great review! And I hope you enjoy the writing class, I bet it will be awesome!

    Mands

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  10. Fascinating review. What you write about life experience giving you a deeper experience of the story really resonates with me. It's a good reminder of how subjective readiing is - how a book can touch us at different times of our lives. That's certainly true for me. I must read one of MM's this year for the AWW challenge.

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    1. Thanks so much, Elizabeth! It's true about subjectivity - especially if you're a "mood" reader like I am. Sometimes I feel books don't get a fair go because I'm just not in the mood for them. Then other times I probably enjoy books far more than I should ;) That's why rereading is so great - it gives you a new perspective!

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