Title: Finding Audrey
Author: Sophie Kinsella
Page Count: 286
Rating: 3 / 5
Goodreads Summary
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.
Review
I haven’t read a book by Sophie Kinsella in ages! And with so much buzz going around about Finding Audrey, I couldn’t resist picking up this book. And the beautiful cover helped of course! I love Sophie Kinsella’s books for days when I want a fun, light read. And this book did not let me down. It’s very different from her other books, but it was enjoyable just the same.
When the book started, I did not find Audrey’s style of talking (which included a lot of whatevers) amusing. In fact I started to think I wouldn’t enjoy the book after all, but I was wrong. As the story progressed, I started to sympathize with Audrey. It was great how the book subtly addressed the issue of depression and anxiety attacks in a loud household with two teenagers and technologically-challenged parents. Sophie Kinsella did not simply give a character who suffered from clinical depression, she gave us a realistic character whom we could sympathize with and who helped us understand the ordeal faced by people who suffer from anxiety disorders.
“They talk about ‘body language’, as if we all speak it the same. But everyone has their own dialect. For me right now, for example, swiveling my body right away and staring rigidly at the corner means, “I like you.” Because I didn’t run away and shut myself in the bathroom. I just hope he realizes that.”
On a lighter level, the book hilariously portrays the relationship between every member of the family, especially Audrey’s brother, Frank and their mother. From the Goodreads summary, I was expecting Audrey would be cured because of Linus, but I was relieved to find out that wasn’t the case. Love didn’t magically cure Audrey of her depression, it was just an anchor; a support that helped her fight.
As the book progresses, we see Audrey getting better, taking small steps to be healthy and happy again, with the help of her family and her therapist.
“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.”
Final Verdict
Although the book wasn’t perfect in every way, it was a fun read and I would definitely recommend it if you like Young Adult books with a touch of humor.
life and my musings 