First off, may I say thank you to Little Island and the Book After Book blog for this book, which I received free as a winner in the LGBT Book Challenge 2011. I'd urge anyone interested in LGBT fiction of any genre to go take a look and participate. Details can be found on the sidebar.
Flick isn't the type of book I would've picked out for myself, primarily because it isn't the kind I would stumble across in my searches. It's aimed at young adults, in the 15+ category, and this is backed up by the extremely difficult themes and, occasionally, language used in the novel. The blurb describes it as a 'searingly honest depiction of teenage life as it is lived today', and I'd say it lives up to that label. The novel deals with Flick (Felicity) who is struggling to be 'normal' when she feels anything but. Along the way she makes some huge errors but is finally forced to confront the underlying issue about her sexuality.
This book was very readable. As suits the audience, it's not very long and it's cut up into bite-sized chapters. This interrupts the flow a couple of times but it suits the tone and style of the book. The narration of Flick feels very realistic and honest. I'd say that perhaps the interactions with some of the adults in the novel are slightly patronising but perhaps realistically so. I love the portrayal of Flick's father, along with that of her brother Kev. Meade portrays a family with differences but one which is built on a base of love. As far as structure goes, it doesn't waste time before pushing you into the action. It also isn't predictable. I found myself more than once surprised at where we were going.
I liked this book, especially the depiction of family life as the flawed and difficult thing it is. Give it to a teenager struggling with being different in any aspect of their lives or read it as a parent to understand a little more about the psyche of a teenage girl.
This book was read as part of the LGBT Book Challenge 2011. Learn about the author here.
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