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ellingtonfeint's review
3.0
I read this book once very long ago and my only memory of what it was about was that my impression of it was that it was a strange book, as you can see by the three stars I gave it back then. Reading it again now, probably over a decade later, I can see why.
The copy I have is 4 books in one. The others were My Brilliant Career, We of the Never Never and a book by Ruth Park which I didn't like so I tore out and kept the other three without the cover.
I believe that previous to this book I had probably never read much more grown-up than Enid Blyton and other children's authors. Having watched the movie My Brilliant Career drew me to these three and remarkably I read all of them.
However the pleasant and tame worlds of Mallory Towers and St Clare's by Ms Blyton was nothing like this book and I probably found it so alien that I could only put it down as 'strange' and then forget about it.
Some parts of it would have simply gone over my head since I don't remember any sort of connotations in it at all, but they are there, as the girls wonder about things they really don't know anything about.
It is interesting, on rereading it, to see how, without me even realising it some parts of this book have influenced me, things that I didn't change my thinking on for years afterwards! I guess the lesson here is that you can't read strange books with impunity.
Now as for the story itself, apart from my personal story with it, I found Laura to be an overall unlikeable character, although to begin with she was brimming with potential, at least I thought so. The thing that annoyed me the most was that there was not one single mentor for Laura, had she had a real friend, or kindly adult person who had talked to her reasonably and befriended her I feel that she would have ended a very different person than she did in the book. And I suppose that's close to reality for some people, they just never meet the good people that would have helped and guided them and just so muddled through trying to be as like others as possible with no clear idea how to get along.
Laura started the book with curiosity and outspokenness, and through the book gradually had it squashed out of her, trying to be liked and never really succeeding.
I love the ending though,
The copy I have is 4 books in one. The others were My Brilliant Career, We of the Never Never and a book by Ruth Park which I didn't like so I tore out and kept the other three without the cover.
I believe that previous to this book I had probably never read much more grown-up than Enid Blyton and other children's authors. Having watched the movie My Brilliant Career drew me to these three and remarkably I read all of them.
However the pleasant and tame worlds of Mallory Towers and St Clare's by Ms Blyton was nothing like this book and I probably found it so alien that I could only put it down as 'strange' and then forget about it.
Some parts of it would have simply gone over my head since I don't remember any sort of connotations in it at all, but they are there, as the girls wonder about things they really don't know anything about.
It is interesting, on rereading it, to see how, without me even realising it some parts of this book have influenced me, things that I didn't change my thinking on for years afterwards! I guess the lesson here is that you can't read strange books with impunity.
Now as for the story itself, apart from my personal story with it, I found Laura to be an overall unlikeable character, although to begin with she was brimming with potential, at least I thought so. The thing that annoyed me the most was that there was not one single mentor for Laura, had she had a real friend, or kindly adult person who had talked to her reasonably and befriended her I feel that she would have ended a very different person than she did in the book. And I suppose that's close to reality for some people, they just never meet the good people that would have helped and guided them and just so muddled through trying to be as like others as possible with no clear idea how to get along.
Laura started the book with curiosity and outspokenness, and through the book gradually had it squashed out of her, trying to be liked and never really succeeding.
I love the ending though,
Spoiler
after school the last we see of Laura is her abandoning all expectations on her and running off into the streets and out of sight, and that feels like hope for her yet. We don't know what happens next, it's hinted that she will go back to teach her siblings, but after that she fulfills her vauge dreams of travel and looking at things. So perhaps after an unfortunate start to life at school, she is able to teach herself to help herself to be happier later in life.ingrids's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting considering the history and the place that is described. Some racist and antisemitic attitudes, which isn't weird considering the time and place. The main character also seemed very gay??? Curious if the author was gay and if that then was reflected in the story.
terrimpin's review
2.0
I kept waiting for there to be some development in Laura's character, but she seemed to continue making the same mistakes over and over again, and becoming more immature and unpleasant as the story went on. Her behavior could be excused at the very beginning of the story, but by the end of it it was just tiresome. I enjoyed the descriptions of her education, and elements of study, but otherwise it's not something I would recommend to a friend.
cooeeaus's review
5.0
A beautiful story of a young woman coming from remote Australia to a boarding school in the city. She is a gifted musician and bright student who thrives in Academia and comes into her own amongst the girls she mixes with. Many come from far wealthier backgrounds, fashion and boy their favourite past times.
oanh_1's review against another edition
3.0
I want to compare this to Bilgewater by Jane Gardam because both are coming of age stories of young women in boarding schools. But it would be unfair to both authors and stories to do so. B had a protagonist confident in her intelligence, blooming in beauty unknown to her and pained by the cruelties of life in school when you're different, and she makes no attempt to conform. Conversely, Laura is not confident in anything and desperate to be liked. You already know she fails, and spectacularly too, never learning her value though we the reader see it. I can't quite say liked this, as such, and I'm not even certain it was good; although it was well written and sharply observed. As I think on it, I find points if dissatisfaction: why doesn't Laura learn, see, develop? Or is it just outside the scope, left to our imaginations? Is this clever or lazy? Anyway, I was most definitely engrossed, and clearly intrigued. Also, HHR paints colonial Aus well.
georgiamckevitt's review against another edition
3.0
for a period piece, i really enjoyed the story of laura venturing into a new learning environment and understanding how to navigate her place with the other girls and governesses. it was easily comprehensible and i managed to smash through it in a few days !
crystalgraces's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
nedge's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5