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ms_gouldbourne's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Eh, I really didn't enjoy this book. I get that it's supposed to be a really honest and realistic depiction of the ways teenage girls behave and interact with each other, and in a lot of ways it is! There's a rawness about it that feels very real... but at the start of the novel is an author's note explaining that the story is based on her own diaries from when she was a teenager, and in a lot of ways this book feels like something written by a fifteen-year-old.
I think I would have enjoyed the story more if O'Porter hadn't given our two protagonists literally every possible kind of trauma she could think of! In a 250-page story we have got, in no particular order: hardcore bullying, abusive parents, alcoholism, sexual assault, an eating disorder, the death of a parent, teenage pregnancy, parentification, parental abandonment, exam failure and grooming. No wonder it's hard to relate to Flo and Renee under the weight of such a constant stream of negativity.
Also, if I have to read one more paragraph in which Dawn O'Porter apparently forgets that contractions exist ("I am excited. We are going to the park. I suppose it will be okay, since she is my friend.") I will actually scream.
I should note for the record that I was recommended this book by a friend who really loves it and is in no way a poor reader, so there's a good chance this is a me thing - I just like a happy ending! But I'm afraid I won't be seeking out the follow-up in the series.
I think I would have enjoyed the story more if O'Porter hadn't given our two protagonists literally every possible kind of trauma she could think of!
Also, if I have to read one more paragraph in which Dawn O'Porter apparently forgets that contractions exist ("I am excited. We are going to the park. I suppose it will be okay, since she is my friend.") I will actually scream.
I should note for the record that I was recommended this book by a friend who really loves it and is in no way a poor reader, so there's a good chance this is a me thing - I just like a happy ending! But I'm afraid I won't be seeking out the follow-up in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Grief, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Child abuse, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
gemjar321's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Death, Eating disorder, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Bullying, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
novellenovels's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Eating disorder, Grief, and Death of parent
clarereadstheworld's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.0
Set on the British Island of Guernsey, this novel follows the lives of Flo and Renée in the year leading up to their GCSE exams. Although the two girls could not be more different, when tragedy strikes, they find themselves unexpectedly becoming best friends.
In a lot of ways, this book reminded me of the Jacqueline Wilson books I loved as a child. Although aimed at a slightly older audience (there's a bit a sex and alcohol that you won't find in any Wilson books) Paper Airplanes takes on difficult family situations and big feelings that children, teenagers and even adults can often struggle to express and deal with.
Sally, who is Flo's toxic best friend, reminded me a lot of a friend I had when I was about that age. Toxic friendships are so common in teenage years, so I really enjoyed the portrayal of this destructive friendship, I hope it might help people to realise if they are also in a toxic friendship, and realise that they can have other friends.
I loved Renée's description of grief as being like a pan with it's lid on boiling over, and talking to friends or family about how you feel being like lifting off the pan lid so the water stops boiling over. It's such a powerful metaphor, and without the help of her grandparents or her sister to lift her lid, I really did feel so sad for Renée.
It was also nice to read about periods, and the pain, awkwardness and mess of learning to deal with your changing body. I wish I'd read more representations of this as a teenager.
I was also a little let down by some areas of the book. I thought Nell could have been dealt with a little better, and I was rather disappointed with Renée and Julien, I definitely thought Renée was going to be gay.
Overall it's a mainly well written book, which examines fragile teenage years with compassion and emotional depth. I felt somewhat nostalgic reading it, half wanting to go back to my teenage years where my biggest worry was my GCSEs, and who would be my first kiss, and half so so glad those messy awkward years are behind me!
In a lot of ways, this book reminded me of the Jacqueline Wilson books I loved as a child. Although aimed at a slightly older audience (there's a bit a sex and alcohol that you won't find in any Wilson books) Paper Airplanes takes on difficult family situations and big feelings that children, teenagers and even adults can often struggle to express and deal with.
Sally, who is Flo's toxic best friend, reminded me a lot of a friend I had when I was about that age. Toxic friendships are so common in teenage years, so I really enjoyed the portrayal of this destructive friendship, I hope it might help people to realise if they are also in a toxic friendship, and realise that they can have other friends.
I loved Renée's description of grief as being like a pan with it's lid on boiling over, and talking to friends or family about how you feel being like lifting off the pan lid so the water stops boiling over. It's such a powerful metaphor, and without the help of her grandparents or her sister to lift her lid, I really did feel so sad for Renée.
It was also nice to read about periods, and the pain, awkwardness and mess of learning to deal with your changing body. I wish I'd read more representations of this as a teenager.
I was also a little let down by some areas of the book. I thought Nell could have been dealt with a little better, and I was rather disappointed with Renée and Julien, I definitely thought Renée was going to be gay.
Overall it's a mainly well written book, which examines fragile teenage years with compassion and emotional depth. I felt somewhat nostalgic reading it, half wanting to go back to my teenage years where my biggest worry was my GCSEs, and who would be my first kiss, and half so so glad those messy awkward years are behind me!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Sexual content, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer, Eating disorder, and Vomit