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lizthewhizz's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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? It's complicated
3.5
cheyarsen's review against another edition
4.0
I genuinely LOVED this book. It was funny and just over all had me smiling at it's cutesy narrative. I feel like it was definitely a novel I needed at this moment, as I'm kind of in a Fantasy slump right now. I love how it focuses on mental illnesses, which most authors are terrified to address. (It's understandable because of triggers and most people don't understand mental illnesses, but I wish more authors would write about the topic more. They genuinely are serious problems.) Also, I loved how even though one of the books major themes is romance it didn't really focus on the romance. It focuses more on Audrey and her progress in healing. If I had to say anything bad about this book it would have to be the fact that I wanted more. What caused Audrey's medical problems? (Technically I know that wasn't the purpose of the book and that was writing technique, but still I was/am curious). You can make inferences but I would've like more depth. Also, when I finished I kept looking for more pages. I would've loved for Audrey's story to be longer. And also, I do have to say, I wish the book wouldn't have been as much about Frank and the video game problem. I loved how it gave character to Audrey's family but, at the same time, I feel it shouldn't just be about Frank. The book is called Finding AUDREY. But other than that I genuinely loved it. An overall cute novel and I highly suggest if your looking for a cute, funny, uplifting novel.
destineeperry's review against another edition
4.0
This was my first Sophie Kinsella book and OMG I loved it so much!! Finding Audrey is about a 14 year of girl who suffers from extreme anxiety and wears black sunglasses all the time because even eye contact is too much for her to handle. It's a quick feel good read I think many people would enjoy.
The family dynamic is so relatable and so funny, the dialogue and witty remarks between them had be cackling out loud to myself. The opening scene of the book was absolutely hilarious, I could totally envision the neighbours forming from all directions in attempt to save the computer. I thought the writing was done very well, going back and forth from story telling and the documentary was fun and enjoyable. Usually when books have email threads or a chain of texts and it breaks up the reading, I don't typically enjoy it.
Audrey's relationship with Linus was so adorable and kind. Linus and Audrey's whole family are so supportive of her and what she's going through. I really enjoyed Finding Audrey. It's a great read to help spread awareness of mental illness and it's written in a way that makes it so relatable for whatever the reader might be going through. It touches the fact that getting better it's always easy or as fast as you may want it and it's alright to have episodes fall backs and the importance of medication. Bravo!
The family dynamic is so relatable and so funny, the dialogue and witty remarks between them had be cackling out loud to myself. The opening scene of the book was absolutely hilarious, I could totally envision the neighbours forming from all directions in attempt to save the computer. I thought the writing was done very well, going back and forth from story telling and the documentary was fun and enjoyable. Usually when books have email threads or a chain of texts and it breaks up the reading, I don't typically enjoy it.
Audrey's relationship with Linus was so adorable and kind. Linus and Audrey's whole family are so supportive of her and what she's going through. I really enjoyed Finding Audrey. It's a great read to help spread awareness of mental illness and it's written in a way that makes it so relatable for whatever the reader might be going through. It touches the fact that getting better it's always easy or as fast as you may want it and it's alright to have episodes fall backs and the importance of medication. Bravo!
katziareadsss's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
2.75
keen23's review against another edition
2.0
I really didn't like how this book wrapped up. The humor is dead on Kinsella. The crazy Mom is a staple of Kinsella's writing style. But it just doesn't work.
bronski's review against another edition
4.0
Well, someone finally did it and I'm glad it was Kinsella. If you can overlook the teenage narrative and the timeline being a matter of weeks rather than years, it's a fantastic description of what life is like with an anxiety disorder. In the last decade this state of mind seems to be spreading like wildfire and not necessarily attached to a traumatizing experience or event (which sounds more like PTSD). The vague references to Audrey's experience with bullying I found distracting and possibly detrimental to the story as the anxiety disorder doesn't always have a "trigger event." Rarely are the reasons so straight forward and the subject could easily be a book in itself. I'm glad she chose not to describe the trauma. For the sake of exposure, it's a detail I'm happy to overlook. Kinsella nailed the feelings of what often looks and feels like unreasonable panic and the lack of understanding from the sufferer as well as those who desperately try to understand. You can't unless you've been there as well. My only other minor critique is how casually the aftermath of going off her medication went. Although it might have made the story darker, it's a serious medication and the character wouldn't likely have been able to get away with it with only minor withdrawal symptoms. That said, the character goes from agoraphobic to "almost better" in a matter of weeks so it might be explained away in that sense.
The role of Linus is rather perfect as he doesn't act as a cure, simply a strong support and an example of the good it does to unwaveringly stand by someone with anxiety even if they don't understand why you can't just go hang out or take a phone call or other mundane, every day tasks. Linus grasps the concept of challenging Audrey without overstepping and learns with her.
Targeted towards middle school aged teenagers, perhaps through Kinsella's voice this topic will be more understood and accepted among youth. It's a book I wish were around when I was experiencing it for the first time in high school. It's a desperately lonely and seemingly never ending journey (some of us work for years to overcome the hurdles Audrey did) and this book offered a comforting message that those with anxiety are not alone and there is hope, no matter how "crazy" one may feel.
The role of Linus is rather perfect as he doesn't act as a cure, simply a strong support and an example of the good it does to unwaveringly stand by someone with anxiety even if they don't understand why you can't just go hang out or take a phone call or other mundane, every day tasks. Linus grasps the concept of challenging Audrey without overstepping and learns with her.
Targeted towards middle school aged teenagers, perhaps through Kinsella's voice this topic will be more understood and accepted among youth. It's a book I wish were around when I was experiencing it for the first time in high school. It's a desperately lonely and seemingly never ending journey (some of us work for years to overcome the hurdles Audrey did) and this book offered a comforting message that those with anxiety are not alone and there is hope, no matter how "crazy" one may feel.
notoriouskog's review against another edition
5.0
A great novel about a girl struggling with something so many people experience, but so few talk about!