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A review by katykelly
Forever Geek by Holly Smale
5.0
A swansong (for Ugly Ducklings) that combines the usual Harriet humour with pathos and a few surprises...
If I were still 15, I would probably be heartbroken that this is to be the last Manners books. Being the mature thirty-something (super)fan that I am, I am of course sensibly seeing this final foray into Harriet's world as what it is - a goodbye to her adolescence, to our wonderful time with her geeky, control-freak self and quirky family, and not at ALL shedding a tear for my alter-ego. Not one. Nope.
I've read every novel, novella and supplementary Harriet-produced piece of writing Smale has cared to send out into the world. Harriet has been one of the most refreshing and relatable characters I've come across in my twenty years of reading Young Adult fiction, and while I'm very sorry to be losing her, I'm just thrilled that she's out in the world of fiction still, and that this last book ties up her story and leaves us all with happy memories and a feeling (for me at least) of contentment and satisfaction.
I doubt anyone reading this book won't have read the rest, so won't need a recap on the last two years of Harriet's life. Picking up soon after the events of the last book, Harriet and Nat are off to Australia for a holiday/potential modelling assignment, with Bunty, the irrepressible and one-of-a-kind grandmother we all want to know.
But of course, we all know who hails from Oz, don't we? And just how will Harriet and new kind-of-boyfriend Jasper cope with a few continents and time zones between them? And can the recently matured Harriet continue her good work and make this adventure worthwhile for her best friend as well as herself?
We have the expected bungles, random (amazing!) facts, disasters, best-friends-forever scenes, cameos from the best agent ever (Wilbur), love triangle worries, modelling scenes that don't go to plan, the Manners family being one of the best fictional families with not enough page time, and this time we also have an added dimension. I saw the ending coming, but it certainly didn't make it any less poignant. I definitely peeled onions while reading this as well.
A more grown-up Harriet bids us farewell at the end of Forever Geek than the one we've known for the past five or more outings. She's almost ready for the adult world, she knows more clearly who she is (and it's someone to be proud of), and she's not ashamed of her quirks and foibles. Smale has built a wonderful gallery of supporting characters around her as well, from Toby and Rin to the most chilled Dad in the universe and it looks like Harriet has finally learned to both accept them all and want to reciprocate their love and support.
This is a wonderful last fling for Harriet, she's not changed at heart, but has grown up. And though this may be the end, I do wish Smale would revisit Miss Manners in a few years - I want to know where she is after University, what her family are up to, Nat and her other friends. I want to see a Geek at large in the world, shining her own light and inspiring others around her (as well as annoying them).
The book manages to do a written 'montage' of the highlights of the series, with several characters from previous books brought in, even for just a few scenes, bringing it all together (not too subtlely, but it was nice to see them again).
There's also a lovely note, a tribute almost, from Holly Smale at the end, to her creation, a very personal piece of the author if not a portrait of herself.
Lovely series finale. A fantastic series for those of us who have always felt a little different, awkward and apart. Farewell Harriet, I'll miss you.
With thanks to Netgalley for the advance e-copy.
If I were still 15, I would probably be heartbroken that this is to be the last Manners books. Being the mature thirty-something (super)fan that I am, I am of course sensibly seeing this final foray into Harriet's world as what it is - a goodbye to her adolescence, to our wonderful time with her geeky, control-freak self and quirky family, and not at ALL shedding a tear for my alter-ego. Not one. Nope.
I've read every novel, novella and supplementary Harriet-produced piece of writing Smale has cared to send out into the world. Harriet has been one of the most refreshing and relatable characters I've come across in my twenty years of reading Young Adult fiction, and while I'm very sorry to be losing her, I'm just thrilled that she's out in the world of fiction still, and that this last book ties up her story and leaves us all with happy memories and a feeling (for me at least) of contentment and satisfaction.
I doubt anyone reading this book won't have read the rest, so won't need a recap on the last two years of Harriet's life. Picking up soon after the events of the last book, Harriet and Nat are off to Australia for a holiday/potential modelling assignment, with Bunty, the irrepressible and one-of-a-kind grandmother we all want to know.
But of course, we all know who hails from Oz, don't we? And just how will Harriet and new kind-of-boyfriend Jasper cope with a few continents and time zones between them? And can the recently matured Harriet continue her good work and make this adventure worthwhile for her best friend as well as herself?
We have the expected bungles, random (amazing!) facts, disasters, best-friends-forever scenes, cameos from the best agent ever (Wilbur), love triangle worries, modelling scenes that don't go to plan, the Manners family being one of the best fictional families with not enough page time, and this time we also have an added dimension. I saw the ending coming, but it certainly didn't make it any less poignant. I definitely peeled onions while reading this as well.
A more grown-up Harriet bids us farewell at the end of Forever Geek than the one we've known for the past five or more outings. She's almost ready for the adult world, she knows more clearly who she is (and it's someone to be proud of), and she's not ashamed of her quirks and foibles. Smale has built a wonderful gallery of supporting characters around her as well, from Toby and Rin to the most chilled Dad in the universe and it looks like Harriet has finally learned to both accept them all and want to reciprocate their love and support.
This is a wonderful last fling for Harriet, she's not changed at heart, but has grown up. And though this may be the end, I do wish Smale would revisit Miss Manners in a few years - I want to know where she is after University, what her family are up to, Nat and her other friends. I want to see a Geek at large in the world, shining her own light and inspiring others around her (as well as annoying them).
The book manages to do a written 'montage' of the highlights of the series, with several characters from previous books brought in, even for just a few scenes, bringing it all together (not too subtlely, but it was nice to see them again).
There's also a lovely note, a tribute almost, from Holly Smale at the end, to her creation, a very personal piece of the author if not a portrait of herself.
Lovely series finale. A fantastic series for those of us who have always felt a little different, awkward and apart. Farewell Harriet, I'll miss you.
With thanks to Netgalley for the advance e-copy.