Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “Ballad for a Mad Girl” as Want to Read:
Ballad for a Mad Girl
Enlarge cover
Rate this book
Clear rating
Open Preview

Ballad for a Mad Girl

by
4.07  ·  Rating Details ·  123 Ratings  ·  48 Reviews
Everyone knows seventeen-year-old Grace Foley is a bit mad. She’s a prankster and a risk-taker, and she’s not afraid of anything—except losing. As part of the long-running feud between two local schools in Swanston, Grace accepts a challenge to walk the pipe.

That night she experiences something she can’t explain. The funny girl isn’t laughing anymore. She’s haunted by voi
...more
Paperback, 309 pages
Published June 2017 by Text Publishing
More Details... edit details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Ballad for a Mad Girl, please sign up.

Be the first to ask a question about Ballad for a Mad Girl

Draekora by Lynette NoniBegin, End, Begin by Danielle BinksBallad for a Mad Girl by Vikki WakefieldThe Secret Science of Magic by Melissa KeilRemind Me How This Ends by Gabrielle Tozer
#LoveOzYA 2017
55 books — 72 voters
The Book Thief by Markus ZusakTomorrow, When the War Began by John MarsdenLooking for Alibrandi by Melina MarchettaLife in Outer Space by Melissa KeilOn the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
LoveOzYA
300 books — 145 voters


More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30)
filter  |  sort: default (?)  |  Rating Details
Cait (Paper Fury)
So it's always exciting to find an Aussie book that isn't a flat out contemporary! And I had noooo idea what this was when I attempted to gnaw on the cover -- turns out it's a paranormal murder mystery. Ghost possession, hallucinations, teenagers with greasy hair. The whole kaboodle. However the reason I wasn't particularly keen on it in the end is just that: I found the writing rather unemotional. And I harbour this secret sneaky feeling that solving a murder mystery by ghost possession is chea ...more
Tilly Booth
May 18, 2017 Tilly Booth rated it it was amazing
ALRIGHT LISTEN UP BOOK NERDS. This book is fucking fantastic and if you want to read something that is YA, Australia, a little spooky and wholly emotional then for the love of all bookish gods, PICK THIS BOOK UP. You will not regret it, trust me.

Vikki Wakefield is an auto-buy author for me. She's fantastic. Her writing style is one of the greatest I've had the pleasure of reading and her characters are relatable and real. I can honestly and proudly say that Ballad for a Mad Girl is my new favou
...more
Amanda
Ballad for a Mad Girl is Vikki Wakefield's fourth YA novel. Set in the small, rural town of Swanston (nicknamed Swamp Town), we meet seventeen-year-old Grace Foley. Grace grew up on the family farm but after the death of her mother, her father moved Grace and her older brother to a house in town. Since then they just coexist. Grace feels suffocated by her father's rules, and breaks free by entertaining her friends with pranks and stunts, many involving the local gorge.

Grace's personality is so
...more
Kirsti (Melbourne on my mind)
Trigger warnings: abuse, death of a parent (in the past), mental health issues.

My thoughts on this book can basically be summed up in one word: Que???

Like...the whole time I was reading this book, I just wasn't sure what the fuck I was reading. Was Grace dealing with mental health problems? Was she an unreliable narrator? Was there genuinely weird paranormal shit going on? I STILL DON'T KNOW.

I liked the writing. I liked Grace. I liked her friends and her family members and her stolen axolotls.
...more
Marianne
May 03, 2017 Marianne rated it it was amazing
Ballad For A Mad Girl is the fourth novel by Australian author, Vikki Wakefield. Seventeen-year-old Grace Foley’s dad has grounded her (again) for a stupid prank (and yeah, she probably deserved it). But tonight, there’s a pipe challenge on: all her friends will be there; her daredevil reputation and her record are at stake; she’s got to show those Sacred Heart kids who’s the champion, so of course she’s going to sneak out. But at the quarry, when she’s on the pipe running across the gully, some ...more
jesse
"My heart is a room with an unwelcome visitor."

This is Vikki Wakefield's fourth novel and we 'clicked' right away. Since I've admired and enjoyed her previous work, I knew I would love her newest addition.

It's gritty, it's raw and oh-so gripping. Even though I'm a big scaredy-cat, I adore the thrill just the same and the novel delivers on all accounts. But it's more than a mystery with elements of horror. The author excels at writing about the human condition and character study. Moreover, th
...more
Rachel Lightwood
• Wakefield’s writing style rubbed me the wrong way. I found it physically painful to read like someone was rubbing a grater over my eyeballs with every sentence. I have no patience for lyrical metaphors that try to subtly suggest what is happening. You can be poetic and clear at the same time.
• Grace was unlikable, completely and utterly unlikeable. I had no sympathy for her. She was an awful friend. She was not funny, and it is constantly said that she was meant to be. I literally did not eve
...more
ALPHAreader
May 10, 2017 ALPHAreader rated it it was amazing
Vikki Wakefield is one of the most creative and daring authors writing for young adults today. Ballad for a Mad Girl is an Aussie YA Gothic tale that smartly uses the supernatural to explore the depths of grief and growing up, and the pain to be found in both. This is a caring and keening novel, creepy but tender and wholly marvellous.
Maggie
Dec 11, 2016 Maggie marked it as to-read
How I feel about Vikki Wakefield's writing:

I cannot wait for this book.
Text Publishing
Mar 02, 2017 Text Publishing rated it it was amazing
Shelves: fiction, ya, australian
‘Fans of intelligent, unflinching, spine-crawling thrillers…will love Ballad for a Mad Girl.’
Books + Publishing

‘I’m obsessed with Vikki Wakefield’s words. Seriously—I’d be happy reading her grocery list.’
Alpha Reader

‘Vikki Wakefield…proves again that she’s the mistress of YA twisted relationships and disturbed characters, all memorable, all sketched with compassion, wit and insight, the adults as well as teens.’
Ruth Starke, Australian Book Review, Books of the Year 2015

‘Vikki Wakefield writes s
...more
Diem
Jan 29, 2017 Diem rated it it was amazing
4.5

Review to come on podcast.

Christine Bongers
May 25, 2017 Christine Bongers rated it it was amazing
Shelves: aussie-ya
I'm a huge fan of Vikki Wakefield and her latest offering is a cracker. Dark, gothic, and unputdownable. Loved it.
Bec
Jun 10, 2017 Bec rated it really liked it
Review to come
Pat
Apr 26, 2017 Pat rated it it was amazing
I couldn't put this down. It is a thrilling, compelling and scary novel. Wakefield at her best (and that's very, very good).
Trisha
I need time to process and to talk to people about this one.

I enjoyed Grace's voice. She always felt real. But sad and dark subject matter mean it's a tough read (but that's expected from this author).

Poignant.
Rochelle
Jun 11, 2017 Rochelle rated it really liked it
Shelves: own
4.5 stars.

Warning: Do not read this at night. It was so creepy.

Vikki Wakefield has a way of writing characters that get under your skin. Grace Foley certainly has something under her skin. She lost her mother two years ago in an accident. She is reckless and known for pulling crazy pranks and stunts. But during one of the crazy stunts she loses the plot, but this time no one is laughing, especially grace.
As things get weirder, Grace’s friends pull away and she is left on her own to work out if
...more
Miffy
Jul 02, 2017 Miffy rated it it was amazing
Holy moley, kids. This book is AMAZING! I've always been a huge fan of Vikki Wakefield, but this book: this book is off the scale. Gripping, scary, thrilling, real, unreal and fabulous. I started it a few days ago, whilst on holidays, and it gripped me, but I didn't have time to really get stuck in. Well, I've just devoured two thirds in one giant gulp. It's 1am. Just read it.
Mima
My heart is a room with an unwelcome visitor. . ."

I really don't consider myself a poet AT ALL, but to me a poem was the only way to review this book. Hope you enjoy.

My heart has a special place for fictional characters
this book I will never forget.
Vikki writes with finesse and she unravels a mystery
at first - thread by thread
before you know it you're holding your breath.
Grace: daring, leading on, fearless, but lost
in hateful thoughts
silent screams
lonely nights
stretching on and on.
Lights flick
...more
Tayla
Jul 11, 2017 Tayla rated it really liked it
it was good

i was surprise

:o
Chent Higson
May 19, 2017 Chent Higson rated it really liked it
The first Vikki Wakefield book I've read and omg I loved it?? It was so good and interesting and fresh and I am definitely gonna read what books of hers I actually own now.
Emily Mead
May 06, 2017 Emily Mead rated it really liked it
This was so good. The emotions are intense and unsettling - it would be incredible as a movie. In some parts it had a similar vibe to Stranger Things. Definitely recommend.
Caitlin
Jul 09, 2017 Caitlin rated it really liked it
Ballad For A Mad Girl is the first book by Vikki Wakefield that I've read. And boy, am I glad I did.

I really enjoyed Wakefield's characterisation and use of dialogue, especially the dialogue tags. It was a refreshing change from all that 'he said, she said' which we're all taught. She showed them doing instead of just telling.
I especially liked the writing of Swanston—nicknamed Swampton. It read as a real country town, and could easily be the one I grew up in, just a bit bigger. It had the sam
...more
Sarah
Jun 11, 2017 Sarah rated it really liked it
It’s been so long since I’ve read a book that’s not for uni and I think I made a really good decision in reading “Ballad for a Mad Girl.” I received this book in a Text Publishing Giveaway on Goodreads and was incredibly excited for it! I love my Australian reads!

The story follows Grace Foley as she is suddenly consumed by the twenty-year old mysterious, disappearance of Hannah Holt whilst she tries to navigate the rivalries between public and private schools and maintain friendships, and comfor
...more
Paula Weston
If this is the first Vikki Wakefield novel you’ve read, you’d be forgiven for thinking she’s made a career out of writing brilliantly crafted, creepy stories.

You’d probably be surprised to learn that this is her first foray into psychological thriller territory because she delivers this novel with such skill and polish. You would not, however, be surprised to learn she’s the highly acclaimed author of three gritty, coming-of-age novels populated with heart-breakingly honest characters.

Ballad Fo
...more
Natalie
Jun 08, 2017 Natalie rated it it was amazing
Recommends it for: EVERYONE
Disclaimer: I won a free copy of this book via a GoodReads giveaway.

Holy SHIT this book was fucking FANTASTIC. I've never read a novel by Vikki Wakefield before and I will be needing to seriously change that because if her other books are as incredible as this one, she has got to be one of my new favourite authors.

This novel was a PHENOMENAL ride from start to finish and I am so deeply grateful that I won a copy because I might not have had a chance to read this otherwise. It's such an incredibl
...more
Nadia King
May 07, 2017 Nadia King rated it it was amazing
Ballad for a Mad Girl by Vikki Wakefield is about the living, the dead, the long journey of grief, and what happens when the lines between them blur. It’s about knowing that’s real and what’s not, and knowing the difference between what’s in your mind and the supernatural shadows lurking in the corners of your room.

Seventeen-year-old Grace Foley, lives in the rural town of Swanston. She grieves for the loss of her mother and has forgotten how to fit in with her friends. Grace loves pranking but
...more
Kimberley
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
Kerry
Jun 04, 2017 Kerry rated it it was amazing
17 yr old Grace has a lot of issues, she's always been the most adventurous, the most inventive when it comes to doing pranks. She has her little gang of friends who join her, though she's always the edgiest, most outrageous. Now, however, when she really feels like she's losing control of herself, her friends aren't as supportive as before. Is Grace going crazy? Does anyone care or are they all just tired of Grace needing to be the centre of attention.
I've read one of Wakefield's previous novel
...more
Erin
Jul 07, 2017 Erin rated it liked it
Actual 3.5 - I think I mostly had me problem whilst reading this book. I found myself confused quiet often about setting or the difference between hallucinations and reality but I have a feeling that was kind of the point - we were meant to feel as disorientated as Grace. But it didnt really create a great reading experience for me. I feel like I would enjoy the book a lot more if I re-read it now, knowing all the things about the story line that I do. That being said ghosts and the supernatural ...more
Emily
Jul 09, 2017 Emily rated it liked it
RATING: 2.5/5 stars

My main reason that I finished this book was because I am meeting the author on Tuesday at book club. It really confused me which I believe is why it took me so long to read. It had an interesting concept but the supernatural element confused me - was it supposed to be supernatural or a mental illness? I really do not know. I got excited thinking that it was a murder mystery but it was not what I expected. The mystery was there and you did find out answers in the end, but it w
...more
« previous 1 3 4 5 next »
There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Share This Book