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So Much to Tell You
(So Much to Tell You #1)
by
Scarred, literally, by her past, Marina has withdrawn into silence. Then, at her new boarding school, she is set the task of writing a diary by her English teacher, and finds a way of expressing her thoughts and feelings and of exploring the traumatic events that have caused her distress. Through Marina's diary we gain an insight into life on her dormitory, and her difficu
...more
Paperback, 150 pages
Published
2004
by Walker Books
(first published 1987)
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Start your review of So Much to Tell You (So Much to Tell You, #1)
A very short young adult novel, chosen last minute while walking. Marina chooses not to speak after an unnamed accident leaving her face terribly scarred. Having been sent to boarding school, seemingly abandoned by her mother, she must navigate herself through this difficulty, finding friendships and hopefully finding her voice. As a fifteen year old, John Marsden gives Marina a maturity beyond her years, her insights into her own feelings and that of her other fellow students give her a strong
...more
Mar 05, 2016
☼♄Jülie
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
All, esp Young Adults.
Recommended to ☼♄Jülie by:
Self.
Shelves:
aussie-author,
young-adult,
series,
1st-in-series,
cultural-australia,
audio-version,
library-audio,
ptsd
*May contain spoilers*
I listened to the audio version of this book (#1) during a few quiet hours in my garden, it was the perfect setting.
After suffering a horrendous injury to her face whilst intervening in an argument between her parents, young Marina has stopped talking. She has found herself unable to speak at all, and no amount of encouragement from doctors, hospital staff or family can coax words from her.
Her injuries, although extensive, don't appear to be the cause of her inability to ta ...more
Apr 29, 2009
Sally
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
ya,
i-own-this,
own-highbury,
australian,
john-marsden,
boarding-school,
diary-or-letters,
melbourne
Re-read October 1st, 2011 after finding it at the bookswap! And I almost didn't get it because I've read it, but then I had donated 30+ books and could thus take 30+ books home with me, so it wasn't like it was going to cost me anything to add another to the pile, you know? (I ended up with 17, I think.)
Anyway. OMG YOU GUYS I had forgotten how amazing and incredible this book was!! Or, had never really realised just HOW awesome it is, because I was only 11 or 12 the first time I read it, and tho ...more
Anyway. OMG YOU GUYS I had forgotten how amazing and incredible this book was!! Or, had never really realised just HOW awesome it is, because I was only 11 or 12 the first time I read it, and tho ...more
Oct 16, 2012
Michael
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Michael by:
Angela Elizabeth
Life is very complicated for Marina. Shipped off to boarding school, in a world she doesn’t fit in with, trying to understand life. She sets out writing a journal for an assignment but she really takes to it and in the journal we find really what is going on within her head. She is socially awkward dealing with a tragic accident that has left her face scarred; and she hasn’t spoken a word since this incident.
I picked up this book on a couple of peoples recommendation; John Marsden really is a st ...more
I picked up this book on a couple of peoples recommendation; John Marsden really is a st ...more
This is truly one of the worst books I have ever read. I have personal experience with a great deal of the topics described, and to be frank I cannot imagine how John Marsden could have screwed it up more. Some of it was downright offensive, in my humble opinion. Furthermore, the actual plot is virtually nonexistent and thus very dull and difficult to understand. I reached the end and was completely blown away that the book had ended. I was catatonic for about an hour. There was no closure to sp
...more
Jan 05, 2008
Rosianna
rated it
really liked it
Recommends it for:
Fans of "Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time"
Shelves:
favourite-books
Beautifully written - I'm always admirable of males who write in the shoes of a female and you would never know as the accuracy is remarkable. The concept, the execution, I just loved it all, and was in tears by the end.
...more
Jul 14, 2010
Sannie
rated it
really liked it
Recommends it for:
teenage girls
Recommended to Sannie by:
Linda
Shelves:
childrens-ya-books
I don't like fiction that's written in diary-form unless it's done well. So Much to Tell You is definitely in that category of well-written. It is the story of loneliness and the difficulties of being a teenager. Sure, it takes place in an all girls' boarding skill in Australia, but the themes are universal. Anyone who's been a lonely teenager will relate (and let's be honest, who HASN'T been a lonely teenager?). I love how the narrator, Marina, is so observant of the other girls in her class an
...more
Lovely little quick read were you can help but feel drawn to the main character.
This is a sensitive story, told from the survivor’s perspective. It’s interesting and touching and makes you feel like a young, vulnerable person.
I like the epistolary style and enjoyed reading this. Just felt strange to me that it was so abrupt and the end resolved so easily after so much anguish...
I like the epistolary style and enjoyed reading this. Just felt strange to me that it was so abrupt and the end resolved so easily after so much anguish...
So Much to Tell You
By John Marsden
“So Much to Tell You”, by John Marsden is a true story about a girl, by the name of Marina, whose face is horribly disfigured when her father mistakenly throws acid on her face during an argument with her mother. Marina is sent to a girls’ boarding school after the accident because her mother is frustrated that Marina stops speaking and she feels that the school will help her to speak again. This book is written in a diary form and tells of Marina’s life in the ...more
By John Marsden
“So Much to Tell You”, by John Marsden is a true story about a girl, by the name of Marina, whose face is horribly disfigured when her father mistakenly throws acid on her face during an argument with her mother. Marina is sent to a girls’ boarding school after the accident because her mother is frustrated that Marina stops speaking and she feels that the school will help her to speak again. This book is written in a diary form and tells of Marina’s life in the ...more
A young girl with trauma in her recent history starts afresh at a new boarding school. Unable to speak to her teachers, doctors or peers, she begins to confide in her journal...
Another week, another John Marsden novel to attach to my person until every page has been devoured. And this is the best one yet. Am I right in thinking this was his debut? If so, my god... In the last year, with all the edgy YA I've been sifting through, I've become used to my heart being broken and my emotions being rip ...more
Another week, another John Marsden novel to attach to my person until every page has been devoured. And this is the best one yet. Am I right in thinking this was his debut? If so, my god... In the last year, with all the edgy YA I've been sifting through, I've become used to my heart being broken and my emotions being rip ...more
This book gave me hope when I was a depressed, messed up kid. It...it draws you in.
Okay, so the stupid blurb for one of the editions of this book basically gives away everything about it.
(Not that that is a problem for me, but if you don't want to know most of the secrets that are revealed throughout So Much To Tell You, don't read the blurbs for other editions of this book.)
Anyway. I bought this book years ago -- I think when I was 15 or 16 or so and just starting to go through tough shit myself. I don't know why, but I never read it. I know I tried to at one point, and I'm p ...more
(Not that that is a problem for me, but if you don't want to know most of the secrets that are revealed throughout So Much To Tell You, don't read the blurbs for other editions of this book.)
Anyway. I bought this book years ago -- I think when I was 15 or 16 or so and just starting to go through tough shit myself. I don't know why, but I never read it. I know I tried to at one point, and I'm p ...more
This is a poignant novel about a girl who chooses not to speak. Her inner dialogue spills onto journal pages filled with hesitation, wit, raw emotion and brutal honesty.
From family disfunction, physical and emotional trauma, hospitalisation and a new start at boarding school, this book encapsulates how we all feel through turbulent times, regardless of age, sex or economic status.
I first read "So Much to Tell You" for high school English. It spoke to me on such a profound level that I continued ...more
From family disfunction, physical and emotional trauma, hospitalisation and a new start at boarding school, this book encapsulates how we all feel through turbulent times, regardless of age, sex or economic status.
I first read "So Much to Tell You" for high school English. It spoke to me on such a profound level that I continued ...more
This is one smelly book. I had to read it for school in year 8. That was about three years ago, but I’m pretty sure if I reread now, my initial opinions would remain. I remember reading it all in one go, propelled by my rage.
The book is supposed to be written like a journal of a fourteen year old girl. Reading it as a fourteen year old girl who kept a journal, it read exactly like a grown man trying to tap into his inner fourteen year old girl, and failing miserably.
The book is supposed to be written like a journal of a fourteen year old girl. Reading it as a fourteen year old girl who kept a journal, it read exactly like a grown man trying to tap into his inner fourteen year old girl, and failing miserably.
I felt very bad for her but liked her adventures and stories a lot.
Brilliantly written!! highly recommend, but really annoying/unsatifying ending
I loved all the "helpers" in this book who worked toward bringing Marina back to where she needed to be, but I didn't really believe the details of her facial injury. Having worked with many teenage girls, and having been one myself, it isn't really possible that none of Marina's roommates or fellow students ever reacted to her facial injuries. I may have missed a look here or there but the injuries seem to be so severe that plastic surgery has to wait for more healing - and no one notices? Even
...more
Rating: 4.5 lol
I really enjoyed this book. My favorite part was seeing the character development and watching the relationships grow over time. Cathy was my favorite character as she seemed so peaceful and kind.
I am looking forward to reading the second book to get to know the characters better and see how everything works out.
This book is a must-read and I recommend this book to teenage girls 12+.
I really enjoyed this book. My favorite part was seeing the character development and watching the relationships grow over time. Cathy was my favorite character as she seemed so peaceful and kind.
I am looking forward to reading the second book to get to know the characters better and see how everything works out.
This book is a must-read and I recommend this book to teenage girls 12+.
2.25 stars. I respect John Marsden’s work but this book disappointed me. I really wanted to like this book but I just couldn’t overlook its major weaknesses. The story and characters are under-developed, the diary style could have worked, but failed to deliver because it was not effectively written; there was never a climax; lastly, the denouement is abrupt and flat. Interestingly, in spite of this, I believe the book is still passable for its genre: young adult fiction.
The book ‘So Much To Tell You’ starts off with a teenage girl that has been injured by her father and no longer speaks. Her mother and stepfather decide to put her in an all girl boarding school hoping that she will one day speak again. On her first day of school her English teacher gives the class a journal thinking it will help them express themselves. Now the main character whose name is Marina writes in the journal every day but still does not speak. This book is based on a true story and is
...more
“So Much to Tell You” is a Teenage Drama by John Marsden about Marina who lives in Australia with her parents. Her mom and dad don’t get along to well. Her dad attempts to throw a bucket of acid at her mom’s face, but Marina jumps in between trying to save her mom but instead half her face gets destroyed. After this her dad goes to jail, and Marina goes to the hospital. But after that she isn’t who she was before, she won’t speak. Her mom sends her to a boarding school so that she can get better
...more
It’s about a girl called Marina who’s had a bad injury in her face caused by her father who accidentally spilled over her face which was supposed to go on her mother because she was having an affair with another man. So she’s going through a very hard time but at the end everything turns out okay.
Marina’s very shy at first and needs to get used to things, and doesn’t like to get into crowded places because of Her face, it’s heavily scarred because, the acid that was spilled over her face. But sh ...more
Marina’s very shy at first and needs to get used to things, and doesn’t like to get into crowded places because of Her face, it’s heavily scarred because, the acid that was spilled over her face. But sh ...more
This book is about a girl called Marina whom can't talk because of an accident with her parents.
Her parents had a fight; her father is in jail, and her mother is taking care of her. Marina's father was going to throw a bottle of acid to his wife however, Marina jumped inbetween and the acid went onto her and her face was deformed and from then on she couldn't talk.Marina stayed at the hospital for awhile and then she went to a boarding school called Warrington. At the very first few days of sch ...more
Her parents had a fight; her father is in jail, and her mother is taking care of her. Marina's father was going to throw a bottle of acid to his wife however, Marina jumped inbetween and the acid went onto her and her face was deformed and from then on she couldn't talk.Marina stayed at the hospital for awhile and then she went to a boarding school called Warrington. At the very first few days of sch ...more
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So Much to Tell You by John Marsden is about a girl called Marina. Her father spilled acid on her face and now she won't talk so she starts keeping a diary.
Her mom sends her to a bording school because she can't stand the silence or Marina's face and Marina's father goes to jail. Marina throws her chance of makeing friends and starts failing school, but afters a while she and Cathy (girl from her dorm) become frineds and Marina gains back some of her self esteem and writes her father a letter ...more
Her mom sends her to a bording school because she can't stand the silence or Marina's face and Marina's father goes to jail. Marina throws her chance of makeing friends and starts failing school, but afters a while she and Cathy (girl from her dorm) become frineds and Marina gains back some of her self esteem and writes her father a letter ...more
I wanted to like it so much, and expected to like it a lot also, but it was so short and not detailed at all that I found it difficult to like. At some places i really liked, but then others; including the ending, I did not like at all. There is a sequel, but it is from the point of view of another girl, they both go to the same school together. I don't think I will read it.
But what the most interesting thing is about the book is that it is incredibly written by a guy; male authors seem to have ...more
But what the most interesting thing is about the book is that it is incredibly written by a guy; male authors seem to have ...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
It's based on a true story. It's written as a diary of a girl whose face was partly (or entirely) destroyed by acid as a result of her father's angry mistake. After the accident, she didn't talk for almost a year. (Not a word from her mouth for many months, and i can't believe it! I won't be able to stay that way for as long as a min. :D ) As the girl wrote on in her diary, i was allowed some glances into her past and her feelings. However, just when i thought i was going to know what exactly ha
...more
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There is more than one author with this name in the database, see f.e. John Marsden
His first book, So Much To Tell You, was published in 1987. This was followed by Take My Word For It, a half-sequel written from the point of view of another character. His landmark Tomorrow series is recognized as the most popular book series for young adults ever written in Australia. The first book of this series ...more
His first book, So Much To Tell You, was published in 1987. This was followed by Take My Word For It, a half-sequel written from the point of view of another character. His landmark Tomorrow series is recognized as the most popular book series for young adults ever written in Australia. The first book of this series ...more
Other books in the series
So Much to Tell You
(2 books)
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“I feel like I'm dropping such a long way down again." "I seem to be dropping into a cold dark wet place, where no one's been before and noone can every follow. There's no future there; just a past that sometimes fools you into thinking it's the future. It's the most alone place you can ever be and, when you go there, you not only cease to exist in real life, you also cease to exist in their consciousness and in their memories.”
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“Pale as ice you passed me by;
I wondered what you really felt,
And waited through the changing times,
To see if you would one day melt.
I thought that ice would melt with warmth,
But there were thing I did not know:
The sun can touch the outer layers
But does not reach the deepest snow.
Winter sometimes seems like years,
Summer's sometimes far away,
But winter always turns to summer,
As surely as does night to day.”
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More quotes…
I wondered what you really felt,
And waited through the changing times,
To see if you would one day melt.
I thought that ice would melt with warmth,
But there were thing I did not know:
The sun can touch the outer layers
But does not reach the deepest snow.
Winter sometimes seems like years,
Summer's sometimes far away,
But winter always turns to summer,
As surely as does night to day.”
