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About a Girl
I remember when we lay together for the first time and I closed my eyes and felt the crackle of her dark hair between my fingers. She was all warmth and sparking light. When I was with her, my skin sighed that the center of the world was precisely here.
Anna is afraid she must be unlovable—until she meets Flynn. Together, the girls swim, eat banana cake, laugh, and love. Some days Flynn is unreachable; other days she's at Anna's door—but when Anna discovers Flynn's secret, she wonders if she knows her at all. This beautifully crafted novel explores the tension between the tender moments that pull people together and the secrets that push them apart.
Anna is afraid she must be unlovable—until she meets Flynn. Together, the girls swim, eat banana cake, laugh, and love. Some days Flynn is unreachable; other days she's at Anna's door—but when Anna discovers Flynn's secret, she wonders if she knows her at all. This beautifully crafted novel explores the tension between the tender moments that pull people together and the secrets that push them apart.
194 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2010
19 people are currently reading
1314 people want to read
About the author
Joanne Horniman
18 books23 followersJoanne Horniman grew up in a country town in northern NSW. She read books, rode her bicycle around the countryside, and had a glove puppet theatre company with her best friend. They 'toured' their show to all the classes in the school. On leaving school, Joanne went to Sydney, completed an arts degree and worked as an editor after a stint washing dishes in a pub. Since then she has worked as a teacher at TAFE and university, and she now lives with her family on a small acreage in the bush, where she plants rainforest trees and looks after a trio of chooks and a duo of ducks.
When did you start writing?
'When I was about six, I think. I had a collection of notebooks I wrote in. I gave up for a while in primary school, because I didn't like the topics the teachers set, but in high school I wrote short stories at home and sent them away to magazines.'
If you weren't a writer, what would you be?
'Very bored. Nothing else interests me. Except, perhaps, being a puppeteer, or Dr Who.'
When did you start writing?
'When I was about six, I think. I had a collection of notebooks I wrote in. I gave up for a while in primary school, because I didn't like the topics the teachers set, but in high school I wrote short stories at home and sent them away to magazines.'
If you weren't a writer, what would you be?
'Very bored. Nothing else interests me. Except, perhaps, being a puppeteer, or Dr Who.'
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
March 2, 2010
Anna's past is dark and painful, she never meant for the bad things to happen, she never meant to feel the things she feels, she never meant to be so different, but she couldn't help it. And it was all her fault.
Moving to Lismore had seemed ideal; Anna had a job she enjoyed and her own apartment, what more could she want? And then one day she saw a girl with a white guitar running down the street, and from the moment she heard that girl play she was in love. But she knew that she would never see that girl again.
Days later, though, she did. Her name was Flynn, and when she played she called herself Every Little Thing, but to Anna she was everything. The day they met they sat on Flynn's roof drinking tea and eating banana bread. The day they met Anna was the happiest she had ever been.
The only problem was Anna wasn't sure Flynn shared her feelings for her. There would be days, weeks, when Flynn could not be found, other days she was constantly by her side. But there was always something between them. Anna assumed it was Flynn's secrets keeping them apart, but Anna had been keeping secrets of her own.
This is a story of two girls, a couple of cats and a teapot named Lavinia. A story of falling in love, having your heart broken and losing those you love. A story about learning that everyone is different in their own way. A simple, honest and moving story About A Girl who just wants to be loved.
Moving to Lismore had seemed ideal; Anna had a job she enjoyed and her own apartment, what more could she want? And then one day she saw a girl with a white guitar running down the street, and from the moment she heard that girl play she was in love. But she knew that she would never see that girl again.
Days later, though, she did. Her name was Flynn, and when she played she called herself Every Little Thing, but to Anna she was everything. The day they met they sat on Flynn's roof drinking tea and eating banana bread. The day they met Anna was the happiest she had ever been.
The only problem was Anna wasn't sure Flynn shared her feelings for her. There would be days, weeks, when Flynn could not be found, other days she was constantly by her side. But there was always something between them. Anna assumed it was Flynn's secrets keeping them apart, but Anna had been keeping secrets of her own.
This is a story of two girls, a couple of cats and a teapot named Lavinia. A story of falling in love, having your heart broken and losing those you love. A story about learning that everyone is different in their own way. A simple, honest and moving story About A Girl who just wants to be loved.
June 24, 2013
I'm not sure if I'll be able to convey how much I loved this book, but I will try.
This is a poetic book, a very honest story and huge in all it's marvelous smallness. Though it is short and perhaps not quite as eventful as most books, it still reads like a longer fast-paced book.
I adored the descriptions, the atmosphere, the realistic thought-patterns, the love for books and music, and all the cats of course! Joanne Horniman has a great gift of picking those details that matter a lot in life and almost making them into a character of their own. Like the teapot in this book.
About a Girl portrays life as it often can be. With ups and downs and luck and mistakes. I imagine it could provide comfort in times of heartbreak too. As it is honest about it's sadness, but hopeful about the future as well.
This is a novel I will cherish and read, re-read and read yet again. I would love to try other books by the same author, but I'm slightly afraid they will never be quite as amazing as About a Girl.
This is a poetic book, a very honest story and huge in all it's marvelous smallness. Though it is short and perhaps not quite as eventful as most books, it still reads like a longer fast-paced book.
I adored the descriptions, the atmosphere, the realistic thought-patterns, the love for books and music, and all the cats of course! Joanne Horniman has a great gift of picking those details that matter a lot in life and almost making them into a character of their own. Like the teapot in this book.
About a Girl portrays life as it often can be. With ups and downs and luck and mistakes. I imagine it could provide comfort in times of heartbreak too. As it is honest about it's sadness, but hopeful about the future as well.
This is a novel I will cherish and read, re-read and read yet again. I would love to try other books by the same author, but I'm slightly afraid they will never be quite as amazing as About a Girl.
September 9, 2013
Über "Über ein Mädchen" habe ich bereits viele unterschiedliche Meinungen gelesen, viele davon waren doch recht negative Stimmen, was mich aber (zunächst) nicht verschrecken sollte. Da ich das Buch schon lange auf meiner Wunschliste hatte, war ich natürlich begeistert, als ich das Buch durch eine Wanderbuch-Aktion lesen durfte. Leider war das Buch eine komplette Enttäuschung, denn ich wurde weder mit den Figuren, noch mit der Handlung warm.
Bereits die ersten Seiten waren sehr anstrengend für mich, da ich mit dem Schreibstil leider nicht zurecht kam. Man merkt der Autorin zwar an, dass sie sich sehr bemüht hat, aber leider hat sie es dabei deutlich übertrieben, denn die Geschichte ist viel zu blumig und viel zu kitschig geschrieben. Dazu gibt es jede Menge kleine Kapitel, die sich um Themen drehten, die bei dem Buch alles andere als wichtig waren. Dazu gibt es leider viel zu wenig Dialoge und dafür viel zu viele (unnötige) Gedankengänge, die dazu führten, dass ich immer mehr das Interesse an Anna, der Hauptfigur, verloren habe.
Anna war von Anfang an eine schwierige und eher unsympathische Figur, mit der ich mich nur selten identifizieren konnte. Sie ist schüchtern, sehr melancholisch und die geborene Dramaqueen. Nur selten ist sie mit sich und ihren Mitmenschen zufrieden und auch sonst kann sie nur selten glücklich sein. Ihre Liebe zu Flynn empfand ich als unglaublich anstrengend, denn sie denkt dabei stellenweise so melancholisch und sehnsüchtig, dass mir die Geschichte schon fast zu süß und kitschig erscheint. Jeder Mensch, mit dem sie im Alltag Kontakt hat, wird von ihr einfach nur "Nicht-Flynn" genannt und wenn Flynn in ihrer Nähe ist, bekommt sie entweder kein Wort heraus oder wird rot im Gesicht. Auch sonst hat sie Flynn nicht besonders viel zu sagen, denn die größte Leidenschaft zwischen den beiden Mädchen scheint die Stille zu sein, denn sie schweigen lieber, als sich miteinander zu unterhalten. Flynn konnte mich ebenfalls nicht überzeugen. Zwar fand ich sie ein wenig sympathischer als Anna, aber dennoch erschien sie mir fast schon unnahbar, da man kaum etwas über sie erfährt. Auch die anderen Figuren, wie z.B. Annas Mutter waren zwar in der Geschichte vorhanden, aber mehr auch nicht. Alles wirkt sehr oberflächlich und somit hatte ich bis zur letzten Seite nicht annähernd das Gefühl, dass ich einen der Charaktere kennengelernt hätte.
Auch die Liebesgeschichte zwischen Anna und Flynn erschien mir an vielen Stellen sehr unglaubwürdig, denn alles geht so schnell und ohne Erklärungen, sodass ich ständig das Gefühl hatte, dass ich irgendwas verpasst hätte. Von Anfang spricht Anna von Liebe und der Tatsache, dass sie bereits nach der zweiten Begegnung nicht mehr ohne sie existieren möchte. Dies war mir ein wenig zu viel des Guten, denn wenn man den weiteren Verlauf betrachtet, wirkt die Geschichte immer unglaubwürdiger und klischeehaft.
Die Geschichte an sich hätte sehr interessant werden können, da ich Romane über gleichgeschlechtliche Liebe noch nicht allzu oft gelesen habe, aber leider konnte ich an diesem Buch keinen Spaß finden. Wäre der Schreibstil weniger blumig und kitschig gewesen und hätte ich die Figuren ein wenig sympathischer gefunden, hätte "Über ein Mädchen" ein gutes Buch werden können, aber so war ich am Ende froh, als ich das Buch endgültig schließen konnte. Wäre das Buch kein Wanderbuch gewesen, hätte ich es wohl nach etwas mehr als fünfzig Seiten abgebrochen, aber so habe ich mich letztlich doch durchgekämpft.
Die Covergestaltung ist dagegen wunderschön und passend zur Geschichte. Ich mag die zarten Farben, die gut zur Thematik passen und auch der Titel hätte nicht passender sein können. Dazu ist das Cover deutlich schöner als das Original-Cover. Die Kurzbeschreibung ist ebenfalls gelungen. Schade, dass der Inhalt letztlich nicht mithalten konnte.
Insgesamt hat mir "Über ein Mädchen" leider nicht gefallen. Ich hätte das Buch aufgrund seiner Thematik sehr gerne gemocht, aber leider war dies nicht möglich. Der Schreibstil war mir eindeutig zu kitschig und auch die Figuren fand ich eher weniger sympathisch. Ein weiteres Buch von Joanne Horniman lesen? Aktuell eher nicht. Dieses Buch kann ich leider nicht empfehlen.
Bereits die ersten Seiten waren sehr anstrengend für mich, da ich mit dem Schreibstil leider nicht zurecht kam. Man merkt der Autorin zwar an, dass sie sich sehr bemüht hat, aber leider hat sie es dabei deutlich übertrieben, denn die Geschichte ist viel zu blumig und viel zu kitschig geschrieben. Dazu gibt es jede Menge kleine Kapitel, die sich um Themen drehten, die bei dem Buch alles andere als wichtig waren. Dazu gibt es leider viel zu wenig Dialoge und dafür viel zu viele (unnötige) Gedankengänge, die dazu führten, dass ich immer mehr das Interesse an Anna, der Hauptfigur, verloren habe.
Anna war von Anfang an eine schwierige und eher unsympathische Figur, mit der ich mich nur selten identifizieren konnte. Sie ist schüchtern, sehr melancholisch und die geborene Dramaqueen. Nur selten ist sie mit sich und ihren Mitmenschen zufrieden und auch sonst kann sie nur selten glücklich sein. Ihre Liebe zu Flynn empfand ich als unglaublich anstrengend, denn sie denkt dabei stellenweise so melancholisch und sehnsüchtig, dass mir die Geschichte schon fast zu süß und kitschig erscheint. Jeder Mensch, mit dem sie im Alltag Kontakt hat, wird von ihr einfach nur "Nicht-Flynn" genannt und wenn Flynn in ihrer Nähe ist, bekommt sie entweder kein Wort heraus oder wird rot im Gesicht. Auch sonst hat sie Flynn nicht besonders viel zu sagen, denn die größte Leidenschaft zwischen den beiden Mädchen scheint die Stille zu sein, denn sie schweigen lieber, als sich miteinander zu unterhalten. Flynn konnte mich ebenfalls nicht überzeugen. Zwar fand ich sie ein wenig sympathischer als Anna, aber dennoch erschien sie mir fast schon unnahbar, da man kaum etwas über sie erfährt. Auch die anderen Figuren, wie z.B. Annas Mutter waren zwar in der Geschichte vorhanden, aber mehr auch nicht. Alles wirkt sehr oberflächlich und somit hatte ich bis zur letzten Seite nicht annähernd das Gefühl, dass ich einen der Charaktere kennengelernt hätte.
Auch die Liebesgeschichte zwischen Anna und Flynn erschien mir an vielen Stellen sehr unglaubwürdig, denn alles geht so schnell und ohne Erklärungen, sodass ich ständig das Gefühl hatte, dass ich irgendwas verpasst hätte. Von Anfang spricht Anna von Liebe und der Tatsache, dass sie bereits nach der zweiten Begegnung nicht mehr ohne sie existieren möchte. Dies war mir ein wenig zu viel des Guten, denn wenn man den weiteren Verlauf betrachtet, wirkt die Geschichte immer unglaubwürdiger und klischeehaft.
Die Geschichte an sich hätte sehr interessant werden können, da ich Romane über gleichgeschlechtliche Liebe noch nicht allzu oft gelesen habe, aber leider konnte ich an diesem Buch keinen Spaß finden. Wäre der Schreibstil weniger blumig und kitschig gewesen und hätte ich die Figuren ein wenig sympathischer gefunden, hätte "Über ein Mädchen" ein gutes Buch werden können, aber so war ich am Ende froh, als ich das Buch endgültig schließen konnte. Wäre das Buch kein Wanderbuch gewesen, hätte ich es wohl nach etwas mehr als fünfzig Seiten abgebrochen, aber so habe ich mich letztlich doch durchgekämpft.
Die Covergestaltung ist dagegen wunderschön und passend zur Geschichte. Ich mag die zarten Farben, die gut zur Thematik passen und auch der Titel hätte nicht passender sein können. Dazu ist das Cover deutlich schöner als das Original-Cover. Die Kurzbeschreibung ist ebenfalls gelungen. Schade, dass der Inhalt letztlich nicht mithalten konnte.
Insgesamt hat mir "Über ein Mädchen" leider nicht gefallen. Ich hätte das Buch aufgrund seiner Thematik sehr gerne gemocht, aber leider war dies nicht möglich. Der Schreibstil war mir eindeutig zu kitschig und auch die Figuren fand ich eher weniger sympathisch. Ein weiteres Buch von Joanne Horniman lesen? Aktuell eher nicht. Dieses Buch kann ich leider nicht empfehlen.
August 21, 2013
I think this is one of those books that everyone needs to read for themselves, everyone views it so differently..
I didn't appreciate Flynn as much as I guess I should have. She seemed a little immature and self centered, I wanted to love her like Anna did but I found myself a little stuck.
I am not really sure as to what I think about it, it was poetic in some parts and clunky in others.
The main character (Anna) was a little unlikable and immature in some parts and yet she pulled on my heart strings and I found her highly relate-able and loveable in others..
On a side note:
As someone who has lived in Lismore (where the book is set)I found it comical how beautifully the scenery was described, however if you haven't been there the image the book describes is lovely. To me, Lismore is a bus stop and a workers club wrapped in an anus.. But thats just my view of things :P
I didn't appreciate Flynn as much as I guess I should have. She seemed a little immature and self centered, I wanted to love her like Anna did but I found myself a little stuck.
I am not really sure as to what I think about it, it was poetic in some parts and clunky in others.
The main character (Anna) was a little unlikable and immature in some parts and yet she pulled on my heart strings and I found her highly relate-able and loveable in others..
On a side note:
As someone who has lived in Lismore (where the book is set)I found it comical how beautifully the scenery was described, however if you haven't been there the image the book describes is lovely. To me, Lismore is a bus stop and a workers club wrapped in an anus.. But thats just my view of things :P
April 21, 2012
I honestly don't know how I feel about this book... I finished it. It was kinda strange, for suddenly in the middle of the book, we get her back story and while obviously this has shaped the character it just seemed odd... If it were being narrated you can imagine them suddenly going: Now here is some background on Anna. Just not sure what to say about it. It was not by any means a bad book, I just am not sure what to do with this one.
November 9, 2015
A beautifully, beautifully told story of the fierceness and fragility of first love. The only reason that I didn't race through it the day I started was that many aspects of it hit much too close to home, and I needed breaks every now and again. I already look forward to reading it again in the future.
June 1, 2011
A gorgeous book about falling in love with a straight girl. A delightful read. I look forward to reading more of Joanne Horniman's works.
March 31, 2013
Lovely. Sweet and realistic at the same time.
April 29, 2021
Mhhhh, okay. Irgendwie ist es etwas schwierig zu sagen, wie man das Buch findet. Manche Teile sind auf jeden Fall 4/5 Sterne wert. An anderen Stellen würde ich höchstens 2 geben, aber fangen wir vorne an.
Anna trifft Flynn gleich am Anfang des Buches, einen wirklichen Einstieg oder eine Erklärung bekommen wir nicht, zu den Zeitpunkt ist es aber auch kein Problem. Die Beziehung der beiden beginnt sehr schnell und ohne, dass die beiden sich richtig kennenlernen. Flynn bleib eigentlich die ganze Zeit ein verschlossenes Buch. Wir wissen bis kurz vor dem Ende eigentlich nichts über sie, über Anna erfahren wir etwas mehr in einem längeren Rückblick, der sie leider sehr unsympathisch macht und auch vieles nicht wirklich klärt. Wie genau fand Anna heraus, dass sie auf Frauen steht und warum hat sie sich nie geoutet, obwohl sie es schon seit sie 6 Jahre alt ist weiß und was genau ist mit Molly los, ich hätte gerne mehr von ihrer Lernschwäche erfahren?
Die meißten Charaktere bleiben sehr flach und ohne erkennbare Persönlichkeit. Ihre Familienmitglieder lernen wir nicht wirklich keinen und sie werden nur skizzenartig beschrieben. Flynns Mitbewohner sind die meißte Zeit abwesend und wenn mal da, sehr unfreundlich. Auch die anderen Personen um Flynn sind nicht weiter erwähnt und bleiben nur Namen. In der Stadt hat Anna auch keinerlei andere Bekanntschaften und alle anderen haben nichtmal Namen. Sie sind nur "Nicht-Flynn". Dabei hätte man doch ganz einfach Anna noch ein Paar Bekanntschaften aus dem Buchladen, dem Café oder der Nachbarschaft andichten.
Nun zu den beiden Haupdarstellerinnen.
Anna kam mir zuerst sehr schüchtern und verkopft vor. Darum ist es ihr wohl auch nicht gelungen, irgendjemanden kennenzulernen, bis Flynn kam. In ihrer Jugend litt sie unter Depressionen und verlor dadurch ihren einzigen Freund, Michael. Schließlich zog sie alleine weg. Ihre Leidenschaft für Bücher konnte ich gut nachvollziehen, aber sonst wirkten viele ihrer Handlungen für mich sehr merkwürdig.
Flynn war leider auch nicht viel sympathischer. Sie erschien mir zuerst auch sehr scheu. Später zu Beginn ihrer Beziehung gibt sie so gut wie keine Informationen über sich preis. Was zuerst poetisch wirkt, schein schnell nervig und man möchte einfach nur mehr über sie wissen. Doch Anna fragt nicht wirklich nach und wenn sie es doch mal tut, reagiert Flynn abweisend darauf.
Eine weitere nervige Angewohnheit ist, dass sie einfach kommt und geht, wann sie will und keine Erklärung gibt, wo sie die ganze Zeit war. Anna ist das egal und sie fragt nie nach, was Flynn gemacht hat, während sie weg war und warum sie nie bescheid sagt, bevor sie verschwindet.
Die Beziehung zwischen den beiden bleibt auch äußerst oberflächlich. Außer ein paar Küssen und flüchtigen S** und Kuschel Beschreibungen passiert nichts. Nichtmal ein romantisches Gespräch.
Das Ende fand ich leider auch nicht so gut. Die beiden trennen sich nach all dem was die letzten 6 Monate war sehr affektartig und sehen sich dann nie wieder. Was aus Flynn wird erfahren wir nicht. Sie ist einfach weg.
Was aus Anna wird, erfahren wir zwar, jedoch ist es nicht gerade toll. Sie zieht zurück nach Hause, Studiert einfach weiter und lebt ihr leben somit einfach wie vorher, nur dass sie jetzt auch noch Flynn vermisst.
Das Buch ist mit Sicherheit nicht schlecht, ich finde es aber sehr schade, dass es doch so sehr auf Klischees basiert und die meißten Charaktere so flach bleiben. Darum habe ich 3 Sterne vergeben.
Anna trifft Flynn gleich am Anfang des Buches, einen wirklichen Einstieg oder eine Erklärung bekommen wir nicht, zu den Zeitpunkt ist es aber auch kein Problem. Die Beziehung der beiden beginnt sehr schnell und ohne, dass die beiden sich richtig kennenlernen. Flynn bleib eigentlich die ganze Zeit ein verschlossenes Buch. Wir wissen bis kurz vor dem Ende eigentlich nichts über sie, über Anna erfahren wir etwas mehr in einem längeren Rückblick, der sie leider sehr unsympathisch macht und auch vieles nicht wirklich klärt. Wie genau fand Anna heraus, dass sie auf Frauen steht und warum hat sie sich nie geoutet, obwohl sie es schon seit sie 6 Jahre alt ist weiß und was genau ist mit Molly los, ich hätte gerne mehr von ihrer Lernschwäche erfahren?
Die meißten Charaktere bleiben sehr flach und ohne erkennbare Persönlichkeit. Ihre Familienmitglieder lernen wir nicht wirklich keinen und sie werden nur skizzenartig beschrieben. Flynns Mitbewohner sind die meißte Zeit abwesend und wenn mal da, sehr unfreundlich. Auch die anderen Personen um Flynn sind nicht weiter erwähnt und bleiben nur Namen. In der Stadt hat Anna auch keinerlei andere Bekanntschaften und alle anderen haben nichtmal Namen. Sie sind nur "Nicht-Flynn". Dabei hätte man doch ganz einfach Anna noch ein Paar Bekanntschaften aus dem Buchladen, dem Café oder der Nachbarschaft andichten.
Nun zu den beiden Haupdarstellerinnen.
Anna kam mir zuerst sehr schüchtern und verkopft vor. Darum ist es ihr wohl auch nicht gelungen, irgendjemanden kennenzulernen, bis Flynn kam. In ihrer Jugend litt sie unter Depressionen und verlor dadurch ihren einzigen Freund, Michael. Schließlich zog sie alleine weg. Ihre Leidenschaft für Bücher konnte ich gut nachvollziehen, aber sonst wirkten viele ihrer Handlungen für mich sehr merkwürdig.
Flynn war leider auch nicht viel sympathischer. Sie erschien mir zuerst auch sehr scheu. Später zu Beginn ihrer Beziehung gibt sie so gut wie keine Informationen über sich preis. Was zuerst poetisch wirkt, schein schnell nervig und man möchte einfach nur mehr über sie wissen. Doch Anna fragt nicht wirklich nach und wenn sie es doch mal tut, reagiert Flynn abweisend darauf.
Eine weitere nervige Angewohnheit ist, dass sie einfach kommt und geht, wann sie will und keine Erklärung gibt, wo sie die ganze Zeit war. Anna ist das egal und sie fragt nie nach, was Flynn gemacht hat, während sie weg war und warum sie nie bescheid sagt, bevor sie verschwindet.
Die Beziehung zwischen den beiden bleibt auch äußerst oberflächlich. Außer ein paar Küssen und flüchtigen S** und Kuschel Beschreibungen passiert nichts. Nichtmal ein romantisches Gespräch.
Das Ende fand ich leider auch nicht so gut. Die beiden trennen sich nach all dem was die letzten 6 Monate war sehr affektartig und sehen sich dann nie wieder. Was aus Flynn wird erfahren wir nicht. Sie ist einfach weg.
Was aus Anna wird, erfahren wir zwar, jedoch ist es nicht gerade toll. Sie zieht zurück nach Hause, Studiert einfach weiter und lebt ihr leben somit einfach wie vorher, nur dass sie jetzt auch noch Flynn vermisst.
Das Buch ist mit Sicherheit nicht schlecht, ich finde es aber sehr schade, dass es doch so sehr auf Klischees basiert und die meißten Charaktere so flach bleiben. Darum habe ich 3 Sterne vergeben.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2011
Actual rating: 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3, not because it's poorly written (it has a dreamlike, disconnected, but lyrical style that occasionally, at least for me, becomes a little pretentious) but because I didn't enjoy reading it. A solid "meh" from me. Real review later possibly.
It was sent to me as a YA book, but I think it straddles the YA/adult market, learning more toward 20-somethings than high schoolers.
It was sent to me as a YA book, but I think it straddles the YA/adult market, learning more toward 20-somethings than high schoolers.
June 26, 2022
o tell me about ana livia!
this book was instrumental to how my brain developed as a kid. there are still chapters i read and re read as an adult and each time with a different understanding of the words. i’m so glad to be who i am because of this little novel i picked up on sale at age 11 at an angus & robertson that was closing down
this book was instrumental to how my brain developed as a kid. there are still chapters i read and re read as an adult and each time with a different understanding of the words. i’m so glad to be who i am because of this little novel i picked up on sale at age 11 at an angus & robertson that was closing down
February 18, 2015
Hat mir erstaunlich gut gefallen! Sag ich aber zur Zeit oft, was? :D
April 30, 2017
Inhalt
Annas Leben ist beschaulich. Normal. Unaufgeregt. Bis sie Flynn trifft. Denn Flynn verzaubert Anna mit den ersten Takten eines Gitarrenlieds, mit dem Servieren ihres Kaffees und den Blickkontakten, wenn sie sich begegnen. Aber Flynn und Anna schweigen viel. Und es brodeln Geheimnisse unter der Oberfläche, die die junge Liebe zerstören könnten.
Meine Bewertung
„Über ein Mädchen“ besitze ich schon sehr lange. Vor sieben Jahren habe ich es gekauft, gelesen, weiterverkauft. Und trotzdem ist das Buch irgendwie bei mir geblieben. Ich erinnere mich gut an das Gefühl, mit dem ich als 13-Jährige diese Geschichte beendet habe. Als es vor wenigen Jahren gebraucht erneut gekauft habe, weil es nicht mehr nachgedruckt wird, habe ich ein wenig getrauert, dass so wenige diese Geschichte kennen. Mit meinem Reread wollte ich mich davon überzeugen, dass es so gut ist, wie ich es in Erinnerung hatte.
Und das ist es. Die ganze Geschichte ist mir wieder unheimlich nahe gegangen. Anna und Flynn haben mich hinabgesogen und nicht mehr losgelassen, wobei ich gestehen muss, dass es jetzt einen Punkt gab, der mich eher gestört hat als früher.
Zur Story möchte ich gar nicht so viel verraten, da sie wirklich sehr ruhig ist. Action darf man hier nicht erwarten, es geht viel mehr um die Gefühle, die in einer sehr blumigen, poetischen Schreibweise vermittelt werden. Im Mittelteil erzählt Anna auch von ihrer Vergangenheit, die sie veranlasst hat, wegzuziehen. Ihr Leben war nicht besonders leicht, und ihr Kopf auch nicht – ihr Gemütszustand ist hart erkämpft. Der Seelenfrieden, den Flynn aufwühlt, ebenso. Doch auch Flynn hat ein Päckchen zu tragen
Mit Anna konnte ich mich wirklich gut identifizieren, auch wenn sie manchmal etwas melodramatisch erscheint, hat sie ihre echte, komplizierte Reinheit bewahrt. Oft erstickt sie beinahe an der Liebe, die sie gern offen rauslassen würde, wobei die Erwartungen der Gesellschaft und ihrer Familie hinderlich sind. Flynn hingegen ist sprunghaft und manchmal auch sehr abweisend. Früher mochte ich diesen Charakter sehr viel mehr, doch beim erneuten Lesen wurde mir Flynn leider zum Ende hin ziemlich unsympathisch. Eine wandelnde Tragödie, die aber trotzdem im Leser starke Gefühle heraufbeschwört.
Für „Über ein Mädchen“ muss man sich wirklich auf eine sehr ruhige, unaufgeregte Geschichte einlassen können, die trotzdem mit Emotionen spielt wie selten eine andere. Mich hat sie wieder sehr mitgerissen und gerade das Ende war angebracht, aber trotzdem nicht mein Wunsch. Nicht jeder wird sich derart mit den Charakteren anfreunden können, da sie wirklich ihre Eigenheiten haben und auch viel schweigen. Aber die Sehnsucht, die in diesem Buch nachklingt, macht es in meinen Augen zu etwas ganz Besonderem und hat mich direkt ins Herz getroffen.
Annas Leben ist beschaulich. Normal. Unaufgeregt. Bis sie Flynn trifft. Denn Flynn verzaubert Anna mit den ersten Takten eines Gitarrenlieds, mit dem Servieren ihres Kaffees und den Blickkontakten, wenn sie sich begegnen. Aber Flynn und Anna schweigen viel. Und es brodeln Geheimnisse unter der Oberfläche, die die junge Liebe zerstören könnten.
Meine Bewertung
„Über ein Mädchen“ besitze ich schon sehr lange. Vor sieben Jahren habe ich es gekauft, gelesen, weiterverkauft. Und trotzdem ist das Buch irgendwie bei mir geblieben. Ich erinnere mich gut an das Gefühl, mit dem ich als 13-Jährige diese Geschichte beendet habe. Als es vor wenigen Jahren gebraucht erneut gekauft habe, weil es nicht mehr nachgedruckt wird, habe ich ein wenig getrauert, dass so wenige diese Geschichte kennen. Mit meinem Reread wollte ich mich davon überzeugen, dass es so gut ist, wie ich es in Erinnerung hatte.
Und das ist es. Die ganze Geschichte ist mir wieder unheimlich nahe gegangen. Anna und Flynn haben mich hinabgesogen und nicht mehr losgelassen, wobei ich gestehen muss, dass es jetzt einen Punkt gab, der mich eher gestört hat als früher.
Zur Story möchte ich gar nicht so viel verraten, da sie wirklich sehr ruhig ist. Action darf man hier nicht erwarten, es geht viel mehr um die Gefühle, die in einer sehr blumigen, poetischen Schreibweise vermittelt werden. Im Mittelteil erzählt Anna auch von ihrer Vergangenheit, die sie veranlasst hat, wegzuziehen. Ihr Leben war nicht besonders leicht, und ihr Kopf auch nicht – ihr Gemütszustand ist hart erkämpft. Der Seelenfrieden, den Flynn aufwühlt, ebenso. Doch auch Flynn hat ein Päckchen zu tragen
Mit Anna konnte ich mich wirklich gut identifizieren, auch wenn sie manchmal etwas melodramatisch erscheint, hat sie ihre echte, komplizierte Reinheit bewahrt. Oft erstickt sie beinahe an der Liebe, die sie gern offen rauslassen würde, wobei die Erwartungen der Gesellschaft und ihrer Familie hinderlich sind. Flynn hingegen ist sprunghaft und manchmal auch sehr abweisend. Früher mochte ich diesen Charakter sehr viel mehr, doch beim erneuten Lesen wurde mir Flynn leider zum Ende hin ziemlich unsympathisch. Eine wandelnde Tragödie, die aber trotzdem im Leser starke Gefühle heraufbeschwört.
Für „Über ein Mädchen“ muss man sich wirklich auf eine sehr ruhige, unaufgeregte Geschichte einlassen können, die trotzdem mit Emotionen spielt wie selten eine andere. Mich hat sie wieder sehr mitgerissen und gerade das Ende war angebracht, aber trotzdem nicht mein Wunsch. Nicht jeder wird sich derart mit den Charakteren anfreunden können, da sie wirklich ihre Eigenheiten haben und auch viel schweigen. Aber die Sehnsucht, die in diesem Buch nachklingt, macht es in meinen Augen zu etwas ganz Besonderem und hat mich direkt ins Herz getroffen.
July 12, 2013
Originally posted on Once Upon a Bookcase.
About a Girl is another book that was recommended to me for LGBTQ YA Month, and one that features lesbians. It's a great story, but one that's hard to pin down. It's about the relationship - a romantic relationship - between two girls, yet to say it was a romance wouldn't be entirely correct. About a Girl is not a light, fluffy, sweet read.
After moving to Lismore from Canberra to try and start over, Anna goes to a local gig and sees Flynn on stage, and from the moment Anna lays eyes on her, she can think of nothing else. Anna is filled with intense longing for Flynn, and is beyond floored when she discovers Flynn has feelings for her too. A budding romance begins, but both have secrets about their past they haven't shared, secrets that are getting in the way.
About a Girl is such an interesting story! From the very start, just by it's tone, you can tell this is not going to be a happy story, and it's fascinating to discover why - not because of events, but because of the people. The story is told in three parts, with Part 1 and Part 3 covering Anna's time in Lismore, and with Part 2 covering her time in Canberra since she was 16, leading up to her move to Lismore, at 19. Telling the story like this is genius on Joanne Horniman's part, because we need to understand Anna's past to understand why she is completely and utterly enthralled by Flynn - yet it's because she is enthralled that we need to know her past. Having the story told chronologically wouldn't have worked as well; as interesting as the past is, it would have taken a little while to get to the real meat of the story, and it becomes more interesting in light of the present because we know where it will eventually lead. And Anna has such a unique way of looking at things, the descriptions and imagery in this book are just beautiful!
Anna has known she likes girls since she was six, and has felt she was different since then. Not because of the thoughts of other people, but because she could see she wasn't like them. Couples were male and female, this was "normal", and since a young age has felt abnormal because of her sexuality. This feeling of being different, of being an outcast, led to really low self-esteem; she has never believed she will be loved, that she'll never have a life partner, someone to just be with. She harbours doubts, especially when Flynn comes into her life, but is completely overwhelmed by the fact that this beautiful creature wants to be with her - her - and so ignores the doubt. However, the doubt is not only her low self-esteem talking to her, it's also real niggles about their relationship.
Flynn, at first, seems shy and sweet, but she is super quirky and feels everything intensely. As out there as she is, doing things on a whim, she's also very introverted, and Anna hardly has any clue what's going through her head most of the time. They can be together, yet Flynn will be so absorbed in writing songs, or what she's thinking, Anna might as well be alone. Flynn can be so distant, and can be unintentionally hurtful with it; she'll arrange to do something with Anna, yet be off in her own world for hours, that I often thought what is the point?! It's never said whether it's because this is Flynn's first relationship with a girl or if this is how she is in all relationships, but if there is an argument, or a conversation that freaks her out a bit, she will leave, sometimes in the middle of the night, and disappear off the face of the earth for days. No contact whatsoever. And will then all of a sudden turn up at Anna's door and takes her to bed. Their relationship seems really unhealthy too me; Anna loves Flynn possibly too much, and Flynn doesn't seem to care enough. It was difficult.
Anna's view on sexuality is, although true, a little sad. She feels she has no choice on whether she's a lesbian or not, but wishes she did. Although she doesn't come right out and say it, it's obvious she feels trapped by her sexuality and what that means for her and relationships.
As I've mentioned already, this is Flynn's first relationship with a girl. She says she's not actually attracted to girls, that Anna is the first girl that she's ever taken notice of, and is usually into guys. This is something Anna struggles with, because, in her eyes, Flynn has a choice. She can choose to be "normal", choose not to be an outcast and outsider like she is, and just can't see Flynn choosing her - especially when Flynn is so flighty. It's heartbreaking. Anna finds the novel Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky relatable, and the following quote, where she likens her life to that of the novel, shows exactly how she feels about her sexuality and her relationship with Flynn:
It's just heartbreaking, as is the whole story, really. In case I haven't been clear, this isn't a story about being a lesbian, it's a story about a relationship. The fact that it's a lesbian relationship plays a part with Anna's thoughts on sexuality, but it's less about sexuality, and more about those two girls, and how they are jigsaw pieces that just don't quite fit. A fantastic story - a very quick read at 190 pages - and one I would highly recommend!
Thank you to Allen and Unwin for the review copy.
About a Girl is another book that was recommended to me for LGBTQ YA Month, and one that features lesbians. It's a great story, but one that's hard to pin down. It's about the relationship - a romantic relationship - between two girls, yet to say it was a romance wouldn't be entirely correct. About a Girl is not a light, fluffy, sweet read.
After moving to Lismore from Canberra to try and start over, Anna goes to a local gig and sees Flynn on stage, and from the moment Anna lays eyes on her, she can think of nothing else. Anna is filled with intense longing for Flynn, and is beyond floored when she discovers Flynn has feelings for her too. A budding romance begins, but both have secrets about their past they haven't shared, secrets that are getting in the way.
About a Girl is such an interesting story! From the very start, just by it's tone, you can tell this is not going to be a happy story, and it's fascinating to discover why - not because of events, but because of the people. The story is told in three parts, with Part 1 and Part 3 covering Anna's time in Lismore, and with Part 2 covering her time in Canberra since she was 16, leading up to her move to Lismore, at 19. Telling the story like this is genius on Joanne Horniman's part, because we need to understand Anna's past to understand why she is completely and utterly enthralled by Flynn - yet it's because she is enthralled that we need to know her past. Having the story told chronologically wouldn't have worked as well; as interesting as the past is, it would have taken a little while to get to the real meat of the story, and it becomes more interesting in light of the present because we know where it will eventually lead. And Anna has such a unique way of looking at things, the descriptions and imagery in this book are just beautiful!
Anna has known she likes girls since she was six, and has felt she was different since then. Not because of the thoughts of other people, but because she could see she wasn't like them. Couples were male and female, this was "normal", and since a young age has felt abnormal because of her sexuality. This feeling of being different, of being an outcast, led to really low self-esteem; she has never believed she will be loved, that she'll never have a life partner, someone to just be with. She harbours doubts, especially when Flynn comes into her life, but is completely overwhelmed by the fact that this beautiful creature wants to be with her - her - and so ignores the doubt. However, the doubt is not only her low self-esteem talking to her, it's also real niggles about their relationship.
Flynn, at first, seems shy and sweet, but she is super quirky and feels everything intensely. As out there as she is, doing things on a whim, she's also very introverted, and Anna hardly has any clue what's going through her head most of the time. They can be together, yet Flynn will be so absorbed in writing songs, or what she's thinking, Anna might as well be alone. Flynn can be so distant, and can be unintentionally hurtful with it; she'll arrange to do something with Anna, yet be off in her own world for hours, that I often thought what is the point?! It's never said whether it's because this is Flynn's first relationship with a girl or if this is how she is in all relationships, but if there is an argument, or a conversation that freaks her out a bit, she will leave, sometimes in the middle of the night, and disappear off the face of the earth for days. No contact whatsoever. And will then all of a sudden turn up at Anna's door and takes her to bed. Their relationship seems really unhealthy too me; Anna loves Flynn possibly too much, and Flynn doesn't seem to care enough. It was difficult.
Anna's view on sexuality is, although true, a little sad. She feels she has no choice on whether she's a lesbian or not, but wishes she did. Although she doesn't come right out and say it, it's obvious she feels trapped by her sexuality and what that means for her and relationships.
"When I told Michael that I liked girls, I didn't mean it was simply a trivial matter of choice.
My liking girls was a fundamental part of my nature. It had been acquired involuntarily, the way I had red hair and pale skin. Even my liking for books like Finnegans Wake and Crime and Punishment seemed to be something I had no control over. Sometimes I wondered whether free will existed at all." (p90-91)
As I've mentioned already, this is Flynn's first relationship with a girl. She says she's not actually attracted to girls, that Anna is the first girl that she's ever taken notice of, and is usually into guys. This is something Anna struggles with, because, in her eyes, Flynn has a choice. She can choose to be "normal", choose not to be an outcast and outsider like she is, and just can't see Flynn choosing her - especially when Flynn is so flighty. It's heartbreaking. Anna finds the novel Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky relatable, and the following quote, where she likens her life to that of the novel, shows exactly how she feels about her sexuality and her relationship with Flynn:
"And I saw then that what I had done was to invite her out into the snow with me, and why would she want to stand outside the ballroom with tattered boots and icy breath and no street signs? Because that's the way it would be - of course she'd want to be in there, drinking wine and dancing with bare shoulders far into the scented night." (p168-169)
It's just heartbreaking, as is the whole story, really. In case I haven't been clear, this isn't a story about being a lesbian, it's a story about a relationship. The fact that it's a lesbian relationship plays a part with Anna's thoughts on sexuality, but it's less about sexuality, and more about those two girls, and how they are jigsaw pieces that just don't quite fit. A fantastic story - a very quick read at 190 pages - and one I would highly recommend!
Thank you to Allen and Unwin for the review copy.
May 3, 2020
I had so many different feelings about this book. At first I thought the writing was awkward and feeble, that Anna was unlikable and detestable in her "ill" days, and that Flynn was rather bipolar. However the overall love story and outcome of the book warmed my heart and left me with that bittersweet tenderness in my heart that I love about queer love stories and hope for Anna, her friendship with Michael, her relationship with her family, and for Flynn and the hope that maybe their paths would cross again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2018
A charming diary-like narrative with an obsessed but not unlikeable protagonist. Gorgeous imagery and a very easy read. Unexpected mature storyline as the cartoon-ish cover suggested a much younger audience.
April 30, 2025
The progression of the narrative was so interesting that I questioned it so quickly because the leads are already taking themselves on a date 40 pages in. Then I remembered that this is a wlw story, and it all made sense. It felt so authentically gay. And I do think the story was well written. The description of finding someone that sweeps you off your feet and falling in love with them instantly. The yearning for warmth and for touch. The need to know everything about them and nothing at the same time. The need to let go of something you don’t even want to loosen your grip on. The hunt and the chase and the waiting.
‘But I was right, wasn’t I, said a
little voice in my head. There is a boy. I was right about that, for the wrong
reasons.’
It really breaks my heart how a person enters something that they weren’t really sure about. Especially when they’re in the process of waiting for someone. It’s selfish and it’s cruel. I hope people stop trying to make dating the same gender an “experiment”. No one deserves to be treated this way, no one deserves to be someone who fills the absence of another person.
#SANAALLBALIW
‘But I was right, wasn’t I, said a
little voice in my head. There is a boy. I was right about that, for the wrong
reasons.’
It really breaks my heart how a person enters something that they weren’t really sure about. Especially when they’re in the process of waiting for someone. It’s selfish and it’s cruel. I hope people stop trying to make dating the same gender an “experiment”. No one deserves to be treated this way, no one deserves to be someone who fills the absence of another person.
#SANAALLBALIW
December 21, 2021
My sister bought this book when she was younger because she thought based on the cover and the blurb that it was about a girl who turns into a cat when it's actually about lesbians so really the cover is very poor advertising for this book.
February 28, 2014
I'm tempted to give this book one star, but I'm giving it two because Joanna Horniman's writing style is accomplished enough, when she doesn't stray into purple prose or Twilight territory. The problem is not her writing, it's the story that she's writing. About a Girl is basically an emo teen's diary, and it's about as interesting as that description implies.
The main character, Anna, is a bookish introvert who likes reading Russian authors and takes her own feelings way too seriously. Very little happens in the first three quarters of the book - Anna, falls instantly in love with another girl, Flynn, and as their romance develops, she hints at a big dark secret in her past and then we find out that secret is ... This is all described in pages and pages of musings on how different and alienated she feels, and how obsessed she is with Flynn. There's little plot and little in the way of obstacles. It's oh-so-poetic in the way that some 19 year olds think their lives are oh-so-poetic. I'll give it to Joanne Horniman, she certainly knows how to capture the self-important inner voice that we all have as teenagers.
The book picks up in the last quarter when . Unfortunately, by this time I thoroughly disliked Anna, who was spoiled and selfish and seemed to have no insight into the feelings or experiences of others.
There's a passage toward the end of the book that perfectly encapsulates this.
I would have been more willing to bear with this character, and even like her, if there had been more of a plot. But there isn't much of one. There's a relationship that develops without obstacle, a bit of infodump backstory, and then . There are few other characters, and they're barely sketched in, including Flynn herself. The novel is less about Anna's relationship with Flynn than it is about what Anna thinks about her relationship with Flynn. There's nothing inherently wrong with a novel about a selfish character where nothing very much happens, but I didn't get the sense that it was a deliberate strategy by the writer, and more a failure in developing narrative. There's a self-indulgence to this book that I just can't like.
The main character, Anna, is a bookish introvert who likes reading Russian authors and takes her own feelings way too seriously. Very little happens in the first three quarters of the book - Anna, falls instantly in love with another girl, Flynn, and as their romance develops, she hints at a big dark secret in her past and then we find out that secret is ... This is all described in pages and pages of musings on how different and alienated she feels, and how obsessed she is with Flynn. There's little plot and little in the way of obstacles. It's oh-so-poetic in the way that some 19 year olds think their lives are oh-so-poetic. I'll give it to Joanne Horniman, she certainly knows how to capture the self-important inner voice that we all have as teenagers.
The book picks up in the last quarter when . Unfortunately, by this time I thoroughly disliked Anna, who was spoiled and selfish and seemed to have no insight into the feelings or experiences of others.
There's a passage toward the end of the book that perfectly encapsulates this.
I would have been more willing to bear with this character, and even like her, if there had been more of a plot. But there isn't much of one. There's a relationship that develops without obstacle, a bit of infodump backstory, and then . There are few other characters, and they're barely sketched in, including Flynn herself. The novel is less about Anna's relationship with Flynn than it is about what Anna thinks about her relationship with Flynn. There's nothing inherently wrong with a novel about a selfish character where nothing very much happens, but I didn't get the sense that it was a deliberate strategy by the writer, and more a failure in developing narrative. There's a self-indulgence to this book that I just can't like.
October 2, 2016
3.5, maybe? I'm not sure how I feel about it yet, because there are things that trouble me but I also relate to it in a lot of ways.
The troubling things -
• A little bit of internalised homophobia on Anna's part, somewhat unfounded as her family - or her Mum at least, she's not out to anyone else - are accepting.
• Anna develops depression and starts going to therapy and taking medication as treatment for it. Anna even makes clear to Flynn that medication really helped her, after Flynn is dubious about the benefits of it. However I'm not counting this as a complete positive because when Anna came off the medication, she said that they made her feel tired and empty, which is a harmful stereotype that is perpetuated far too often.
• Anna is gay, Flynn is bi-curious/Gay For Anna - on the one hand this is sometimes the truth for queer teens, but on the other, in the wrong hands it can be a problematic trope. In this book the word bisexual is never even mentioned, which is problematic. That's why I've only shelved this under L and not B as well.
• bad love triangle - Flynn has a boyfriend who's overseas and they're taking a break and it's a "him or me" situation with Anna. I know this book is six years old now, but I have a dream that one day polyamory will be the answer to this ""problem"" in YA books. During a fight Anna says that Flynn is able to choose between girls and boys, and accuses her of choosing her boyfriend because being straight (or straight-presenting) is an easier path. (The context being that Anna is and has always been gay, and cannot choose.) The book is Anna's POV so we never learn what Flynn's sexuality is, beyond her saying that she'd never been attracted to a girl before Anna.
• Not troubling but unrealistic: the teenage characters don't use mobiles or social media and the Internet is barely even mentioned. The book was published six years ago and things were slightly different in 2010, but I had many social media accounts even back then and most of my friends had iPhones. Neither Anna nor Flynn even own a computer.
The good things -
• Anna and Flynn are sexually active - euphemistically, but on the page.
• The portrayal of Anna's depression, even though some things she said about the medication were a bit problematic.
The things I related to a lot -
• Anna is realistic. She thinks selfish, ugly things sometimes. In most cases she is or becomes aware that those thoughts are damaging, and is horrified at herself for thinking that way. I have never seen a book do this the way this one does, the way I sometimes catch myself thinking problematic things.
• Related to the above point is that Anna's sister Molly is slightly intellectually disabled, and Anna is jealous that Molly gets all of their mother's attention. Anna feels like she cannot go to her mother with her problems, because they are smaller when compared to Molly's, and therefore irrelevant. Molly does need more attention than Anna, but I know how it feels to be made to think that your problems don't matter at all just because they are smaller than someone else's. Struggles are relative, and all that.
• Anna dropped out of university because of struggles with her mental health, which is what I did although I wasn't metal health literate enough to know that at the time. She moved away, and had a fleeting but ultimately disastrous first relationship with a girl, and eventually went back home again. Apart from the fact that Anna moved away after dropping out, that is literally my life also.
Additional content warnings: very minor character death, car accident, divorce, keeping secrets
The troubling things -
• A little bit of internalised homophobia on Anna's part, somewhat unfounded as her family - or her Mum at least, she's not out to anyone else - are accepting.
• Anna develops depression and starts going to therapy and taking medication as treatment for it. Anna even makes clear to Flynn that medication really helped her, after Flynn is dubious about the benefits of it. However I'm not counting this as a complete positive because when Anna came off the medication, she said that they made her feel tired and empty, which is a harmful stereotype that is perpetuated far too often.
• Anna is gay, Flynn is bi-curious/Gay For Anna - on the one hand this is sometimes the truth for queer teens, but on the other, in the wrong hands it can be a problematic trope. In this book the word bisexual is never even mentioned, which is problematic. That's why I've only shelved this under L and not B as well.
• bad love triangle - Flynn has a boyfriend who's overseas and they're taking a break and it's a "him or me" situation with Anna. I know this book is six years old now, but I have a dream that one day polyamory will be the answer to this ""problem"" in YA books. During a fight Anna says that Flynn is able to choose between girls and boys, and accuses her of choosing her boyfriend because being straight (or straight-presenting) is an easier path. (The context being that Anna is and has always been gay, and cannot choose.) The book is Anna's POV so we never learn what Flynn's sexuality is, beyond her saying that she'd never been attracted to a girl before Anna.
• Not troubling but unrealistic: the teenage characters don't use mobiles or social media and the Internet is barely even mentioned. The book was published six years ago and things were slightly different in 2010, but I had many social media accounts even back then and most of my friends had iPhones. Neither Anna nor Flynn even own a computer.
The good things -
• Anna and Flynn are sexually active - euphemistically, but on the page.
• The portrayal of Anna's depression, even though some things she said about the medication were a bit problematic.
The things I related to a lot -
• Anna is realistic. She thinks selfish, ugly things sometimes. In most cases she is or becomes aware that those thoughts are damaging, and is horrified at herself for thinking that way. I have never seen a book do this the way this one does, the way I sometimes catch myself thinking problematic things.
• Related to the above point is that Anna's sister Molly is slightly intellectually disabled, and Anna is jealous that Molly gets all of their mother's attention. Anna feels like she cannot go to her mother with her problems, because they are smaller when compared to Molly's, and therefore irrelevant. Molly does need more attention than Anna, but I know how it feels to be made to think that your problems don't matter at all just because they are smaller than someone else's. Struggles are relative, and all that.
• Anna dropped out of university because of struggles with her mental health, which is what I did although I wasn't metal health literate enough to know that at the time. She moved away, and had a fleeting but ultimately disastrous first relationship with a girl, and eventually went back home again. Apart from the fact that Anna moved away after dropping out, that is literally my life also.
Additional content warnings: very minor character death, car accident, divorce, keeping secrets
March 21, 2011
Right now I am too pissed off to write a review, because I just wrote one and LOST IT. Stupid GoodReads!
So yeah.
******
OK, here goes again. So this book is pretty short, and was a quick and easy read. I thought the writing style was beautiful, though at times I wondered where the story could possibly be going. Sometimes I thought, "Okay, everything's great, now what?" Then I sometimes expected dramatic dark secrets to be revealed, but they weren't. I guess in a way it kept me guessing, which is a good thing in terms of it not being predictable. But I did find myself thinking, "Am I going to see this as a pointless read when I'm done?"
Thankfully by the end I didn't think any such thing, and I can say this story is a compelling one in a few ways. I did feel sorry for Anna, and sympathetic, though I've never been in her situation so I can't really relate to it. I've known friends who have gone through similar things though. But I did get kind of annoyed by the emo Anna, and it was a huge relief when she finally went on meds and stopped being so horrible. I know it's important not to judge people for their depression, but she really was getting hard to handle. I'm glad her grandmother stepped in and got her to see the psych.
As for Flynn, her story was sad, and she was definitely an interesting character. I loved that her guitar was called Louise ;) Guess I've got a thing for guitarists and the name Louise, for a few reasons. Namely Louise Post, and my own character who is a guitarist named Louise. But anyway, moving on.
I was relieved with how the story ended, in a way, though I did feel sad for Anna. But hey, she survived her first love in tact, and I think grew into a fuller person for it.
Again I will reiterate that the writing was lovely, though at times I found the dialogue to be a bit too formal, not colloquial enough for a pair of teens. Even if they're later teens.
So yeah.
******
OK, here goes again. So this book is pretty short, and was a quick and easy read. I thought the writing style was beautiful, though at times I wondered where the story could possibly be going. Sometimes I thought, "Okay, everything's great, now what?" Then I sometimes expected dramatic dark secrets to be revealed, but they weren't. I guess in a way it kept me guessing, which is a good thing in terms of it not being predictable. But I did find myself thinking, "Am I going to see this as a pointless read when I'm done?"
Thankfully by the end I didn't think any such thing, and I can say this story is a compelling one in a few ways. I did feel sorry for Anna, and sympathetic, though I've never been in her situation so I can't really relate to it. I've known friends who have gone through similar things though. But I did get kind of annoyed by the emo Anna, and it was a huge relief when she finally went on meds and stopped being so horrible. I know it's important not to judge people for their depression, but she really was getting hard to handle. I'm glad her grandmother stepped in and got her to see the psych.
As for Flynn, her story was sad, and she was definitely an interesting character. I loved that her guitar was called Louise ;) Guess I've got a thing for guitarists and the name Louise, for a few reasons. Namely Louise Post, and my own character who is a guitarist named Louise. But anyway, moving on.
I was relieved with how the story ended, in a way, though I did feel sad for Anna. But hey, she survived her first love in tact, and I think grew into a fuller person for it.
Again I will reiterate that the writing was lovely, though at times I found the dialogue to be a bit too formal, not colloquial enough for a pair of teens. Even if they're later teens.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2016
Lasst mich erst mal sagen, dass ich das deutsche Cover von Über ein Mädchen (engl. “About a Girl”, übersetzt von Brigitte Jakobeit) liebe? Es ist ein bisschen kitschig, aber manchmal muss das einfach sein. Ob es aber so gut passt … die Geschichte an sich ist im Grunde eine Sommerromanze und hat ein bisschen was von einem Traum, soll heißen: Es gibt keinen Plot an sich, und auch keine richtige Spannung. Auch Hintergrundinfos sind spärlich. An sich war das nichts Schlimmes, es machte das Buch gleichermaßen traumhaft und süß, aber auch bitter. Denn auch wenn das Cover sehr positiv wirkt, verstecken sich dahinter auch Angst und das Gefühl, ungeliebt und verloren zu sein.
Ich muss sagen, ich war kein großer Freund von der Beziehung im Buch – dafür waren beide Mädchen zu abhängig voneinander, aber das war irgendwie auch der Punkt. Manchmal machen die Menschen große Fehler und das hat Konsequenzen, aber wir können auch davon lernen. Warum es dann letztendlich nicht so richtig mit uns funktioniert hat, wer weiß? So bleibt es für mich ein kurzweiliges Sommerbuch, das nie zu süß wird und wenn euch danach ist, lest hier mal rein.
Ich muss sagen, ich war kein großer Freund von der Beziehung im Buch – dafür waren beide Mädchen zu abhängig voneinander, aber das war irgendwie auch der Punkt. Manchmal machen die Menschen große Fehler und das hat Konsequenzen, aber wir können auch davon lernen. Warum es dann letztendlich nicht so richtig mit uns funktioniert hat, wer weiß? So bleibt es für mich ein kurzweiliges Sommerbuch, das nie zu süß wird und wenn euch danach ist, lest hier mal rein.
June 15, 2013
Well-intentioned book, but in the end, just not all that interesting, either in plot or writing style. There is SO much potential in it, but it just never manifests itself. There are nuggets of great characterizations and hints of a quality lyrical novel, but it all falls flat and ends up being a boring read overall. It would have made a great short story. I wanted it to be better. If the writing had been more interesting or the plot more engaging, I would have rated it higher, but neither of these happened.
November 2, 2014
When I was in year seven this boom was in our library. Everyone was like, "ooh a dirty book" but I read the last two chapters. My "friend" let's call her Susan, found me crying. "Are you really crying over that book"
"It's sad. They never see each other again!" I blubbered.
"It's not like Those People have feelings." She said and stalked off.
I loved this a little less this time but it was undeniably sweet.
And I did cry again
"It's sad. They never see each other again!" I blubbered.
"It's not like Those People have feelings." She said and stalked off.
I loved this a little less this time but it was undeniably sweet.
And I did cry again
May 18, 2017
i think this was the first lesbian book i ever read ?? i borrowed it from the library when i was 15, found it again at a second-hand book store at a hospital, where i bought it for $1. i only flipped through it and reread a couple of chapters but it still makes me feel oddly peaceful. it's kind of idealistic and flowery and angsty, but i'm still happy it exists
June 15, 2010
Moving and heartbreaking. This was a great read which I think would do well in high school libraries.
I felt a bit frustrated by not knowing what Flynn was thinking though. I could see what it was like to be Anna.
My only hope is that Horniman writes a sequel in Flynn's point of view.
I felt a bit frustrated by not knowing what Flynn was thinking though. I could see what it was like to be Anna.
My only hope is that Horniman writes a sequel in Flynn's point of view.
July 17, 2011
5 stars for young adult fiction, 3.5 stars for adults. Sensitively written, this book tells the story of a girl "coming out". Should be read by all adolescents, but would be particularly relevant to anyone "coming out" or that knows someone in this situation.
September 7, 2014
Anna verliebt sich in Flynn, die eigentlich Rose heißt - vielmehr kann ich zum Inhalt gar nicht sagen, es geht eben genau darum: um das Verlieben, die Unsicherheiten, die schönen Momente. Es ist einfach eine sehr schöne Liebesgeschichte, sehr schön erzählt.
May 15, 2011
I really liked this book , but not sure about the cover, as it definitely does not match the story. Not sure about recommending it to younger teenage readers either!
Read
May 31, 2021
Trigger & Content Warnings
Ableism & ableist language
Antiziganism (g slur)
Bimisia
Depression
Car accident
Ableism & ableist language
Antiziganism (g slur)
Bimisia
Depression
Car accident
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews