A Straight Line to My Heart in Aussie Readers

Jul 18, 2011 Lenni rated it it was amazing

Shelves: must-have-aussie, you-re-funny

A Straight Line To My Heart was a quirky, fun and an all round charming read. This book was so tremendously Aussie that I simply could not wipe the grin off my face the entire time I was reading it.

I loved every single character Condon presented me with. Tiff was wonderful; she was an absolutely fantastic main character who provided me with endlessly hilarious commentary. As well as loving Tiff I also adored the entire cast of friends and family who accompany Tiff in this eccentric coming of ag ...more

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Sep 26, 2011 Clare rated it really liked it

Shelves: 13-15yrs, young-adult

This book reminded me a little of Jerry Spinelli's Stargirl - it's not quite as refined but seems to be built upon a similar kind of optimistic good will. Tiffany is an independent, kind-hearted girl who has just finished her final year of school. Her character has a beautiful simplicity that makes her seem younger, not quite naive but endearingly uncomplicated as though she hasn't been tarnished by life.

She has an unusual family setting: when her mother passed away her aunt couldn't look after This book reminded me a little of Jerry Spinelli's Stargirl - it's not quite as refined but seems to be built upon a similar kind of optimistic good will. Tiffany is an independent, kind-hearted girl who has just finished her final year of school. Her character has a beautiful simplicity that makes her seem younger, not quite naive but endearingly uncomplicated as though she hasn't been tarnished by life.

She has an unusual family setting: when her mother passed away her aunt couldn't look after her, so she asked an older neighbour couple to take her in. As part of the bargain she inherited a 20-year-older big 'brother' who has looked out for her her whole life. There are a lot of caring people in this story, and it's nice to read about difficult situations that are held together through the simple love of people who will do anything to help each other. Tiff's best friend Kayla has an irregular family situation too, her mother is still single and has 5 kids, and in the course of the story she has met someone new and is pregnant again. But even here the situation is improved with love and optimism, they all love the kids a lot and will do anything for them even though it's sometimes hard, and in the end Kayla's mum gets her own happy ending by marrying the nice guy.

Tiffany is not pretty or concerned with fashion or boys... she doesn't think they'd be interested in her. And yet this book is in part a romance, and it's good: not overdone, not overly idealising and unreal, and not too fast. Davey is interested in Tiff because she's so different - she cares about life and people, and he's never met anyone like that. Tiff and Davey enjoy getting to know each other, and even though the book is short and we don't see them spend a lot of time together it has a good start with respect and interest in the other person, and it's not at all based on what they look like (though I like how she thinks he's 'cute', because it means that he could look like anything but comes across in a pleasing way, partly from the nice way he acts towards her).

There's an interesting sub-plot with Tiff's work experience on the local newspaper. Journalism is a lot tougher than Tiff thought it would be, and she's not sure she can go through with her dream because when she's supposed to be 'seeking a story' she cannot be insensitive to people's grief. It works out when she learns that she can be her own kind of journalist and doesn't have to be as cut-throat as some of the others.

The style is a little rough - with plenty of that Aussie down-to-earth-ness - but it's not full of trash talk like many teen books. Readers will need to tolerate a bit of dry Aussie humour though. It's not a wholesome classic by any means, there are some complicated background situations to deal with and a little drinking, but Tiff isn't afraid to be the steady one who has far more coke than bourbon. Overall it gives a basically positive insight into some quirky, down-to-earth, good hearted characters, which makes it a quick, easy read that should be fine for those with a little reading maturity. ...more

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Sep 13, 2011 Jenny rated it really liked it

Shelves: kids-ya, 2011

Gungee Creek and its cast of larger than life characters is a joy to visit. I haven't laughed so much while reading a book in ages. If I had only one word to describe this story, it would have to be, genuine - everything about this story and these wonderfully detailed characters is genuine. A pleasure to read no matter what your age. ...more

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