Customer Reviews

Follow the Blue

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In this funny and wise Australian novel, 15-year-old Bec's mother, Vera, is a celebrity chef. Her father, Lewis, is an architect who recently has had a breakdown and been admitted to a mental hospital with severe depression.

It's a black time for Bec's family. Her nine-year-old sister Bing finds some comfort in her new guinea pig, Begonia. Eleven-year-old Josh is glued to his computer and no longer tries to share long-winded information on off-the-wall subjects. Vera drinks too much wine, while Bec composes collages to quell her own sorrow over her father.

Finally, Lewis is released from the hospital. That afternoon, the three kids are home alone when the gate is left open and Begonia escapes. Bing is so upset over her missing pet, which puts a damper on the homecoming --- until Begonia reappears.

Time passes. Just as the family begins to settle back into contentment, Vera and Lewis announce they're going to the United States on a book tour and will be gone for six weeks. Bec is furious but feels she must be a good sport about it. Mrs. Dempster, soon known as "Mrs. D," joins the household as housekeeper in the parents' absence. Unfortunately, Mrs. D is the dullest woman Bec knows.

But Mrs. D is not without her charms. She cooks a mean pizza, watches "The Simpsons" with the kids, feeds them junk food --- and she once knew the Beatles! Although her siblings are soon Mrs. D's fans, Bec doesn't like her. She misses her parents with a fierce dark yearning.

Bec's horoscope predicts great luck, which immediately comes true in a big WOWza way. She also makes a new friend, Jaz --- and meets Jaz's gorgeous older brother. Bec senses a major change happening within herself. Before she knows it, she's acting in a manner that is both foreign and confusing. Can she find her way out of the maze of boy troubles, home disaster and school issues?

There is so much to love about FOLLOW THE BLUE, I don't know where to begin. First of all, it is both humorous and intelligent. The plot is simple yet deep, with subtle twists. Bec is a completely real person who can make the reader laugh out loud and who sometimes makes mistakes. She has adventures but they never feel like comic book episodes, enjoys a refreshing and tender (yet never icky-sweet) relationship with her siblings, and is a caring friend. In addition to this likeable main character, there is a quirky but complex cast (even the adults are multi-layered and believable --- a rather rare accomplishment). And author Brigid Lowry's voice is lyrical and original.

One of the many great pleasures of reading is discovering a new favorite author. I look forward to reading every book this gifted writer has published. Highest recommendation.

--- Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon (terryms2001@yahoo.com)

Three words. Read. This. Book. Seriously. This is an awesome book. Bec, the narrator, is believable, honest, and funny. Here's a synopsis of the story: Bec is 15 years old, and living in Perth, Australia. Her mother, Vera, is a celebrity cook. Vera's agent arranges for her to travel around Australia and the US to promote her cookboks. But here's the catch: Vera is only taking Bec's father, Lewis, recently released from a mental hospital, with her. This leaves Bec, her brother Josh, and her sister Beatrice, a.k.a. "Bing," stranded in Perth with Mrs. Dempster, a strict, boring housekeeper. When Mrs. D breaks her leg, the kids enjoy a week on their own, living off the 500 dollars that Bec won in the lottery, with funny and unexpected results.

This is honestly the best book I'd ever read. It grabs your attention and doesn't let go until the very last page. I feel like Bec is my sister or my best friend. Most writers of teen fiction have already forgotten what it's like to be that age. Brigid Lowry hasn't. In Bec, she creates a character that anyone, even guys, can relate to.

I can't believe that I am the first to write a review for this great book. As she did in "Guitar Highway Rose", Brigid Lowry manages to create a lyrical imagery of words, strung together, capturing emotions of young teenage girls (her target audience I assume). While her writing may not be the most deep or educational, her novels provide the reader with an overwhelming sense of nostalgia and warmth. This book is comforting and simple; yet just lovely to read, over and over again.

the worst ending ever! brilliant writing the whole way through but let down by the unrealistic and very abrupt ending. if you like closure with story endings this is not the book to read.

Teen Bec has always been the good girl in a dysfunctional family, taking care of her siblings - but she's tired of being good and ready for adventure. Her new friend Jaz promises this excitement and changes her life in a warm coming-of-age novel of change.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Follow The Blue by Brigid Lowry is a quaint tale of a suburban girl living in Perth, Australia. Bec has always been a levelheaded girl; she looks out for her two younger siblings, helps her world-famous mother in the kitchen, and maintains her school work. After her father, who has recently suffered a mental breakdown, returns home, her mother and father decided to take a long vacation to promote her mother's new book. This is when Bec decides to live a little. With the aid of a new housekeeper and the love of her siblings Bec meets new friends, has a party, and dives into the crazy world of guys. Throughout the novel, Bec discovers that there is a whole world out there, waiting for her to explore it.

This novel was written in a friendly style, you feel as if Bec is telling her story to an old friend, you. It has a great plot foundation; however I did not feel that the author raised it to its potential glory. Bec is an easy character to identify with but her adventures weren't as thrilling as one might hope. It was a quick read but in the end I didn't feel like Bec had changed much. I felt that it ended too abruptly and that Bec hadn't had a great adventure, instead it seemed like it was only the beginning of exciting things to come. Bec was still mulling over her feelings and opinions as it ended, however, Bec did receive some excellent advice from her housekeeper, Ms. D. Her messages of wisdom are easy to understand and can be used in all aspects of life. It is a nice story of an average girl, but it leaves one feeling a bit confused.

Reviewed by Flamningnet Book Reviews
www.flamingnet.com
Preteen, teen, and young adult book reviews and recommendations.