Obsession
Julia Lawrinson
FremantleArts Centre Press
259ppbk
1-86368-324-0
Category:Teen Issues
Obsessionis a fast and well-written book by Julia Lawrinson. Charlotte (known as Charlie)has had a really rough life and the only way she can communicate with the worldis with her best friend: a blank page in her diary. Her mums a drunken wreck,her dad died in an accident and she feels that nobody wants her around. Then shestarts at Kenwood High School and meets Kate, the most popular girl in the wholeschool. Thats when things start to change and her life becomes better. Ordoes it?
Obsessionis a book all about coping with a rough life, finding out who you really are andwhat life is all about. Filled with emotional and funny moments this book isgreat to read on a rainy day. Obsession is a book that can be easily readbut is aimed at teenage girls between the age of thirteen and seventeen.
Ifeel that Obsession was a great book to read and that every girl goingthrough a rough time or just wanting a good book to read should definitely readthis book. Its a great page- turner and really keeps you hooked. Obsessioncan be a full on at times with a few hot moments but then it can also be a bitslow in places. I defiantly recommend it. I give Obsession a nine and ahalf out of ten.
Cassey, aged 15,Canberra, ACT
AfterCharlie's dad died she moves to a new school where she is thrust into afriendship with a girl she hates. Then she meets Kate. Kate is everythingCharlie isn't...
Thisbook is intended for teenagers, from 15 up. It appeals to its intended audiencebecause it would make them sympathise with the main characters and because theymight have been in similar situation. The choice of topics is suitable for theintended age group because it's about someone trying to come to terms with theirsexuality as many teenagers are, and it's about school life and the normaltypical things you would expect in a teenage life with a few extracomplications, for example Charlies mum is an alcoholic.
Thestoryline is all right though it did not appeal to me. The book was veryreadable and the language is what any teenager might hear, think or write ineveryday life. The layout suits the reader perfectly and it makes it a quickread. It is definitely a read alone book, as most of this you wouldn't enjoyreading aloud to any audience. I would have enjoyed it more if Charlie had a fewless problems. I would recommend this to readers who are interested in readingabout girls who have more problems then they can handle, and would like to goalong for the ride and find out how she figures out a way to solve them.
Tayah,aged 15, rural NSW
