I found this a
really special book, Julia Forster, writing as the 12 year old Harper
Richardson, captures an amazingly authentic voice.
The complexities of
the lives of the adults around Harper are really just a backdrop to
Harper's exploration of person-hood.
I found great
affinity with Harper, like her I was a 12 year old with a tendency to
over think things, with a tendency to obsession and fantasy, maybe
not getting the wrong “end” of the stick but often grabbing in
the middle, and as much as it pains me to admit it, a 12 year old who
thought their shell-suit was the height of sophistication (while I
now chose different fabrics, to be honest, I am still faithful to its
colour combinations, it was bloody brilliant).
I want to write an
extensive review because I want to tell you how much I loved this
book, was almost hypnotised by it, but I am finding it hard to pin
point what it is that made this book such a success for me.
Maybe it was the
little touches, Harper is a bit of a Charles and Diana fan, and as a
child born in the same mouth as their wedding it took some
reconciliation when it turned out that my Charles and Di wedding mug
couldn't really have pride of place on the shelf any more. Also her
brush with protest, via CND, chimed with the defining experience of,
age 5, being part of “Walk for the World” - although I perhaps
need to quiz my parents about exactly what the campaign objectives of
that walk were?
Ultimately this was
a book that spoke deeply into my soul, and said you are not alone.
(which doesn't get awkward until you remind me that Harper is
fictional...)
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