I LUV this book! The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks

A Semi-Review (no spoilers included)

Ever thought of challenging unwritten social rules?
Ever wanted to show up the people who underestimate your abilities?
Ever want to make things happen. . .
get people to care about things. . .
know that you can make a difference?
Gain respect from the top dog?

Yes? Then You'll LOVE Frankie Landau-Banks.

As a writer, this book is a great example of characterization, pacing and plot. I also liked her use of comparison and contrast.

I read this book thinking "This is the girl I wish I was in High School. Heck! It's the girl I wish I was now!" But even though this character is so different from me, I could also relate. She did so many things she shouldn't have, but I understood why she did them. I was rooting for her the whole way. We see the worst and the best in this character, but the best books are the ones that make the characters feel real. Are they not? Characters that are too precious and too perfect are normally boring and preachy. Frankie's real, she's relatable, she faces the consequences head on and she's got guts.


I will concede. . . when I finished the book I (only at first) didn't like the ending. I connected with Frankie, so I wanted her to have it all. Wanted her to have more in the end. (I'm not going to say how it ends. I don't want to spoil it for you)

BUT . . .
When I closed the back cover, I kept thinking about it. I thought. I thunk. . .
got thinker, thinkier and thinkiest . . .
(This is my blog so the above words are hereby deemed correct)

I couldn't stop thinking about the book and really, I had to get honest with myself. The ending HAD to be the way it was. It is a good ending. It's just not the one I wanted because of how "into" the character I was. If Lockhart was going to stay true to the underlying themes of self empowerment and challenging the unwritten social norms, and Frankie needed to face consequences for her actions. . . then the way it ended was, indeed, the best possible ending.

But you'll have to read it for yourself.

But be forewarned, if you go to the library, you'll probably have to be put on a wait list. This book is hot!