This weeks Friday Flashback has become a modern day Aussie classic in a very short period of time. It won the CBCA award for older readers back in 1993. And it was made into a movie in 2000 with Melina Marchetta writing the screen play.It was via this movie starring Pia Miranda, Kick Gurry, Greta Scacchi, Matthew Newton and Anthony LaPaglia that I first came across this book.
I was already in my thirties and hadn't read any teen literature for a decade or so. But the movie looked like fun, so I watched it during the summer holidays.
It was so delightful, so heart-breaking, so heart-warming and so full of Sydney that I was won over from the start. The next day I went to my local bookshop and purchased a copy of the book.
The book and movie are a little different, but with Marchetta at the helm for both, the heart and soul of the story remains the same. And the heart and soul of this book is Josie Alibrandi.
This is her coming of age story. This is her family, her friends and her Sydney.
If you haven't read this book or seen the movie, then put it high on your list of things to do this weekend.You wont be disappointed.
I'll have to look this one up! Melina Marchetta is one of those authors who I keep hearing about, and I even have a copy of Jellicoe Road -- but I still haven't read any of her books. Thanks for the recommendation!
ReplyDeleteLisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies
I love this book! I haven't seen the movie, but I think I need to.
ReplyDeleteJust the other day I was bemoaning the fact that I've not read any Melina Marchetta, and here she is popping up again. I really do need to read her, but already have books lined up for the rest of the year.... 2014 will be the year!
ReplyDeleteShamefully I've not read this. I feel like a bad Australian now and shall remedy this ASAP!
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