Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta

Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta

Publisher: Knopf    
Publication date: September 28th 2004
My rating: 5 stars

Francesca used to think her biggest problem was transferring to St. Sebastian's--a school only recently turned coed: "What a dream come true, right? Seven hundred and fifty boys and thirty girls? But the reality is that it's either like living in a fish bowl or like you don't exist."
But now there's this matter of her usually vibrant and annoyingly optimistic mother Mia refusing to get up in the morning. Her taciturn father doesn't have much to say on the subject, her beloved little brother Luca is anxiously looking to her for answers, and her so-called friends from her old neighborhood seem to have abandoned her. So, Francesca keeps it all inside--her frustration with school (there aren't enough girl's bathrooms and no girl's sports teams); her fear making new friends (with the few girls who do go to St. Sebastian's); and her overwhelming hatred of the smug Will Trombal, who despite being completely infuriating, is also incredibly cute. Keeping this to herself when all she wants to do is spill it to her mother is killing Francesca, but with Mia trying to make herself well again, Francesca will have to figure out how to save herself.

Actually, there's no other way to rate this book other than giving it 5 shinning stars. And just like Jellicoe Road I'm speechless. What to say about Marchetta which hasn't already been said? If you still haven't read at least one of her books I just can't take you as a serious reader. Her books are always on people's favorite shelves. If you in fact didn't like her books then we can't be friends anymore. I'm just joking but I'm afraid you'll lose my respect. Now, I'm serious this time. 

Francesca's mum is suffering from depression and Frankie doesn't know how to coordinate the new all boys school she's attending and the quiet life at home. She's also struggling to find herself. She had to pretend around her old friends and she was always judged for being loud and a show-off. Now that's she's in this new school where there are just thirty girls she can't express herself so she mostly keeps her mouth shut. But she slowly discovers there are people who see her for who she really is and sooner or later she'll have to open up and let them in.  

Marchetta books always have great characters. I'm not only talking about the main characters but also those really small ones. In Saving Francesca there were jewels like Thomas Mackee, Jimmy Hailer, Tara Finke and Will Trombal. *ahem* Most of them are guys but they were the ones who shined and captured my attention. Most of the people like Tom or Will but I have a soft spot for Jimmy. He start of as a bully but he's also the sort of guy who'll follow you home and eat dinner at your place. He's just so weird and funny but I like this sort of people in books and in real life. Tom was also fun with his burps, kissing noises and farts. I have the second book, The Piper's Son so I'll read it soon and find out more about Tom. He was a very secretive person in Francesca's story. 

There was this one scene where Tom calls girls Bitch Spice, Butch Spice, Slut Spice, and Stupid Spice and they spend the next 2 pages trying to figure out which one is which. It's such an ordinary thing people do when they're hanging out it was just like I was there with them.  

Marchetta pulled me into her world right after the first page and makes me tear up in the end. She bring out happy tears from my cold heart I can't help but love her for it. She truly is a contemporary Queen. No one can compare to her work.