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Paper Aeroplanes #1
Paper Airplanes
It's the mid-1990s, and fifteen year-old Guernsey schoolgirls, Renée and Flo, are not really meant to be friends. Thoughtful, introspective and studious Flo couldn't be more different to ambitious, extroverted and sexually curious Renée. But Renée and Flo are united by loneliness and their dysfunctional families, and an intense bond is formed. Although there are obstacles to their friendship (namely Flo's jealous ex-best friend and Renée's growing infatuation with Flo's brother), fifteen is an age where anything can happen, where life stretches out before you, and when every betrayal feels like the end of the world. For Renée and Flo it is the time of their lives.
With graphic content and some scenes of a sexual nature, PAPER AEROPLANES is a gritty, poignant, often laugh-out-loud funny and powerful novel. It is an unforgettable snapshot of small-town adolescence and the heart-stopping power of female friendship.
With graphic content and some scenes of a sexual nature, PAPER AEROPLANES is a gritty, poignant, often laugh-out-loud funny and powerful novel. It is an unforgettable snapshot of small-town adolescence and the heart-stopping power of female friendship.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published April 23, 2013
495 people are currently reading
5832 people want to read
About the author
Dawn O'Porter
19 books1,515 followersDAWN O’PORTER lives in London with her husband Chris, her two boys Art and Valentine, and her cats Myrtle and Boo.
Dawn is the bestselling author of the novels The Cows and the Richard and Judy Book Club picks So Lucky and Cat Lady, and her non-fiction title Life in Pieces was also a Sunday Times bestseller.
Dawn started out in TV production but quickly landed in front of the camera, making numerous documentaries that included immersive investigations of Polygamy, Size Zero, Childbirth, Free Love, Breast Cancer and the movie Dirty Dancing.
Dawn’s journalism has appeared in multiple publications and she was the monthly columnist for Glamour magazine. She is now a full-time writer, designs dresses for Joanie Clothing, and has a large following on her Patreon blog.
Instagram: @hotpatooties
www.patreon.com/DawnOPorter
Dawn is the bestselling author of the novels The Cows and the Richard and Judy Book Club picks So Lucky and Cat Lady, and her non-fiction title Life in Pieces was also a Sunday Times bestseller.
Dawn started out in TV production but quickly landed in front of the camera, making numerous documentaries that included immersive investigations of Polygamy, Size Zero, Childbirth, Free Love, Breast Cancer and the movie Dirty Dancing.
Dawn’s journalism has appeared in multiple publications and she was the monthly columnist for Glamour magazine. She is now a full-time writer, designs dresses for Joanie Clothing, and has a large following on her Patreon blog.
Instagram: @hotpatooties
www.patreon.com/DawnOPorter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 618 reviews
April 9, 2023
Paper Airplanes is a peculiar, yet impossibly extraordinary book. I myself don't even know why I rated it so highly despite it being a typical YA book. I just knew in my very heart that I couldn't rate this book any less. From the very first chapter I felt a connection with the characters, the scenes, even the very ink on the page.
I can't explain how or why, but I loved this book. More than I should have. There is, quite truthfully, nothing particularly special about it. The story is written in simple language without any flowery phrases, the plot isn't anything I would usually go for, and the characters weren't special in any way.
But Paper Airplanes has a quality to it that most YA contemporaries don't have: it is not cliche. It is raw and honest and so, so real.
Renee and Flo are the most unlikely girls to become best friends - they're two different ends of the spectrum. Flo is a good girl who spends her time studying for exams and putting up with her bossy best friend, Sally, who treats her terribly. On the other hand, bad girl Renee skips class, doodles curse words in the bathroom, and plays pranks on people. Renee and Flo have barely spoken a word to each other in all their years going to school in Guernsey (a small British island off the coast of France). Then a tragic event happens and unwittingly brings the two together. Both instantly connect and for the first time, feel the exhilarating invincibility that comes from finding a true best friend.
From snogging boys and panty pad theft to pinkie swears, school pranks, and notes thrown at each other, Renee and Flo are finally having the time of the lives. But neither sees the personal betrayal coming that threatens to tear the girls' delicate new friendship apart. It is now up to both of them to reconnect and save their friendship before it's too late.
I think this book resonated with me on a very personal note. In my previous school years, I've always been a little like Flo, too shy to speak up or speak out when I'm being treated badly. I've let "friends" use me. They could be as sweet as an angel to me when they wanted something, but the minute they had what they wanted from me, they went back to treating me badly. In short, I realise I've been used, simply because of my "nice girl" personality and because I hate conflict. I care too much about what other people think about me, so I tend not to say or argue much even though I may disagree with someone. When I saw how Sally talked to Flo like she was a servant, treated her so badly, saying insulting, depreciating things designed to make her feel bad and bring her down, I really felt so much empathy towards Flo. Empathy, not sympathy, because I had been through the same things she had. And I was so indignant. I wanted to yell at Flo to speak up for herself because she didn't deserve to be treated this way. But I know what it is like: to want to keep your best friend with you no matter what, even if she is a jealous, mean, sarcastic and purely cruel bitch. Friendship is a very empowering thing, and people love when they're someone's best friend, a person the other party trusts implicitly. But friendship can be a type of abusive relationship that's hard to get out of, too. I love how Dawn O'Porter reveals this ugly aspect of friendship, that sometimes your best friends can actually be toxic.
Nevertheless this story is not a gloomy one. Renee and Flo's friendship is pure beauty. I don't know how and perhaps I never will, but reading about the two of them was a truly magical experience, a storyline that touched the deepest reaches of my soul. Dawn O'Porter writes bravely, bluntly, about the heartstopping invincibility of female friendship, of how two real best friends together can do anything if each has the other by their side. It was refreshing and wonderful and so realistic and I loved every word. Friendship can be something truly empowering when you have a companion who will always be there for you, when your best friend and yourself are stronger together.
Another wonderful thing was watching Renee, Flo and their friendship develop. Both girls gained so much understanding and realised many important things about friendship and life as well.
Especially after occurs, both Renee and Flo learn so much more about forgiveness, friendship, and admitting when you've hurt someone you love the most.
With deceptively simple language, Dawn O'Porter has managed to create a story filled with the pure magic and thrilling power of female friendship, of a friendship that could withstand the greatest obstacles, of two friends who always find their way back to each other in the end. If I had to say why I love this book, it is because I adored the exciting adrenaline rush that swamped me when I read the book, a testament to the thrill of true friendship.
It might have been the dual POV that did it for me. I've always loved books with more than one main character's POV since they allow me more insights. But as I've written this review, attempted to organise the jumbled thoughts I poured out, I think this book stands out to me for being so stunningly, beautifully real. For I understood this book, could relate to the words in it since I myself had gone through similar experiences before. I cannot begin to explain how much this story means to me, and the fond memories it evoked in me of friends come and gone. Some friends I have kept throughout the years. Others I have lost, or I have disconnected with, or forgotten about, and yet others are no longer friendly but hostile towards me. In a world like this, we cannot overlook the beauty of platonic relationships. There is a saying of my people that the closest neighbour is a better friend than the farthest family member. Often we find best friends in the most unexpected places and establish friendships with the most unexpected people, and there is timeless allure in that. And this is why I love Paper Airplanes so, so much. It is a story that will stay with me for a long time to come.
Before Reading:
The making of this whole book was pure art. The texture of the cover is lovely, and I think they used acid-free paper to print it, because it's been in the library for at least a year and the book hasn't yellowed yet? It's like I'm holding a brand-new book in my hands.
I can't explain how or why, but I loved this book. More than I should have. There is, quite truthfully, nothing particularly special about it. The story is written in simple language without any flowery phrases, the plot isn't anything I would usually go for, and the characters weren't special in any way.
But Paper Airplanes has a quality to it that most YA contemporaries don't have: it is not cliche. It is raw and honest and so, so real.
Renee and Flo are the most unlikely girls to become best friends - they're two different ends of the spectrum. Flo is a good girl who spends her time studying for exams and putting up with her bossy best friend, Sally, who treats her terribly. On the other hand, bad girl Renee skips class, doodles curse words in the bathroom, and plays pranks on people. Renee and Flo have barely spoken a word to each other in all their years going to school in Guernsey (a small British island off the coast of France). Then a tragic event happens and unwittingly brings the two together. Both instantly connect and for the first time, feel the exhilarating invincibility that comes from finding a true best friend.
From snogging boys and panty pad theft to pinkie swears, school pranks, and notes thrown at each other, Renee and Flo are finally having the time of the lives. But neither sees the personal betrayal coming that threatens to tear the girls' delicate new friendship apart. It is now up to both of them to reconnect and save their friendship before it's too late.
I think this book resonated with me on a very personal note. In my previous school years, I've always been a little like Flo, too shy to speak up or speak out when I'm being treated badly. I've let "friends" use me. They could be as sweet as an angel to me when they wanted something, but the minute they had what they wanted from me, they went back to treating me badly. In short, I realise I've been used, simply because of my "nice girl" personality and because I hate conflict. I care too much about what other people think about me, so I tend not to say or argue much even though I may disagree with someone. When I saw how Sally talked to Flo like she was a servant, treated her so badly, saying insulting, depreciating things designed to make her feel bad and bring her down, I really felt so much empathy towards Flo. Empathy, not sympathy, because I had been through the same things she had. And I was so indignant. I wanted to yell at Flo to speak up for herself because she didn't deserve to be treated this way. But I know what it is like: to want to keep your best friend with you no matter what, even if she is a jealous, mean, sarcastic and purely cruel bitch. Friendship is a very empowering thing, and people love when they're someone's best friend, a person the other party trusts implicitly. But friendship can be a type of abusive relationship that's hard to get out of, too. I love how Dawn O'Porter reveals this ugly aspect of friendship, that sometimes your best friends can actually be toxic.
Nevertheless this story is not a gloomy one. Renee and Flo's friendship is pure beauty. I don't know how and perhaps I never will, but reading about the two of them was a truly magical experience, a storyline that touched the deepest reaches of my soul. Dawn O'Porter writes bravely, bluntly, about the heartstopping invincibility of female friendship, of how two real best friends together can do anything if each has the other by their side. It was refreshing and wonderful and so realistic and I loved every word. Friendship can be something truly empowering when you have a companion who will always be there for you, when your best friend and yourself are stronger together.
Another wonderful thing was watching Renee, Flo and their friendship develop. Both girls gained so much understanding and realised many important things about friendship and life as well.
Julian will never want me - he made that perfectly clear at the garage. I either lose my best friend trying to make him, or I concentrate on the person I care about the most.
Especially after occurs, both Renee and Flo learn so much more about forgiveness, friendship, and admitting when you've hurt someone you love the most.
"Because there are some people in life that you have to forgive, no matter what thy do. Because without them you're nothing. You have no choice."
With deceptively simple language, Dawn O'Porter has managed to create a story filled with the pure magic and thrilling power of female friendship, of a friendship that could withstand the greatest obstacles, of two friends who always find their way back to each other in the end. If I had to say why I love this book, it is because I adored the exciting adrenaline rush that swamped me when I read the book, a testament to the thrill of true friendship.
It might have been the dual POV that did it for me. I've always loved books with more than one main character's POV since they allow me more insights. But as I've written this review, attempted to organise the jumbled thoughts I poured out, I think this book stands out to me for being so stunningly, beautifully real. For I understood this book, could relate to the words in it since I myself had gone through similar experiences before. I cannot begin to explain how much this story means to me, and the fond memories it evoked in me of friends come and gone. Some friends I have kept throughout the years. Others I have lost, or I have disconnected with, or forgotten about, and yet others are no longer friendly but hostile towards me. In a world like this, we cannot overlook the beauty of platonic relationships. There is a saying of my people that the closest neighbour is a better friend than the farthest family member. Often we find best friends in the most unexpected places and establish friendships with the most unexpected people, and there is timeless allure in that. And this is why I love Paper Airplanes so, so much. It is a story that will stay with me for a long time to come.
Before Reading:
The making of this whole book was pure art. The texture of the cover is lovely, and I think they used acid-free paper to print it, because it's been in the library for at least a year and the book hasn't yellowed yet? It's like I'm holding a brand-new book in my hands.
February 2, 2015
I’ve been writing a lot of five star reviews lately (with more on the way) and I have genuinely enjoyed all of those books, but it has been many, many years since I have been able to connect so much with a book. Paper Aeroplanes is, without a doubt, now one of my favourite books of all time and one which I will be pushing onto all of my female friends for years to come.
I can’t think of another book I’ve read which so accurately represents the intricacies of the friendships between teenage girls. It was something which deeply resonated with me. My teenage years were happy, don’t get me wrong, and I was lucky to have a wonderfully supportive family. However, I’ve always been insecure and weight issues in my early teenage years didn’t help my self-perception or my ability to make friends. I did have wonderful friends, or at least they seemed to be at the time. I guess it’s like a bad relationship; it’s amazing what people will put up with for the good times. Looking back I realise I walked on eggshells for six years of my life, sharing my deepest darkest secrets with my best friends and having some fantastic fun, but always doing my best to stay on their good side. I put up with snide comments and days when I was completely ignored for no reason, but heaven forbid I ever do the same to them. I know there are so many people who had it much worse than me, but those comments eroded my confidence little by little. Believe me when I say that, despite this, I honestly did have a wonderful time at school and I choose to remember the good times my friends and I had together. But Paper Aeroplanes made me realise that I actually wasn’t alone (I know it’s cheesy, but it’s true). I really mean it. Teenage girls hold a lot of power over one another and sometimes the smallest shifts in these dynamics can cause the biggest fractures.
“Carla and Gem, my ‘best friends’, are over by the windows at the back, sitting next to each other of course, both waving frantically at me but not bothering to get up. As usual I do my best to look like I don’t care, already feeling the neglect that comes with being the third wheel to an indestructible duo.”
“It’s either mum getting at me at home or Sally putting me down at school. Other people seem to live so differently. It makes me feel totally unlikeable. Why would anyone want to try to have fun with me? I follow Sally around like a lost sheep because I don’t have the courage to say what I want. It’s force of habit now, I guess. I don’t bother saying how I feel because one of them will make me feel so stupid for it. I’ve turned into a boring tagalong who watches everyone else have fun while I feel more unsure of myself every day.”
What makes this absolutely perfect is the characters. Renée and Flo were both characters I instantly related to and fell in love with. These girls were so real, in fact all the characters were. A few weeks ago I chatted with Jo in this post about writing believable, real teenage girls. I wrote something along the lines of "why can girls only be proper and delicate…or, well, the opposite? I mean no one is like that all the time" and that is what I totally love about Paper Aeroplanes. Also, this book about teenage girls actually has *cue Miranda-style whispering* periods in it! Yes. Periods. And I am not ashamed to say I am absolutely over the moon about this aspect. Okay, okay, I know I sound insane, but there is no hiding from things real girls actually talk about in this. Oh, and there is also mention of farting.
“Never have I wanted the earth to swallow me up so much. Pop trying to explain what I might use a panty pad for is as bad as the time I farted when I sneezed during prayers in assembly. At least that was funny. There is nothing funny about this.”
Let’s not pretend it doesn’t happen.
In terms of the rest of the characters, they were all equally as real. Even, I hate to admit, Sally. She was absolutely horrendous, but I’m sure most teenage girls would have come across someone like her during school. I know I certainly have. She is the worst kind of bully; a soul sucking person who pushes her friends down to make herself feel better. Sadly, those people generally don’t stop doing that when they graduate from high school.
Families were also an essential part of Paper Aeroplanes. I absolutely love it when these issues are explored in YA without completely taking over the book and making it an ‘issues’ book. These elements were dealt with beautifully; the subtle complexities simmering under the surface of Flo and Renée’s school lives. The combination of time and home and at school seemed to work perfectly and reflected the fact that both girls were trying to escape to school in a way, a place where, for the most part, they felt happier. I was pleased to see this was somewhat resolved at the end of the book, although I’m sensing there are still things which need to be sorted out and will be addressed in the second book.
Perhaps the only good thing about finishing Paper Aeroplanes is knowing that there is a sequel. I am so, so glad that I don’t have to say goodbye to Flo and Renée yet. But don’t be scared off by that, Paper Aeroplanes can be read as a standalone.
The press release for Paper Aeroplanes describes it as “a Puberty Blues for the 1990s” and I have to agree that it is. While we’re making comparisons, it is also perfect for fans of TV show My Mad, Fat Diary and the work of Jacqueline Wilson. It is humorous, heartfelt and absolutely unforgettable. Teenage girls past and present need to read this. It is a book which I cannot recommend enough and one which I will be re-reading very, very soon. Thank you Dawn O’Porter for telling it like it is.
Thank you to The Five Mile Press/Hot Key Books for providing a copy of the book for review
This review and many more can be found at Maree's Musings.
I can’t think of another book I’ve read which so accurately represents the intricacies of the friendships between teenage girls. It was something which deeply resonated with me. My teenage years were happy, don’t get me wrong, and I was lucky to have a wonderfully supportive family. However, I’ve always been insecure and weight issues in my early teenage years didn’t help my self-perception or my ability to make friends. I did have wonderful friends, or at least they seemed to be at the time. I guess it’s like a bad relationship; it’s amazing what people will put up with for the good times. Looking back I realise I walked on eggshells for six years of my life, sharing my deepest darkest secrets with my best friends and having some fantastic fun, but always doing my best to stay on their good side. I put up with snide comments and days when I was completely ignored for no reason, but heaven forbid I ever do the same to them. I know there are so many people who had it much worse than me, but those comments eroded my confidence little by little. Believe me when I say that, despite this, I honestly did have a wonderful time at school and I choose to remember the good times my friends and I had together. But Paper Aeroplanes made me realise that I actually wasn’t alone (I know it’s cheesy, but it’s true). I really mean it. Teenage girls hold a lot of power over one another and sometimes the smallest shifts in these dynamics can cause the biggest fractures.
“Carla and Gem, my ‘best friends’, are over by the windows at the back, sitting next to each other of course, both waving frantically at me but not bothering to get up. As usual I do my best to look like I don’t care, already feeling the neglect that comes with being the third wheel to an indestructible duo.”
“It’s either mum getting at me at home or Sally putting me down at school. Other people seem to live so differently. It makes me feel totally unlikeable. Why would anyone want to try to have fun with me? I follow Sally around like a lost sheep because I don’t have the courage to say what I want. It’s force of habit now, I guess. I don’t bother saying how I feel because one of them will make me feel so stupid for it. I’ve turned into a boring tagalong who watches everyone else have fun while I feel more unsure of myself every day.”
What makes this absolutely perfect is the characters. Renée and Flo were both characters I instantly related to and fell in love with. These girls were so real, in fact all the characters were. A few weeks ago I chatted with Jo in this post about writing believable, real teenage girls. I wrote something along the lines of "why can girls only be proper and delicate…or, well, the opposite? I mean no one is like that all the time" and that is what I totally love about Paper Aeroplanes. Also, this book about teenage girls actually has *cue Miranda-style whispering* periods in it! Yes. Periods. And I am not ashamed to say I am absolutely over the moon about this aspect. Okay, okay, I know I sound insane, but there is no hiding from things real girls actually talk about in this. Oh, and there is also mention of farting.
“Never have I wanted the earth to swallow me up so much. Pop trying to explain what I might use a panty pad for is as bad as the time I farted when I sneezed during prayers in assembly. At least that was funny. There is nothing funny about this.”
Let’s not pretend it doesn’t happen.
In terms of the rest of the characters, they were all equally as real. Even, I hate to admit, Sally. She was absolutely horrendous, but I’m sure most teenage girls would have come across someone like her during school. I know I certainly have. She is the worst kind of bully; a soul sucking person who pushes her friends down to make herself feel better. Sadly, those people generally don’t stop doing that when they graduate from high school.
Families were also an essential part of Paper Aeroplanes. I absolutely love it when these issues are explored in YA without completely taking over the book and making it an ‘issues’ book. These elements were dealt with beautifully; the subtle complexities simmering under the surface of Flo and Renée’s school lives. The combination of time and home and at school seemed to work perfectly and reflected the fact that both girls were trying to escape to school in a way, a place where, for the most part, they felt happier. I was pleased to see this was somewhat resolved at the end of the book, although I’m sensing there are still things which need to be sorted out and will be addressed in the second book.
Perhaps the only good thing about finishing Paper Aeroplanes is knowing that there is a sequel. I am so, so glad that I don’t have to say goodbye to Flo and Renée yet. But don’t be scared off by that, Paper Aeroplanes can be read as a standalone.
The press release for Paper Aeroplanes describes it as “a Puberty Blues for the 1990s” and I have to agree that it is. While we’re making comparisons, it is also perfect for fans of TV show My Mad, Fat Diary and the work of Jacqueline Wilson. It is humorous, heartfelt and absolutely unforgettable. Teenage girls past and present need to read this. It is a book which I cannot recommend enough and one which I will be re-reading very, very soon. Thank you Dawn O’Porter for telling it like it is.
Thank you to The Five Mile Press/Hot Key Books for providing a copy of the book for review
This review and many more can be found at Maree's Musings.
June 23, 2024
3.5 🌟🌟🌟💫
The writing is by no means perfect but as usual Dawn O’Porter delivers an entertaining easy read that is hard not to enjoy. The narrative switches back and form between new found friends, Flo and Renee and in essence is a coming of age story.
The story follows the ups and downs of family and school life for the girls but there is also a deeper meaning behind what seems a simple story where the girls are so happy and “so excited I do an involuntary star jump.”
One deeper message the book leaves us with is “it’s easy to just take people for what they seem, and not think about what life is actually like for them.” Everyone is going through things we don’t even know, feeling things we can’t imagine. Be kind. Be thoughtful.
Overall, this is just simply an easy read about friendship and supporting people when they are going through tough times. I did feel however that it lacked a certain depth to the story and I didn’t care for the characters as much as I usually do in O’Porters books; not her best work!
The writing is by no means perfect but as usual Dawn O’Porter delivers an entertaining easy read that is hard not to enjoy. The narrative switches back and form between new found friends, Flo and Renee and in essence is a coming of age story.
The story follows the ups and downs of family and school life for the girls but there is also a deeper meaning behind what seems a simple story where the girls are so happy and “so excited I do an involuntary star jump.”
One deeper message the book leaves us with is “it’s easy to just take people for what they seem, and not think about what life is actually like for them.” Everyone is going through things we don’t even know, feeling things we can’t imagine. Be kind. Be thoughtful.
Overall, this is just simply an easy read about friendship and supporting people when they are going through tough times. I did feel however that it lacked a certain depth to the story and I didn’t care for the characters as much as I usually do in O’Porters books; not her best work!
June 19, 2014
Dead parents, bullying, negligent parents, bulemia, anorexia, abuse of sexual power, rape, lying, pregnancy... am I missing anything? I must be, given the rave reviews of this book.
Here's the thing: there's nothing wrong with a gritty, real-life-is-tough novel, and maybe we don't see enough of them in YA. BUT gritty doesn't automatically mean it's good. Just cause it *goes there*, it still has to do it well. And I don't think this one did.
For a book about friendship we see very few healthy, functional ones. Margaret and Renee were actually the only pair that really caught my sympathies and it was repeatedly made clear that they were not the OTP of this book. Flo and Renee seemed a little... insta, and too much time was spent with them waxing on about how much they loved each other and not enough oof then being together and developing the friendship. Though the scene at the funeral was nice.
There was too much Awful. After a while, the reader detatches because Too. Much. Also too little was explained. Flo's mom was way too all over the place and no one batted an eye.
I think on the whole the emotional impact of the story would have been better served by narrowing in a bit more, sticking to maybe three traumas, and make us care a bit more about Renee aside from sad orphan syndrome.
Here's the thing: there's nothing wrong with a gritty, real-life-is-tough novel, and maybe we don't see enough of them in YA. BUT gritty doesn't automatically mean it's good. Just cause it *goes there*, it still has to do it well. And I don't think this one did.
For a book about friendship we see very few healthy, functional ones. Margaret and Renee were actually the only pair that really caught my sympathies and it was repeatedly made clear that they were not the OTP of this book. Flo and Renee seemed a little... insta, and too much time was spent with them waxing on about how much they loved each other and not enough oof then being together and developing the friendship. Though the scene at the funeral was nice.
There was too much Awful. After a while, the reader detatches because Too. Much. Also too little was explained. Flo's mom was way too all over the place and no one batted an eye.
I think on the whole the emotional impact of the story would have been better served by narrowing in a bit more, sticking to maybe three traumas, and make us care a bit more about Renee aside from sad orphan syndrome.
May 25, 2013
I read Paper Aeroplanes in a few hours; it's a compulsive read with well-drawn, realistic characters and situations and writing that drew me from page one. If I didn't know better I wouldn't have pegged Dawn O'Porter as a debut novelist - it doesn't show at all, but that's what she is. As far as debut novels go, this is a great one she should be very proud of.
Paper Aeroplanes is quite simple when you analyse it, but sometimes the simplest stories have more heart than giant elaborate ones. It's about two fifteen-year-old girls, Renee and Flo, living in Guernsey in 1994. Told in alternating narratives, each girl's story unfolds equally and soon I couldn't help but love both of them. I love books that include two points of view, and this one does it well.
Friendship is at the heart of this story, though family is also a huge part of it. Any girl will know exactly what Renee and Flo are going through, it took me back to being fifteen and sometimes feeling more alone than I actually was. It's a time of change for any teenagers and Dawn O'Porter has embodied that so well here, thanks in part to her own teenage diaries she unearthed and used as inspiration when writing the book. There are plenty of embarrassing, cringeworthy moments that girls will be all too familiar with (sigh), but there's also a sense of belonging and that everything really will be ok in the end.
Loss is a major theme running through Paper Aeroplanes, which is something that a lot of readers will be familiar with. Although it isn't my favourite subject to read about, I do think it's important to include it and get it out there, as who knows how many teenagers a book like this will help and comfort. Losing anybody is heartbreaking and difficult, and this book captures the subsequent feelings perfectly.
I enjoyed getting to know Flo and Renee and being in their lives for this most important snapshot of their teen years. Paper Aeroplanes is an honest portrayal of what it's like to experiment and discover new things, as well as shining a light on the feelings of fear and despair when life doesn't quite go to plan. Here's another YA author I'll be keeping an eye on - I'm expecting great things to come!
Paper Aeroplanes is quite simple when you analyse it, but sometimes the simplest stories have more heart than giant elaborate ones. It's about two fifteen-year-old girls, Renee and Flo, living in Guernsey in 1994. Told in alternating narratives, each girl's story unfolds equally and soon I couldn't help but love both of them. I love books that include two points of view, and this one does it well.
Friendship is at the heart of this story, though family is also a huge part of it. Any girl will know exactly what Renee and Flo are going through, it took me back to being fifteen and sometimes feeling more alone than I actually was. It's a time of change for any teenagers and Dawn O'Porter has embodied that so well here, thanks in part to her own teenage diaries she unearthed and used as inspiration when writing the book. There are plenty of embarrassing, cringeworthy moments that girls will be all too familiar with (sigh), but there's also a sense of belonging and that everything really will be ok in the end.
Loss is a major theme running through Paper Aeroplanes, which is something that a lot of readers will be familiar with. Although it isn't my favourite subject to read about, I do think it's important to include it and get it out there, as who knows how many teenagers a book like this will help and comfort. Losing anybody is heartbreaking and difficult, and this book captures the subsequent feelings perfectly.
I enjoyed getting to know Flo and Renee and being in their lives for this most important snapshot of their teen years. Paper Aeroplanes is an honest portrayal of what it's like to experiment and discover new things, as well as shining a light on the feelings of fear and despair when life doesn't quite go to plan. Here's another YA author I'll be keeping an eye on - I'm expecting great things to come!
November 9, 2014
I feel like Dawn O’Porter really captured the experience of high school, even if it was based in the mid-90s. It’s easy to forget all the drama, gossip, and social hierarchies that come along with school, so it did take me back to my high school experience. The themes of friendship and self-discovery were an amazing sight to behold. As much as it did piss me off seeing the so-called “fake friends” use and abuse the main characters, I did rather enjoy the come-uppance they received in the end. It reminds me that we all go through the bad friendships to find the great ones; I, myself, can testify to that.
"Right, who we gonna call?" asks Nancy. We all yell "Ghostbusters" in unison, then apologize to each other for being so obvious. - Renee
The entire novel switches between the POVs of Renee and Flo. Flo is your typical shy and quiet girl. She’s basically under the thumb of her “best friend” Sally—but more on her later. Flo is basically being forced to raise her little sister, Abi, alone because her mother just can’t seem to be bothered to raise her own child. I hate to sound ruthless, but her mother only proved to be a selfish gold digger. It’s quite appalling and makes me think some people shouldn’t procreate. As said before, Sally is Flo’s best friend if you can even call her that. I personally can’t stand fake friends and that is exactly what Sally is. It seems to me that she uses Flo to hit on her brother, Julian, and to make herself feel better. I wanted nothing more than to slap the silly, tactless, spoiled brat upside the head. It’s upsetting that while Flo was dealing with family problems, Sally couldn’t care less; she’s a bully, simply put, as evidence by how she treats our other main character, Renee (who she is just jealous of, obviously).
I liked Renee and how carefree she was; it reminds me to be more like that and to never take life for granted. I wanted to cry seeing all that she was enduring, with her family using her as the scapegoat after her mother’s death, and treating her with such scorn. I’m sitting here wondering what kind of grandfather would guilt his own granddaughter over the death of his daughter, her mother. And her sister Nell was just as equally cruel to Renee, but I have to admit that she’s loyal to a cause, i.e. becoming anorexic in hopes that her grandparents will send her to her father’s. [Spoiler Ahead] I hate that she slept with Julian in order to learn that he didn’t care about her, but maybe that’s because I hate living with regrets, therefore I don’t want to see anyone else live with them.
"...Those people aren't happy. They'll be on their deathbeds with little more than a lifetime of guilt and regret to think about. People like us die with a clear conscience, Flo. That's the best way to be. If you admit where you go wrong, at least you stand a chance of making it better." - Mr. Parrot
The budding friendship between Flo and Renee was a beautiful one; the kind we all wish to have with someone who pushes you to be better. I deeply enjoyed the humor of both characters and the journey each of them had. I’m glad they both decided to stick with each other and both are starting to have seemingly happy lives. I would have to say that my favorite part was when Flo dissed Sally at the very end (I wanted to high five her for a job well done!).
"But maybe you shouldn't just say "I love you". You have to mean it. - Flo
May 1, 2013
I will not be posting a full review, but I'd like to say that Paper Aeroplanes is one of the most wonderfully authentic YA contemporary novels I've read.
Paper Aeroplanes made me think a lot about the differences between UK and USA young adult contemporary. I've found that UKYA is much more realistic and grittier (as, for example, in Before I Die . But maybe it's due to cultural differences and the fact that this is probably much nearer to my own experience – from ready meals to greasy chips – than a idealistic setting in an American high school. Either way, I applaud Dawn O'Porter for capturing the authenticity of teenage life! But I'm not wholly sure it's for me. I'm fairly new to young adult contemporary and I'm more drawn to either the 'really cute' or the 'really sad' and I'd label Paper Aeroplanes as 'really uncomfortably real'. I'm not sure I enjoy real; I wouldn't be a teenager again if you paid me.
Yet I'd suggest that dedicated readers of young adult contemporary fiction should definitely try to check this out because I imagine it's very different to what you've already read.
Paper Aeroplanes made me think a lot about the differences between UK and USA young adult contemporary. I've found that UKYA is much more realistic and grittier (as, for example, in Before I Die . But maybe it's due to cultural differences and the fact that this is probably much nearer to my own experience – from ready meals to greasy chips – than a idealistic setting in an American high school. Either way, I applaud Dawn O'Porter for capturing the authenticity of teenage life! But I'm not wholly sure it's for me. I'm fairly new to young adult contemporary and I'm more drawn to either the 'really cute' or the 'really sad' and I'd label Paper Aeroplanes as 'really uncomfortably real'. I'm not sure I enjoy real; I wouldn't be a teenager again if you paid me.
Yet I'd suggest that dedicated readers of young adult contemporary fiction should definitely try to check this out because I imagine it's very different to what you've already read.
July 20, 2021
Full disclosure: when I borrowed this from the library, I thought it was gay. XD
To be fair, I'm going to tag it with homoerotic subtext, because it was totally there, and the novel even makes cheeky winks at this, by having several scenes where main characters are called "lezzers". Yeah, they're all through male gazes, but anyway...
This book is a bit of a dumpster fire. It started out well enough, but the author just decided to turn it into the worst soap opera you can imagine: toxic friendships, statutory rape, teen pregnancy, abusive caretakers, parent deaths and so on. Also, the "villain" - whose name I already forgot (Flo's ex friend) - was such a caricature.
Rep: plus size main character
To be fair, I'm going to tag it with homoerotic subtext, because it was totally there, and the novel even makes cheeky winks at this, by having several scenes where main characters are called "lezzers". Yeah, they're all through male gazes, but anyway...
This book is a bit of a dumpster fire. It started out well enough, but the author just decided to turn it into the worst soap opera you can imagine: toxic friendships, statutory rape, teen pregnancy, abusive caretakers, parent deaths and so on. Also, the "villain" - whose name I already forgot (Flo's ex friend) - was such a caricature.
Rep: plus size main character
November 27, 2021
This is girly and childish and I’m 34 years old and loved every word. It’s the closest thing to building a time machine and teleporting myself back to my teenage years. There are moments of sadness, of true despair only amplified by teenage hormones. Then there are the stupid conversations. I felt myself cringing because I know I’d had the same conversations with my girlfriends at that age. Then there was the being desperately in love with a boy who couldn’t give a shit about you. Fast forward 20 years and you can’t help but laugh at your former self. Dawn O’Porter hits the nail on the head. A best friend one week, replaced by another the following. Periods, sex, snogging, annoying siblings. Nice teachers, horrible teachers. Exam stress. Smoking. Passing notes. Calling your friends on the telephone. Times were simpler.
Excellent.
Excellent.
July 1, 2016
5 Words: UKYA at its absolute best.
This was an amazing read, one I'm sure will stay with me. And it's left me anxious to get on to Goose. After hearing Dawn O'Porter talking at the author event on Monday I think I love this book even more.
Full review and double giveaway to come.
This was an amazing read, one I'm sure will stay with me. And it's left me anxious to get on to Goose. After hearing Dawn O'Porter talking at the author event on Monday I think I love this book even more.
Full review and double giveaway to come.
February 7, 2023
A quick easy read about 2 teenagers. No real plot to the story and not really very gripping but I enjoyed it nevertheless
May 11, 2013
Originally posted on www.serendipityreviews.co.uk
I really enjoyed reading this book, even if I did cringe at quite a few scenes. And I honestly only cringed because it opened a locked door in my mind that had kept hidden my teenage years which were a lot harsher than I remembered.
The style and setting of this book is the closest I have ever come to my own teenage years. I’m not saying personally that I was the type of girl who was desperate to lose my virginity, because I was quite the opposite. However, the way Renee and Flo approach relationships is the way I remember my friends reacting to boys. I grew up fast at secondary school and learnt so much that it was surprising I ever ventured into a real relationship at all.
For YA, this book is much more realistic to the life of teenagers of today. You can’t read it without comparing it a little with the American YA we read, which is much more romanticised. American YA makes you swoon – UKYA often hits you with the reality stick.
The story is told from alternating view points between Renee and Flo, who don’t start off as best friends, but follow that pathway as the book unfolds. The book concentrates on the growth and development of their friendship, alongside family relationships and sexual awareness. Both girls come from dysfunctional families brought to their knees by bereavement and unemployment, showing how easily a normal, healthy family life can quickly unravel.
I know the author kept diaries throughout her teens and this book really shows the evidence of that . You almost feel like you are living and breathing in the 90’s again as you get lost in the story.. When she mentioned Chicken in White Wine sauce in a tin, I instantly travelled back in time and found myself waiting for mine in front of the microwave in my parent’s house.
This book will appeal to fans of Melvin Burgess. The author has captured the essence of teenage life in the UK and laid it bare. No glamour or sugar coating, just real life with real teenagers.
I really enjoyed reading this book, even if I did cringe at quite a few scenes. And I honestly only cringed because it opened a locked door in my mind that had kept hidden my teenage years which were a lot harsher than I remembered.
The style and setting of this book is the closest I have ever come to my own teenage years. I’m not saying personally that I was the type of girl who was desperate to lose my virginity, because I was quite the opposite. However, the way Renee and Flo approach relationships is the way I remember my friends reacting to boys. I grew up fast at secondary school and learnt so much that it was surprising I ever ventured into a real relationship at all.
For YA, this book is much more realistic to the life of teenagers of today. You can’t read it without comparing it a little with the American YA we read, which is much more romanticised. American YA makes you swoon – UKYA often hits you with the reality stick.
The story is told from alternating view points between Renee and Flo, who don’t start off as best friends, but follow that pathway as the book unfolds. The book concentrates on the growth and development of their friendship, alongside family relationships and sexual awareness. Both girls come from dysfunctional families brought to their knees by bereavement and unemployment, showing how easily a normal, healthy family life can quickly unravel.
I know the author kept diaries throughout her teens and this book really shows the evidence of that . You almost feel like you are living and breathing in the 90’s again as you get lost in the story.. When she mentioned Chicken in White Wine sauce in a tin, I instantly travelled back in time and found myself waiting for mine in front of the microwave in my parent’s house.
This book will appeal to fans of Melvin Burgess. The author has captured the essence of teenage life in the UK and laid it bare. No glamour or sugar coating, just real life with real teenagers.
June 5, 2017
4.5 stars
Do you know what we need more of in YA lit? Positive female friendships. And in Paper Aeroplanes, Dawn o’Porter gives it to us in spades.
From the very first few pages, the author had me absolutely hooked on Renee and Flo’s stories, which were told from alternating viewpoints within the chapters. Don’t get me wrong, their friendship isn’t all skipping through a field of daisies and wildflowers, and Renee and Flo are both flawed characters, but I instantly completely shipped their friendship - I was desperate for them to get together and booed every time Flo’s horrible friend Sally came in the room.
There were some really frank discussions about sex and sexuality and dysfunctional relationships (which Dawn o’Porter has explored before in her TV programs) and this was really refreshing. The book was so much grittier and true-to-life than a lot of YA contemporary fiction out there.
And even though I’m usually a sucker for a good romance, I loved the fact that there were no heart-swoony romances in this book. There are a couple of boys, and a whole lot of talking about sex, but the heart of the book is the friendship between Flo and Renee.
The only thing that stopped this book from being five stars was that I felt the ending was all wrapped up a bit too neatly and felt a bit rushed because of it. Other than that, it was an amazing read. Go and buy a copy.
Do you know what we need more of in YA lit? Positive female friendships. And in Paper Aeroplanes, Dawn o’Porter gives it to us in spades.
From the very first few pages, the author had me absolutely hooked on Renee and Flo’s stories, which were told from alternating viewpoints within the chapters. Don’t get me wrong, their friendship isn’t all skipping through a field of daisies and wildflowers, and Renee and Flo are both flawed characters, but I instantly completely shipped their friendship - I was desperate for them to get together and booed every time Flo’s horrible friend Sally came in the room.
There were some really frank discussions about sex and sexuality and dysfunctional relationships (which Dawn o’Porter has explored before in her TV programs) and this was really refreshing. The book was so much grittier and true-to-life than a lot of YA contemporary fiction out there.
And even though I’m usually a sucker for a good romance, I loved the fact that there were no heart-swoony romances in this book. There are a couple of boys, and a whole lot of talking about sex, but the heart of the book is the friendship between Flo and Renee.
The only thing that stopped this book from being five stars was that I felt the ending was all wrapped up a bit too neatly and felt a bit rushed because of it. Other than that, it was an amazing read. Go and buy a copy.
June 21, 2014
The reason I gave this four stars and not five is actually a matter of genre. This book is about two teenage girls - Reneé and Flo, and although its content will be passionately related to by anyone who has been a teenage girl and faced the challenges that high school brings, I wouldn't call it a Young Adult novel. As Caroline Flack surprisingly nails on the head on the cover, 'anyone who has ever been a teenage girl will love this book.' At its close, I didn't feel a life lesson that is often learned from coming of age stories. By placing it in the back of my local library in the teen fiction section, a legion of adults who have no desire of wandering into those shelves will completely miss out on a book I think they'd love.
As for the story itself, it's perfectly placed in time and space - Guernsey, 1995, and remains realistic even at its most ridiculous. There are a few laugh-out-loud funny moments, and the narrative bounces along without any slow moments (it is only 250ish pages long). Through Reneé and Flo, I ended up reliving a few (sometimes painful) teenage memories, and got caught up in how it feels to be caught up in your life and the vastness of its seemingly never-ending problems.
I'm hoping to pick up the sequel - 'Goose', but it'd be nice to not have to venture into the shadows of the Teen Fiction aisles to do so.
As for the story itself, it's perfectly placed in time and space - Guernsey, 1995, and remains realistic even at its most ridiculous. There are a few laugh-out-loud funny moments, and the narrative bounces along without any slow moments (it is only 250ish pages long). Through Reneé and Flo, I ended up reliving a few (sometimes painful) teenage memories, and got caught up in how it feels to be caught up in your life and the vastness of its seemingly never-ending problems.
I'm hoping to pick up the sequel - 'Goose', but it'd be nice to not have to venture into the shadows of the Teen Fiction aisles to do so.
June 25, 2013
I wanted to love this book - I think Dawn O'Porter always comes across as very charming and funny, and I love a 90s setting.
There were elements of it that I liked, but - to be honest - I thought the overall effect was a bit muddled and the writing sometimes a bit lazy. I had such high hopes, as I thoroughly enjoyed the first quarter of the book, but then thought it flagged a bit. Some of the characters had a lot of potential that I felt could have been explored more - Sally was a bit of a cartoon 'baddy' and Julian kind of inexplicable.
This had moments of real charm - I will look forward to O'Porter developing as an author and look forward to seeing what she does next, although this one wasn't totally for me.
There were elements of it that I liked, but - to be honest - I thought the overall effect was a bit muddled and the writing sometimes a bit lazy. I had such high hopes, as I thoroughly enjoyed the first quarter of the book, but then thought it flagged a bit. Some of the characters had a lot of potential that I felt could have been explored more - Sally was a bit of a cartoon 'baddy' and Julian kind of inexplicable.
This had moments of real charm - I will look forward to O'Porter developing as an author and look forward to seeing what she does next, although this one wasn't totally for me.
February 11, 2019
An enjoyable read but, having read Dawn's latest offering "The Cows" this book is juvenile in comparison. The characters didn't captivate me as much and the story didn't flow as well. Worth a read if you want something easy and not too long a read.
February 25, 2017
It's amazing how you can long for a book that turns out not to be worth it at all.
May 9, 2022
i thought it would be better than it was from seeing other reviews. it was good though
February 22, 2024
Weil ich nicht weiß, ob ich diesem Buch einen oder fünf Sterne geben soll, habe ich mich jetzt mal für drei entschieden.
Einerseits, ist es so mitreißend geschrieben, dass man ab Seite 15 tief in der Geschichte steckt und alles hautnah mitfühlt; andererseits sind die Gefühle zu 85% unangenehm.
Dawn O'Porter schildert hier Freundschaft und Jugend von Flo und Renée, was mir oft realistisch scheint, aber sich sehr von meinen eigenen Erfahrungen unterscheidet.
Jetzt bin ich einfach dankbar, in der Jugend noch das absolute Kind gewesen zu sein und lächerlich ausgesehen zu haben. So war ich nie Teil der "Coolen" und wurde vor all dem bewahrt. Danke Jesus! :-)
Einerseits, ist es so mitreißend geschrieben, dass man ab Seite 15 tief in der Geschichte steckt und alles hautnah mitfühlt; andererseits sind die Gefühle zu 85% unangenehm.
Dawn O'Porter schildert hier Freundschaft und Jugend von Flo und Renée, was mir oft realistisch scheint, aber sich sehr von meinen eigenen Erfahrungen unterscheidet.
Jetzt bin ich einfach dankbar, in der Jugend noch das absolute Kind gewesen zu sein und lächerlich ausgesehen zu haben. So war ich nie Teil der "Coolen" und wurde vor all dem bewahrt. Danke Jesus! :-)
May 24, 2024
The true essence of growing up in the nineties is captured through the teenage lives of Flo and Renée. Their connection evolves from a shared understanding of grief and trauma. The author handles this sensitively, with a touch of light humour, as she explores the angst, excitement, drama, risk, confusion, and full-on cringe moments of adolescence. I enjoyed the nostalgia and the chance to reminisce. While it is a relatable read, I think it is better suited to its target young adult audience. My daughter would love this book. As for me, I'm keen to try some of Dawn O'Porter's more recent novels aimed at women my age. Next on my list: So Lucky and Cat Lady. I doubt I'll read the sequel to Paper Aeroplanes. This story ended just perfectly, and that's how I'd like it to stay.
January 8, 2023
There were a lot of characters but once I got my head around them all I loved this book. Is very honest, down to earth and relatable. Some hard topics covered but covered really well and with empathy. Will definitely read the sequel to this.
September 20, 2024
DNF @ 30%
Just did not get on with this book at all. Too YA for me and hated every character besides Flo
Just did not get on with this book at all. Too YA for me and hated every character besides Flo
March 11, 2023
I know I grew up on the other side of the planet, but it was at the same time as the girls in this book and there is something in this that took me back to 1995 - a truth about what it was like to be that age back then. I thought this book would be fluffier than it was, the sad parts actually made me cry which I was surprised by. Really made me remember how it all felt back then.
July 30, 2024
I do love Dawn O’Porter, especially the cringy bits - the bits that everyone thinks but doesn’t say!! This wasn’t what I expected but I enjoyed it.
July 13, 2018
I confess, maybe the rating is derived from a high expectation of a realistic novel of the YA genre, which might rekindle my interest in the genre itself.
1.5 stars. 0.5 for it being based on her own experiences (as stated right from the beginning), and there is no reason for me to disparage her experiences, since we all have our own histories, and to place a judgment on that would be too much. 1 for the portrayal of the intensity of young female friendships, and it is nice to be reminded of the intensity I felt younger.
However, I felt this intensity towards friends almost 10 years earlier than the age she group she has chosen for this novel. Observing from the girls around me when I was doing my GCSEs, 16 would be too old for friendships to be so attached - such intensity at such an age, would be for first loves, and the only relationships I saw at school with such intensity at this age would be an actual romantic relationship, not a friendship. It might be argued that in comparison to the setting of 1995 girls (and boys) might have behaved differently around a decade later, but then this is of the YA genre, meaning that O’Porter might risk not being able to appeal to her designated group (though, I have to confess that I am not part of her designated group either, since I did my GCSEs a decade ago).
The above, however, is not the reason why the book is awarded 2 stars at most. But the stereotypes and inconsistencies. Renee is supposedly portrayed as an insecure girl who tries to conceal her vulnerability with a nonchalant “I don’t give a damn” attitude, which made her the black sheep of the school. It is hence slightly surprising that she would suddenly bear responsibility for somebody like Flo and taking her home, because despite her good heart deep down she would be more aware of her own image, and being so caring of somebody (however reluctantly) would be a blow to her supposed carefully-constructed facade. Likewise, Flo is portrayed as “thoughtful, introspective and studious” (Amazon description), yet as you progress further, you can see that despite her efforts to be thoughtful on the outside, there is a lot of resentment underneath, to everybody (especially her mother) except for Renee. Even to Renee, despite a lack of resentment, she can also appear slightly insensitive at times, such as telling Renee that she studied a lot and would be fine for the mocks after Renee admitted that she did not study in the Christmas break. Of course it is excusable for one to be slightly more concerned of the self during teenage years (albeit late teenage years), it is not so fitting a description of somebody being “thoughtful”, it seems. Amazon descriptions usually would seek the approval of a writer, and the writer furthermore would have the power to change it, meaning O’Porter agrees with Flo being thoughtful when she is not. Furthermore, with such protective characters, a chance nice act wouldn’t change their lives forever, since a normal Renee would continue to act cool and mess around with Margaret, a normal Flo would be overtly grateful but then doubtful at the same time of the sudden support. I saw the insecurity once when she questioned her own flaws when Renee was avoiding her, but that was a brief paragraph, and then nothing.
Resentful characters like Holden Claufield only work if everything else is well set out. Regrettably the characters will fall apart if everything else (including themselves) is underdeveloped.
Flo and Renee are already the better, multi-dimensional characters. Some characters make no sense at all, regrettably. We are not explained to why Flo’s mother hates her that much (her brother is the one who takes after her first lover, not her). At least we understand why Renee’s grandfather cannot bear the sight of her. Likewise, Sally Du Patron just exists to be hated - indeed there is a slight attempt to show that she has a lot to prove and that she has to consolidate her power by being supposedly nice, but then the attempt to write that she is a bully who is apt at psychological manipulation is slightly weak, at least too weak for Flo to still be haunted two years later (Goose). Furthermore, the meanness and the fake attempts to be nice in front of everybody (yet can fool nobody) are not justifications for Flo’s friendship version of a Stockholm Syndrome. Power struggles happen with friends a lot, and bullying even more so, yet a lot still carry the occasional chances of being actually friendly, for a sake of longlasting bonding. There was no hint of that in the book at all between Sally and Flo (more with Renee/ Carla/ Gem), and furthermore Flo has confessed right from the beginning to hate Sally, which piques the query why would she not apply to sit alone right from the beginning of the year, since she likes solitude anyway (seen from her birthday episode). Changing seats would obviously not solve the bullying problem, of course, yet Flo seems to think that it would, since she assures (Renee and mainly) herself that waiting the year out would work, until she would be free of Sally as a deskmate, so it is illogical that she has not done so at the beginning. There are a lot of characters with so much potential but have not been developed, such as Nell, whose insecurity and act of protest is another novel in itself, yet brushed aside. Furthermore, since the earlier chapters, I have constantly questioned “but what about Margaret?” when Renee talks about her loneliness, because Margaret, although a pranking buddy, is always there, although she does not seem to even know when Renee’s birthday is and needs to be prompted by Flo. Yet her emotional outburst at the end shows that she is somebody who should be noticed by Renee, or even the author herself.
For novels which deal with bullying (outright or psychological), books such as A Tale for the Time Being or Cat's Eye would be much much more recommended.
There are other problems dealt with in the novel which should be explored deeper, such as poverty. Both Renee and Flo mentioned that they had no money to get themselves something nice like clubbing clothing, but then that wouldn’t stop them from dashing to the chip store at the end of class instead of saving up. Likewise, although Flo’s mother complained of the exorbitant school fees (and private schools have always been expensive), she seemed to be able to afford her daughter in attending one up to upper fifth, even though part of it might her dead husband’s insurance. There was no mention of being subsidised by the bursary either, which would be an option for certain people (like studious people). This is also another reason which would make Flo’s resentment to her mother unnecessary, because if she is as observant and introspective as claimed, she would have seen that despite her mother’s apparent dislike, she still kept to her commitment, when her other children do not seem to enjoy the luxury of studying in a private school.
The part which constitutes the last nail in the coffin would be the ending, which is very hastily written. There was no mention of Aunty Jo at the beginning, no phonecalls from her, nor any letters. However, Aunty Jo appears at the last 10% of the book and suddenly she is turned into a fairygodmother/ Aunty-Jo-ex-machina. With Pop’s supposed stubbornness and blindness to see problems for what they are, his willingness to suddenly relent to Nell flying over to stay with her father would be a little too inconsistent with character (even with his other daughter returning home and Nell’s anorexia episode). Somehow, moreover, Aunty Jo’s magic has extended to Flo’s family - for some odd reason Flo’s mother would be nice at the end, but without explanation (attempted in Goose, but a weak one).
A note as well on a very minor point. If Flo is that stressed out for her GCSEs, it would be a problem when she reaches A-levels, and furthermore university (it has been disclosed in the first chapter of the next installment that she wants to aim for something as high as Nottingham), which I will get to explore in the next installment. Yet I have learnt my lesson - no expectations this time over an ambitious project.
1.5 stars. 0.5 for it being based on her own experiences (as stated right from the beginning), and there is no reason for me to disparage her experiences, since we all have our own histories, and to place a judgment on that would be too much. 1 for the portrayal of the intensity of young female friendships, and it is nice to be reminded of the intensity I felt younger.
However, I felt this intensity towards friends almost 10 years earlier than the age she group she has chosen for this novel. Observing from the girls around me when I was doing my GCSEs, 16 would be too old for friendships to be so attached - such intensity at such an age, would be for first loves, and the only relationships I saw at school with such intensity at this age would be an actual romantic relationship, not a friendship. It might be argued that in comparison to the setting of 1995 girls (and boys) might have behaved differently around a decade later, but then this is of the YA genre, meaning that O’Porter might risk not being able to appeal to her designated group (though, I have to confess that I am not part of her designated group either, since I did my GCSEs a decade ago).
The above, however, is not the reason why the book is awarded 2 stars at most. But the stereotypes and inconsistencies. Renee is supposedly portrayed as an insecure girl who tries to conceal her vulnerability with a nonchalant “I don’t give a damn” attitude, which made her the black sheep of the school. It is hence slightly surprising that she would suddenly bear responsibility for somebody like Flo and taking her home, because despite her good heart deep down she would be more aware of her own image, and being so caring of somebody (however reluctantly) would be a blow to her supposed carefully-constructed facade. Likewise, Flo is portrayed as “thoughtful, introspective and studious” (Amazon description), yet as you progress further, you can see that despite her efforts to be thoughtful on the outside, there is a lot of resentment underneath, to everybody (especially her mother) except for Renee. Even to Renee, despite a lack of resentment, she can also appear slightly insensitive at times, such as telling Renee that she studied a lot and would be fine for the mocks after Renee admitted that she did not study in the Christmas break. Of course it is excusable for one to be slightly more concerned of the self during teenage years (albeit late teenage years), it is not so fitting a description of somebody being “thoughtful”, it seems. Amazon descriptions usually would seek the approval of a writer, and the writer furthermore would have the power to change it, meaning O’Porter agrees with Flo being thoughtful when she is not. Furthermore, with such protective characters, a chance nice act wouldn’t change their lives forever, since a normal Renee would continue to act cool and mess around with Margaret, a normal Flo would be overtly grateful but then doubtful at the same time of the sudden support. I saw the insecurity once when she questioned her own flaws when Renee was avoiding her, but that was a brief paragraph, and then nothing.
Resentful characters like Holden Claufield only work if everything else is well set out. Regrettably the characters will fall apart if everything else (including themselves) is underdeveloped.
Flo and Renee are already the better, multi-dimensional characters. Some characters make no sense at all, regrettably. We are not explained to why Flo’s mother hates her that much (her brother is the one who takes after her first lover, not her). At least we understand why Renee’s grandfather cannot bear the sight of her. Likewise, Sally Du Patron just exists to be hated - indeed there is a slight attempt to show that she has a lot to prove and that she has to consolidate her power by being supposedly nice, but then the attempt to write that she is a bully who is apt at psychological manipulation is slightly weak, at least too weak for Flo to still be haunted two years later (Goose). Furthermore, the meanness and the fake attempts to be nice in front of everybody (yet can fool nobody) are not justifications for Flo’s friendship version of a Stockholm Syndrome. Power struggles happen with friends a lot, and bullying even more so, yet a lot still carry the occasional chances of being actually friendly, for a sake of longlasting bonding. There was no hint of that in the book at all between Sally and Flo (more with Renee/ Carla/ Gem), and furthermore Flo has confessed right from the beginning to hate Sally, which piques the query why would she not apply to sit alone right from the beginning of the year, since she likes solitude anyway (seen from her birthday episode). Changing seats would obviously not solve the bullying problem, of course, yet Flo seems to think that it would, since she assures (Renee and mainly) herself that waiting the year out would work, until she would be free of Sally as a deskmate, so it is illogical that she has not done so at the beginning. There are a lot of characters with so much potential but have not been developed, such as Nell, whose insecurity and act of protest is another novel in itself, yet brushed aside. Furthermore, since the earlier chapters, I have constantly questioned “but what about Margaret?” when Renee talks about her loneliness, because Margaret, although a pranking buddy, is always there, although she does not seem to even know when Renee’s birthday is and needs to be prompted by Flo. Yet her emotional outburst at the end shows that she is somebody who should be noticed by Renee, or even the author herself.
For novels which deal with bullying (outright or psychological), books such as A Tale for the Time Being or Cat's Eye would be much much more recommended.
There are other problems dealt with in the novel which should be explored deeper, such as poverty. Both Renee and Flo mentioned that they had no money to get themselves something nice like clubbing clothing, but then that wouldn’t stop them from dashing to the chip store at the end of class instead of saving up. Likewise, although Flo’s mother complained of the exorbitant school fees (and private schools have always been expensive), she seemed to be able to afford her daughter in attending one up to upper fifth, even though part of it might her dead husband’s insurance. There was no mention of being subsidised by the bursary either, which would be an option for certain people (like studious people). This is also another reason which would make Flo’s resentment to her mother unnecessary, because if she is as observant and introspective as claimed, she would have seen that despite her mother’s apparent dislike, she still kept to her commitment, when her other children do not seem to enjoy the luxury of studying in a private school.
The part which constitutes the last nail in the coffin would be the ending, which is very hastily written. There was no mention of Aunty Jo at the beginning, no phonecalls from her, nor any letters. However, Aunty Jo appears at the last 10% of the book and suddenly she is turned into a fairygodmother/ Aunty-Jo-ex-machina. With Pop’s supposed stubbornness and blindness to see problems for what they are, his willingness to suddenly relent to Nell flying over to stay with her father would be a little too inconsistent with character (even with his other daughter returning home and Nell’s anorexia episode). Somehow, moreover, Aunty Jo’s magic has extended to Flo’s family - for some odd reason Flo’s mother would be nice at the end, but without explanation (attempted in Goose, but a weak one).
A note as well on a very minor point. If Flo is that stressed out for her GCSEs, it would be a problem when she reaches A-levels, and furthermore university (it has been disclosed in the first chapter of the next installment that she wants to aim for something as high as Nottingham), which I will get to explore in the next installment. Yet I have learnt my lesson - no expectations this time over an ambitious project.
May 20, 2013
The brick has been smashed and the heart has been released!
(For newbies to my site & reviews this is shocking news! Not normal shocking, but capital letter shouty text talk SHOCKING! I don't have a heart, Instead a swinging brick. Well I used to have anyway until Mrs.O'porter took me back to the 90s and released it for me.)
Paper Aeroplanes is not only brilliantly titled, but brilliantly written. It is heart wrenching from the very first page. There's no fairy tale or la-dee-dah love story bollox, It is real. Real life that every single one of us has lived or is living. I've never ever in my entire reading life read a book and forgotten that its actually fiction. It's so heart warmingly sad and funny that you're really stuck in believing your reading a true story.
The book reads in Dual Narration from 15 year old Renee and Flo. We read through trials and tribulations of both girls and their fight to try stay strong and be as normal as can be in a world of backstabbing, bitching, shell-suits, family issues, anorexia, Periods, hairy nipples and death. We get the pleasure in seeing these two wonderful girls grow and become the best of friends! We see them make mistakes together, be foolish together, laugh together and cry together. It is honestly fabulous.
Being honest, at first I found it hard to take Dawn out of the picture. I've been a fan of hers for years and when I read the extract to the book months back I automatically linked Renee to her and thought that she had poured a lot of her own childhood emotions and memories into her. This proved a great struggle, but I told myself off had a chat to a bemused hubby (interrupted the footy didn't I?) and started again. I cried half way in and I continued to have a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes right up until the end.
This book broke my heart.
I can't even write a proper review for it because I'm that overwhelmed, It's amazing.
Friendship, families, school, boys, sex, food, everything we all struggled through at 15 and all wish we could return too. You will relive your teens with Renee and Flo, and you will love every single minute of it.
5/5****
Blown away!
I have a new favourite book!
(For newbies to my site & reviews this is shocking news! Not normal shocking, but capital letter shouty text talk SHOCKING! I don't have a heart, Instead a swinging brick. Well I used to have anyway until Mrs.O'porter took me back to the 90s and released it for me.)
Paper Aeroplanes is not only brilliantly titled, but brilliantly written. It is heart wrenching from the very first page. There's no fairy tale or la-dee-dah love story bollox, It is real. Real life that every single one of us has lived or is living. I've never ever in my entire reading life read a book and forgotten that its actually fiction. It's so heart warmingly sad and funny that you're really stuck in believing your reading a true story.
The book reads in Dual Narration from 15 year old Renee and Flo. We read through trials and tribulations of both girls and their fight to try stay strong and be as normal as can be in a world of backstabbing, bitching, shell-suits, family issues, anorexia, Periods, hairy nipples and death. We get the pleasure in seeing these two wonderful girls grow and become the best of friends! We see them make mistakes together, be foolish together, laugh together and cry together. It is honestly fabulous.
Being honest, at first I found it hard to take Dawn out of the picture. I've been a fan of hers for years and when I read the extract to the book months back I automatically linked Renee to her and thought that she had poured a lot of her own childhood emotions and memories into her. This proved a great struggle, but I told myself off had a chat to a bemused hubby (interrupted the footy didn't I?) and started again. I cried half way in and I continued to have a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes right up until the end.
This book broke my heart.
I can't even write a proper review for it because I'm that overwhelmed, It's amazing.
Friendship, families, school, boys, sex, food, everything we all struggled through at 15 and all wish we could return too. You will relive your teens with Renee and Flo, and you will love every single minute of it.
5/5****
Blown away!
I have a new favourite book!
August 13, 2015
Paper Aeroplanes was an impulse review. I actually read the synopsis of the sequel and wanted it, realizing that I’d have to read this one first. The closer that I got to the date this review was scheduled the more nervous I was was. I’m not really brave with my reads, I don’t easily read obscure books because it’s just way to easy to be wrong about them and I don’t enjoy reading books that don’t speak to me. It’s a struggle.
Paper Aeroplanes was decent. I enjoyed reading about how these two girls found a really profound friendship. I even shed tears while reading, which is always a bonus. Also, in the plus column would be the fact that there wasn’t any type of romance going on. It was literally just about these two girls, their lives, and how they found each other. It was the story of friendship.
There were some downsides though. For instance, with the exception of Flo and Renee, most every single other character in the story was a jerk. I don’t mean, like I thought they were jerks, no they were ACTUALLY jerks. All of them, with the exception Flo’s Dad, were really horrible people. No wonder these two girls needed someone, every person they were surrounded by was really crappy. I usually like characters that are more gray, ones that can be jerks but you see the good in them too.
I am really excited for Goose, though. I hope that there’s growth in some of the secondary characters.
If you like this review, check out others like it at Badass Book Reviews.
Paper Aeroplanes was decent. I enjoyed reading about how these two girls found a really profound friendship. I even shed tears while reading, which is always a bonus. Also, in the plus column would be the fact that there wasn’t any type of romance going on. It was literally just about these two girls, their lives, and how they found each other. It was the story of friendship.
There were some downsides though. For instance, with the exception of Flo and Renee, most every single other character in the story was a jerk. I don’t mean, like I thought they were jerks, no they were ACTUALLY jerks. All of them, with the exception Flo’s Dad, were really horrible people. No wonder these two girls needed someone, every person they were surrounded by was really crappy. I usually like characters that are more gray, ones that can be jerks but you see the good in them too.
I am really excited for Goose, though. I hope that there’s growth in some of the secondary characters.
If you like this review, check out others like it at Badass Book Reviews.
September 19, 2019
This beautiful debut really captures what it's like to be a teenage girl. A real teenage girl, whose friends make her feel unwanted and bad about herself, who struggles with periods, who gets irritated and obsessed with boys, who's trying to discover who she is...
I loved Dawn's tone of writing as it was very plain-speaking and funny. The writing was different to anyone else's I've ever read in a subtle way that I can't really pin down. The story isn't fantasy or crazy or extreme and every single thing that happens in it could happen to any average girl on the street. But even so, this book is an amazing read and an emotional roller coaster to boot. It opens grippingly and has a lovely, realistic happy ending.
I loved Dawn's tone of writing as it was very plain-speaking and funny. The writing was different to anyone else's I've ever read in a subtle way that I can't really pin down. The story isn't fantasy or crazy or extreme and every single thing that happens in it could happen to any average girl on the street. But even so, this book is an amazing read and an emotional roller coaster to boot. It opens grippingly and has a lovely, realistic happy ending.
May 30, 2013
An accurate portrayal of life as a teenage girl, and the beauty and importance of friendship.
February 9, 2019
Sorry for my poor grammar , English is not my first language and I still haven't got hold of using it yet.
I want to gave this book five stars because it has truely touched my feelings, the story this book has told is so realistic and relateble to me, I haven't read much english book , and it took me a while to finish reading this book .
I am currently in year10 doing my GCSEs, and being fourteen and half years old, I 'm not the kind that is popular at school, I don't have any close friends and I don't know much about friendship.
Perhaps it's the age of Renee and Flo that made them so relateble to me, or maybe it's because their families is not perfect , just like mine . But the details of the story and the life of Flo and Reeve just remind me so much of my own.
This is weird, my personality is so different to them but at the end of the book I felt we are almost the same person.
This book taught me so much from how friendship work to how a normal teen talk. But the most important of all that it taught me is that don't be scared of growing up like I always am.
Maybe I'm just talking BS now but if I can, I would definitely rate higher than five star. The language used is really quite simple and easy to read, I could understand most of the words without a dictionary's help, reading this book boost my confidence on my english reading and I think that's a good thing.
Three weeks after reading this book I still couldn't stop thinking about it. It nearly driven me crazy. Honestly I think this book is underated, I wish there is more people reading it because it deserve more attension .
I'm tearing up infront of the screen while typing up this review maybe I'm being too sensitive but I really wish I could meet someone that can be my very best friend just like Renee and Flo in the book, Maybe one day I will.
I felt like every words of this book is like a little raindrop drizzled on to my heart and created little circles of waves if that make sense, and it makes me felt something that I could'nt yet explain.
Thankyou for reading my comment, being so patient for my bad spellings and grammar and weird sentence structures, and I wish you a very good day.❤
I want to gave this book five stars because it has truely touched my feelings, the story this book has told is so realistic and relateble to me, I haven't read much english book , and it took me a while to finish reading this book .
I am currently in year10 doing my GCSEs, and being fourteen and half years old, I 'm not the kind that is popular at school, I don't have any close friends and I don't know much about friendship.
Perhaps it's the age of Renee and Flo that made them so relateble to me, or maybe it's because their families is not perfect , just like mine . But the details of the story and the life of Flo and Reeve just remind me so much of my own.
This is weird, my personality is so different to them but at the end of the book I felt we are almost the same person.
This book taught me so much from how friendship work to how a normal teen talk. But the most important of all that it taught me is that don't be scared of growing up like I always am.
Maybe I'm just talking BS now but if I can, I would definitely rate higher than five star. The language used is really quite simple and easy to read, I could understand most of the words without a dictionary's help, reading this book boost my confidence on my english reading and I think that's a good thing.
Three weeks after reading this book I still couldn't stop thinking about it. It nearly driven me crazy. Honestly I think this book is underated, I wish there is more people reading it because it deserve more attension .
I'm tearing up infront of the screen while typing up this review maybe I'm being too sensitive but I really wish I could meet someone that can be my very best friend just like Renee and Flo in the book, Maybe one day I will.
I felt like every words of this book is like a little raindrop drizzled on to my heart and created little circles of waves if that make sense, and it makes me felt something that I could'nt yet explain.
Thankyou for reading my comment, being so patient for my bad spellings and grammar and weird sentence structures, and I wish you a very good day.❤
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