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Jellicoe Road

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Unknown Binding

Published November 15, 2011

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About the author

Melina Marchetta

40 books7,606 followers
Melina Marchetta was born in Sydney Australia. Her first novel, Looking For Alibrandi was awarded the Children's Book Council of Australia award in 1993 and her second novel, Saving Francesca won the same award in 2004. Looking For Alibrandi was made into a major film in 2000 and won the Australian Film Institute Award for best Film and best adapted screen play, also written by the author. On the Jellicoe Road was released in 2006 and won the US Printz Medal in 2009 for excellence in YA literature. This was followed up by Finnikin of the Rock in 2008 which won the Aurealis Award for YA fantasy, The Piper's Son in 2010 which was shortlisted for the Qld Premier's Lit Award, NSW Premier's Lit Award, Prime Minister's Literary Awards, CBC awards and longlisted for the Miles Franklin Award. Her follow up to Finnikin, Froi of the Exiles and Quintana of Charyn were released in 2012 and 2013. Her latest novel Tell the Truth, Shame the Devil is an adult crime novel.

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Community Reviews

5 stars
72 (39%)
4 stars
59 (32%)
3 stars
40 (21%)
2 stars
9 (4%)
1 star
3 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for Jasmina.
22 reviews
August 25, 2025
My roman empire in terms of books. In the first half of the book I was sure I would rate it three or four stars until I read the second half. I got goosebumps AT LEAST five times through reading this story, despite predicting what the outcomes would be. Very tragic and raw story, yet beautiful all the same.

It was difficult to figure out what exactly was going on at the beginning of the book which influenced my choice to rate it lower. However, as you read, every puzzle piece you thought was missing clicks into place. At that rate you realize too late how depressing the lives of the characters are, each and every single one of them (mostly). It makes you yearn and grief for the life they could have had. But, there is a sorta glum joy with how they manage to come to terms with who they are and make the better out of it.

Not to mention, this is the first time in a while a book has truly made me want to pour out all of my tears onto the pages.
Profile Image for Sarah Galvan.
1 review
March 1, 2025
Once I finished the book - I really enjoyed the story/mystery. There were times I felt sorry for Taylor and several other teens that they had to endure such a life. I enjoyed the relationship dynamic between people who weren't "blood" family and family.

I must admit I was a little confused at the beginning with all of the different parts of the stories being told. BUT when the author started bringing things together - it moved quickly. I read the last 120 pages in 1 sitting.

"It has a despair he could not comprehend, spilling from her mouth."

"These people have a history and I crave history. I crave someone knowing me so well that they can tell what I'm thinking."

"This isn't romance. This isn't a declaration of love or affirmation of friendship. This is something more. I wasn't there that day to get one the 3:47 to Yass, " he says "I was there to thrown myself in front of it."
Profile Image for Clara.
69 reviews1 follower
July 7, 2025
(Kulturrådets- och Skolverkets läslistor – Gy.)

Lite av en berg-och-dalbana i åsikt. Första delen – spännande. Andra delen – vilken tonårsbok som helst. Tredje delen – känslomässigt (positiv åsikt) kaos. Rekommenderar.
Profile Image for Sarah.
500 reviews
May 21, 2026
Have you ever read the right book at the right time? This book was everything I needed right now. Its a coming of age, mystery, love story, and found family type of story. It had a little of everything to it. I also took my time reading it and I didn't want it to end. Really loved this book!
Profile Image for Louvisa.
113 reviews
October 6, 2025
I adored this book growing up and I’m surprised how well it’s kept up. It was a joy to read and the plot is perfectly mysterious, fun and loving.
Profile Image for Hannia 🌻 Morales.
305 reviews1 follower
January 9, 2026
Este libro me destrozó como hace mucho que un libro no lo hacía.
Lo que más valoro en los libros es que me hagan sentir algo y vaya que con este libro sentí y sentí muchísimo.
Al inicio debo confesar que no entendía ni la mitad de lo que decían, no tenía ni una mínima idea de a qué se referían, pero aún con ello, había algo que me hacía seguir leyendo, que mantenía enganchada, que quería descubrir cuál era el misterio, que escondía Taylor sobre su vida, y por qué me sentía tan identificada con ella, porque me daban ganas de llorar cada vez que hablaba.
Sobra decir que la pluma de la autora es preciosa y que cada cosa que escribía simplemente te destrozaba el corazón. Los amé a todos, a los 5 originales y a los nuevos, sus vínculos, sus relaciones, sus miedos, sus dolores.
Como amé este libro
Profile Image for Billie.
Author 1 book33 followers
April 12, 2026
I’ll be honest, this wasn’t an easy read at first. Like many others have said, I felt completely lost for at least the first fifty pages. But there was something about it? something compelling that made me keep turning the pages. And I’m so glad I did.

Jellicoe Road unfolds into a deeply moving and beautifully crafted story. It’s the kind of book that slowly finds its rhythm, then pulls you in with an emotional depth that’s hard to shake.

Normally, I would have given up when a story leaves me feeling that disoriented, but I trusted the recognition it received (and my instincts), and it truly paid off.

It’s difficult to say too much without spoiling the experience. This is a story about love, trust, friendship, and loyalty told that will pull your heartstrings.
Profile Image for alexis.
7 reviews
March 3, 2026
Was confusing at first but the way it all blended together by the end was so good. There were still some ends not tied up but I really liked the story. Very sad.

"I remember love. It's what I have to keep on reminding myself. It's funny how you can forget everything except people loving you. Maybe that's why humans find it so hard getting over love affairs. It's not the pain they're getting over, it's the love" (261-262).
Profile Image for Alma Frisk.
84 reviews
October 12, 2024
I really liked it until the sex scenes but I feel as if she lost many of the things she started. It was a war whwere we don't see much about the war only how they are affected. It was many loose treads.
Profile Image for as0sial.
2 reviews
February 26, 2026
it took me almost five years to understand the first chapter and only four days to finish the rest of it.

confused was the first word that came out of my mouth, but later on, it kept me up until 3 AM in the morning because i couldn’t stop reading.

13 reviews
November 20, 2024
Book was kind of giving me an aneurism I’m allergic to Australians and world building was kind of mid. I liked the characters and the mystery with Hannah’s story. 😋😱😎🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳
Profile Image for Elicia A.
3 reviews
November 11, 2025
wow it's actually so good but I cried and then happy again. I wanna read this again and again 🙏
Profile Image for Nyx.
38 reviews15 followers
September 14, 2025
I'm dehydrated from crying too much.. nobody told me it was going to be this sad :((
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews