Absender gesucht

by Mary Hooper, Eva Rieckert (Translator)

"Holly. I hope you won't mind me buying you this. I think it's the sort of thing you'll like. Am I right? And I think it matches your eyes. This comes with best wishes from (and I know it's corny). A Friend." And that was how it all started. Holly starts receiving anonymous gifts at the cafe where she works. She can't believe it - how romantic can you get? But when Holly finds out the identity of her admirer she is in for a shock - her admirer is not a potential boyfriend: her admirer is her father. Holly has to come to terms with the fact that her father is not the man who lives at home with her, who she loves and calls her father. Her father is a man who has lived all her life on the other side of the world, not even knowing of her existence. Holly and her mother have some talking to do. Mary Hooper tackles this emotionally fraught situation with tenderness and compassion: yet still with her trademark pacy readability that has proved so popular with the young teen girls market.

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary

158 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

British children's and young adult author Mary Hooper was born in 1944, in Barnes, then in Surrey, nowadays in South West London. She left school at fifteen, and went to work as a window dresser, and then as a secretary. She eventually returned to school, as an adult student, earning a degree in English from Reading University. Hooper began her writing career with short stories, publishing in women's and teen magazines. Her first book, Jodie, was published in 1978. She is married, has two children, and one grandchild, and lives in Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire.

Reviews

[amie-jay ensor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely amazing! I really enjoyed reading it as it wasn't made up this actually happens to some kids! I felt really sorry for Ben at first because he was trying his hardest, however if a random man told me he was my dad i think i would react the same as Holly. However my sympathy soon turned towards Holly as she had no idea of what to do! Yet again, my sympathy then switched to Hollys' "father". It must have felt horrible knowing that your "daughter" wasnt really that! Im glad that they stuck together as a family though and that at the end Holly went to visit Ben. Overall this book was really enjoyable and i read it all within a day! I couldn't put it down!

[Jemma · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an easy read but not the best book

[Amaya B. · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was written so awkwardly and the plot was just so boring, the ending was dad and i think they only included her best friend to bring awareness for missing people. This book was a literal flop.

[Saski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another in my continuing search for good YA books. This one I didn't hold out much hope for. The back cover blurb suggested to me a girl desperate for romance and a potential new boyfriend gone very badly.

Not at all. The voice of the 'secret admirer' is true to who he actually is. Holly is curious about romance but not to the point of disgusting silliness. Her voice seems true as well. The counterpoint with her friend Ella and the vast differences (and a surprising similarity) of their two families offers a nice way to clarify Holly's feelings.

Holly's real boyfriend was a surprise as well and I wish we had seen a bit more of him. Though I thought his reaction to Holly getting these presents was a bit over the top, perhaps it is true to relationships among young people in the new millennium. But I liked him best when he 'wanted something more' with Holly and yet allowed her to say no and leave. It felt honest, and gave a model for our youth to follow in such situations. It is not automatically 'parents aren't expected home, we must take advantage of the situation'; we do have choices.

And speaking of parents, most of the portrayal of hers rang true as well, except Holly's reaction and blazing out in anger at her mother 'when all is revealed'. I can't imagine speaking to someone that way with whom I had such a wonderful relationship previously. But maybe that works as well -- the feeling of betrayal could be that strong. My favorite part of the book and the one I felt draws it all together is the revelation by Holly's -- biological but real -- father. He gave the situation perspective. Even the best of us can have reasons to deceive, and good reasons too.

The book ended well too simply, with closure, hope, and a widening of Holly's future.

[Annabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book at around the age of thirteen and I absolutely loved it, as I know so many other YA readers will. The novel is extremely well written and very engaging, gripping young readers with themes that are relatable and exciting to them, before introducing a plot twist to maintain high levels of engagement. This is a great way of getting young readers enjoying reading and becoming life-long readers, while getting them used to the style of more adult books.

A fantastic novel that I would recommend to any YA readers.

[Hannah]

I really had no idea where this book was going at first. I'm still surprised at who her 'admirer' was.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very average!

[Bronwen Merrill · Rating 3 out of 5]

The shortest book in my Airbnb in Lagos, so I decided to give it a go. Not incredible, but not terrible.