Voices

Voices #1

by Sue Mayfield

Recently dumped by Jamie—her arrogant boyfriend—Isabel Bright hopes to take her mind off things on a family vacation on the west coast of Scotland. One day, Isabel spots an empty bottle on the shore. She puts her name and address on a note in the bottle and hurls it far out to sea. Back home, Isabel throws herself into rehearsals for the school play—Shakespeare's The Tempest . As the lead, Isabel is horrified to discover that Jamie has been cast as the male lead and that he wants to get back with her. Against her better judgment, Isabel relents . . . but then she receives a letter from a stranger. Enter Duncan, a 17-year-old from a Scottish Island, who found Isabel's message in a bottle. Duncan is funny, friendly, and intelligent—and interested in Shakespeare! Isabel and Duncan start writing, then emailing. Bit by bit their lives start to intertwine. When Jamie dumps Isabel again, Duncan is the first person she wants to call. But Duncan’s mother answers the phone and explains that Duncan and his dad went fishing, got caught in a violent storm at sea, and haven't come back. Isabel is devastated and keeps an all-night vigil by the phone. When news comes that Duncan is still alive, she throws caution to the wind and jumps on a train to Scotland. But when the two finally meet is it love at first sight?

Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Teen

274 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2003

About the author

Sue Mayfield has written eight novels for young adults including 'I Carried You on Eagles’ Wings', 'Blue' and 'Damage'. Her first historical novel 'Hill of the Angels' will be published in June 2016. Many of her stories are about young people overcoming difficulties and explore themes of loss, friendship and forgiveness. She is currently working on a story about the healing relationship between a girl and a horse. As well as fiction, Sue has written two non-fiction books about bereavement. Originally a teacher, and now a professional counsellor, Sue facilitates other people’s writing in a wide range of places including schools, museums, hospitals and GP practices. She is particularly interested in the relationship between words and health and helps people ‘write themselves well’ in her private practice ‘finding words’ and at Maggie’s Centre, Cheltenham.. She is currently writer in residence for 'Beyond Words' a joint project for young people organised by Cheltenham Festival and Gloucestershire Hospitals Education Service.

Reviews

[Abi Holligan]

VOICES is about Isabel Bright who has just been dumped by her boyfriend Jamie, whilst on holiday, her sister jokes they should send a message in a bottle to the rest of the "fish" out there. Isabel is pleasently surprised when a letter turns up for her from a guy called Duncan, he recieved her message and thought he'd reply.
They begin writing to each other by letter which eventually leads into emailling.
Follow Isabel's journey of drama, hanging out with friends, becoming on of the leads in William Shakespeare's The Tempest, ex-boyfriends and striking an unlikely friendship!

I borrowed this book from a friend, at first when i started reading i didn't think i would like it because it was a lot to do wit hdrama and plays, i don't particularly like those subjects well but i was surprised that i found myself keep wanting to read the next chapter and what the next letter or email would hold.
I really liked the relationship that formed between Isabel and Duncan, but thought Isabel was a bit blind to her ex-boyfriend, even her friend saw what he was like when she went to the toilets!
It was a really lovely story

[Katie (Kitkatscanread)]

Ahh mannnn I looooved this book!
It's written so simply, which is what I like because it draws you in.
The fact that this story is based around The Tempest too!
I've just purchased the sequel!
I had to! xD

[Karen]

Awww, this was sweet. I have no idea how (as it's very obviously YA, and not even the acceptable kind) this ended up on my shelf, but I've no shame and no regrets at having read it. It's obviously very cheesy, and everyone is obviously really annoying, but I've also read my teenage diaries and, well, cheesiness and annoyingness abound. The inner Teenaged Karen fell for Duncan in a big way...

[Ankita Singh]

Voices was a sweet, enjoyable read. It took me around 5 hours to finish it. I loved the easy language and the whole play vibes it had. Overall, a fun read.

[Amaya B.]

It was just a cute book. I didn’t like how the drama teacher told the student to take a Cyanide pill - like 👀 but it was a cute book nonetheless

[Germaine Yuen]

This book was great. I like how it was written, the story was seperated into many scenes like a play, for example: Writing Act I Scene i as a chapter heading. The way it was written is good not only because its clear, its also related to the main character,Isabel. Its related to her because Isabel loves acting and most of the book talks about her rehearsals, with her school's cast. The story is mostly said through Isabel's eyes, but Mayfield makes it more interesting when she ocasionally switch characters, so we can see it through their eyes. I like how Sue chose "Voices" to be her title, this is because it makes me wonder how this is meaningful to the story,and whose voices? After I finish reading the book, I finally understood why the author chose this title. She chose this title because she wants to tell readers that this story is said through many people's eyes, in other words, said in different voices.

[Jessica Corrie]

Even for a YA book this was awful. The characters were unlikeable, the writing was poor and the constant jump between each characters POV was confusing. The whole idea of the story being compared to The Tempest was laughable as this story had absolutely no depth whatsoever. Each time the protagonist spoke, I cringed and her ignorance about her boyfriend was just irritating. Not even suitable for a light summer novel. Avoid.

[Alice Kayes]

Genuinely one of my favourite teens books.

[Bea Alex]

It was very ordinary not with an exeptional story. I found it boring.

[June Luu]

Such a sweet romance....finished it in 3 hours

[Jodie Maxwell]

A. Maz. Ing

Loved it

[Bowen]

Do you believe in love at firs sight?

[Clara Douglas]

The best book I have ever read!!!!!!!! EVER!!!!

[Heather]

Although not as deep and meaningful as some of her other books, this is still another great story by Sue Mayfield. I really do like this author.

[A N N A]

süßßß<3