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What a Way to Go
1988. 12-year-old Harper Richardson's parents are divorced. Her mum got custody of her, the Mini, and five hundred tins of baked beans. Her dad got a mouldering cottage in a Midlands backwater village and default membership of the Lone Rangers single parents' club. Harper got questionable dress sense, a zest for life, two gerbils, and her Chambers dictionary, and the responsibility of fixing her parents' broken hearts. Set against a backdrop of high hairdos and higher interest rates, pop music and puberty, divorce and death, What a Way to Go is a warm, wise and witty tale of one girl tackling the business of growing up while those around her try not to fall apart.
- GenresFictionYoung Adult
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 7, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
January 18, 2016
What A Way To Go is a beautiful and vivid homage to the 1980s. Julia Forster introduces the reader to Harper and her broken-up, on the edge, very nearly mad, family.
Although Harper is just twelve-years-old, she has more sense than most of the other adults in the book. She's kooky and funny and smart, she's also a young girl - almost woman, who is dealing with the break up of her parents' marriage. Nowadays, that's not unusual, but back in the late 80s it was still quite rare to have divorced parents.
Julia Forster writes Harper's story with such authenticity, and although I was much older than Harper in 1988, I recognised so many of her experiences, I too lived in a small village in the East Midlands, just like Harper's Dad and the setting felt so familiar to me, with the elderly neighbours and the village fairs and the feeling of boredom and freedom combined. And, coincidentally, there was also a mental hospital nearby, that I saw everyday from my bedroom window. Harper's attempts to ensure that everyone around her is OK are at times very funny, but also allow the reader to see straight into her soul. She's a fixer; whether it is being the only person who talks to the 'strange' elderly lady, or the attempts to find new love for both of her parents, or even allowing her wannabe Vidal Sassoon babysitter to practice on her hair.
Although this is a joyous and quite innocent look at a young girl growing up, it also deals with some very emotional and important issues. Harper takes these in her stride, the adults in her life seem to see her as one of them, rarely hiding the current dramas from her, but it is the slow reveal of events years ago that is so cleverly done, and that create a depth to this novel.
Harper and her supporting cast of wonderfully created characters are captivating from the first paragraph and this author has carefully and skilfully developed them all, incorporating humour and high spirits with affection and emotion.
What A Way To Go is an accomplished debut from an author who I am sure we will be seeing lots more of.
http://randomthingsthroughmyletterbox...
Although Harper is just twelve-years-old, she has more sense than most of the other adults in the book. She's kooky and funny and smart, she's also a young girl - almost woman, who is dealing with the break up of her parents' marriage. Nowadays, that's not unusual, but back in the late 80s it was still quite rare to have divorced parents.
Julia Forster writes Harper's story with such authenticity, and although I was much older than Harper in 1988, I recognised so many of her experiences, I too lived in a small village in the East Midlands, just like Harper's Dad and the setting felt so familiar to me, with the elderly neighbours and the village fairs and the feeling of boredom and freedom combined. And, coincidentally, there was also a mental hospital nearby, that I saw everyday from my bedroom window. Harper's attempts to ensure that everyone around her is OK are at times very funny, but also allow the reader to see straight into her soul. She's a fixer; whether it is being the only person who talks to the 'strange' elderly lady, or the attempts to find new love for both of her parents, or even allowing her wannabe Vidal Sassoon babysitter to practice on her hair.
Although this is a joyous and quite innocent look at a young girl growing up, it also deals with some very emotional and important issues. Harper takes these in her stride, the adults in her life seem to see her as one of them, rarely hiding the current dramas from her, but it is the slow reveal of events years ago that is so cleverly done, and that create a depth to this novel.
Harper and her supporting cast of wonderfully created characters are captivating from the first paragraph and this author has carefully and skilfully developed them all, incorporating humour and high spirits with affection and emotion.
What A Way To Go is an accomplished debut from an author who I am sure we will be seeing lots more of.
http://randomthingsthroughmyletterbox...
October 6, 2016
Oh, this was a lovely read, and it was a nice change from my usual psychological thrillers. Harper is such an absolute character and I would love to meet her again as an adult. The book is set around Harper, and what's happening in her world in 1988, which also meant that I was able to take a trip down memory lane, back to my favourite decade. Who didn't love the 80's - the music, the lifestyle, the freedom? This is more of a character driver story, and as such, it doesn't gallop along, but it was good enough to keep me entertained. There were so many characters to love, and having finished the book this morning, I'll definitely miss Harper and her family and crazy friends.
December 7, 2018
Beautiful and heart breaking
May 24, 2017
This review is featured on my blog: Writerly Bookish Stuff.
Harper is a 12 year old girl, navigating life and school whilst still coming to terms with her Mum and Dad's divorce and subsequent lifestyles in 1988. The pubescent, sometimes snarky girl, is going through that awkward age of life where she is trying to discover who she is, where she fits, and some of life's ugly truths.
Harper is an endearing character, and Forster captures her voice perfectly. I could hear the twelve year old speaking to me, and her way of thinking brings back memories of my youth. Trying to be vegan, an activist, and desperate to read 1984 and Women's erotic romance novels, Harper is a to-the-point, literal girl with a fiesty, witty attitude.
The sub-characters are vivid and well rounded whilst being typical, ordinary characters: Mum, Dad, neighbour etc. Kit and Derek were my favourites. They have bucket loads of personality.
This book deals with both teen angst and real life heartbreak. The death of one character was handled well, and being the character he was, he went out with humour and style. Harper's version of events are relevant to that of a twelve year old, and it was intriguing to see how she would mature and handle her grief.
This book is suitable for ages 12+, but older audiences will find it just as enjoyable. Not my typical type of read, but I was glad to have read it.
Harper is a 12 year old girl, navigating life and school whilst still coming to terms with her Mum and Dad's divorce and subsequent lifestyles in 1988. The pubescent, sometimes snarky girl, is going through that awkward age of life where she is trying to discover who she is, where she fits, and some of life's ugly truths.
Harper is an endearing character, and Forster captures her voice perfectly. I could hear the twelve year old speaking to me, and her way of thinking brings back memories of my youth. Trying to be vegan, an activist, and desperate to read 1984 and Women's erotic romance novels, Harper is a to-the-point, literal girl with a fiesty, witty attitude.
The sub-characters are vivid and well rounded whilst being typical, ordinary characters: Mum, Dad, neighbour etc. Kit and Derek were my favourites. They have bucket loads of personality.
This book deals with both teen angst and real life heartbreak. The death of one character was handled well, and being the character he was, he went out with humour and style. Harper's version of events are relevant to that of a twelve year old, and it was intriguing to see how she would mature and handle her grief.
This book is suitable for ages 12+, but older audiences will find it just as enjoyable. Not my typical type of read, but I was glad to have read it.
March 6, 2016
This was a sweet book. Harper was a happy tween, well as happy as they can be. She has a bit of snark, sort of. She loved music. She wanted pets. And so the story begins.
We follow her going between her mother's house to her father's on weekends. Her father goes to a club for single parents and their kids. Her mother loves shoes and is trying to do her best to keep their house.
But it's not sweet all the time. There is a bit of heartache and loss. Though it's never sad. Well not crying sad. Just, life sad. And there are secrets.
I enjoyed it. Harper has a nice way of looking at life. I can't say too much about the story without spoiling the whole thing. I mean she is just living her life.
Also, I did like that it was set in the 80s. Not that I remember a lot from the 80s, but hey everything got here 5 years later anyway ;)
Great story.
We follow her going between her mother's house to her father's on weekends. Her father goes to a club for single parents and their kids. Her mother loves shoes and is trying to do her best to keep their house.
But it's not sweet all the time. There is a bit of heartache and loss. Though it's never sad. Well not crying sad. Just, life sad. And there are secrets.
I enjoyed it. Harper has a nice way of looking at life. I can't say too much about the story without spoiling the whole thing. I mean she is just living her life.
Also, I did like that it was set in the 80s. Not that I remember a lot from the 80s, but hey everything got here 5 years later anyway ;)
Great story.
May 10, 2016
Surely this is YA??? And bady written/plotted YA at that. It felt so light compared to recent reads and I just never got into it or bought into the narrative tone. The 80s stuff made me nostalgic but also felt strategically placed.
August 3, 2016
This is an extract from the full review at If These Books Could Talk, do go and check it out, as well as a guest post from the author Julia Forster.
It’s 1988, and 12 year old Harper is doing her best. Constantly keeping tabs on everyone around her, selflessly putting the needs of others before her own, she’s navigating ‘life’, and not doing too bad a job of it. Being the child of divorced parents isn’t easy as it’s rife with stigma and lack of understanding, but Harper rises above it all, concentrating on finding her mum a new man, and helping her father move on. Among all this there’s the gerbils, her first boyfriend, helping Mrs Curtis with her gooseberry jam, supporting her best friend Cassie, and the not-so-small matter of growing up herself. Does she moan? Not one bit. Harper doesn’t so much ‘stride’ into life but run head-on. And she’s a joy.
Julia Forster has stated that ‘What A Way To Go’ is drawn from her own personal experiences, and you can see that as from the fist page, there’s a tone to her writing that just screams ‘This Is Me!’, and it makes for a very informal, relaxing read. There’s no extreme drama here, no major tensions, no hysteria, although that’s not to say big things don’t happen to Harper and those around her, it’s just that they are more grounded in reality, and therefore more relatable for the reader.
Forster’s prose is at times hilarious and heartbreaking in equal measure, and she utilises her character’s internal monologues to great effect, highlighting Harper’s heart and soul along with her confusion and pain. Harper is extremely honest and down-to-Earth, especially when it comes to how she feels about her parents. She adores them equally, but comes to realise that she would far rather be with her mum than her dad. It’s only when a mystery arises about the circumstances behind their meeting, marriage and subsequent break-up, that Harper really starts to talk (and listen) to her father. It’s a touching relationship, focusing on truth, trust, and subsequently, forgiveness and understanding, that’s rarely seen in adult lit at the moment. For all her outward strengths, Harper is incredibly insecure and full of self-doubt.
Surrounding Harper are a rich variety of supporting characters, full of depth, who could quite easily be any number of people you know. Harper touches all their lives in one way or another, even those she’s not overly keen on, and the conversations between them all are like eavesdropping on any family home.
Surrounding Harper are a rich variety of supporting characters, full of depth, who could quite easily be any number of people you know. Harper touches all their lives in one way or another, even those she’s not overly keen on, and the conversations between them all are like eavesdropping on any family home.
I received a copy of the novel from the promoters as part of the tour. This in no way effects my review.
It’s 1988, and 12 year old Harper is doing her best. Constantly keeping tabs on everyone around her, selflessly putting the needs of others before her own, she’s navigating ‘life’, and not doing too bad a job of it. Being the child of divorced parents isn’t easy as it’s rife with stigma and lack of understanding, but Harper rises above it all, concentrating on finding her mum a new man, and helping her father move on. Among all this there’s the gerbils, her first boyfriend, helping Mrs Curtis with her gooseberry jam, supporting her best friend Cassie, and the not-so-small matter of growing up herself. Does she moan? Not one bit. Harper doesn’t so much ‘stride’ into life but run head-on. And she’s a joy.
Julia Forster has stated that ‘What A Way To Go’ is drawn from her own personal experiences, and you can see that as from the fist page, there’s a tone to her writing that just screams ‘This Is Me!’, and it makes for a very informal, relaxing read. There’s no extreme drama here, no major tensions, no hysteria, although that’s not to say big things don’t happen to Harper and those around her, it’s just that they are more grounded in reality, and therefore more relatable for the reader.
Forster’s prose is at times hilarious and heartbreaking in equal measure, and she utilises her character’s internal monologues to great effect, highlighting Harper’s heart and soul along with her confusion and pain. Harper is extremely honest and down-to-Earth, especially when it comes to how she feels about her parents. She adores them equally, but comes to realise that she would far rather be with her mum than her dad. It’s only when a mystery arises about the circumstances behind their meeting, marriage and subsequent break-up, that Harper really starts to talk (and listen) to her father. It’s a touching relationship, focusing on truth, trust, and subsequently, forgiveness and understanding, that’s rarely seen in adult lit at the moment. For all her outward strengths, Harper is incredibly insecure and full of self-doubt.
Surrounding Harper are a rich variety of supporting characters, full of depth, who could quite easily be any number of people you know. Harper touches all their lives in one way or another, even those she’s not overly keen on, and the conversations between them all are like eavesdropping on any family home.
Surrounding Harper are a rich variety of supporting characters, full of depth, who could quite easily be any number of people you know. Harper touches all their lives in one way or another, even those she’s not overly keen on, and the conversations between them all are like eavesdropping on any family home.
I received a copy of the novel from the promoters as part of the tour. This in no way effects my review.
April 28, 2016
In her debut novel What A Way to Go, narrated by the adorable protagonist 12-year-old Harper, Julia Forster captures the true essence of 1988 and deftly masters key elements of storytelling: setting, characterisation, dialogue and plot.
Indeed, it’s a novel I found fresh, heartwarming and very funny… a hoarder of books in any nook or cranny I especially loved the rather bizarre, but brilliant, dual purpose bookcase!
Interview: https://poppypeacockpens.com/2016/01/...
Indeed, it’s a novel I found fresh, heartwarming and very funny… a hoarder of books in any nook or cranny I especially loved the rather bizarre, but brilliant, dual purpose bookcase!
Interview: https://poppypeacockpens.com/2016/01/...
January 19, 2016
LOVED IT!! Laugh out funny, Harper is a delight to read about, Her family are hilarious, ,, BUY this when it is published, !! Have passed it to my daughter, great read for anyone, from age 12 to 100!
February 4, 2016
Harper is feisty, honest and very loyal. Took this 12yo into my heart.
Review coming soon.
Review coming soon.
October 12, 2017
Funny, occasionally sad; I enjoyed this look at the late 1980s, of which I was only just born in but feel a part of anyway.
March 29, 2020
Being from the Midlands myself and old enough to remember the 1980s in vivid detail, I thought this was worth a read. I must really stop picking up random books just because a quote on the cover says it's "very funny". Amusing in parts, but that's about it. There were a few things that jarred because they didn't fit the 1988 setting - the joke about having HMRC initials, for one (the tax office was called Inland Revenue back then), also references to Quorn and early mobile phones which I'm fairly sure weren't really a thing until the 1990s. My own memories of the time include the home computer craze and the music (of course); the latter does play a part in this novel, so it's not all bad. It read more like a fictionalised biography than anything else. A pleasant slice of nostalgia perhaps.
October 3, 2024
This was a depressing read for me. I couldn't get to grips with the topics that are prevalent throughout the book, namely poverty, divorce, pessimism and death all told at the level of a family that has gone through some of this already and facing the rest with varying degrees of success at acceptance, all this mainly through the eyes of an almost 13 year old.
Having said this the story is written successfully from this perspective and the characters created with a solid base to become fully part of the narrative. The geographical areas are created extremely well and could fit almost every town or city. The characters work very well together and interact in an extraordinary fashion to give a fluent dialogue throughout the whole mess of their lives.
While I, personally, didn't really enjoy this book I'm very sure many others will.
This is a Goodreads First Read.
Having said this the story is written successfully from this perspective and the characters created with a solid base to become fully part of the narrative. The geographical areas are created extremely well and could fit almost every town or city. The characters work very well together and interact in an extraordinary fashion to give a fluent dialogue throughout the whole mess of their lives.
While I, personally, didn't really enjoy this book I'm very sure many others will.
This is a Goodreads First Read.
September 18, 2017
I was always going to love a book about a 12 year old girl with separated parents set in 1988 because I was that age in that era with separated parents! Throw in a sharp, intelligent, well read, funny, warm narrator who loves gerbils, Judy Blume and Five Star and you have a stunning debut book about divorce and growing up. It was a joy to be taken back to the time of The Waltons, Smash Hits, cola Mr Frosty, The Top Forty, the return of Bobby Ewing from the dead and not forgetting having to wear Laura Ashley dresses to church and boil in the bag cod in parsley sauce. Exceptional writing from Julia Forster and I look forward to more of her writing.
October 16, 2019
If you can imagine a reality TV show in a novel, trying desperately to recreate seminal moments that a 12 year old might have experienced in 1988, this is this novel in a nutshell.
For the majority of it, not much happened, and when it did, it felt awfully contrived.
I think it was supposed to take us 40+ somethings on some sort of a nostalgic trip back to our youths. But for me, it fell a very long way short, I'm afraid.
But there were some quite funny moments, and some of the characterization was believable, if a little cliched. And it was well written, even though it didn't actually say very much. Like a low key, un-edited reality TV show doesn't say very much.
For the majority of it, not much happened, and when it did, it felt awfully contrived.
I think it was supposed to take us 40+ somethings on some sort of a nostalgic trip back to our youths. But for me, it fell a very long way short, I'm afraid.
But there were some quite funny moments, and some of the characterization was believable, if a little cliched. And it was well written, even though it didn't actually say very much. Like a low key, un-edited reality TV show doesn't say very much.
October 10, 2023
As sweet and refreshing as a C-plus on the hottest day in July. What a Way to Go was an instant trip back to the eighties complete with Bananarama references! A coming-of-age novel that has shades of a young Bridget Jones with a wallop of optimism and teen resilience. Harper is clever, awkward, curious and a delight to tag along with in her bounce between unhappy parents, periods and brilliant entrepreneurial schemes to finance her dream of pet gerbils. Forster's writing is addictive and fierce! I was thrilled to find this on a shelf of less than 10 English books on offer in a Portugal train station and read it in three satiating gulps.
October 13, 2023
a really light and fun read, that covers some big and difficult topics through the eyes of a 12 year old in the late 80’s.
the main character is fantastic and is such a great narrator to the whirlwind of her life and experiences. all of the characters are well written and interesting.
some of the signs of the times are mentioned and you get a taste of the 80’s through these moments in the story.
some difficult topics are covered that you wouldn’t necessarily have expected to be, they are all handled well and the novel as a whole maintains a lightness throughout.
at times i did feel the narrative jumped around a little but apart from that i really enjoyed this book !!
the main character is fantastic and is such a great narrator to the whirlwind of her life and experiences. all of the characters are well written and interesting.
some of the signs of the times are mentioned and you get a taste of the 80’s through these moments in the story.
some difficult topics are covered that you wouldn’t necessarily have expected to be, they are all handled well and the novel as a whole maintains a lightness throughout.
at times i did feel the narrative jumped around a little but apart from that i really enjoyed this book !!
December 19, 2019
Loved this! Not my normal thing but it was recommended by a friend - and how great to have friends who know good books. It's beautifully written in a "teen" style that's crafted so it doesn't become annoying. And an entirely believable view of the world as seen through the often confused eyes of a girl trying to cope with the rigours of divorced parents, family disputes, her own adolescence, flawed friendships and more than her fair share of bereavements. It's quirky. funny and at times sad. But a great read!
May 12, 2017
What a truly delightful read. The main character, Harper, and her divorced parents are lovely to spend hours with, witty, honest, sweet and heartfelt.
Being 12/13 (or a parent) in the UK in the 80s makes this read filled with nostalgia and comedy. I'm very glad I stumbled across this book in my local library and highly recommend 👍🏻
And I end it as Harper did with her favourite quote from 1984 "Perhaps a lunatic was simply a minority of one" 🤗 this sums up this riveting read!
Being 12/13 (or a parent) in the UK in the 80s makes this read filled with nostalgia and comedy. I'm very glad I stumbled across this book in my local library and highly recommend 👍🏻
And I end it as Harper did with her favourite quote from 1984 "Perhaps a lunatic was simply a minority of one" 🤗 this sums up this riveting read!
March 12, 2018
Things I liked about this book: characters who were unapologetic about themselves. The dialogue. The straightforward 12yo at the heart of the story.
Things I didn't like: lack of direction. How are there so many people looking for a random marriage. Confusing at times. I kept losing track of what country they were in till over halfway.
Things I didn't like: lack of direction. How are there so many people looking for a random marriage. Confusing at times. I kept losing track of what country they were in till over halfway.
March 24, 2021
This was a book full of heart and humour with lots of 80s nostalgia. Harper likes Frazzles (as do I) and gerbils and she uses the phrase 'tough titty'. I liked her and her motley collection of relatives and friends. I really enjoyed the book. It made me laugh, it made me cry. Docked a half star for some of the annoying speech conceits imposed on the protagonist...ear chimneys?!
June 17, 2019
I absolutely adored this book and finished it one day. its so refreshing hearing the story from the viewpoint of a 12 year old yet still being under the YA category, not everyone's lives are clear cut and this really puts that message across
December 23, 2019
If you ever wondered what it may be like to live in a less than stable family by legal measures, board this ship. I have never felt so much lost, at the edge of tears and blessed at the same time as a reader.
April 17, 2022
Harper's narrative was so refreshing, witty and funny - I felt such a strong admiration for her character by the end which is brilliant given that she is 12 years old! The book gives a unique perspective on life in the 80s... a very enjoyable coming of age story :)
February 3, 2018
This book is dreadful. It is a poor storyline as a sorry excuse to pile in a million cliched social references to the 80s. Boring, contrived,don’t bother.
March 31, 2018
a refreshing, riveting read
January 3, 2019
An easy and light-hearted read. Poignant at times and entertaining throughout.
July 10, 2020
A comfortable rainy day read.
June 19, 2023
A solid choice. I’m not sure what I was expecting but it wasn’t that. A lovely but not too fluffy coming of age story with a character who is bubbly and has a thirst for life.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews