What do you think?
Rate this book
Like Other Girls
Here's what Lauren knows: she's not like other girls. She also knows it's problematic to say that - what's wrong with girls? She's even fancied some in the past. But if you were stuck in St Agnes's, her posh all-girls school, you'd feel like that too. Here everyone's expected to be Perfect Young Ladies, it's even a song in the painfully awful musical they're putting on this year. And obviously said musical is directed by Lauren's arch nemesis.
Under it all though, Lauren's heart is bruised. Her boyfriend thinks she's crazy and her best friend's going through something Lauren can't understand... so when Lauren realises she's facing every teenage girl's worst nightmare, she has nowhere to turn. Maybe she should just give in to everything. Be like other girls. That's all so much easier ... right?
Under it all though, Lauren's heart is bruised. Her boyfriend thinks she's crazy and her best friend's going through something Lauren can't understand... so when Lauren realises she's facing every teenage girl's worst nightmare, she has nowhere to turn. Maybe she should just give in to everything. Be like other girls. That's all so much easier ... right?
288 pages, Paperback
First published May 25, 2017
6 people are currently reading
436 people want to read
About the author
Claire Hennessy
24 books145 followers** not here - if you need to get in touch, see below for other online spaces **
*
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/chennessybooks
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/chennessybooks
Substack: https://clairehennessy.substack.com/
Website: http://www.clairehennessy.com/
*
Writer, reader, reviewer, creative writing facilitator, editor.
*
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/chennessybooks
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/chennessybooks
Substack: https://clairehennessy.substack.com/
Website: http://www.clairehennessy.com/
*
Writer, reader, reviewer, creative writing facilitator, editor.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
May 30, 2017
2☆ Not for Me
I'm afraid this book just wasn't for me. So unfortunately I didn't make it to the end. Which is why my review is short. So I can only write in regards to what I did read.
I feel this book was meant to shock the reader but there was transphobic remarks and sexist comments I found a little hard to read. I imagine these were to allow the reader to immerse into the hate that people can face.
There was lots of raw subjects being raised within the book, transgender, abortion in Ireland,depression, to name a few.
Having read previous reviews I knew what it maybe like but I wanted to give it a fair chance especially as there as some great reviews.
Claire's writing is very raw and I applaud her for writing difficult subjects.
However this book just wasn't for me.
The story has very much a teen angst and I really didn't warm to Lauren she wasn't particularly likeable which is another reason I found the book particularly hard.
I'm not entirely sure which genre this book falls into. At a guess I would say General Literature or YA
I do believe this book would appeal to some readers. It just wasn't for me.
I received this book from the Publisher in exchange for a honest and fair review via Netgalley.
I'm afraid this book just wasn't for me. So unfortunately I didn't make it to the end. Which is why my review is short. So I can only write in regards to what I did read.
I feel this book was meant to shock the reader but there was transphobic remarks and sexist comments I found a little hard to read. I imagine these were to allow the reader to immerse into the hate that people can face.
There was lots of raw subjects being raised within the book, transgender, abortion in Ireland,depression, to name a few.
Having read previous reviews I knew what it maybe like but I wanted to give it a fair chance especially as there as some great reviews.
Claire's writing is very raw and I applaud her for writing difficult subjects.
However this book just wasn't for me.
The story has very much a teen angst and I really didn't warm to Lauren she wasn't particularly likeable which is another reason I found the book particularly hard.
I'm not entirely sure which genre this book falls into. At a guess I would say General Literature or YA
I do believe this book would appeal to some readers. It just wasn't for me.
I received this book from the Publisher in exchange for a honest and fair review via Netgalley.
don-t-interest-me
May 26, 2017From the title and summary alone,that's a big nope for me....
April 17, 2017
The title of this book got my back up, but I think it's supposed to, and to be honest, that didn't end up being related to what I didn't like about it.
On the one hand: this book dealt with some tricky issues, it had some engaging friendships, and it managed to get in some queer jokes that were terrible in the best way (because if your fictional queers don't make puns are they even really LGBTQ?). There were some feelings. It was reasonably well-written.
On the other hand: Lauren spends about 70% of the book being extremely transphobic and behaves horrendously towards her trans friends and acquaintances, and although she sort of gets better about it and they become friends again, I never felt this was addressed ENOUGH and some of her attitudes didn't change when they should have done. Plus the way she talked about things was cissexist even when she was trying to be supportive; I hated the fact she kept referring to "lady parts" and so on, and talked about periods as a girl problem. (Fun fact: bleeding out of lower orifices does not make me a woman! Signed, a grumpy agender person who menstruates.) She dismisses her former best friend's dysphoria in a way that's just... really thoroughly unpleasant.
Like I said, she sort of learns. She comes to the truly stunning realisation that (gasp!) trans people are people, and not predators who are luring her best friend into their gender cult, and as a result behaves marginally less awfully towards them. But that's not ENOUGH, and it doesn't make up for her behaviour before that. It's made worse by the fact that Lauren likes to pretend to be all enlightened and describes things as "problematic" and gets fed up of straight people -- because all the while she's harbouring seriously transphobic thoughts and attitudes that she never fully 100% deals with, and doesn't seem to realise the contradiction with her "enlightened" behaviour. Nor does she ever give a proper, thorough apology to the people she hurts, but they seem to forgive her anyway.
I thought the abortion narrative was important and thoughtful and far too realistic given the current situation in Ireland, but I found the transphobia in the book difficult to deal with, because although other characters do call Lauren out on it, she never seems to fully understand exactly how nasty she's being. Moreover, since she's part of the LGBTQ community (she's bi), it was a painful reminder of the fact that the T part of the community can't depend on the LGB to have our backs and not be jerks, because they can be just as bad.
I don't know. If she hadn't improved at all this would be getting one star, because frankly, there are enough transphobes in the world without having to read about them. She *does* improve, and the story has other redeeming features, but I found it really uncomfortable to read.
On the one hand: this book dealt with some tricky issues, it had some engaging friendships, and it managed to get in some queer jokes that were terrible in the best way (because if your fictional queers don't make puns are they even really LGBTQ?). There were some feelings. It was reasonably well-written.
On the other hand: Lauren spends about 70% of the book being extremely transphobic and behaves horrendously towards her trans friends and acquaintances, and although she sort of gets better about it and they become friends again, I never felt this was addressed ENOUGH and some of her attitudes didn't change when they should have done. Plus the way she talked about things was cissexist even when she was trying to be supportive; I hated the fact she kept referring to "lady parts" and so on, and talked about periods as a girl problem. (Fun fact: bleeding out of lower orifices does not make me a woman! Signed, a grumpy agender person who menstruates.) She dismisses her former best friend's dysphoria in a way that's just... really thoroughly unpleasant.
Like I said, she sort of learns. She comes to the truly stunning realisation that (gasp!) trans people are people, and not predators who are luring her best friend into their gender cult, and as a result behaves marginally less awfully towards them. But that's not ENOUGH, and it doesn't make up for her behaviour before that. It's made worse by the fact that Lauren likes to pretend to be all enlightened and describes things as "problematic" and gets fed up of straight people -- because all the while she's harbouring seriously transphobic thoughts and attitudes that she never fully 100% deals with, and doesn't seem to realise the contradiction with her "enlightened" behaviour. Nor does she ever give a proper, thorough apology to the people she hurts, but they seem to forgive her anyway.
I thought the abortion narrative was important and thoughtful and far too realistic given the current situation in Ireland, but I found the transphobia in the book difficult to deal with, because although other characters do call Lauren out on it, she never seems to fully understand exactly how nasty she's being. Moreover, since she's part of the LGBTQ community (she's bi), it was a painful reminder of the fact that the T part of the community can't depend on the LGB to have our backs and not be jerks, because they can be just as bad.
I don't know. If she hadn't improved at all this would be getting one star, because frankly, there are enough transphobes in the world without having to read about them. She *does* improve, and the story has other redeeming features, but I found it really uncomfortable to read.
April 27, 2023
What a book. I grinned, I groaned, I was tearful on public transport. Lauren is bolshy and confused and angry and upset and hurting, and I loved her.
Another book I want to push into absolutely everyone's hands - if you want to have any clue about life in modern Ireland, especially for young people, you need to read this book.
Another book I want to push into absolutely everyone's hands - if you want to have any clue about life in modern Ireland, especially for young people, you need to read this book.
April 19, 2017
I read this in one day. If it wasn't for the inconvenience of a work day, I'd probably have finished it in one sitting. Lauren is not a perfect person and, like a typical teenager, her emotions sometimes react before her brain does. But I was rooting for her all the way through. Like Other Girls manages to tackle topical issues like abortion and transphobia without being an "issue novel". A thought-provoking and compelling read with strong relatable characters.
April 23, 2017
Like Other Girls made me angry. I am 25 and this is the first fictional account I have read of an Irish woman travelling for an abortion. Lauren's story was so painful to read, because I wanted to help her and couldn't, and because this story is far more common than we would like to believe. Her experience of a 'counselling' service that lied to her about her options, and preyed on misinformed women, many of whom who did not speak fluent English and were even more vulnerable than Lauren, was also striking and forced me to come to terms with the privilege some people seeking to terminate a pregnancy in Ireland have over others.
In countless other smaller ways Like Other Girls made me angry, because Lauren articulated so well how it feels to live in a body that seems constantly to be under siege, under surveillance and something that belongs to the state and not herself.
Unfortunately, Lauren also made me angry in what I felt to be her unfair and often hypocritical treatment of her other LGBTQ friends, particularly her trans friends. While she says she knows the 'Like Other Girls' idea is problematic, she still dismisses her classmates before getting to know them. However, I feel that early reviews of this title have demonized Lauren and the book as a whole, purely because the character isn't as well informed as she should be. This made me more angry than anything else. Lauren said many things in the book that made me uncomfortable, but this is not the sign of a bad book or an even character. Lauren, by the end, seems to be genuinely trying her best to speak to and about her friends respectfully and fairly. I didn't always like Lauren, but a thoughtful and considered reading of the book should be enough for any reader to see that Lauren is no more perfect, and should not have to be more perfect, than anyone else.
In countless other smaller ways Like Other Girls made me angry, because Lauren articulated so well how it feels to live in a body that seems constantly to be under siege, under surveillance and something that belongs to the state and not herself.
Unfortunately, Lauren also made me angry in what I felt to be her unfair and often hypocritical treatment of her other LGBTQ friends, particularly her trans friends. While she says she knows the 'Like Other Girls' idea is problematic, she still dismisses her classmates before getting to know them. However, I feel that early reviews of this title have demonized Lauren and the book as a whole, purely because the character isn't as well informed as she should be. This made me more angry than anything else. Lauren said many things in the book that made me uncomfortable, but this is not the sign of a bad book or an even character. Lauren, by the end, seems to be genuinely trying her best to speak to and about her friends respectfully and fairly. I didn't always like Lauren, but a thoughtful and considered reading of the book should be enough for any reader to see that Lauren is no more perfect, and should not have to be more perfect, than anyone else.
April 23, 2017
Although I finished this in one day, I decided to take a few days to see if I could write a review without spoilers. I don't think I can so all I'm going to say is that I really enjoyed reading this and although Lauren is a problematic character, she is also very thought provoking and her story arc is written incredibly well and felt very realistic. There is anger in this story, and pain and heartache, but also love, friendship and forgiveness. I can't wait to give this book to people.
May 23, 2017
Review also posted on my book blog:
http://www.gobookyourself.info/2017/0...
I'm so glad someone finally wrote this book! I'm also glad that someone was Claire Hennessy as I've really enjoyed the way she's tackled teen issues in her past books.
I had to smile at some of the reviews of this book. People seem to be surprised that a teenager in a book isn't perfect. Lauren doesn't always say the right thing or act the right way but then what teen does? I do believe she learns from her actions and everything she experienced made her a stronger person. However, even if she didn't learn that wouldn't have affected my enjoyment of the book. People don't always magically change for the better (despite many teens online believing they should in every.single.book), they don't always learn a valuable lesson, they don't always get what they deserve. Fiction reflects life and shitty people exist.
Anyway, enough derailing. The book.
I wasn't sure how to approach this review as I thought revealing Lauren's experience might spoil things too much. I messaged the author and she assured me that it wouldn't be as she had revealed details herself in discussions.
So here it is: while dating her tosser of boyfriend (I really hated that guy) Lauren becomes pregnant. She decides she doesn't want to be pregnant. She's young, she has plans that don't involve a baby and her boyfriend is an ass. It's as simple as that.
I really admired the angle Claire took on this. There was no moral dilemmas (at first) or questioning her virtues. She didn't regret having sex or regret feeling like she needs sex (It's still a taboo subject among young girls here). I love that she dealt with the subject in an open and honest way. She just didn't want to be pregnant. End of story (well not really but you know what I mean).
I think I really connected with this book because I was born and have lived my whole life in Ireland. You may or may not know that in Ireland abortion in illegal unless you can convince a board of doctors that you are about to take your own life. Sounds horrific, right? It is. We have no say over our reproductive organs because this is a 'catholic country' (excuse me while I throw up a little).
You might think I'm exaggerating, that such a law would never really be upheld. Well just have a read at what happened to poor Savita Halapannavar (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_o...).
When Lauren decides she wants to have an abortion she's treated horrendously by a local anti-choice group masquerading as a women's health clinic. Again this may seem far fetched but you just have to read the lies spewed by the people like Youth Defense. Lauren is a strong who's girl capable of seeing through their bullshit, but many are not. Many are confused, emotional and just believe what they're told.
What's heartbreaking is that Lauren has to face it all alone. She tells no one because she fears what repercussions she may face from both her mother (who she is distanced from) and her friends (who she's also fallen out with). Women in Ireland do face a possible prosecution if they are found to have had an abortion-up to 14 years imprisonment. Many won't go to the doctor and the one's that do have to pretend they've had a miscarriage.
But she deals with it, maybe not in the best way but Lauren comes out the other side fighting. Even though this book deals with tough issues I really enjoyed reading it. The seriousness is balanced outwith Lauren's wonderful snarkiness and she loves musicals which makes her a fantastic human in my book. I also loved that this book featured many LBGTQ+ characters who fit well into the story. It doesn't feel like she included them just for the sake of ticking boxes like some books I've read.
Like Other Girls is an authentic read and you can really feel that the author cared about the issues within. The passion flows from the pages. I hope this book finds it's way into the hands of every Irish teenager.
http://www.gobookyourself.info/2017/0...
I'm so glad someone finally wrote this book! I'm also glad that someone was Claire Hennessy as I've really enjoyed the way she's tackled teen issues in her past books.
I had to smile at some of the reviews of this book. People seem to be surprised that a teenager in a book isn't perfect. Lauren doesn't always say the right thing or act the right way but then what teen does? I do believe she learns from her actions and everything she experienced made her a stronger person. However, even if she didn't learn that wouldn't have affected my enjoyment of the book. People don't always magically change for the better (despite many teens online believing they should in every.single.book), they don't always learn a valuable lesson, they don't always get what they deserve. Fiction reflects life and shitty people exist.
Anyway, enough derailing. The book.
I wasn't sure how to approach this review as I thought revealing Lauren's experience might spoil things too much. I messaged the author and she assured me that it wouldn't be as she had revealed details herself in discussions.
So here it is: while dating her tosser of boyfriend (I really hated that guy) Lauren becomes pregnant. She decides she doesn't want to be pregnant. She's young, she has plans that don't involve a baby and her boyfriend is an ass. It's as simple as that.
I really admired the angle Claire took on this. There was no moral dilemmas (at first) or questioning her virtues. She didn't regret having sex or regret feeling like she needs sex (It's still a taboo subject among young girls here). I love that she dealt with the subject in an open and honest way. She just didn't want to be pregnant. End of story (well not really but you know what I mean).
I think I really connected with this book because I was born and have lived my whole life in Ireland. You may or may not know that in Ireland abortion in illegal unless you can convince a board of doctors that you are about to take your own life. Sounds horrific, right? It is. We have no say over our reproductive organs because this is a 'catholic country' (excuse me while I throw up a little).
You might think I'm exaggerating, that such a law would never really be upheld. Well just have a read at what happened to poor Savita Halapannavar (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_o...).
When Lauren decides she wants to have an abortion she's treated horrendously by a local anti-choice group masquerading as a women's health clinic. Again this may seem far fetched but you just have to read the lies spewed by the people like Youth Defense. Lauren is a strong who's girl capable of seeing through their bullshit, but many are not. Many are confused, emotional and just believe what they're told.
What's heartbreaking is that Lauren has to face it all alone. She tells no one because she fears what repercussions she may face from both her mother (who she is distanced from) and her friends (who she's also fallen out with). Women in Ireland do face a possible prosecution if they are found to have had an abortion-up to 14 years imprisonment. Many won't go to the doctor and the one's that do have to pretend they've had a miscarriage.
But she deals with it, maybe not in the best way but Lauren comes out the other side fighting. Even though this book deals with tough issues I really enjoyed reading it. The seriousness is balanced outwith Lauren's wonderful snarkiness and she loves musicals which makes her a fantastic human in my book. I also loved that this book featured many LBGTQ+ characters who fit well into the story. It doesn't feel like she included them just for the sake of ticking boxes like some books I've read.
Like Other Girls is an authentic read and you can really feel that the author cared about the issues within. The passion flows from the pages. I hope this book finds it's way into the hands of every Irish teenager.
May 8, 2017
Lauren is writing a diary from week zero, day four. Lauren does have a boyfriend, but she may have a crush on girls. She's in an all girls school at St Agnes's and she is having sex. My favourite lines in this book is when Lauren tells a girl I'm going to see my boyfriend. As soon as she had said that Lauren felt like an idiot. The girl had given Lauren a weird look and said Okay. Uh have a good time. Lauren felt a bit defensive so she added, Just incase you thought I was checking you out. So you know. Get over yourself. Shut up Lauren oh my god. Her face had never been so hot in her entire life. This story is set in Ireland where it is illegal to obtain an abortion. Also pop culture and a play, classical music is a reference in Like Other Girls.
September 13, 2017
I am so grateful for this book and grateful that it opened my eyes to something I'd never had to consider before.
September 10, 2017
Saying you weren't able to put a book down is a cliché, but in this case it was true. I began this at 3pm and finished it at 10pm the same day, stopping only for snacks. It's a gripping, complex story about a bisexual girl who discovers she needs an abortion -- a vital medical procedure not currently legal in Ireland. When the book opens, the situation is straightforward enough: Lauren is struggling to fit into her strict Catholic school, a situation compounded by her mother being the principal. Lauren finds companionship at Q Club, a club for queer teenagers, and with her good-looking but clueless boyfriend. Hennessy is great at pointing sexism, from a stranger who grabs Lauren in a club, forcing Lauren to retaliate, which ends with Lauren being kicked out of the club, to Lauren's boyfriend, who is annoyed when she speaks her mind. When Lauren discovers she is pregnant, she does not have any support from her boyfriend.
The strongest part of the novel focuses on abortion in Ireland, and how women struggle to find proper information about abortion, cannot access safe services, and have to go abroad in order to access abortion. Hennessy powerfully shows the reader how Lauren feels out of control of her own body and that she isn't allowed to make decisions about her own body. Lauren is isolated from her family and friends as she struggles to deal with the abortion on her own, and has to go to Liverpool, navigating the airport and the abortion clinic by herself at the age of 16. Hennessy does a great job of powerfully and subtly showing the terrible situation here in Ireland, and left me enraged.
The other focus of the novel in on queer teenagers friendships. Lauren is bi, and in love with her best friend, who has realised he is transgender and is struggling with this realisation. Lauren feels like Evan's gender has caused him to reject her, and as she struggles with her pregnancy, she lashes out at her transgender friends. I think Hennessy is trying to show us how teenagers struggle to navigate emotions, and how understanding and empathising with each other as well as themselves can be really hard -- though sometimes they do a much better job than adults can! By writing about queer teenagers in a broad context that doesn't just focus on their being trans or being bi, she shows how being queer is a normal aspect of life. However, this means sometimes the issues she writes about feel rushed, and Lauren comes off as very transphobic at times, which is not fully addressed by the narrative. This aspect of the novel left me feeling uneasy, and I wish Hennessy had been able to address trans issues a bit more thoroughly and gently.
However, I think this is a very important book, very engaging, and I am delighted that someone is writing about abortion in Ireland in YA novels.
The strongest part of the novel focuses on abortion in Ireland, and how women struggle to find proper information about abortion, cannot access safe services, and have to go abroad in order to access abortion. Hennessy powerfully shows the reader how Lauren feels out of control of her own body and that she isn't allowed to make decisions about her own body. Lauren is isolated from her family and friends as she struggles to deal with the abortion on her own, and has to go to Liverpool, navigating the airport and the abortion clinic by herself at the age of 16. Hennessy does a great job of powerfully and subtly showing the terrible situation here in Ireland, and left me enraged.
The other focus of the novel in on queer teenagers friendships. Lauren is bi, and in love with her best friend, who has realised he is transgender and is struggling with this realisation. Lauren feels like Evan's gender has caused him to reject her, and as she struggles with her pregnancy, she lashes out at her transgender friends. I think Hennessy is trying to show us how teenagers struggle to navigate emotions, and how understanding and empathising with each other as well as themselves can be really hard -- though sometimes they do a much better job than adults can! By writing about queer teenagers in a broad context that doesn't just focus on their being trans or being bi, she shows how being queer is a normal aspect of life. However, this means sometimes the issues she writes about feel rushed, and Lauren comes off as very transphobic at times, which is not fully addressed by the narrative. This aspect of the novel left me feeling uneasy, and I wish Hennessy had been able to address trans issues a bit more thoroughly and gently.
However, I think this is a very important book, very engaging, and I am delighted that someone is writing about abortion in Ireland in YA novels.
May 18, 2017
This feels like more than a 3 but not quite a 4 for me (maybe a 3.5 if I was giving a half star rating...) but this wasn't what I was expecting. I thought it would be all about the play but it's about so much more. I loved the concept and the way it was written. It annoyed me at first that there weren't chapter numbers but I lived with it. I just really liked it. It was a quick read too.
December 8, 2017
Definitely not for me.
The story line was totally not clear, and when trying to be funny, the book came of as rather offensive, and I believe the author could have pursued the message she was trying to give off in a gentler/nicer way.
The story line was totally not clear, and when trying to be funny, the book came of as rather offensive, and I believe the author could have pursued the message she was trying to give off in a gentler/nicer way.
October 11, 2018
I enjoyed this book alot however certain aspects were a bit annoying for awhile I didn't know where exactly this book was going but things all added up well in the end so I forgave the book but still I felt some things about the ending were a bit rushed.
This book did shine an interesting light on the abortion crisis in ireland and I found that interesting but I can't help but question which parts were exaggerated and which parts were not. I feel I left this book slightly more confused on the situation around abortion in ireland (besides the fact you can't get one unless you're dying and that again is if you're lucky lol) but otherwise I find this book unique and a good light read despite the heavy themes
This book did shine an interesting light on the abortion crisis in ireland and I found that interesting but I can't help but question which parts were exaggerated and which parts were not. I feel I left this book slightly more confused on the situation around abortion in ireland (besides the fact you can't get one unless you're dying and that again is if you're lucky lol) but otherwise I find this book unique and a good light read despite the heavy themes
November 23, 2021
I've been trying to read this book for almost 2 years. I keep picking it up and giving up again for months at a time. Noting is happening, and I'm really not interested enough (obviously) to see where it goes.
I'm finally admitting defeat 😕DNF
I'm finally admitting defeat 😕DNF
April 21, 2017
This book deals with many things that were not even thought about when I was in my teens. So I am probably of the wrong generation this book is aimed at.
But I am a Mother of teenagers and found this an interesting read and don't understand the one star reviews on Goodreads. I have given it 3 stars which would probably be higher if I was a young adult.
But I am a Mother of teenagers and found this an interesting read and don't understand the one star reviews on Goodreads. I have given it 3 stars which would probably be higher if I was a young adult.
June 13, 2017
**Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a finished copy in exchange for an honest review!!**
Damn. Can't believe I finished this. It's a book I have hotly been anticipated and my god, it did not disappoint. I adored it.
I'll start off with saying how ridiculous it is that this book has been getting so much hate and being called transphobic, even the author being called transphobic and problematic. Her portrayal of Lauren being unsettled by the fact that she's suddenly discovered her friend is not offensive, it is realistic. Don't tell me that every single person this world would be happy and okay with trans people, because if they were, transphobia would not be a thing. And the thing about it being a "problematic" title? Maybe if you read the blurb, never mind the book itself, you would realise it is recognised as a problematic thing to think/say and the author uses it in an ironic sense.
Now, I'm glad my rant is out of the way. Because now I get to talk about how glorious this book is. Firstly, in terms of sexualities it is incredibly diverse. There are little straight main characters which is pleasing. The fact that Lauren is a mess and she had to go through having an abortion ON HER OWN shows what a strong, incredible character she is. Her friend group are amazing, her relationship with her mam is shown excellently and has the best conclusion, as does the book itself. The plot was so engaging that I could hardly find time to put this gem down. I loved Nothing Tastes as Good but this just knocked it out of the park. Definitely one of the best books I've read this year. Witty, original, dark at times, addicting, important and quite simply exceptional. It was a pleasure to read and enjoy and I recommend this to everyone!!
Damn. Can't believe I finished this. It's a book I have hotly been anticipated and my god, it did not disappoint. I adored it.
I'll start off with saying how ridiculous it is that this book has been getting so much hate and being called transphobic, even the author being called transphobic and problematic. Her portrayal of Lauren being unsettled by the fact that she's suddenly discovered her friend is not offensive, it is realistic. Don't tell me that every single person this world would be happy and okay with trans people, because if they were, transphobia would not be a thing. And the thing about it being a "problematic" title? Maybe if you read the blurb, never mind the book itself, you would realise it is recognised as a problematic thing to think/say and the author uses it in an ironic sense.
Now, I'm glad my rant is out of the way. Because now I get to talk about how glorious this book is. Firstly, in terms of sexualities it is incredibly diverse. There are little straight main characters which is pleasing. The fact that Lauren is a mess and she had to go through having an abortion ON HER OWN shows what a strong, incredible character she is. Her friend group are amazing, her relationship with her mam is shown excellently and has the best conclusion, as does the book itself. The plot was so engaging that I could hardly find time to put this gem down. I loved Nothing Tastes as Good but this just knocked it out of the park. Definitely one of the best books I've read this year. Witty, original, dark at times, addicting, important and quite simply exceptional. It was a pleasure to read and enjoy and I recommend this to everyone!!
May 30, 2017
'I am a groupless, friendless creature in a sea of chat."
So our lead character describes herself in the opening paragraphs. She is initially unliveable and the first chapters are written with essentially her stream of consciousness, sounding just as confused as my brain probably did at that age.
It starts before then on week 1 Lauren sums up female life perfectly. " how do I even know what I'm really angry about when everything hurts? Is it always going to be like this-never being quite sure whether it's okay to be annoyed or whether you really are just, well, a crazy girl? "
The book starts and I initially hated it, couldn't get into it and spent sometime wondering where on earth it was set. Turns out I guessed Ireland correctly just before it was mentioned.This is a modern Ireland. One where Lauren can attend Q group with other young folk dealing with LBTQ etc issues. Yet it's also an old fashioned one, enforced mass at Christmas, segregated schools and one where fantasy is considered childish. The story progresses with an unusual timeline at the top of each chapter split between week x day y and before.
3 weeks in to the plot and I saw the light, it was becoming enjoyable and even laugh out loud funny. " it sounds so stupid when I put it like that, but that's how it feels. that they're better. They've received some sort of manual for how to be a girl that never arrived in my letterbox. " Lauren doesn't understand teenage girls but at Q club she feels she's found her people until one of them, her best friend changes, literally, in her. Steph becomes Evan and with it all Lauren's dreams for a relationship die.
Along the way she discovers others in her class aren't too bad and even considers confiding in them when the worst thing she can think of happens. Her mother is ignoring her and not noticing her excessive drinking or thinking there may be a cause for it. "There's nothing like a good mass right? I wish they'd just let us watch Father Ted." At this point Lauren thinks about Mary and starts to count. The fear and denial plus the organisation needed to get help in Ireland where a foetus ahs the same rights as a person is well portrayed and still current, the boat has now become a plane but still female rights are denied under law. Luckily Lauren no longer faces prosecution for what she does but still she needs help Eventually she gets it from.. " holy shit you're a nun....are you even allowed to wear nice jewellery if you're a nun?" Her therapist provides support and light hearted moments in the end chapters giving her hope for the future. Eventually getting Lauren to admit she had an abortion asks her how she feels about it (and the need to hide/travel as it's illegal Laur responds " I want to set this fucking country on fire. " nun responds " ill put down " angry" shall I?"
A great end to a book I was initially dubious about. Encouraged to put more by this author on my wish list. Thanks to readers first and hotkey books for providing me with a copy.
So our lead character describes herself in the opening paragraphs. She is initially unliveable and the first chapters are written with essentially her stream of consciousness, sounding just as confused as my brain probably did at that age.
It starts before then on week 1 Lauren sums up female life perfectly. " how do I even know what I'm really angry about when everything hurts? Is it always going to be like this-never being quite sure whether it's okay to be annoyed or whether you really are just, well, a crazy girl? "
The book starts and I initially hated it, couldn't get into it and spent sometime wondering where on earth it was set. Turns out I guessed Ireland correctly just before it was mentioned.This is a modern Ireland. One where Lauren can attend Q group with other young folk dealing with LBTQ etc issues. Yet it's also an old fashioned one, enforced mass at Christmas, segregated schools and one where fantasy is considered childish. The story progresses with an unusual timeline at the top of each chapter split between week x day y and before.
3 weeks in to the plot and I saw the light, it was becoming enjoyable and even laugh out loud funny. " it sounds so stupid when I put it like that, but that's how it feels. that they're better. They've received some sort of manual for how to be a girl that never arrived in my letterbox. " Lauren doesn't understand teenage girls but at Q club she feels she's found her people until one of them, her best friend changes, literally, in her. Steph becomes Evan and with it all Lauren's dreams for a relationship die.
Along the way she discovers others in her class aren't too bad and even considers confiding in them when the worst thing she can think of happens. Her mother is ignoring her and not noticing her excessive drinking or thinking there may be a cause for it. "There's nothing like a good mass right? I wish they'd just let us watch Father Ted." At this point Lauren thinks about Mary and starts to count. The fear and denial plus the organisation needed to get help in Ireland where a foetus ahs the same rights as a person is well portrayed and still current, the boat has now become a plane but still female rights are denied under law. Luckily Lauren no longer faces prosecution for what she does but still she needs help Eventually she gets it from.. " holy shit you're a nun....are you even allowed to wear nice jewellery if you're a nun?" Her therapist provides support and light hearted moments in the end chapters giving her hope for the future. Eventually getting Lauren to admit she had an abortion asks her how she feels about it (and the need to hide/travel as it's illegal Laur responds " I want to set this fucking country on fire. " nun responds " ill put down " angry" shall I?"
A great end to a book I was initially dubious about. Encouraged to put more by this author on my wish list. Thanks to readers first and hotkey books for providing me with a copy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2017
I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy of this book, and gobbled it up in a day – but thanks to the unexpected appearance of the wondrous orb of the sun in Irish skies I haven’t been inside with my laptop to tell you about it. The rain is back, so now you get to hear about a book I have wanted to read since I heard the author say what it would be about at DeptCon2 last October. I knew this would be a YA book that would bring home the reality of the Eight Amendment – I didn’t expect it to do the same for gender identity and mental health, but after reading it I will be recommending it to every teenager I know.
“I am a groupless, friendless creature in a sea of chat…”
Lauren has all the usual teenage reasons to feel awkward in her own skin, plus a few more – her mother has become principal of her all-girls school; her classmates don’t know she is bisexual; her boyfriend is a grade A git, and her capacity for critical thinking isn’t exactly going down well with her religious teachers. All this before she faces every teenage girls worst nightmare. Pregnancy with nowhere to turn is always terrible, but in a country with the most restrictive reproductive rights in the EU riddled with misinformation it is horrific. Hennessy does an admirable job of telling Lauren’s story with clarity and dignity. Lauren is a smart, acerbic girl who, while occasionally confused by her sexuality, is never ashamed of it. She is not perfect – and this is what makes her an authentic character. She is not just a cipher on which to hang an ‘issues’ book.
“I have felt trapped in this body since I was 10 years old and discovered that, contrary to the impression that Judy Blume had given me, periods were neither magical nor one-off things that happened to turn you into a woman.”
Aside from one scene (when Lauren is called to the office by her mother to discuss a personal matter, something so out of character it was jarring) this book is close to flawless YA, and excels at capturing of feeling different/other/wrong. One of its key strengths is the gradual revelation of many other people who feel just as alienated as Lauren – although for different reasons. Many of Lauren’s darkest moments are when she stays in her room, obsessively pouring over social media; the brightest are when she opens up to those around her. This book is a perfect promotion of the importance of open communication and friendship to mental health. YA is at its best when you know it is shining a beacon of empathy and understanding to young people who feel alone, and we have never had a book that has dealt with the reproductive realities of modern Ireland. Like Other Girls is a book that needed to be written – now it needs to be read!
“I am a groupless, friendless creature in a sea of chat…”
Lauren has all the usual teenage reasons to feel awkward in her own skin, plus a few more – her mother has become principal of her all-girls school; her classmates don’t know she is bisexual; her boyfriend is a grade A git, and her capacity for critical thinking isn’t exactly going down well with her religious teachers. All this before she faces every teenage girls worst nightmare. Pregnancy with nowhere to turn is always terrible, but in a country with the most restrictive reproductive rights in the EU riddled with misinformation it is horrific. Hennessy does an admirable job of telling Lauren’s story with clarity and dignity. Lauren is a smart, acerbic girl who, while occasionally confused by her sexuality, is never ashamed of it. She is not perfect – and this is what makes her an authentic character. She is not just a cipher on which to hang an ‘issues’ book.
“I have felt trapped in this body since I was 10 years old and discovered that, contrary to the impression that Judy Blume had given me, periods were neither magical nor one-off things that happened to turn you into a woman.”
Aside from one scene (when Lauren is called to the office by her mother to discuss a personal matter, something so out of character it was jarring) this book is close to flawless YA, and excels at capturing of feeling different/other/wrong. One of its key strengths is the gradual revelation of many other people who feel just as alienated as Lauren – although for different reasons. Many of Lauren’s darkest moments are when she stays in her room, obsessively pouring over social media; the brightest are when she opens up to those around her. This book is a perfect promotion of the importance of open communication and friendship to mental health. YA is at its best when you know it is shining a beacon of empathy and understanding to young people who feel alone, and we have never had a book that has dealt with the reproductive realities of modern Ireland. Like Other Girls is a book that needed to be written – now it needs to be read!
May 12, 2019
I would have expected I would have found this book ‘meh, fine’ because it’s YA, LGBTQ, popular, about boyfriends and teen drama. Not that I think any of those things are an issue, I’m just not a big fan of them. However, I loved this. The protagonist was very realistic and easy to identify with, the story realistic and enthralling, though the outset could have been a bit shorter and the second part longer, but that’s a detail. Most of all, this book succeeds in the goal of portraying eighth amendment issues realistically without overdoing it or undermining it. For that alone it gets 5 stars. Recommend if you like YA!
June 20, 2017
I like this author a lot. She's excellent on twitter, I liked her previous book (Nothing Tastes As Good), but this one just wasn't for me, unfortunately.
Basically it's about Lauren, a sixteen year old girl, and her group of friends. Most of her friends are either gay, bisexual, pansexual, transgender, or transitioning. She has a boyfriend, Justin. On the author's bio page, she says that she writes "flawed, angry young women" - Lauren definitely fits the bill. She is horrible. The language she uses to talk about others is disgusting - "vapid morons" "nerds" "idiots" - she berates girls for liking makeup and watching vloggers. She's furiously angry even before her life changes, she's drinking like a fish from the beginning. She speaks about a transgender character in a mocking, taunting way because of the name he chose for himself - how can you start a discussion about the Patriarchy when you dismiss a name as "not masculine enough"? I really, really disliked her.
All that said, it's an important story, and one that needs to be told over and over again. In Ireland, in 2017, abortion is illegal. One of the characters in this story needs to access abortion services - but it's so easy for her. It's not that easy, especially when you're sixteen, with no income, and still at school.
The way Lauren talked to/about Ellie was really uncomfortable to read in parts, she was so dismissive and came across as transphobic at times. The drinking scared me too - until I realised that yes, that was going on when I was a teenager too (maybe not to that extent). I also didn't buy that Lauren's mother would have had that discussion with her at school - surely that would have waited until home?
I found this exchange really uncomfortable too:
"We should get Imelda knocked up, see what she says then"
"Ugh, no one would go near her"
With a Referendum to Repeal the Eighth Amendment imminent in Ireland, this discussion needs to happen - but I felt that this was almost like two books mushed together, one about a teenage crisis pregnancy, and one about struggling with gender identity. Both very, very important and relevant, but maybe a little too much to take in at once.
Basically it's about Lauren, a sixteen year old girl, and her group of friends. Most of her friends are either gay, bisexual, pansexual, transgender, or transitioning. She has a boyfriend, Justin. On the author's bio page, she says that she writes "flawed, angry young women" - Lauren definitely fits the bill. She is horrible. The language she uses to talk about others is disgusting - "vapid morons" "nerds" "idiots" - she berates girls for liking makeup and watching vloggers. She's furiously angry even before her life changes, she's drinking like a fish from the beginning. She speaks about a transgender character in a mocking, taunting way because of the name he chose for himself - how can you start a discussion about the Patriarchy when you dismiss a name as "not masculine enough"? I really, really disliked her.
All that said, it's an important story, and one that needs to be told over and over again. In Ireland, in 2017, abortion is illegal. One of the characters in this story needs to access abortion services - but it's so easy for her. It's not that easy, especially when you're sixteen, with no income, and still at school.
The way Lauren talked to/about Ellie was really uncomfortable to read in parts, she was so dismissive and came across as transphobic at times. The drinking scared me too - until I realised that yes, that was going on when I was a teenager too (maybe not to that extent). I also didn't buy that Lauren's mother would have had that discussion with her at school - surely that would have waited until home?
I found this exchange really uncomfortable too:
"We should get Imelda knocked up, see what she says then"
"Ugh, no one would go near her"
With a Referendum to Repeal the Eighth Amendment imminent in Ireland, this discussion needs to happen - but I felt that this was almost like two books mushed together, one about a teenage crisis pregnancy, and one about struggling with gender identity. Both very, very important and relevant, but maybe a little too much to take in at once.
May 14, 2017
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Like Other Girls was a difficult book for me to make myself read. Lauren was one of the most infuriating protagonists I've read in a long time and her insistence that she was 'not like other girls' made me want to hit her round the head with her own book. Her constant sexist and transphobic remarks were disgusting, and don't even get me started on her boyfriend-who-I-can't-even-remember-the-name-of. Justin, Joel, James, Jason, Jamie... it definitely began with J and he was such a misogynistic prick. He blamed Lauren for punching a creep who tried to kiss her and ending up getting kicked out of the club they were at even though she explained that he had been coming onto her. That's just not a cool thing to do. I'm not really sure what the author was trying to get at with Lauren's narration, because although I am aware that author's don't have to share the same view as their characters, Lauren didn't even change or learn that much throughout the book and I think that's such a dumb move to make. She could have at least realised what a bitch she was being and admitting that she was way over the line.
I'm sure there was some sort of positive message hidden inside the book somewhere but I honestly couldn't find it and don't want to try much harder.
Like Other Girls was a difficult book for me to make myself read. Lauren was one of the most infuriating protagonists I've read in a long time and her insistence that she was 'not like other girls' made me want to hit her round the head with her own book. Her constant sexist and transphobic remarks were disgusting, and don't even get me started on her boyfriend-who-I-can't-even-remember-the-name-of. Justin, Joel, James, Jason, Jamie... it definitely began with J and he was such a misogynistic prick. He blamed Lauren for punching a creep who tried to kiss her and ending up getting kicked out of the club they were at even though she explained that he had been coming onto her. That's just not a cool thing to do. I'm not really sure what the author was trying to get at with Lauren's narration, because although I am aware that author's don't have to share the same view as their characters, Lauren didn't even change or learn that much throughout the book and I think that's such a dumb move to make. She could have at least realised what a bitch she was being and admitting that she was way over the line.
I'm sure there was some sort of positive message hidden inside the book somewhere but I honestly couldn't find it and don't want to try much harder.
December 22, 2018
ge - 15+
Lauren is 16, a student at a Catholic Girls School and increasingly angry. It doesn't help that her mum is the principal and seemingly too busy to notice what Lauren is going through. And she is going through a lot.
Her best friend Steph is now Evan, coming out to Lauren and the world. This is confusing because didn't they have a night of something special together? Lauren thinks about her boyfriend Justin a lot, until she realises he is just using her.
School is a disaster as the school play has been announced and it includes boy characters. But much to Lauren and her friend's dismay, they won't be working with the local boy's high school, but playing all the boy parts themselves.
Suddenly Lauren is dealing with a life-changing decision all on her own. She's alienated her friends, her favourite teacher and stolen from her family. Reaching for alcohol, it numbs her for a while, but results in hours missing in her memory. Lauren is a mess. How will she climb out of the hole she has dug for herself?
This was a challenging read, but I was right there with Lauren and her confusion, pain and sense of hopelessness. Being a teen in 2017 is tough, and many issues they face are tackled with authenticity and courage.
Lauren is 16, a student at a Catholic Girls School and increasingly angry. It doesn't help that her mum is the principal and seemingly too busy to notice what Lauren is going through. And she is going through a lot.
Her best friend Steph is now Evan, coming out to Lauren and the world. This is confusing because didn't they have a night of something special together? Lauren thinks about her boyfriend Justin a lot, until she realises he is just using her.
School is a disaster as the school play has been announced and it includes boy characters. But much to Lauren and her friend's dismay, they won't be working with the local boy's high school, but playing all the boy parts themselves.
Suddenly Lauren is dealing with a life-changing decision all on her own. She's alienated her friends, her favourite teacher and stolen from her family. Reaching for alcohol, it numbs her for a while, but results in hours missing in her memory. Lauren is a mess. How will she climb out of the hole she has dug for herself?
This was a challenging read, but I was right there with Lauren and her confusion, pain and sense of hopelessness. Being a teen in 2017 is tough, and many issues they face are tackled with authenticity and courage.
June 6, 2020
The first thing I need to say is that my exact rating for Like Other Girls is 2.5 stars. Originally I rounded that rating up to 3 stars, but on reflection I just couldn’t justify rating it that highly because I have some very serious issues with this one.
I think the majority of the problems come from the fact that Claire Hennessy is trying to tackle too much in a book which is less than 300 pages. Whereas one of the issues might have been able to be dealt with effectively in such a short book, the majority of the topics she is trying to address overlap are handled poorly.
If this had been a book focused on abortion and the eighth amendment it would have been pushing five stars, because that aspect of this novel is handled very well. If this had been a book focused on sexuality and gender it would have been a one star, because it’s transphobic to say the least. However, this means that the first half of the novel is a one star and the second half is almost a five star and that doesn’t make for an enjoyable reading experience in the slightest. I was angry at myself for appreciating the way Claire Hennessy used her platform to fight the eighth amendment, because I was angry at the way that she had written about trans people (which made me even angrier about that, because without that this could have been a new favourite book).
This is where I get spoilery, so as always if you haven’t read Like Other Girls yet it’s time to move on…
This could so easily have been split into two books, and then perhaps all of the topics might have been dealt with in a satisfactory manner, but as it is this is not a story I would recommend. I hate saying that, because Nothing Tastes as Good was a five star read and is one of the best books I’ve ever read regarding anorexia, but this just wasn’t the book for me. I wasn’t looking forward to reading Like Other Girls because I thought that might be the case: unfortunately I was right, but for so many more reasons that I first assumed.
This review was originally posted on The Bumbling Blogger.
I think the majority of the problems come from the fact that Claire Hennessy is trying to tackle too much in a book which is less than 300 pages. Whereas one of the issues might have been able to be dealt with effectively in such a short book, the majority of the topics she is trying to address overlap are handled poorly.
If this had been a book focused on abortion and the eighth amendment it would have been pushing five stars, because that aspect of this novel is handled very well. If this had been a book focused on sexuality and gender it would have been a one star, because it’s transphobic to say the least. However, this means that the first half of the novel is a one star and the second half is almost a five star and that doesn’t make for an enjoyable reading experience in the slightest. I was angry at myself for appreciating the way Claire Hennessy used her platform to fight the eighth amendment, because I was angry at the way that she had written about trans people (which made me even angrier about that, because without that this could have been a new favourite book).
This is where I get spoilery, so as always if you haven’t read Like Other Girls yet it’s time to move on…
This could so easily have been split into two books, and then perhaps all of the topics might have been dealt with in a satisfactory manner, but as it is this is not a story I would recommend. I hate saying that, because Nothing Tastes as Good was a five star read and is one of the best books I’ve ever read regarding anorexia, but this just wasn’t the book for me. I wasn’t looking forward to reading Like Other Girls because I thought that might be the case: unfortunately I was right, but for so many more reasons that I first assumed.
This review was originally posted on The Bumbling Blogger.
June 10, 2019
I absolutely loved this book! Even though it made me so angry a lot of the time! It is outrageous that girls/women/people with female reproductive organs have to go through all of that regarding abortion. My heart breaks for them.. Luckily the situation in Ireland improved! Yhe LGBTQ+ rep was good too! I can see why people didn’t like the book or the character, she was transphobic sometimes. But a little while ago I read something that was along the lines of: don’t expect people to be perfect. Not everyone is at the same place as you. Not everyone has the same ideas/understandings as you. I think her transphobia (mainly towards her best friend) comes from her sexual experience with her best friend. She thought that the experience might have “turned” her best friend, that her best friend “strongly dislikes” Lauren’s (female) body. It is miscommunication, misinterpretation and misunderstanding that makes Lauren transphobic. As soon as that whole issue surrounding the sexual experience is solved, she isn’t transphobic anymore. She is a 16 y/o who is dealing with a lot herself (alone, I might add). She isn’t perfect! Give her some credit..
Anyway. I absolutely would recommend this book. Try to put yourself in Lauren’s position and context (16, Irish, dealing with pregnancy/abortion, dealing with other issues like loneliness and probaly depression). No one is perfect! As a human race we are still evolving. We are still figuring things out. It is one step at a time. Accept that.
Went on a bit of a rant there, but I have read a few other reviews which where (in my eyes) a bit unfair.
Anyway. I absolutely would recommend this book. Try to put yourself in Lauren’s position and context (16, Irish, dealing with pregnancy/abortion, dealing with other issues like loneliness and probaly depression). No one is perfect! As a human race we are still evolving. We are still figuring things out. It is one step at a time. Accept that.
Went on a bit of a rant there, but I have read a few other reviews which where (in my eyes) a bit unfair.
July 15, 2017
I accidentally gave this two stars (let me be clear and say that was 90000% accidental) and that Like Other Girls is worthy of five stars and beyond!
I feel like because this book came from a place of all-consuming anger it naturally stokes the fire inside and makes you see the terrible reproductive rights violation in this country. You'd think Hennessy would have to maybe exaggerate or take some liberties but no, not even. The content of this book seemed completely believably mostly because it's stuff Irish people see in the media constantly.
To the people who criticised Lauren as a character and some of the remarks she made (the people who READ the book anyway) Lauren IS a problematic narrator but it's not a reflection of the author's views. The protagonist is going through some really tough times and she's so overwhelmed by this that she lashes out and wreaks havoc in her path. But it all comes full circle. I would much prefer an MC who voices their opinion rather than "I have no feelings or internal conflict, my life is fine."
Like Other Girls is a brilliant novel with fantastic LGBTQ+ representation, scathing and complex satire on the malarkey that occurs year after year in regards to abortion in Ireland and an absorbing main character. A triumph!
I feel like because this book came from a place of all-consuming anger it naturally stokes the fire inside and makes you see the terrible reproductive rights violation in this country. You'd think Hennessy would have to maybe exaggerate or take some liberties but no, not even. The content of this book seemed completely believably mostly because it's stuff Irish people see in the media constantly.
To the people who criticised Lauren as a character and some of the remarks she made (the people who READ the book anyway) Lauren IS a problematic narrator but it's not a reflection of the author's views. The protagonist is going through some really tough times and she's so overwhelmed by this that she lashes out and wreaks havoc in her path. But it all comes full circle. I would much prefer an MC who voices their opinion rather than "I have no feelings or internal conflict, my life is fine."
Like Other Girls is a brilliant novel with fantastic LGBTQ+ representation, scathing and complex satire on the malarkey that occurs year after year in regards to abortion in Ireland and an absorbing main character. A triumph!
December 27, 2017
Review on my blog HERE!!
---------
Huge thank you to Hot Key Books for sending me a copy of this novel in exchange for a full and honest review. Claire Hennessy is quickly becoming one of my auto-buy, all time favourite authors and I was so extremely excited to read this novel as soon as I got my hands on it. I decided to not read too much of the blurb and avoided all early reviews of the novel so I could go into it completely fresh and just let the novel surprise me. It was a brilliant idea.
This novel is utter brilliance. Like Other Girls deals with so many important and current issues that not only affect those worldwide but also focusing on national Irish issues. The novel touches on hard issues in a realistic and raw way. Claire does not try to sugar coat any aspect of the novel, which I think is how it should be as readers can both learn and begin to understand the issues more clearly.
Like Other Girls shows an Irish secondary school in such a realistic way that I almost felt it was about my old secondary school! The constant being told what to do, how to behave and act is a constant theme through the novel as Lauren struggles with the idea of expectations but this theme is especially highlighted through her time at school. There were so many parts that seemed achingly familiar to me, having to ask to use the toilet, answering a question and being informed that your opinion was an invalid one and the boring school mass assembly's. The school depicted in the novel is not a fun time for Lauren and I feel many readers, especially those that attended an Irish catholic all girls secondary school, will completely relate to.
The novel also touches on LGBTQ issues slightly. Lauren is bisexual and is part of a "Q Club" which is a youth club for LGBTQ teenagers to meet up, hang out, have discussions and make friends. Although the club is at times not very fun for Lauren, I thought it sounded like an incredibly good idea for LGBTQ teenagers and I very much hope that such clubs exist in the real world!
A prevalent topic / theme of the novel is expectation and the concept of normality. Lauren feels the weight of so many people's expectations of her- how she should act, behave, think and basically live. Her school puts a lot of expectations on her but she also feels the weight of others expectations of her from her peers, family, friends, media etc,. This is a theme I think many can relate to as we all feel expectations from others everyday. Lauren also feels like she is too different and abnormal from other teenagers her age and often wonders if she would be happier or have an easier life if she was like everyone else- if she was "normal". This allows the reader to think about the concept of normality and how being different can make you stand out from the crowd in both good and bad ways. Lauren also expresses a fear of men, especially groups of them at night and I think this is something most girls- both teenage and adult can relate to. I had never read a novel where it described that feeling of dread when you see a group of men when you are alone before. It is a horrid feeling and I felt myself relating to Lauren so much in that situation. The novel highlights the importance of being different.
The biggest topic the novel deals with is relationships. We see lots of different kinds of relationships in the novel- Lauren's semi-cold family relationship at home, her broken friendship with her ex-best friend and her relationship with her boyfriend. All the relationships are so very well written and Claire has captured the feelings of each one so well that at times you feel as if you yourself are going through it too.
The novel also shows a realistic portrayal of teenage relationships and sex. The main aspect of the novel is around abortion and the problems around seeking an abortion in Ireland. This novel provides such a real, raw and heart wrenching insight into what happens if you fall pregnant in Ireland and do not wish to carry to full term. The novel explores Lauren's thoughts in such detail as she searches through internet posts and forums and falls deeper and deeper into her emotional turmoil over her situation. The novel also does not shy away from the emotional and raw thoughts Lauren faces as she makes her decision and also as she travels. Lauren is not a perfect character, she is selfish at times and very flawed- but this is what makes her voice real and honest. Although she is a fictional character, her voice is an echo of many girls and women who face this problem in Ireland today. Her fears and journey over the course of the novel bring the reader on a journey too.
The novel covers a host of issues such as sex, relationships, gender, abortion and modern Ireland. Claire Hennessy has created one of the best novels I have ever read on these issues in an Irish context that I hope teenagers and adults read and become educated on these issues. An incredibly emotional novel that will take you on a journey of tears, laughter and strength.This novel is one of the most important and realistic novels about the trials faced by Irish women in Ireland today and should be praised. Another brilliant offering from Claire Hennessy- one of the best Irish YA authors out today.
---------
Huge thank you to Hot Key Books for sending me a copy of this novel in exchange for a full and honest review. Claire Hennessy is quickly becoming one of my auto-buy, all time favourite authors and I was so extremely excited to read this novel as soon as I got my hands on it. I decided to not read too much of the blurb and avoided all early reviews of the novel so I could go into it completely fresh and just let the novel surprise me. It was a brilliant idea.
This novel is utter brilliance. Like Other Girls deals with so many important and current issues that not only affect those worldwide but also focusing on national Irish issues. The novel touches on hard issues in a realistic and raw way. Claire does not try to sugar coat any aspect of the novel, which I think is how it should be as readers can both learn and begin to understand the issues more clearly.
Like Other Girls shows an Irish secondary school in such a realistic way that I almost felt it was about my old secondary school! The constant being told what to do, how to behave and act is a constant theme through the novel as Lauren struggles with the idea of expectations but this theme is especially highlighted through her time at school. There were so many parts that seemed achingly familiar to me, having to ask to use the toilet, answering a question and being informed that your opinion was an invalid one and the boring school mass assembly's. The school depicted in the novel is not a fun time for Lauren and I feel many readers, especially those that attended an Irish catholic all girls secondary school, will completely relate to.
The novel also touches on LGBTQ issues slightly. Lauren is bisexual and is part of a "Q Club" which is a youth club for LGBTQ teenagers to meet up, hang out, have discussions and make friends. Although the club is at times not very fun for Lauren, I thought it sounded like an incredibly good idea for LGBTQ teenagers and I very much hope that such clubs exist in the real world!
A prevalent topic / theme of the novel is expectation and the concept of normality. Lauren feels the weight of so many people's expectations of her- how she should act, behave, think and basically live. Her school puts a lot of expectations on her but she also feels the weight of others expectations of her from her peers, family, friends, media etc,. This is a theme I think many can relate to as we all feel expectations from others everyday. Lauren also feels like she is too different and abnormal from other teenagers her age and often wonders if she would be happier or have an easier life if she was like everyone else- if she was "normal". This allows the reader to think about the concept of normality and how being different can make you stand out from the crowd in both good and bad ways. Lauren also expresses a fear of men, especially groups of them at night and I think this is something most girls- both teenage and adult can relate to. I had never read a novel where it described that feeling of dread when you see a group of men when you are alone before. It is a horrid feeling and I felt myself relating to Lauren so much in that situation. The novel highlights the importance of being different.
The biggest topic the novel deals with is relationships. We see lots of different kinds of relationships in the novel- Lauren's semi-cold family relationship at home, her broken friendship with her ex-best friend and her relationship with her boyfriend. All the relationships are so very well written and Claire has captured the feelings of each one so well that at times you feel as if you yourself are going through it too.
The novel also shows a realistic portrayal of teenage relationships and sex. The main aspect of the novel is around abortion and the problems around seeking an abortion in Ireland. This novel provides such a real, raw and heart wrenching insight into what happens if you fall pregnant in Ireland and do not wish to carry to full term. The novel explores Lauren's thoughts in such detail as she searches through internet posts and forums and falls deeper and deeper into her emotional turmoil over her situation. The novel also does not shy away from the emotional and raw thoughts Lauren faces as she makes her decision and also as she travels. Lauren is not a perfect character, she is selfish at times and very flawed- but this is what makes her voice real and honest. Although she is a fictional character, her voice is an echo of many girls and women who face this problem in Ireland today. Her fears and journey over the course of the novel bring the reader on a journey too.
The novel covers a host of issues such as sex, relationships, gender, abortion and modern Ireland. Claire Hennessy has created one of the best novels I have ever read on these issues in an Irish context that I hope teenagers and adults read and become educated on these issues. An incredibly emotional novel that will take you on a journey of tears, laughter and strength.This novel is one of the most important and realistic novels about the trials faced by Irish women in Ireland today and should be praised. Another brilliant offering from Claire Hennessy- one of the best Irish YA authors out today.
December 18, 2018
This book is very current, raw and touches several deep subjects.
Were I a teacher and wanted to educate teenagers on the, now historic, 8th amendment, gender identity, addiction and how one has to talk, because no one will read your mind - I would use this book.
That being said - even though I believe this is a should-read for teenagers [16+], I wouldn't recommend unguided reading, especially since homo- and trans-phobic statements the characters exchange at times may be triggering for some. Guided, however, an array of deep discussion can occur and I believe those problematic statements have a place here for that reason.
Were I a teacher and wanted to educate teenagers on the, now historic, 8th amendment, gender identity, addiction and how one has to talk, because no one will read your mind - I would use this book.
That being said - even though I believe this is a should-read for teenagers [16+], I wouldn't recommend unguided reading, especially since homo- and trans-phobic statements the characters exchange at times may be triggering for some. Guided, however, an array of deep discussion can occur and I believe those problematic statements have a place here for that reason.
May 25, 2017
Like Other Girls tackles a number of very sensitive topics without falling into that dangerous trap of becoming an issue novel, without moralising or preaching, and without demonising its protagonist or giving her an unrealistic ‘happily-ever-after’ type ending. It is also a funny book, filled with pop culture and musical references, and with a strong, snarky voice at its centre. It also has a fantastic cover – it’s a label! for a book about labels! – designed by Leo Nickolls.
Full review here: https://thebookstheartandme.wordpress...
Full review here: https://thebookstheartandme.wordpress...
May 20, 2017
Oh this book! I really don't think that blurb does it any justice. There's so much going on here and so much to love. It reads like a teenaged girl's political commentary on life and it is FIERCE.
Lauren is deliciously snarky, stroppy and opinionated. She is also fragile, emotional and confused. She is a young woman dealing with all that that entails, navigating her way through school and her changing relationship with her mum and all the social expectations thrown at her every day. Add to that a complicated friendship, a confusing relationship and a hormonal rollercoaster and you get a realistic, flawed, honest character responding to the world around her in a believable way. I loved her.
And yet I've seen some mixed reviews of this book. Lots raving about it but a couple where the readers gave up after the first chapter because they felt the book was 'problematic'. I think it's honest. It shows a character dealing with a lot of emotionally charged stuff and having emotional responses. For me it felt like an honest representation of a teenager dealing with a very close friend transitioning - with all her very human responses and reactions of confusion and anger and resentment. So while some readers might immediately say 'argh you can't say that, it's problematic', I was nodding right along with her. Because people are emotional beings and we mess up and we say stuff we shouldn't really say and don't really mean because we're angry or hurt or confused. That's life. Showing readers that reality, and saying it's okay to feel like that, is fair game imho, and what I would have loved to have available to me as a young adult reader.
Claire Hennessy is a legend. She has written an intelligent, informed and angry book showing the injustice of Irish abortion laws. And she has written it so well. She shows the emotional trauma of dealing with a hugely messed up system and she screams about it from the rooftops. Eliza Wass said 'write like it's your only message to the world' and Like Other Girls felt like Claire Hennessy doing just that. Writing what she needed to write.
Lauren is deliciously snarky, stroppy and opinionated. She is also fragile, emotional and confused. She is a young woman dealing with all that that entails, navigating her way through school and her changing relationship with her mum and all the social expectations thrown at her every day. Add to that a complicated friendship, a confusing relationship and a hormonal rollercoaster and you get a realistic, flawed, honest character responding to the world around her in a believable way. I loved her.
And yet I've seen some mixed reviews of this book. Lots raving about it but a couple where the readers gave up after the first chapter because they felt the book was 'problematic'. I think it's honest. It shows a character dealing with a lot of emotionally charged stuff and having emotional responses. For me it felt like an honest representation of a teenager dealing with a very close friend transitioning - with all her very human responses and reactions of confusion and anger and resentment. So while some readers might immediately say 'argh you can't say that, it's problematic', I was nodding right along with her. Because people are emotional beings and we mess up and we say stuff we shouldn't really say and don't really mean because we're angry or hurt or confused. That's life. Showing readers that reality, and saying it's okay to feel like that, is fair game imho, and what I would have loved to have available to me as a young adult reader.
Claire Hennessy is a legend. She has written an intelligent, informed and angry book showing the injustice of Irish abortion laws. And she has written it so well. She shows the emotional trauma of dealing with a hugely messed up system and she screams about it from the rooftops. Eliza Wass said 'write like it's your only message to the world' and Like Other Girls felt like Claire Hennessy doing just that. Writing what she needed to write.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews