The Alex Quartet

Alex Archer

by Tessa Duder

Genres: Sports

702 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Tessa Duder trained as a journalist, and spent fifteen years rearing four daughters before she turned to writing fiction in her late thirties. Her books include the four Alex novels, Jellybean and Night Race to Kawau, as well as ten titles of non-fiction for both adults and young people. She's also an editor, short story writer, playwright and actor. Born in Auckland in 1940, she's lived most of her life there, except for periods spent in England, Pakistan and Malaysia.

Tessa Duder lives in Auckland, New Zealand, where she writes full time.

Reviews

[Esther K · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favourite series as an adolescent. The eponymous protagonist exudes charisma, talent, ambition, and arrogance. Just as cool as Ellen Ripley. However she is supposed to be 15 in the first novel which is a bit far-fetched considering her seriously advanced intellect and emotional maturity. Themes: competition, rivalries, feel-good family dynamics, love, friendship, grief

[Emma McCleary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite loving books and swimming as a kid, and despite the first Alex book being published when I was 10, this was my first outing on this New Zealand classic. I was totally invested - from the hopes and dreams of a high school girl to the great anticipation of the love story at the end. I laughed. I cried - more than once - and Alex felt so real I wanted to watch her race in Rome on YouTube like I did Peter Snell’s and Murray Halberg’s. My only regret was that someone hadn’t pointed me here earlier, when I was a stroppy and ambitiously hopeful teenager myself.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a classic for a reason.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

As one of my favourite teenage series, I was intrigued to come back to Alex as an adult. Fortunately, my memories have served well and Alex was exactly the heroine I remembered so fondly - fiery, opinionated, aspirational, yet pleasingly flawed. On the face of it, Alex as a character could produce a story that is overly saccharine. She's a classic overachiever and as a young woman growing up in Aotearoa, her achievements provided a lofty goal to aim for. However, the challenges Alex faces are so believable, and her struggles in dealing with them so realistic, that she becomes a genuine inspiration rather than an unattainable figurehead. I loved rediscovering Alex and I look forward to encouraging the teenage girls I teach to connect with her story too!

[Amy Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made me cry and honestly such a good book. LOVE IT!

[shaiviii · Rating 1 out of 5]

read it for school😭😭