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All the Fun of the Fair
'Completely hilarious' LUCY VINE
'Incredibly poignant' BETH O'LEARY
'The new Adrian Mole' NICOLA MOSTYN
'Sheer joy' CATHY BRAMLEY
* * * * *
The Fair is the only good thing that happens every year. And Fiona Larson is the only person in town who's never been.
She's pretended to go - but she's never been allowed. Because, before Fiona was even born, her sister died there.
This year, everything will be different.
Fiona is about to turn twelve - older than her sister was. This summer, Fiona will save some money, make new friends, and finally have some fun at The Fair.
But what she'll actually do
- Find a mysterious bag in a bush
- Spy on everyone
- Lose her only friend
- Make a lot of lists
- Learn the truth about what happened at The Fair...
Fresh and hilarious, All the Fun of the Fair is a deeply poignant coming-of-age novel from sensational talent Caroline Hulse.
* * * * *
PRAISE FOR CAROLINE HULSE (and Fiona Larson)
'Fresh, unique, powerful... and, of course, hilarious too! Fiona will no doubt capture many hearts' BETH O'LEARY
'Fiona Larson is one of the most memorable characters I've read for a long time. If you liked Adrian Mole or The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time then you'll love this' EMMA COOPER
'Sheer joy from the first page to the last' CATHY BRAMLEY
'Quirky, original and charming ... I could not love Fiona more' Sarah Turner, aka THE UNMUMSY MUM
'An absolute JOY ... The hilarious, beleaguered protagonist, Fiona Larson, is the new Adrian Mole' NICOLA MOSTYN
'One of my books of 2021. I can't recommend it enough' LUCY VINE
'Incredibly poignant' BETH O'LEARY
'The new Adrian Mole' NICOLA MOSTYN
'Sheer joy' CATHY BRAMLEY
* * * * *
The Fair is the only good thing that happens every year. And Fiona Larson is the only person in town who's never been.
She's pretended to go - but she's never been allowed. Because, before Fiona was even born, her sister died there.
This year, everything will be different.
Fiona is about to turn twelve - older than her sister was. This summer, Fiona will save some money, make new friends, and finally have some fun at The Fair.
But what she'll actually do
- Find a mysterious bag in a bush
- Spy on everyone
- Lose her only friend
- Make a lot of lists
- Learn the truth about what happened at The Fair...
Fresh and hilarious, All the Fun of the Fair is a deeply poignant coming-of-age novel from sensational talent Caroline Hulse.
* * * * *
PRAISE FOR CAROLINE HULSE (and Fiona Larson)
'Fresh, unique, powerful... and, of course, hilarious too! Fiona will no doubt capture many hearts' BETH O'LEARY
'Fiona Larson is one of the most memorable characters I've read for a long time. If you liked Adrian Mole or The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time then you'll love this' EMMA COOPER
'Sheer joy from the first page to the last' CATHY BRAMLEY
'Quirky, original and charming ... I could not love Fiona more' Sarah Turner, aka THE UNMUMSY MUM
'An absolute JOY ... The hilarious, beleaguered protagonist, Fiona Larson, is the new Adrian Mole' NICOLA MOSTYN
'One of my books of 2021. I can't recommend it enough' LUCY VINE
- GenresFiction
378 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 27, 2021
24 people are currently reading
362 people want to read
About the author
Caroline Hulse
4 books85 followersCaroline Hulse lives in Manchester with her husband and a small controlling dog.
Her books have been published in fourteen languages and optioned for television.
Her books have been published in fourteen languages and optioned for television.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
July 23, 2021
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
Take a step back in time to 1996 with eleven (nearly twelve-year-old) Fiona Larson.
Before she was born Fiona’s sister died whilst at the fair that had arrived in their small hometown. Every year the fair still comes and her mother forbids her from visiting it.
Her parents have never told Fiona what happened at the fair or how her sister died. So Fiona makes it her mission to discover the truth, as well as making her parents think she is responsible and grown-up enough to go this year.
All the Fun of the Fair is a fabulously fun and touching novel set in an era I remember well, the nineties. Fiona feels left out when she sees the posters going up for the local fair which will be arriving soon. She has always wanted to go but her mother says no each year, the reason, her sister died there.
What I loved about Fiona is that she had pure determination. She set her sights on going to the fair and came up with different plans and lots of lists to help get her there.
Some of the things she came up with were laughable and childish but this is where you have to remember she is only eleven and this is how the mind of a child works. I also felt sorry for this young girl growing up in the shadow of a sister she never knew, one who her parents remember as being perfect. They even kept her room just how it was and Fiona has to have a small bedroom. They also refused to tell Fiona the reason for her sister’s death which I found hard to digest why any parent would do that. But once the cause is revealed I understood, although I still disagreed with them.
This is a book I adored from cover to cover. It had me reminiscing about my teenage years. It is a truly beautiful story that had me laughing for most of it and feeling raw with emotions for the other.
When you analyse the plot this is the tale of one young girl who just wants to know the truth and be treated as an individual whilst her parents can’t move on from the grief of losing a child and don’t seem to realise how hard Fiona is finding life right now.
Brilliantly executed, heart-warming, imaginative, and gripping. All the Fun of the Fair had me glued to the pages and I was sad for it to end.
Take a step back in time to 1996 with eleven (nearly twelve-year-old) Fiona Larson.
Before she was born Fiona’s sister died whilst at the fair that had arrived in their small hometown. Every year the fair still comes and her mother forbids her from visiting it.
Her parents have never told Fiona what happened at the fair or how her sister died. So Fiona makes it her mission to discover the truth, as well as making her parents think she is responsible and grown-up enough to go this year.
All the Fun of the Fair is a fabulously fun and touching novel set in an era I remember well, the nineties. Fiona feels left out when she sees the posters going up for the local fair which will be arriving soon. She has always wanted to go but her mother says no each year, the reason, her sister died there.
What I loved about Fiona is that she had pure determination. She set her sights on going to the fair and came up with different plans and lots of lists to help get her there.
Some of the things she came up with were laughable and childish but this is where you have to remember she is only eleven and this is how the mind of a child works. I also felt sorry for this young girl growing up in the shadow of a sister she never knew, one who her parents remember as being perfect. They even kept her room just how it was and Fiona has to have a small bedroom. They also refused to tell Fiona the reason for her sister’s death which I found hard to digest why any parent would do that. But once the cause is revealed I understood, although I still disagreed with them.
This is a book I adored from cover to cover. It had me reminiscing about my teenage years. It is a truly beautiful story that had me laughing for most of it and feeling raw with emotions for the other.
When you analyse the plot this is the tale of one young girl who just wants to know the truth and be treated as an individual whilst her parents can’t move on from the grief of losing a child and don’t seem to realise how hard Fiona is finding life right now.
Brilliantly executed, heart-warming, imaginative, and gripping. All the Fun of the Fair had me glued to the pages and I was sad for it to end.
July 6, 2021
Fiona Larson, nearly 12 years old, is rather a quirky character but one I couldn’t help feeling a bit sorry for. She likes making lists. She has a Junior Spy’s Secret Handbook which her grandmother bought her; she is obsessed with spying – making spy kits for her coat pocket, trying to solve mysteries…the biggest mystery being how did her elder sister Danielle die at the fair. Her parents won’t tell her, in fact they refuse to discuss it at all. Neither will they let her go the fair – something she is desperate to do.
The book is a countdown over 39 days to the fair and chronicles Fiona’s attempts to find out how her sister died, get her parents to agree to let her go; get enough money for rides, and oh, get some friends to go with. Some are easier to do than others, an unexpected find makes her some money however the rest is not so easy, particularly the friends thing. She has one friend Lewis, who she hangs out with (when she hasn’t upset him) but Fiona is one of those girls on their own in the school playground, wanting to be included and trying to avoid the bullies.
This is a poignant and humorous coming of age story. Of the difficulty of making friendships and fitting in, how children come to their own conclusions when adults won’t explain and the general innocence of childhood. For anyone who remembers the 1990s in any detail (I’m old enough to) it’s also a nostalgia trip.
Caroline Hulse has drawn her characters superbly and made them believable. They are not always very nice to each other, the children especially can be cruel and hurtful. I was particularly frustrated with Fiona’s parents in their refusal to consider Fiona’s feelings about her sister’s death. Danielle’s room is kept as a shrine and she is regarded as a the perfect daughter. Fiona is convinced that she is bad and so she plays up to that by doing things which get her into trouble at school. I did however do a cheer for Fiona’s mother when she put one of Fiona’s soppy teachers firmly in her place. Go Gail!
A very enjoyable read written with humour but also empathy, seeing the world through Fiona’s eyes, feeling her angst at the injustices she feels, her desperation to get answers and how she goes about it and how eventually she does find her worth. I have a feeling that there is more to come for Fiona though. As to the question of does she get to the fair – you will have to read the book and find out.
The book is a countdown over 39 days to the fair and chronicles Fiona’s attempts to find out how her sister died, get her parents to agree to let her go; get enough money for rides, and oh, get some friends to go with. Some are easier to do than others, an unexpected find makes her some money however the rest is not so easy, particularly the friends thing. She has one friend Lewis, who she hangs out with (when she hasn’t upset him) but Fiona is one of those girls on their own in the school playground, wanting to be included and trying to avoid the bullies.
This is a poignant and humorous coming of age story. Of the difficulty of making friendships and fitting in, how children come to their own conclusions when adults won’t explain and the general innocence of childhood. For anyone who remembers the 1990s in any detail (I’m old enough to) it’s also a nostalgia trip.
Caroline Hulse has drawn her characters superbly and made them believable. They are not always very nice to each other, the children especially can be cruel and hurtful. I was particularly frustrated with Fiona’s parents in their refusal to consider Fiona’s feelings about her sister’s death. Danielle’s room is kept as a shrine and she is regarded as a the perfect daughter. Fiona is convinced that she is bad and so she plays up to that by doing things which get her into trouble at school. I did however do a cheer for Fiona’s mother when she put one of Fiona’s soppy teachers firmly in her place. Go Gail!
A very enjoyable read written with humour but also empathy, seeing the world through Fiona’s eyes, feeling her angst at the injustices she feels, her desperation to get answers and how she goes about it and how eventually she does find her worth. I have a feeling that there is more to come for Fiona though. As to the question of does she get to the fair – you will have to read the book and find out.
August 8, 2022
It’s 1996 and eleven year old Fiona Lawson is desperate to go to the fair. It comes to her town every year but she’s never ever been.
Because before Fiona was even born, her sister died there. And no matter what, her parents won’t let her go. There’s a lot of other stuff happening in Fiona’s life to keep her busy; secrets and mysteries abound. In between her quest to get to the fair, she also needs to find out how her sister died. Oh and get some friends. That can’t be too difficult?
What a lovely, quirky tale this was. Told in the voice of eleven year old Fiona, it’s a clever, funny and sad story. She’s a great character, I warmed to her instantly and she took me right back to my own days as an eleven year old.
Warm and nostalgic, this is a book to savour.
Because before Fiona was even born, her sister died there. And no matter what, her parents won’t let her go. There’s a lot of other stuff happening in Fiona’s life to keep her busy; secrets and mysteries abound. In between her quest to get to the fair, she also needs to find out how her sister died. Oh and get some friends. That can’t be too difficult?
What a lovely, quirky tale this was. Told in the voice of eleven year old Fiona, it’s a clever, funny and sad story. She’s a great character, I warmed to her instantly and she took me right back to my own days as an eleven year old.
Warm and nostalgic, this is a book to savour.
July 12, 2021
The story steps back into the 1990’s with eleven years old (almost twelve) Fiona making plans to go to the fair when it comes to town in a little over a month. There is a buzz in school, especially about the Waltzer and the young man that spins all the pretty girls in their cars as they giggle. Fiona longs to be one of them, but she has never been allowed to go because her sister Danielle had died there before Fiona was born.
The story is told by Fiona, as she makes endless lists all revolving around either the fair or finding out how her sister died. At eleven, her imagination is an explosion of possibilities. School isn’t easy for her as the ‘mean girls’ taunt her when all she wants to do is fit in. There are some lovely characters in the story. Lewis was another child left on the outside, and so they have each other. Fiona does try to be in charge most of the time. There is a sweet innocence about them that you know won’t last much longer.
Although Fiona lives in a three-bedroom house with her mum and dad, she has the smallest bedroom as Danielle’s bedroom is still a shrine to her. She only hears how perfect her sister had been. It is impossible to compete with someone that her mum can only remember the good things about her. I just wanted to take Fiona out of these pages to hug her and weep for her mum at the same time.
There are some brilliant lighter moments too, a find in the park and what follows had me laughing out at times. It is a story that winds around your heart from the first page. Talk about group hug stuff! Just brilliant.
The story is told by Fiona, as she makes endless lists all revolving around either the fair or finding out how her sister died. At eleven, her imagination is an explosion of possibilities. School isn’t easy for her as the ‘mean girls’ taunt her when all she wants to do is fit in. There are some lovely characters in the story. Lewis was another child left on the outside, and so they have each other. Fiona does try to be in charge most of the time. There is a sweet innocence about them that you know won’t last much longer.
Although Fiona lives in a three-bedroom house with her mum and dad, she has the smallest bedroom as Danielle’s bedroom is still a shrine to her. She only hears how perfect her sister had been. It is impossible to compete with someone that her mum can only remember the good things about her. I just wanted to take Fiona out of these pages to hug her and weep for her mum at the same time.
There are some brilliant lighter moments too, a find in the park and what follows had me laughing out at times. It is a story that winds around your heart from the first page. Talk about group hug stuff! Just brilliant.
August 3, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. I was the same age as Fiona in 1996, also definitely not one of the cool kids at school and also not allowed to go to the fair (not for any big tragic reason, just because my mum thought it was a waste of money). I loved the relateable nostalgia and the plot moved along pretty well, I was never bored. I thought at first it would be a 5 star read but I have docked a star because some of the period details didn't quite add up - e.g. I'm pretty sure PAYG mobiles weren't a thing in the mid-90s, they were all contract for another few years. And also because SPOILER . I'll still read the author's other books though :)
October 8, 2022
Like all of Caroline Hulse’s books, this is a brilliantly crafted book about slightly dysfunctional family dynamics, seen through the lens of young, innocent eyes. Using a child protagonist in an adult story is a hard act to pull off, but this author absolutely nails it. Honestly one of the best books I’ve read featuring a child (almost 12 year old Fiona Larson). It’s so clever, smart, funny and brilliantly observed. The reader is instantly drawn to Fiona, a little bit of a misfit trying to find her way in a confusing and nonsensical adult (and school) world. What Hulse does so well by using a young protagonist in this way, is to show just how, sometimes, adult behaviour is ludicrous, nonsensical or indeed plain wrong and when children get caught up in it, chaos can prevail. The blood project was a genius touch, and you’ll have to read the book to find out why! Absolutely loved it and highly recommend!
May 19, 2021
More a YA book than adult reading for me with a particularly naive main character who lacks a lot of general knowledge and common sense for her age. I found the early parts irritating because of the slow, repetitive plot development and the silly situations.
The last part picked up a bit of pace but still failed to engage me. The adults don’t come off well possibly because they’re seen through Fiona’s eyes, the key to the family relationships revealed by the blood project remains buried for some reason, and the ending is a bit of a let down.
The hilarity promised on the cover didn’t eventuate. All in all, a disappointing read.
The last part picked up a bit of pace but still failed to engage me. The adults don’t come off well possibly because they’re seen through Fiona’s eyes, the key to the family relationships revealed by the blood project remains buried for some reason, and the ending is a bit of a let down.
The hilarity promised on the cover didn’t eventuate. All in all, a disappointing read.
November 6, 2022
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 (rounded up to 5⭐️)
This book takes you back to 1996, where we meet Fiona Larson who is eleven (nearly twelve years old). Before Fiona was born, Danielle (Fiona's older sister) died at the fair. Every year, Fiona's mother forbids her to go to the fair. Fiona has no idea what happened to Danielle so she makes it her mission to get to the bottom of this mystery, as well as setting a plan in motion of making this year, the one where she goes to the fair.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a bit of a slow burner at first but I did not mind it too much as it did pick up later on and I found it difficult to put this book down. Even when I was not reading this book, I found myself thinking about it.
Each chapter had a countdown to the fair from 39 days downwards and then a countdown after the fair had finished, as well as a quote from either Fiona's Spy Handbook, her blood project or a paradox. At times, there were quite big jumps within the countdowns, with more of a focus on some days rather than others.
I absolutely loved some of the characters in this book. Fiona was absolutely hilarious at times and some of the things she would come out with were very childish but then again, she is a child. Despite this, she was definitely a lovable character whose sheer determination to go to the fair was admirable. However, I did really feel sorry for her due to her not being able to go to the fair whilst everyone around her is allowed to go, being bullied, not feeling like she fits in at school and the difficulty she has making new friends - it is definitely something that I think a lot of people can relate to. Not only does she have these difficulties but she is growing up in the shadow of her sister and her family seem to have lost sight of the daughter they have in front of them, which really made me sad.
However, I think this book does a excellent job of highlighting how grief can affect everybody differently. It is not until later on that her family seem to snap out of it and start to pay attention to Fiona, instead of like before, being dismissive and not considering Fiona's feelings about not knowing what happened to her sister. Despite her difficulty of making friends, I absolutely loved Fiona's friendship with Lewis, although she definitely takes him for granted a lot of times throughout this book.
I really loved the representation within this book of a deaf character (Fiona's dad) and seeing the adaptations that he uses in order to communicate with others, as well as a gay character (Fiona's English teacher, Mr Kellett).
I felt like there was a particular part of the plot that went unanswered, which left me with quite a lot fo questions. The book could have shown a different time point of Fiona being eighteen and being told about this particular part of the plot (and whatever other secrets her parents have kept from her), in order to fully conclude the book instead of some parts being left like a cliffhanger.
⚠️ Content warnings: fertility issues, profanity, child death, cheating, train accident, sexual situations, nazi imagery, indecent exposure to minors, bombing, alcohol use, pornographic material, self harm, mention of suicide and grief ⚠️
This book takes you back to 1996, where we meet Fiona Larson who is eleven (nearly twelve years old). Before Fiona was born, Danielle (Fiona's older sister) died at the fair. Every year, Fiona's mother forbids her to go to the fair. Fiona has no idea what happened to Danielle so she makes it her mission to get to the bottom of this mystery, as well as setting a plan in motion of making this year, the one where she goes to the fair.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a bit of a slow burner at first but I did not mind it too much as it did pick up later on and I found it difficult to put this book down. Even when I was not reading this book, I found myself thinking about it.
Each chapter had a countdown to the fair from 39 days downwards and then a countdown after the fair had finished, as well as a quote from either Fiona's Spy Handbook, her blood project or a paradox. At times, there were quite big jumps within the countdowns, with more of a focus on some days rather than others.
I absolutely loved some of the characters in this book. Fiona was absolutely hilarious at times and some of the things she would come out with were very childish but then again, she is a child. Despite this, she was definitely a lovable character whose sheer determination to go to the fair was admirable. However, I did really feel sorry for her due to her not being able to go to the fair whilst everyone around her is allowed to go, being bullied, not feeling like she fits in at school and the difficulty she has making new friends - it is definitely something that I think a lot of people can relate to. Not only does she have these difficulties but she is growing up in the shadow of her sister and her family seem to have lost sight of the daughter they have in front of them, which really made me sad.
However, I think this book does a excellent job of highlighting how grief can affect everybody differently. It is not until later on that her family seem to snap out of it and start to pay attention to Fiona, instead of like before, being dismissive and not considering Fiona's feelings about not knowing what happened to her sister. Despite her difficulty of making friends, I absolutely loved Fiona's friendship with Lewis, although she definitely takes him for granted a lot of times throughout this book.
I really loved the representation within this book of a deaf character (Fiona's dad) and seeing the adaptations that he uses in order to communicate with others, as well as a gay character (Fiona's English teacher, Mr Kellett).
I felt like there was a particular part of the plot that went unanswered, which left me with quite a lot fo questions. The book could have shown a different time point of Fiona being eighteen and being told about this particular part of the plot (and whatever other secrets her parents have kept from her), in order to fully conclude the book instead of some parts being left like a cliffhanger.
⚠️ Content warnings: fertility issues, profanity, child death, cheating, train accident, sexual situations, nazi imagery, indecent exposure to minors, bombing, alcohol use, pornographic material, self harm, mention of suicide and grief ⚠️
January 4, 2022
10/10 : Oh goodness me, I loved this book! It’s told from the perspective of 11 year old Fiona, who has a dead sister that she never even knew, & for that reason isn’t allowed to go to the annual fair when it’s in town. The trouble is, she doesn’t know WHY? Obviously, at 11, this is dreadfully unjust, so Fiona sets out, with inspiration from a spy book her Grandma gave her, investigating her sisters death, whilst navigating the tumultuous world that is Year 7! I love the precious naivety this age presents, & as a narration style it was refreshingly different. This book is funny, heartwarming & a little heartbreaking too, trying to imagine a youngster grappling with the huge gap left by her sisters death, that she can’t fully comprehend. I utterly fell in love with Fiona and her many mishaps {perhaps because I have an 11 year old in Year 7, too?!}. I’ll definitely be seeking out the other novels by this author!
May 23, 2021
All the Fun of the Fair, written by Caroline Hulse, is a coming-of-age, witty novel about a young girl navigating her way through school life, friendships, family secrets and the death of a sibling.
The main character, soon to be 12 years old, Fiona Larson narrates the story and is a likeable character who simultaneously makes you laugh-out-loud and breaks your heart.
We follow Fiona as she desperately attempts to go to the fair. Her parents have never wanted or allowed her to attend, and she does not understand why.
There are twists, mysteries and plenty of heart warming moments that make this a worth while read. Seeing Fiona’s character develop and learning more about her immaturity as she fights her inner child makes this an enjoyable, mostly light-hearted read. I would definitely recommend!
The main character, soon to be 12 years old, Fiona Larson narrates the story and is a likeable character who simultaneously makes you laugh-out-loud and breaks your heart.
We follow Fiona as she desperately attempts to go to the fair. Her parents have never wanted or allowed her to attend, and she does not understand why.
There are twists, mysteries and plenty of heart warming moments that make this a worth while read. Seeing Fiona’s character develop and learning more about her immaturity as she fights her inner child makes this an enjoyable, mostly light-hearted read. I would definitely recommend!
July 7, 2021
Thank you to Tracy at Compulsive Readers for organising this blog tour and to the publishers for my gifted copy. Included was a postcard with a Spotify link to Fiona's 90's playlist. Which was just fantastic and took me back.
The story is set in 1996 and Fiona is 11, going on 12. Back in 1996 I was 15 so the nostalgia aspect in this tale is fantastic. I remember most of the little nods to the 90's that Caroline Hulse writes about.
What made this story even more relatable to me is the fact that my little town holds a fair twice a year. And I can remember the way I felt when I was younger and the excitement bubbling up when fair day was getting closer. So reading that Fiona wasn't allowed to go to the fair I kind of knew how she would have felt. Not that I never got to go to the fair, but the run up to it my mum would always dish out the "You behave or you won't be going to the fair" line. And believe me I'd dam we'll be on my best behaviour 🤣
Fiona loves a list. Now don't we all, well I do ☺️ her lists are interspersed within the narrative and it's just a little bit of a deeper insight into what she's actually feeling.
Whilst there is plenty of humour and a light hearted feel to All The Fun Of The Fair. There is also a more emotional side to the narrative. Fiona isn't the most popular girl in her school and we get to see the childhood struggles that are involved. Her home life isn't that hunky dory either.
There is plenty in All The Fun Of The Fair for everyone. A pleasant and enjoyable read.
The story is set in 1996 and Fiona is 11, going on 12. Back in 1996 I was 15 so the nostalgia aspect in this tale is fantastic. I remember most of the little nods to the 90's that Caroline Hulse writes about.
What made this story even more relatable to me is the fact that my little town holds a fair twice a year. And I can remember the way I felt when I was younger and the excitement bubbling up when fair day was getting closer. So reading that Fiona wasn't allowed to go to the fair I kind of knew how she would have felt. Not that I never got to go to the fair, but the run up to it my mum would always dish out the "You behave or you won't be going to the fair" line. And believe me I'd dam we'll be on my best behaviour 🤣
Fiona loves a list. Now don't we all, well I do ☺️ her lists are interspersed within the narrative and it's just a little bit of a deeper insight into what she's actually feeling.
Whilst there is plenty of humour and a light hearted feel to All The Fun Of The Fair. There is also a more emotional side to the narrative. Fiona isn't the most popular girl in her school and we get to see the childhood struggles that are involved. Her home life isn't that hunky dory either.
There is plenty in All The Fun Of The Fair for everyone. A pleasant and enjoyable read.
July 6, 2021
I am tempted to lower this review to 3 stars but it seemed unfair as I thoroughly enjoyed this book BUT I found the ending very disappointing. To not address the second storyline which was woven throughout the book and to leave the reader hanging as to what happens (if anything) was irritating and made the ending feel abrupt. Without giving away any spoilers there were clues dropped seeding a second storyline throughout the book but it was never directly addressed between the characters, at the end of the book I found myself reading reviews to check I hadn't just imagined a second storyline and was pleased to see that others had thought the same. I know that not all the ends need to be neatly tied up at the end of a story but it felt like a massive second storyline, it possibly has been left open for a sequel to follow on and address the second storyline but it shouldn't have been so frequently mentioned in the first book if this is the case.
The book stars Fiona Larson who is 11 years old and really wants to go to the local Fair, she has never been allowed to go as before Fiona was born her older sister Danielle died there. Fiona's parents and neighbours won't tell her how Danielle died at the Fair so Fiona sets out to find the answers for herself. It is a well written story, Caroline Hulse has a real talent for being able to write detailed observations of human interaction and behaviour so the reader feels as though they really get to know Fiona. She really succeeded in capturing the essence, personality and the friendships of a young pre-teen girl in the 1990's and Fiona's sharp wit provided some funny moments and lifted what could have been a sad tale in to one that had a lot of life. I enjoyed how the reader was kept guessing as to how Danielle had died although I think the reveal was done too early when considering that the second storyline was never addressed.
A lot of reviewers have said that they think this book should be classified as Young Adult and I both agree and disagree, I think Young Adults would also enjoy this story but I think if this book was just read by Young Adults then some of its beauty would be lost. The reader sees the world through the eyes of Fiona Larson who is 11 years old and has the maturity level of an average 11 year old, she is at times self-centred, mean and obsessed with the rules of the playground. When seeing the world through the lens of Fiona you also see her parents actions through her, if you were reading this as a Young Adult I think that you would identify with Fiona but I feel the nuance comes from reading it as an adult and seeing the actions of the parents from an adults perspective which would possibly be lost on most Young Adults. There is also an element of nostalgia to be found here which I personally enjoyed, the story is set in 1996 in the year of the Euro Championships and before the rise of the internet and mobile phone.
I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of Caroline Hulse's books. I'd recommend this book to anyone looking for an easy, light, interesting read.
The book stars Fiona Larson who is 11 years old and really wants to go to the local Fair, she has never been allowed to go as before Fiona was born her older sister Danielle died there. Fiona's parents and neighbours won't tell her how Danielle died at the Fair so Fiona sets out to find the answers for herself. It is a well written story, Caroline Hulse has a real talent for being able to write detailed observations of human interaction and behaviour so the reader feels as though they really get to know Fiona. She really succeeded in capturing the essence, personality and the friendships of a young pre-teen girl in the 1990's and Fiona's sharp wit provided some funny moments and lifted what could have been a sad tale in to one that had a lot of life. I enjoyed how the reader was kept guessing as to how Danielle had died although I think the reveal was done too early when considering that the second storyline was never addressed.
A lot of reviewers have said that they think this book should be classified as Young Adult and I both agree and disagree, I think Young Adults would also enjoy this story but I think if this book was just read by Young Adults then some of its beauty would be lost. The reader sees the world through the eyes of Fiona Larson who is 11 years old and has the maturity level of an average 11 year old, she is at times self-centred, mean and obsessed with the rules of the playground. When seeing the world through the lens of Fiona you also see her parents actions through her, if you were reading this as a Young Adult I think that you would identify with Fiona but I feel the nuance comes from reading it as an adult and seeing the actions of the parents from an adults perspective which would possibly be lost on most Young Adults. There is also an element of nostalgia to be found here which I personally enjoyed, the story is set in 1996 in the year of the Euro Championships and before the rise of the internet and mobile phone.
I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of Caroline Hulse's books. I'd recommend this book to anyone looking for an easy, light, interesting read.
May 27, 2021
Read as a 3 part readalong (thanks TBC!) I was delighted to get my hands on this ARC as it screamed “up your street” - 90s, coming of age, quirky characters - and I wasn’t wrong. It shot straight into being one of my top reads so far this year.
Capturing the voice of a slightly oddball nearly 12 year old can’t be easy - and yet it is done here brilliantly. Fiona’s voice is utterly genuine and heartwarming. I skipped through each page quickly and have already reread.
An absolutely fantastic read. I’ll be looking out for more by this author.
Capturing the voice of a slightly oddball nearly 12 year old can’t be easy - and yet it is done here brilliantly. Fiona’s voice is utterly genuine and heartwarming. I skipped through each page quickly and have already reread.
An absolutely fantastic read. I’ll be looking out for more by this author.
December 30, 2022
Holiday read LOL funny
August 22, 2023
Enjoyed it.
November 2, 2023
Hilarious, heartbreaking and heartwarming all at once. Highly recommend ☺️
January 3, 2023
Fun book. Takes you back to the awkward teenage moments, the cringing and the trying to fit in at school.
May 7, 2021
This book is astounding: quirky, funny, nostalgic and heart-breaking in places. Highly recommend.
July 7, 2021
Having read Adults, i looked forward to this. I found this even more enjoyable, quirky, gripping and did not want to stop reading. You will be drawn into the whole family situation, the world of 11 year old Fiona Larson. It is a lovely coming of age story, it feels nostalgic, and captivates from the start. The book is a joy, heartwarming and humorous. Read and Enjoy
May 23, 2021
LOVED, loved, loved this book. I've enjoyed all of Hulse's novels - they're beautifully written, I don't feel there are many people writing accessible, well crafted fiction like this right now (she reminds me of Kate Atkinson). The author is just so good at capturing authentic human behaviour in a very funny but also a very sympathetic way. And the same talent is at work in ATFOTF - I adored the main character, Fiona. She's awkward, smart (too smart for her own good!), and has aspirations to be a spy. Oh, and she's 11 years old. And the book is set in the nineties which gave me a big dose of brilliant and welcome nostalgia. The observations about school life (like how if a kid does something once, that becomes their nicknames for life!; how careful you had to be to avoid drawing negative attention to yourself; how cliquey it was) are so well observed and well remembered. And we get Fiona's hilarious account of all of this and more as she tries to finally, FINALLY, get to the fair.
It's a joy. Snap this one up and then I'd recommend reading her back catalogue. Heartwarming reading of a very high standard.
It's a joy. Snap this one up and then I'd recommend reading her back catalogue. Heartwarming reading of a very high standard.
June 1, 2021
Set in the summer of 1996 in a small northern town called Monkford, All the Fun of the Fair tells the story of 11-year-old Fiona Larson who is most upset that she's never been allowed to go to the annual fair, unlike all her classmates.
Fiona's older sister, Danielle, died in 1982 aged 11, before Fiona was born, and her parents, Gail (a driving instructor) and Jonathan (a postman), both aged 52, are secretive about the reasons for Danielle's death and rather protective of Fiona as a result.
We follow the build up to the fair (over 39 days) and learn about all the amusing and daft scrapes that Fiona gets herself into! She doesn't really fit in and only has one close friend, Lewis Harris, but she takes it all in her stride and makes the best of things, taking advice from her junior spy secret handbook and writing lists.
Overall, this was a funny and thought-provoking coming-of-age story! Fiona has a hard time of life for various reasons and she struggles to get her parents to communicate but she's a right character, rather quirky but clever, and her personality really shines through. It's a nostalgic and rather emotional read at times.
Fiona's older sister, Danielle, died in 1982 aged 11, before Fiona was born, and her parents, Gail (a driving instructor) and Jonathan (a postman), both aged 52, are secretive about the reasons for Danielle's death and rather protective of Fiona as a result.
We follow the build up to the fair (over 39 days) and learn about all the amusing and daft scrapes that Fiona gets herself into! She doesn't really fit in and only has one close friend, Lewis Harris, but she takes it all in her stride and makes the best of things, taking advice from her junior spy secret handbook and writing lists.
Overall, this was a funny and thought-provoking coming-of-age story! Fiona has a hard time of life for various reasons and she struggles to get her parents to communicate but she's a right character, rather quirky but clever, and her personality really shines through. It's a nostalgic and rather emotional read at times.
May 21, 2021
This was a quirky book written from the point of view of 12 year old Fiona. Fionas elder sister was taken ill and died whilst she attended the local fair. Her parents have never told her the full circumstances of her death. Fiona becomes fixated on going to to the fair herself but her parents won't let her. Full of the usual teenage angst which is compounded as Fiona doesn't really fit in at school. Both sad and funny in places.
July 10, 2021
‘Thing is, boys are better than girls. They just are.’ All the Fun of the Fair is set in 1996. In the small town of Monkford. where ‘the scouts go camping and the guides make jam’, eleven year old Fiona Larson struggles to fit in both at home and at school. This novel is a funny and revealing account of how she tackles challenges she barely understands.
Fiona is longing to go to the biggest event of her community’s year, the annual summer fair. She is the only person she knows who has never been to the fair, and it irks her. Because, before Fiona was born, her sister Danielle died at the fair, her parents have forbidden her to go. No-one will tell Fiona how Danielle died, and she is desperate to know the truth about the death of the sister she never knew. She sets about solving this mystery in her own characteristic fashion.
Fiona has a methodical mind but finds it difficult to understand how other people think. She uses lists to categorise and interpret information she has observed or discovered. The author, Caroline Hulse, uses these lists, along with Fiona’s collection of what she sees as paradoxes, to inject extra fun into a narrative which is already hilarious. I laughed out loud at Fiona’s attempts to figure out why her parents and school friends often react negatively to her efforts to fit in and make friends.
In some ways Fiona comes across as mature for her age, because she notices all kinds of fascinating details in the behaviour of those around her. However, her way of approaching problems is often childish and inappropriate. She plans her investigations using a home-made spy kit she keeps in a pocket sewn inside her coat, and talks her only friend into doing the same. When she tries to insert herself into a girls’ friendship group, her efforts to win them over are equally inappropriate. Fiona’s inability to grasp the social niceties often leads to problems of her own making.
Some of the questions raised by Fiona’s adventures are never answered, but the clues she unearths point the way to intriguing solutions. Young adults may enjoy All the Fun of the Fair, but I think those who grew up in the Nineties will fully appreciate the humour and the cultural references.
I was given a copy of All the Fun of the Fair in return for an honest review.
Fiona is longing to go to the biggest event of her community’s year, the annual summer fair. She is the only person she knows who has never been to the fair, and it irks her. Because, before Fiona was born, her sister Danielle died at the fair, her parents have forbidden her to go. No-one will tell Fiona how Danielle died, and she is desperate to know the truth about the death of the sister she never knew. She sets about solving this mystery in her own characteristic fashion.
Fiona has a methodical mind but finds it difficult to understand how other people think. She uses lists to categorise and interpret information she has observed or discovered. The author, Caroline Hulse, uses these lists, along with Fiona’s collection of what she sees as paradoxes, to inject extra fun into a narrative which is already hilarious. I laughed out loud at Fiona’s attempts to figure out why her parents and school friends often react negatively to her efforts to fit in and make friends.
In some ways Fiona comes across as mature for her age, because she notices all kinds of fascinating details in the behaviour of those around her. However, her way of approaching problems is often childish and inappropriate. She plans her investigations using a home-made spy kit she keeps in a pocket sewn inside her coat, and talks her only friend into doing the same. When she tries to insert herself into a girls’ friendship group, her efforts to win them over are equally inappropriate. Fiona’s inability to grasp the social niceties often leads to problems of her own making.
Some of the questions raised by Fiona’s adventures are never answered, but the clues she unearths point the way to intriguing solutions. Young adults may enjoy All the Fun of the Fair, but I think those who grew up in the Nineties will fully appreciate the humour and the cultural references.
I was given a copy of All the Fun of the Fair in return for an honest review.
March 27, 2025
This book made me cry.
For the most part, it is quite amusing to see the world from the perspective of a child, to see Fiona, the MC, overreact or wildly misinterpret what to an adult just seem like quite run-of-the-mill things, however at the same time, the narrative is haunted by her sister Danielle, who had died and whom Fiona had never even met, and an undercurrent of grief runs all the way through the story. Danielle is everywhere, but most of all, she is in every interaction Fiona has with her parents, especially her mother, who is still grieving and who - quite explicitly, to my mind - refuses to process her grief because she feels guilty, as if learning to live with loss and grief would betray the memory of her daughter. This refusal to let go harms Fiona, however unintentionally. Being a child on the cusp of puberty is bad enough with all the support and love in the world, but Fiona calls herself 'bad' on multiple occasions, and she struggles with the feelings of not being good enough which are caused by the constant comparisons to Danielle.
The choice of telling the story from the perspective of a child also gave the narrative a lot of space for exposition through showing the reader what was happening (as opposed to telling). Throughout the book, as we see Fiona gathering clues and trying to figure out, what happened to her sister, we can read between the lines of conversations she overhears, even the looks that she notices are exchanged between other characters and infer the truth rather than accepting the words of adults in her life at face value.
The blurbs on the book made this out to be a kind of comedy, but I think that it is most of all an exploration of a young girl's struggles to fit in and to live up to a standard she can never achieve.
For the most part, it is quite amusing to see the world from the perspective of a child, to see Fiona, the MC, overreact or wildly misinterpret what to an adult just seem like quite run-of-the-mill things, however at the same time, the narrative is haunted by her sister Danielle, who had died and whom Fiona had never even met, and an undercurrent of grief runs all the way through the story. Danielle is everywhere, but most of all, she is in every interaction Fiona has with her parents, especially her mother, who is still grieving and who - quite explicitly, to my mind - refuses to process her grief because she feels guilty, as if learning to live with loss and grief would betray the memory of her daughter. This refusal to let go harms Fiona, however unintentionally. Being a child on the cusp of puberty is bad enough with all the support and love in the world, but Fiona calls herself 'bad' on multiple occasions, and she struggles with the feelings of not being good enough which are caused by the constant comparisons to Danielle.
The choice of telling the story from the perspective of a child also gave the narrative a lot of space for exposition through showing the reader what was happening (as opposed to telling). Throughout the book, as we see Fiona gathering clues and trying to figure out, what happened to her sister, we can read between the lines of conversations she overhears, even the looks that she notices are exchanged between other characters and infer the truth rather than accepting the words of adults in her life at face value.
The blurbs on the book made this out to be a kind of comedy, but I think that it is most of all an exploration of a young girl's struggles to fit in and to live up to a standard she can never achieve.
October 30, 2021
Oh what a joy this book is! I laughed, I cringed, I got all nostalgic for the 90s - what more could you want?!
1996. Being a teenager is hard, as Fiona knows. She’s the only person in her school who doesn’t get to go to the summer fair after her sister died there before she was born, and it’s all she can think about. So this year she decides the only way to convince her parents to let her go is to investigate her sister’s death and prove that the same thing won’t happen to her…
Fiona is just wonderful - quirky, hilarious, just trying to fit in at school. I honestly laughed so much at her little spy lists that she writes throughout the story, I’m sure I probably had similarly outlandish thoughts at that age!
But despite how funny and silly this can be, it’s also surprisingly tender and poignant. The death of her sister has clearly cast a shadow over her life and poor Fiona doesn’t feel like she’ll ever be good enough in her parents eyes - at 11, she already believes she’s ‘bad’. This story just shows how the trauma experienced by parents can impact the generations to come, however unintentionally. It also reminds us of just how much kids do pick up and that sometimes telling them the truth is the best answer.
But personally, the laughter and joy far outweighed the heavier stuff in this novel, and as someone who would’ve been a similar age to Fiona in 1996, I could painfully relate to so many of the things she was going through - the fickle friendships which turn sour so quickly, the desperate need to be doing what everyone else is doing, and, of course, all the fun of the fair! A total riot of a book!
1996. Being a teenager is hard, as Fiona knows. She’s the only person in her school who doesn’t get to go to the summer fair after her sister died there before she was born, and it’s all she can think about. So this year she decides the only way to convince her parents to let her go is to investigate her sister’s death and prove that the same thing won’t happen to her…
Fiona is just wonderful - quirky, hilarious, just trying to fit in at school. I honestly laughed so much at her little spy lists that she writes throughout the story, I’m sure I probably had similarly outlandish thoughts at that age!
But despite how funny and silly this can be, it’s also surprisingly tender and poignant. The death of her sister has clearly cast a shadow over her life and poor Fiona doesn’t feel like she’ll ever be good enough in her parents eyes - at 11, she already believes she’s ‘bad’. This story just shows how the trauma experienced by parents can impact the generations to come, however unintentionally. It also reminds us of just how much kids do pick up and that sometimes telling them the truth is the best answer.
But personally, the laughter and joy far outweighed the heavier stuff in this novel, and as someone who would’ve been a similar age to Fiona in 1996, I could painfully relate to so many of the things she was going through - the fickle friendships which turn sour so quickly, the desperate need to be doing what everyone else is doing, and, of course, all the fun of the fair! A total riot of a book!
August 31, 2023
[Book Review] All The Fun of the Fair by Caroline Hulse
11-year-old Fiona Larson badly wants to go to the fair this year but her parents won't let her. All The Fun of the Fair is written from Fiona's perspective and is a 39 day countdown to the fair. We follow Fiona through her school days and home life and see the great lengths (and countless troubles) she goes to as she tries her best to convince her parents - but will they let her go, and what really happened at the fair?
This is a cute, mystery-coming of age story that deals with parenting, grief, death, and the pains of growing up.
I had expected a majority of the book to take place at the fair but that wasn't the case. The plot was also kind of high-context, ambiguous and meandering and felt like it required some detective work on the reader's part (like how one of the characters is hearing impaired but it's never explicitly said).
Nevertheless, I really enjoyed (and was nostalgic for) all of the Britishness of this novel, and all of its quirks. The characters and their relationships to one another were well-written, diverse, tangible and believable. It was interesting how at least one of the storylines (regarding the blood project) wasn't explicitly captured but was hinted at throughout the story, reading between the lines, this was very clever. A touching story that will stay with you for a long time, Hulse's novel is reminiscent of 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time' and 'Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine'.
Thanks very much @definitelybooks for this review copy! Get yours from your favourite bookstore.
11-year-old Fiona Larson badly wants to go to the fair this year but her parents won't let her. All The Fun of the Fair is written from Fiona's perspective and is a 39 day countdown to the fair. We follow Fiona through her school days and home life and see the great lengths (and countless troubles) she goes to as she tries her best to convince her parents - but will they let her go, and what really happened at the fair?
This is a cute, mystery-coming of age story that deals with parenting, grief, death, and the pains of growing up.
I had expected a majority of the book to take place at the fair but that wasn't the case. The plot was also kind of high-context, ambiguous and meandering and felt like it required some detective work on the reader's part (like how one of the characters is hearing impaired but it's never explicitly said).
Nevertheless, I really enjoyed (and was nostalgic for) all of the Britishness of this novel, and all of its quirks. The characters and their relationships to one another were well-written, diverse, tangible and believable. It was interesting how at least one of the storylines (regarding the blood project) wasn't explicitly captured but was hinted at throughout the story, reading between the lines, this was very clever. A touching story that will stay with you for a long time, Hulse's novel is reminiscent of 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time' and 'Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine'.
Thanks very much @definitelybooks for this review copy! Get yours from your favourite bookstore.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2022
Eleven year-old Fiona Larson is desperate to go to the fair and is counting down the days, starting with 39 days before it comes to town. There are a few things she needs to achieve first, most importantly persuading her parents to let her go. Ever since her perfect sister Danielle tragically died at the event, her parents have forbidden her to attend. However, they haven't factored in Fiona's ability to investigate any situation with the help of her junior spying book, to earn money by selling some adult magazines discovered with her friend Lewis, and her attempt to convince her parents she is mature and responsible by taking an interest in 'Gardeners' World' and Balkan politics.
Whilst Fiona is an acute observer of adult behaviour, she frequently misinteprets what is going on, partly due to adult lack of openess and partly through her own active imagination.
This is a book that is about a child's view of the adult world, the difficulty of navigating friendships and school life when you feel you don't fit in and the long-term effects of grief on family life. Despite the seriousness of the themes, it is very, very funny in places and Fiona is a memorable creation.
If you like books such as The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon, Spies by Michael Frayn, The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole by Sue Townsend, The Trouble with Goats and Sheep by Joanna Cannon and The Museum of You by Carys Bray, then there is every chance you will find this a funny and engaging read.
Whilst Fiona is an acute observer of adult behaviour, she frequently misinteprets what is going on, partly due to adult lack of openess and partly through her own active imagination.
This is a book that is about a child's view of the adult world, the difficulty of navigating friendships and school life when you feel you don't fit in and the long-term effects of grief on family life. Despite the seriousness of the themes, it is very, very funny in places and Fiona is a memorable creation.
If you like books such as The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon, Spies by Michael Frayn, The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole by Sue Townsend, The Trouble with Goats and Sheep by Joanna Cannon and The Museum of You by Carys Bray, then there is every chance you will find this a funny and engaging read.
May 14, 2021
Written from the point of view of Fiona Larson, a nearly 12 year old, struggling with so many ‘young people’ expectations, school, friendships, how to fit in and issues of her own self worth. All of this running alongside her natural curiosity to find out how her older sister died before she was born, which seems to be surrounded by mystery and angst. This makes the book feel overall like a YA read and for me that is what made it a 3 star.
The story is easy to read and contains some quirky, well-developed characters who move the story along. Lewis, her erstwhile best-friend, who knows her better than she realises; Sean, a fair-weather friend; the groups of girls at school; the teachers and parents.
The settings and time period were effectively and accurately described transporting back to the 90’s ‘seeing’ the variety of places clearly.
I empathised with Fiona and found myself feeling frustrated with her parents, why couldn’t they be honest with her? The reason do become clear eventually. The characters have all been carefully designed and placed to add layers and meaning to the story, which is not obvious until the last part of the book.
Addressing important issues discreetly was cleverly and subtly handled, carried along until Fiona recognises what and why.
The ending wraps up the plot well, although leaving a tease- feeling we know more than Fiona about her backstory.
An enjoyable and clever story.
The story is easy to read and contains some quirky, well-developed characters who move the story along. Lewis, her erstwhile best-friend, who knows her better than she realises; Sean, a fair-weather friend; the groups of girls at school; the teachers and parents.
The settings and time period were effectively and accurately described transporting back to the 90’s ‘seeing’ the variety of places clearly.
I empathised with Fiona and found myself feeling frustrated with her parents, why couldn’t they be honest with her? The reason do become clear eventually. The characters have all been carefully designed and placed to add layers and meaning to the story, which is not obvious until the last part of the book.
Addressing important issues discreetly was cleverly and subtly handled, carried along until Fiona recognises what and why.
The ending wraps up the plot well, although leaving a tease- feeling we know more than Fiona about her backstory.
An enjoyable and clever story.
July 8, 2021
This is one of those books that blends the emotional and the hilarious with ease, and in Fiona the author has created a wonderful little character who we can all relate to, despair at and connect with on many levels, and I loved how this story just transports you effortlessly to a different place and time - and you don't want to leave!!
Fiona is 11 and the only one in town who has never been allowed to go the local fair when it is in town. She's never been told why but thinks it has something to do with her sister who died there before she was born.. All she wants is to be given the chance to go and see what she's missing out on. Her parents are having none of it.
So feisty Fiona sets out on a journey to go! She's a lover of making lists - a girl after my own heart! - and she devises a way she will make her wish happen. Add to the mix the goings on at her school where she is picked on because she's different, and her relationship with her parents who idolise her late sister - poor Fiona is never gets a look in.
Fiona is a young girl with lots of questions but no answers. You just sense her desperation for some straight talking and the truth, but it's not coming so she is forced into detective mode to try and find out what she wants to know.
At the heart of the story is a very sad tale of a family grieving and struggling to move on, but the lighter touches with Fiona and her 'thoughts and actions' really does lift this book to a wonderful coming of age story!
Fiona is 11 and the only one in town who has never been allowed to go the local fair when it is in town. She's never been told why but thinks it has something to do with her sister who died there before she was born.. All she wants is to be given the chance to go and see what she's missing out on. Her parents are having none of it.
So feisty Fiona sets out on a journey to go! She's a lover of making lists - a girl after my own heart! - and she devises a way she will make her wish happen. Add to the mix the goings on at her school where she is picked on because she's different, and her relationship with her parents who idolise her late sister - poor Fiona is never gets a look in.
Fiona is a young girl with lots of questions but no answers. You just sense her desperation for some straight talking and the truth, but it's not coming so she is forced into detective mode to try and find out what she wants to know.
At the heart of the story is a very sad tale of a family grieving and struggling to move on, but the lighter touches with Fiona and her 'thoughts and actions' really does lift this book to a wonderful coming of age story!
May 20, 2021
This is a quirky, nearly- 12 year olds view of the world and it is pretty sad in many places.
Fiona is a bit of an outcast at school, she is not really sure how to fit in, how to make friends (other than the loyal Lewis, himself a bit of an outcast) and she struggles with relationships. All she really wants is to be allowed to go to the fair.
Fiona is marked by "the dead sister" forever to be in the shadow of Danielle, perfect daughter, friend and human who is enshrined in her old room and venerated by her parents and is also the reason Fiona is not allowed to the fair.
I think Fiona and Lewis were beautifully written, I could feel her angst, her awkwardness and her curiosity spring off the page and Lewis's torn emotions between being a good friend but also not being noticed with Fiona for all the wrong reasons and I wanted to scoop them both up and spirit them somewhere they could be happy being themselves.
I thought the tension built well through the first two thirds of the book but the big reveal was perhaps a little underwhelming after my mind racing through the possibilities of the truth of what really happened to Danielle.
A good read with some really nice characters (I also enjoyed Fionas Nan!) and an intriguing glimpse back into the mindset of a young girl who just wants te truth and a go on the waltzers!
Fiona is a bit of an outcast at school, she is not really sure how to fit in, how to make friends (other than the loyal Lewis, himself a bit of an outcast) and she struggles with relationships. All she really wants is to be allowed to go to the fair.
Fiona is marked by "the dead sister" forever to be in the shadow of Danielle, perfect daughter, friend and human who is enshrined in her old room and venerated by her parents and is also the reason Fiona is not allowed to the fair.
I think Fiona and Lewis were beautifully written, I could feel her angst, her awkwardness and her curiosity spring off the page and Lewis's torn emotions between being a good friend but also not being noticed with Fiona for all the wrong reasons and I wanted to scoop them both up and spirit them somewhere they could be happy being themselves.
I thought the tension built well through the first two thirds of the book but the big reveal was perhaps a little underwhelming after my mind racing through the possibilities of the truth of what really happened to Danielle.
A good read with some really nice characters (I also enjoyed Fionas Nan!) and an intriguing glimpse back into the mindset of a young girl who just wants te truth and a go on the waltzers!
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