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Finding Darcy
"Then I found what I was looking for. A photo of a man in army uniform. Written in pencil, on the back of the photo, was Darcy Charles Fletcher, 1941.”When Darcy Abbott is sent to live with her surly grandmother and silent great-grandmother (and a TV curfew of 9.30 and no internet access) for three months, she discovers a mystery regarding the death of her great-grandfather, Darcy Charles Fletcher, during World War II.By Finding Darcy, Darcy Abbott discovers exactly what she has been searching for all her life — except she didn’t know it.From the author of the award-winning Allie McGregor’s True Colours comes this powerful story of the damage that secrets can wreak over generations — and the healing liberation of truth.
272 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2008
12 people are currently reading
301 people want to read
About the author
Sue Lawson
40 books69 followersSue Lawson is an award winning young adult and junior fiction author, with a passion for
young people, writing and reading. Her books are recognized for the sensitive way they
explore the exciting and heartbreaking complexities of adolescence.
A former teacher, Sue has also worked for both ABC and commercial stations and currently
works part time for Geelong's BAY FM.
Her book Pan’s Whisper was shortlisted for the 2012 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards,
Young Adult Fiction, won the 2012 Australian Family Therapist Award, Children’s Literature
and was shortlisted for other awards.
Her latest young adult novel, based on real events, is Freedom Ride.
young people, writing and reading. Her books are recognized for the sensitive way they
explore the exciting and heartbreaking complexities of adolescence.
A former teacher, Sue has also worked for both ABC and commercial stations and currently
works part time for Geelong's BAY FM.
Her book Pan’s Whisper was shortlisted for the 2012 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards,
Young Adult Fiction, won the 2012 Australian Family Therapist Award, Children’s Literature
and was shortlisted for other awards.
Her latest young adult novel, based on real events, is Freedom Ride.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
November 27, 2018
I absolutely loved this novel! I could relate to Darcy in several ways, and although I felt the story was a bit slow at times, I genuinely enjoyed it!
June 28, 2023
3,5. It is fine, but I enjoyed it. Fresh and easy story about a teenager who searches for her great grandpa, while touching other topics such as bullying or family issues. The end though was quite disapointing
December 20, 2019
such a moving story...
May 18, 2020
good book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2021
the main character was is i likeable.
June 13, 2022
Had to read it for class and actually really enjoyed it
March 9, 2009
I am ashamed to admit this but I bought the book because I thought the cover was pretty. Turns out I was rewarded with a great read, but isn't that poppy as pretty as a picture?
I really loved this book. The combination of Darcy's dissatisfaction for living with the women of her family, classroom bullying and a thirst for information on her great-grandfather (for whom she was also named) is riveting. I am a bit of a war buff (history is my thing); so the beautiful incorporation of Darcy's piecing together information on her forefather within a contemporary Australian setting was compelling to me.
Darcy's been saddled with a living history project and as such begins to research her great-grandfather with the extra difficulty of World War II discussion being banned in her home. Through this research, Darcy is able to better understand why her somewhat crazy great-grandmother, Batty, and her unyielding grandmother, Misery, as pieces of information begin to fit together and the truth is revealed. I think what stayed with me the most, is the damage that is wrecked on a family by war, not just the immediate generations but those following too. It felt intensely personal at times, light hearted at others.
Themes of family, love, grief, war, bullying and anger are strong throughout. Lawson has a beautiful way of sharing her world with the reader and the storyline had me entirely invested in the outcome. The humour was great throughout - it had me from the moment I read Darcy's nicknames for her grandmothers. This book highlights that by talking about our lost loved ones, we give them the best legacy, remembrance.
The humour, drama and tension of this novel, along with the peppering of our country’s war history is an amazing read exploring the relationships between four generations of women. I loved each of the character’s complexity, their journey to understanding and organic growth. It is all these things that helped me decide to make it one of my texts for English this year. I think that is the best recommendation I can give a book (and that I will be reading her other titles).
I really loved this book. The combination of Darcy's dissatisfaction for living with the women of her family, classroom bullying and a thirst for information on her great-grandfather (for whom she was also named) is riveting. I am a bit of a war buff (history is my thing); so the beautiful incorporation of Darcy's piecing together information on her forefather within a contemporary Australian setting was compelling to me.
Darcy's been saddled with a living history project and as such begins to research her great-grandfather with the extra difficulty of World War II discussion being banned in her home. Through this research, Darcy is able to better understand why her somewhat crazy great-grandmother, Batty, and her unyielding grandmother, Misery, as pieces of information begin to fit together and the truth is revealed. I think what stayed with me the most, is the damage that is wrecked on a family by war, not just the immediate generations but those following too. It felt intensely personal at times, light hearted at others.
Themes of family, love, grief, war, bullying and anger are strong throughout. Lawson has a beautiful way of sharing her world with the reader and the storyline had me entirely invested in the outcome. The humour was great throughout - it had me from the moment I read Darcy's nicknames for her grandmothers. This book highlights that by talking about our lost loved ones, we give them the best legacy, remembrance.
The humour, drama and tension of this novel, along with the peppering of our country’s war history is an amazing read exploring the relationships between four generations of women. I loved each of the character’s complexity, their journey to understanding and organic growth. It is all these things that helped me decide to make it one of my texts for English this year. I think that is the best recommendation I can give a book (and that I will be reading her other titles).
August 15, 2018
Oh, My God! I almost cry all the book!!!
The moment when Darcy say goodbye to Charlie is a heartbreaker, and the Misery's apologies was shocking, but the Sean's letter was a little empty..
By otherside, I loved Darcy, I cried with her and enjoyed with her!
Perfect and historic!!!
The moment when Darcy say goodbye to Charlie is a heartbreaker, and the Misery's apologies was shocking, but the Sean's letter was a little empty..
By otherside, I loved Darcy, I cried with her and enjoyed with her!
Perfect and historic!!!
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July 21, 2014Even though this was a schoolbook and I thought I wasn't going to like it due to peoples past opinions on this book, I did enjoy it. Actually quite a lot more than I anticipated I would. I think that the mystery behind discovering her grandfather was an intriguing topic then I expected. I like the notes throughout the chapters of how you see the impacts that the letters have throughout the novel. The characters were well described and from the very detailed descriptions made you feel like you could relate easily. I thought that since it was a schoolbook, nothing explicit would be realised. I was surprised however when there were mentions of: lesbians, racism, swearing, smoking, body image, bullying and more harsh topics. I liked it though how it mentioned these things. It made it more appealing and made it feel like it was real.
March 3, 2015
I do love this book, I read it years ago after spotting the cover in a library and having to pick it up, it's a very touching and heartwarming story. This book manages to explore Australian history without making it dull or boring to read, and I actually found myself learning a lot from this, there is a good balance of history information and just general information on Darcy's life. Finding Darcy is a very sweet book and I'm glad I read it.
January 10, 2011
It was a tear jerker but a really goood one for me because i am really iinterest in australian war history. This book is about one girls quest for information on her past. Her grandmother and great granmother refuse to tell her anything so she has to find out for herself. It is very goood and i would suggest it to anyone
August 18, 2012
A moving, well written story about a child's journey of discovery. Darcy's school research project about her great grandfather's involvement in WW2 reveals much about her ancestor, her living family and herself. Recommended for anyone interested in the mysteries of family dynamics...and a great read.
February 28, 2014
Finding Darcy was a great book about how people act because of certain things. The way that Darcy's great-grandfather's death, Darcy's father's death and Darcy being bullied by Neanderthal/Nathan all tied together about how people can have two sides. It was a heart breakingly beautiful book!!!
April 14, 2014
The book is an easy read, with some Australian WWI history. Darcy has to spend some time with her grandmother and great grandmother. The relationships are strained with a family secret about her great grandfather. It is an engaging read.
August 9, 2015
A quick little read for young people about a young girl finding out the true story of her great grandfathers death in WWII about a part of Australian war I had never heard of before. The funny part is driving home listening to the news today was when there was a segment on this exact event!
February 17, 2010
I loved this books since the day I picked it up, I can really relate to it.
September 28, 2012
Why didn't I write a review about this earlier???
I really liked this book. Very inspiring and sweet.
I really liked this book. Very inspiring and sweet.
February 22, 2015
Far too simplistic and unsubtle for me, but I could see younger readers enjoying this one. Always like to see stories about Australian history.
June 6, 2016
2.5 /5
January 30, 2017
I loved this boo. Read it to assist a student who is studying it this term. It captivated me. The author has truly captured the essence of what effect this would have on a family.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews