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Shades of Scarlet
When Mum gives her the notebook, Scarlet should be happy. It's beautiful, with its shiny scarlet cover and its blank pages full of promise. But Scarlet is absolutely NOT in the mood for a peace offering. Does Mum really think she can tear their family apart and expect Scarlet to be happy about it? Scarlet decides there's only one thing she can write in the notebook. The truth, about everything . . .
- GenresYoung AdultAudiobook
Paperback
First published March 4, 2021
9 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
About the author
Anne Fine
391 books288 followersThough readers often find themselves inadvertently laughing aloud as they read Anne Fine's novels, as she herself admits, "a lot of my work, even for fairly young readers, raises serious social issues. Growing up is a long and confusing business. I try to show that the battle through the chaos is worthwhile and can, at times, be seen as very funny." In 1994, this unique combination of humour and realism inspired the hit movie MRS. DOUBTFIRE, based on Anne's novel MADAME DOUBTFIRE and starring the late comedic genius Robin Williams.
Anne is best known in her home country, England, as a writer principally for children, but over the years she has also written eight novels for adult readers. Seven of these she describes as black - or sour - comedies, and the first, THE KILLJOY, simply as "dead black". These novels have proved great favourites with reading groups, causing readers to squirm with mingled horror and delight as she peels away the layers in all too familiar family relationships, exposing the tangled threads and conflicts beneath. (It's perhaps not surprising that Anne has openly expressed astonishment at the fact that murder in the domestic setting is not even more common.)
Anne has written more than sixty books for children and young people. Amongst numerous other awards, she is twice winner of both the Carnegie Medal, Britain's most prestigious children's book award, and the Whitbread Award. Twice chosen as Children's Author of the Year in the British Book Awards, Anne Fine was also the first novelist to be honoured as Children's Laureate in the United Kingdom. In 2003, Anne became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and was awarded an OBE. Her work has been translated into forty five languages.
Anne Fine lives in the north of England and has two grown up daughters.
Anne is best known in her home country, England, as a writer principally for children, but over the years she has also written eight novels for adult readers. Seven of these she describes as black - or sour - comedies, and the first, THE KILLJOY, simply as "dead black". These novels have proved great favourites with reading groups, causing readers to squirm with mingled horror and delight as she peels away the layers in all too familiar family relationships, exposing the tangled threads and conflicts beneath. (It's perhaps not surprising that Anne has openly expressed astonishment at the fact that murder in the domestic setting is not even more common.)
Anne has written more than sixty books for children and young people. Amongst numerous other awards, she is twice winner of both the Carnegie Medal, Britain's most prestigious children's book award, and the Whitbread Award. Twice chosen as Children's Author of the Year in the British Book Awards, Anne Fine was also the first novelist to be honoured as Children's Laureate in the United Kingdom. In 2003, Anne became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and was awarded an OBE. Her work has been translated into forty five languages.
Anne Fine lives in the north of England and has two grown up daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
May 19, 2021
I enjoyed this but I felt was more middle grade than YA, it’s a very honest and real that captures the emotions people go through when their parents are separating, so I do think this would be a useful read to kids going through this, but just didn’t feel YA to me.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
April 19, 2021
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I always loved Anne Fine novels when I was younger. Her books were always my go-to reads from my school library. I was so excited to find that she had released another novel!
This book would be so helpful and useful for anyone who goes through what Scarlet goes through - Dealing with her parents separating and keeping secrets from her because they think she is too young to handle it. Some of the topics are tough but they are really important to get out there and to show children than it’s ok, and normal for things like this to happen and you can get better and grow from it.
I would really recommend readers of all ages to buy this book, and I will be buying a few copies for my old primary school to keep in the library for young children to be able to read and understand more about what it could be like for someone who goes through Scarlet’s situation.
Thank you NetGalley and Anne Fine for this book.
I always loved Anne Fine novels when I was younger. Her books were always my go-to reads from my school library. I was so excited to find that she had released another novel!
This book would be so helpful and useful for anyone who goes through what Scarlet goes through - Dealing with her parents separating and keeping secrets from her because they think she is too young to handle it. Some of the topics are tough but they are really important to get out there and to show children than it’s ok, and normal for things like this to happen and you can get better and grow from it.
I would really recommend readers of all ages to buy this book, and I will be buying a few copies for my old primary school to keep in the library for young children to be able to read and understand more about what it could be like for someone who goes through Scarlet’s situation.
Thank you NetGalley and Anne Fine for this book.
February 24, 2022
I dnfed this book :( I couldn't relate to the plot or the protagonist. I didn't understand why she did the things she did, making things even more complicated. I just felt she was too immature. 2 stars
Updated review: I finished the book and my opinion has changed. She saw her mean attitude and changed it for the better. Never really apologized to her mother though. Still the ending was really lovely and left me with a hint of satisfaction having read the book. 3 stars it's a good book.
"Just water under the bridge"
Updated review: I finished the book and my opinion has changed. She saw her mean attitude and changed it for the better. Never really apologized to her mother though. Still the ending was really lovely and left me with a hint of satisfaction having read the book. 3 stars it's a good book.
"Just water under the bridge"
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2022
I felt like I was too old to enjoy this. The feelings of the main charachter were jouvanile and boring. It was nice that she discovered that she was an annoying shit, but I did not enjoy the journey.
April 23, 2021
Audio 1.5⭐️*
Was too young for me. Scarlet was just immature and unkind and not very understanding. But I can see the appeal to a younger audience
Was too young for me. Scarlet was just immature and unkind and not very understanding. But I can see the appeal to a younger audience
March 6, 2021
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I have given Shades of Scarlet by Anne Fine three out of five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
We follow our main character, Scarlet, who is going through a difficult time; trying to accept her parents separating and moving on with their lives. Scarlet mainly focusses on the negative parts of her parents separating, which is completely understandable as it can feel as though the world is coming to a halt. I found Scarlet to be a relatable character of many who might have gone through a similar family situation as Scarlet’s, I really liked her character and loved seeing Scarlet grow into a more understanding and mature character by the end of this book. I found it quite difficult to connect with Scarlet’s best friend, Alice, I wasn’t a great fan of her character and didn’t like some of the things she came out with.
I must praise Anne Fine’s descriptive writing, especially when Scarlet’s emotions are soaring high in anger and frustration. I think this book is a great read for younger readers who might be going through a parents’ divorce or separation as they’ll be able to relate to a lot of Scarlet’s feelings and emotions and to feel as though they’re not alone. On the other hand, I think this is a good book for adults too as Anne writes about the struggles of what Scarlet’s parents are going through too. Divorce and separation are tough topics to base a story upon however I think they’re very important that should be spoken more about.
Looking back on my younger self, I would have really appreciated reading this story. I, amongst a lot of other families, have experienced my parents going through a divorce. Although I was very young, other people might have been through a divorce or separation when they were old enough to understand it a little more. However, I don’t think that’s to say that everyone would understand or know how to deal with negative emotions that they might experience along the way. I thought this book dealt with the highs and lows surrounding this topic very well.
I would definitely recommend readers of all ages to pick this book up, especially those who have been through a similar situation that this book is based around. Shades of Scarlet was published earlier this week on 4th March 2021, thank you NetGalley for receiving a copy of this book.
We follow our main character, Scarlet, who is going through a difficult time; trying to accept her parents separating and moving on with their lives. Scarlet mainly focusses on the negative parts of her parents separating, which is completely understandable as it can feel as though the world is coming to a halt. I found Scarlet to be a relatable character of many who might have gone through a similar family situation as Scarlet’s, I really liked her character and loved seeing Scarlet grow into a more understanding and mature character by the end of this book. I found it quite difficult to connect with Scarlet’s best friend, Alice, I wasn’t a great fan of her character and didn’t like some of the things she came out with.
I must praise Anne Fine’s descriptive writing, especially when Scarlet’s emotions are soaring high in anger and frustration. I think this book is a great read for younger readers who might be going through a parents’ divorce or separation as they’ll be able to relate to a lot of Scarlet’s feelings and emotions and to feel as though they’re not alone. On the other hand, I think this is a good book for adults too as Anne writes about the struggles of what Scarlet’s parents are going through too. Divorce and separation are tough topics to base a story upon however I think they’re very important that should be spoken more about.
Looking back on my younger self, I would have really appreciated reading this story. I, amongst a lot of other families, have experienced my parents going through a divorce. Although I was very young, other people might have been through a divorce or separation when they were old enough to understand it a little more. However, I don’t think that’s to say that everyone would understand or know how to deal with negative emotions that they might experience along the way. I thought this book dealt with the highs and lows surrounding this topic very well.
I would definitely recommend readers of all ages to pick this book up, especially those who have been through a similar situation that this book is based around. Shades of Scarlet was published earlier this week on 4th March 2021, thank you NetGalley for receiving a copy of this book.
February 9, 2021
I started reading Anne Fine’s books with my children and they were great favourites. I was then introduced to her adult fiction through “Telling Liddy’ which I absolutely loved, so I was very excited to read a copy of Shades of Scarlet. This is the story of Scarlet, an only child whose parents have just split up. At the start of the story, Scarlet has been ‘forced’ to leave the family home to live in rented accommodation with her Mother. Scarlet goes through many emotions during the course of the book: frustration; anger; sadness; resentment; feelings of displacement. Discovering her Mother has a new man, Scarlet is uncertain about her future and how she will fit in with her parents’ plans. I absolutely loved this book. Fine has a way of diving into the psyche of every character she depicts, however young or old. I am not a teenager, but Scarlet honed into memories of my teenage years and resentments about adult decision making. There is such a strong sense of Scarlet’s conflict about siding with one or other of her parents. Her anger switches between the two of them as does apportioning the blame for the situation they find themselves in. All the characters are beautifully drawn including her group of friends. Fine has such a lightness of touch as she presents a Mother struggling to negotiate a new life for herself whilst balancing the needs of her teenager; a young boy recovering from an accident watching lights flickering on his wall instead of going out with his friends..I think that her biggest achievement in this book is in conveying the perspective of all the generations involved. It is beautifully done. And it made me really laugh - often! She just really gets it. This is a book which will be enjoyed by adults and children alike. With thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this wonderful book.
November 30, 2021
Anne Fine is one of my favourite Young Adult writers and her Carnegie Medal winner, Flour Babies is one of the funniest books that I have ever read; every sixteen year old boy needs to read it. Seeing this brand new title at my local library, I could not resist it. It is a serious story of the family life complexities that Fine is expert at depicting. Here is Scarlet’s story in her thirteenth year, a single child, coping with a parental separation, even though it is an amiable one.
Fine’s focus is on Scarlet, the narrator and her best friend Alice who do not follow the usual line of trying to reconcile her parents but get further into complications that they can’t manage by interfering with the parent’s interests in other possible partners. Scarlet spends equal time living with her mother and father but sees that her father needs more training to be an effective single parent. His character is perhaps too forbearing and forgiving. The mother does not take the two girl’s good intentions kindly at all as they enjoy the game of steering the parents in to the paths of new partners. That game soon gets out of control as shown by Fine’s excellent writing to reveal the dynamics of mother-daughter relations with crackling dialog bridging chasms of best not said thoughts
Fine’s focus is on Scarlet, the narrator and her best friend Alice who do not follow the usual line of trying to reconcile her parents but get further into complications that they can’t manage by interfering with the parent’s interests in other possible partners. Scarlet spends equal time living with her mother and father but sees that her father needs more training to be an effective single parent. His character is perhaps too forbearing and forgiving. The mother does not take the two girl’s good intentions kindly at all as they enjoy the game of steering the parents in to the paths of new partners. That game soon gets out of control as shown by Fine’s excellent writing to reveal the dynamics of mother-daughter relations with crackling dialog bridging chasms of best not said thoughts
June 11, 2022
This isn’t YA. This is distinctly middle grade, like, younger than Percy Jackson middle grade.
And look, Anne Fine does what she does well. As a kid, I LOVED Billy’s New Dress (very dated now though) but I have noticed the language older writers of children’s fiction is very old fashioned, almost obscure. Like when Scarlet’s Dad says (paraphrasing slightly) “I’d have biffed him” I was like, what in the 1960’s?! Or there’s a scene where Scarlet fights with her friend Jake and then later they make up, Scarlet’s friend Alice asks if Scarlet would have been soft on Jake if the situation between them didn’t exist (Scarlet’s Mum left her dad for Jake’s uncle) and Scarlet’s reaction is no. But then she talks about she wouldn’t fancy Jake and I’m confused because I thought they were talking about the fight.
So yeah, this story is about a girl whose parents are getting divorced because of adult situations and there’s a lot of meddling and sulking and catty comments and it’s just not the kind of stuff I’m here for. I could handle it being MG mislabelled as YA if the story didn’t feel incredibly dated, but it does. And there’s some weird attitudes to kids dating, and technology, and parenting skills that just don’t exist past 1988.
Not for me.
And look, Anne Fine does what she does well. As a kid, I LOVED Billy’s New Dress (very dated now though) but I have noticed the language older writers of children’s fiction is very old fashioned, almost obscure. Like when Scarlet’s Dad says (paraphrasing slightly) “I’d have biffed him” I was like, what in the 1960’s?! Or there’s a scene where Scarlet fights with her friend Jake and then later they make up, Scarlet’s friend Alice asks if Scarlet would have been soft on Jake if the situation between them didn’t exist (Scarlet’s Mum left her dad for Jake’s uncle) and Scarlet’s reaction is no. But then she talks about she wouldn’t fancy Jake and I’m confused because I thought they were talking about the fight.
So yeah, this story is about a girl whose parents are getting divorced because of adult situations and there’s a lot of meddling and sulking and catty comments and it’s just not the kind of stuff I’m here for. I could handle it being MG mislabelled as YA if the story didn’t feel incredibly dated, but it does. And there’s some weird attitudes to kids dating, and technology, and parenting skills that just don’t exist past 1988.
Not for me.
March 2, 2021
Thank you so much for letting me review this book!
I absolutely enjoyed learning about Scarlet and her family. At first I thought that her mum and dad breaking things off would be a good thing but then learning that her mum was having an affair with someone else I felt really sorry for Scarlet's dad. I understood why the mum did it but she didn't realise how much of an impact it would have on Scarlet and her life.
Scarlet mainly focused on all of the negative things that had come out of her parents separating but this highlights how some children may feel during this transition. Scarlet felt as if her whole world had come tumbling down and was trying to come to terms with it in the only way she knew.
Scarlet is quite a relatable character for young children as she goes through some of the same issues that most children have. This book can help be used to help children cope with the transition of going from having 2 parents who live together to having one.
I laughed at some point of this book as some of it was really funny but there are times where Scarlet could have been a bit better behaved and dealt with things differently than what she did. But overall, I really really enjoyed this book.
I absolutely enjoyed learning about Scarlet and her family. At first I thought that her mum and dad breaking things off would be a good thing but then learning that her mum was having an affair with someone else I felt really sorry for Scarlet's dad. I understood why the mum did it but she didn't realise how much of an impact it would have on Scarlet and her life.
Scarlet mainly focused on all of the negative things that had come out of her parents separating but this highlights how some children may feel during this transition. Scarlet felt as if her whole world had come tumbling down and was trying to come to terms with it in the only way she knew.
Scarlet is quite a relatable character for young children as she goes through some of the same issues that most children have. This book can help be used to help children cope with the transition of going from having 2 parents who live together to having one.
I laughed at some point of this book as some of it was really funny but there are times where Scarlet could have been a bit better behaved and dealt with things differently than what she did. But overall, I really really enjoyed this book.
August 12, 2022
I think this book described exactly how I would feel if I was in the same position as Scarlet. I felt that her mum was being a little selfish, making all these changers in the life of a young person, giving her very little time to process all the changes that were brought onto her life by her parent decisions and expecting her to co-operate and still be a 'good little girl'. Scarlet isn't a bad person, as shown in the end of the book; I think she just needed some time to get used to the way things were going to be from now on for her. One bit of the book especially annoyed me. The bit where Scarlet suggests that her dad could help her mum with her clogged drain and meter reding when they we moving to Sanjay's flat and her mum shouted at Scarlet that she could do things on her own. If that was my mum I wouldn't have helped her and that was when I would have decided that I would be putting her in a care home ASAP. But it's good that by the end of the book Scarlet was happy and content.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2021
*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the free book.*
Despite it's categorisation, this is middle grade and not YA. The protagonist is quite young and her parents are divorcing. The inner world of the main protagonist was convincing, especially to me whose parents divorced when she was 12.
I rated it only 3 stars because it was a bit boring to me, maybe it's because I'm way too old. But it was well written and I am sure I would've enjoyed it, had I been 15 years younger.
3 Stars
Despite it's categorisation, this is middle grade and not YA. The protagonist is quite young and her parents are divorcing. The inner world of the main protagonist was convincing, especially to me whose parents divorced when she was 12.
I rated it only 3 stars because it was a bit boring to me, maybe it's because I'm way too old. But it was well written and I am sure I would've enjoyed it, had I been 15 years younger.
3 Stars
January 3, 2024
Pretty much gulped it down in one aftenroon/evening after picking it up at the library.
Nothing too much to say, except that it was sensitively and honestly written .
Something strange clicked within me as I swept through its pages -- can't really say what. But the dialogue felt real.
Nothing too much to say, except that it was sensitively and honestly written .
Something strange clicked within me as I swept through its pages -- can't really say what. But the dialogue felt real.
February 23, 2021
Shades of Scarlet is different from a lot of the books I've read. It gives the perspective of a young girl named Scarlet, who's parents have separated. Anne Fine masterfully depicts Scarlet's anguish, anger and confusion throughout the book as she tries to cope with the changes At certain points, I felt the story was slowed down and Scarlet became rather unlikeable, but as the story progressed, I started enjoying her as a protagonist. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book.
February 27, 2021
I enjoyed this book a lot. I've always liked Anne Fine's writing and this is recognisable as hers. I think it's great that a new generation of pre-teens and teens will be introduced to her.
This book was brilliant for young people navigating through divorce, separation and blended families. It takes us through Scarlet's various emotions from anger, to upset, to seeking revenge, to acceptance. We also see Scarlet grow and learn to look at the world from different perspectives. A great read.
This book was brilliant for young people navigating through divorce, separation and blended families. It takes us through Scarlet's various emotions from anger, to upset, to seeking revenge, to acceptance. We also see Scarlet grow and learn to look at the world from different perspectives. A great read.
April 6, 2022
I enjoy Anne Fines’s novels (I still recommend ‘Blood Family’ regularly), and ‘Shades of Scarlet’ did not disappoint. Whilst family break-up is something many teens face, the actual process is not often a plot line in YA books. Scarlet was a believable and likeable character from the first page. Her reactions to the turmoil around were credible and her growth throughout the novel was clear. Worthy of space in any secondary school library.
September 28, 2025
Can’t really remeber the plot that well as I read it a while ago. Though I do remember that I felt it was way too young for a ya and had to struggle through a bit. Her parents separate and she is furious with her mum so becomes closer to her dad. The end is really wholesome with her mum splitting with her new boyfriends and buying her own lush house and her dad finding a partner and becoming not lonely .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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March 5, 2021I, unfortunately, DNFed this book as I thought it was a Young Adult contemporary but it's middle grade and I don't really read enough of them to be able to give good feedback. I can, however, see how many children going through the same thing Scarlet goes through would love this book very much. I'll be sure to recommend to any parents with children.
July 11, 2021
Listened to this via audiobook which lasted about 5 hours.
It was a solid book, and would be a good read for any children going through a similar situation. I do say children as it is a preteen narrator, and there were a few things that made it pronounced - such as saying how a few people in the class were starting to like boys… does this make them about 10?
It was a solid book, and would be a good read for any children going through a similar situation. I do say children as it is a preteen narrator, and there were a few things that made it pronounced - such as saying how a few people in the class were starting to like boys… does this make them about 10?
October 29, 2022
This wasn't really YA. The most mysterious part of the book was trying to figure out Scarlet's age. Scarlet was annoying and bratty, as was her friend. The plot had potential, if I wasn't so annoyed at the main character. However, it was still an enjoyable audiobook to listen to, and I did enjoy Scarlet's character development towards the end.
May 28, 2024
There were points when I almost thought I was going to hate this book, the characters are so unlikable to begin with but I was after something light and easy to read and kept going and ultimately warmed to the characters. The book is not great but it's good enough and perhaps might resonate more with divorced parents or their children or perhaps with a teen audience.
April 5, 2021
Anne Fine is such a good writer: this has a lightness of touch and real perception concealed in a really easy-to-read structure. Lovely memorable characters and no glib solutions. Looking forward to sharing this one at work!
April 12, 2021
Shades of Scarlet is a wonderful and heartfelt read that really captures what young people go through when their parents are separating. It's a book that would be ideal to give children in that situation so they know what they are feeling is ok.
February 4, 2024
The main character was pretty unbearable for me for the most part, just someone I wouldn't have wanted to be friends with. How old even was she? She acted like she was 10 or younger, lol. There was mad character development at the end, though, which is always nice
February 19, 2025
We start the story with Scarlet (we don’t see how old she is but I would say 11 or 12?) a feisty, confident girl who’s parents have just divorced. It goes through her feelings as the reality of separation seeps in. It takes us on a journey of raw emotion.
February 26, 2021
From a master storyteller.
March 25, 2021
There wasn't much plot but the audiobook was still enjoyable.
August 14, 2021
Really heart warming story, really easy to follow and a story that a lot of readers these days moor better or for worse may be able to relate to.
I really liked it :)
I really liked it :)
February 15, 2022
Annoying character…ugh… I don’t like one sided narration. Grabbed YA for a bit of an easy-read and I couldn’t wait to finish.
April 8, 2023
Very boring. Nothing much happens. Mum moves, then moves again. The end.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews