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Beyond Evie
Charlotte has a good life. She's a gifted athlete and she loves hanging out with her friends. It's true, she doesn't talk much about how she feels since her father's death - but that's just Charlotte. That's the way she is. Now there's something else she doesn't talk about, either. How can she tell anyone about what happened last year? How can she tell anyone about Evie?
- GenresLGBTRomanceYoung Adult
208 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2010
68 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Burton
3 books4 followersRebecca Burton is the author of three novels, most recently her novella, Ravenous Girls, which won the 20/40 Publishing Prize and is published by Finlay Lloyd Publications. Her two previous books were the young adult novels Leaving Jetty Road and Beyond Evie, both published by HarperCollins Australia and overseas.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 3, 2023
A contemplative, melancholy novel about a teenage girl who falls in love with a female coworker.
The story is told from the point of view of the main character Charlotte in retrospect, that is, she tells the story about her first love AFTER its over (and you don't know whether that's because Evie, her object of desire, is dead or just gone, until the end of the story).
In the course of the story, you get to know Charlotte better and you find out some things about her background (for example, the depression of her father, who died when she was a young girl).
The sensitive and often sensory style of writing makes it easy to empathize with the young woman and her worries and needs.
Thoughtful, intelligent, complex, empathetic - very recommendable!
The story is told from the point of view of the main character Charlotte in retrospect, that is, she tells the story about her first love AFTER its over (and you don't know whether that's because Evie, her object of desire, is dead or just gone, until the end of the story).
In the course of the story, you get to know Charlotte better and you find out some things about her background (for example, the depression of her father, who died when she was a young girl).
The sensitive and often sensory style of writing makes it easy to empathize with the young woman and her worries and needs.
Thoughtful, intelligent, complex, empathetic - very recommendable!
August 30, 2023
A quiet, contemplative read for a quiet, contemplative train ride from the city back home.
I've tried reading this book before - but I always stopped midway through, knowing there was a sad ending coming. Truthfully, if I'd finished it in high school, when I first picked it up, I would've bawled my eyes out. I'm glad I read it as an adult. I'm glad I can look back on the experience of loving a girl who will never love you back with a sense of calm (and far more dignity than my high school self had.)
I wouldn't say I enjoyed it, exactly, but I do believe it holds value to young women who are just learning about themselves and their sexuality. It handles the themes of loss and grief gently, and it makes the gut-punch at the end all that more effective.
I've tried reading this book before - but I always stopped midway through, knowing there was a sad ending coming. Truthfully, if I'd finished it in high school, when I first picked it up, I would've bawled my eyes out. I'm glad I read it as an adult. I'm glad I can look back on the experience of loving a girl who will never love you back with a sense of calm (and far more dignity than my high school self had.)
I wouldn't say I enjoyed it, exactly, but I do believe it holds value to young women who are just learning about themselves and their sexuality. It handles the themes of loss and grief gently, and it makes the gut-punch at the end all that more effective.
April 25, 2011
Charlotte lives a rather distant life. She loves sport and hanging out with her friends but mostly keeps to herself, especially her thoughts and feelings. But one day, Evie appears. Charlotte has no idea how she feels towards Evie, who is her complete opposite and is always confusing her; she never knows if Evie is being serious, truthful, or just saying something for the shock value. All she knows, is that she feels something.
Beyond Evie explores the relationship between our narrator, Charlotte, and Evie. The story is told from the perspective of Charlotte, addressing the reader as Evie, writing to her after the events of the previous months. We discover Charlotte's instant infatuation with Evie, her confusion as she questions her sexuality and the constant questioning over how Evie possibly feels towards her.
In terms of the characters, none of them are very likeable, with the exception of maybe Amy and Noah (Charlotte's sister and her boyfriend). While I can relate maybe to Charlotte on one or two points, I can't relate to Evie's nature at all, and I just couldn't like her as a character. I don't feel the personalities of the supporting characters are easy to like or relate to either.
This story is told with a huge amount of suspense, hinting to us the whole way through that something negative has happened concerning the girls and why Charlotte feels the need to be writing to Evie. It is all very cryptic and the only reason I pushed on with this read was because I did want to know what had happened. Unfortunately I felt the ending was rather anti-climatic and while the story is ultimately about what Charlotte learns about herself and her outlook on life, it just wasn't enough for me.
Beyond Evie explores the relationship between our narrator, Charlotte, and Evie. The story is told from the perspective of Charlotte, addressing the reader as Evie, writing to her after the events of the previous months. We discover Charlotte's instant infatuation with Evie, her confusion as she questions her sexuality and the constant questioning over how Evie possibly feels towards her.
In terms of the characters, none of them are very likeable, with the exception of maybe Amy and Noah (Charlotte's sister and her boyfriend). While I can relate maybe to Charlotte on one or two points, I can't relate to Evie's nature at all, and I just couldn't like her as a character. I don't feel the personalities of the supporting characters are easy to like or relate to either.
This story is told with a huge amount of suspense, hinting to us the whole way through that something negative has happened concerning the girls and why Charlotte feels the need to be writing to Evie. It is all very cryptic and the only reason I pushed on with this read was because I did want to know what had happened. Unfortunately I felt the ending was rather anti-climatic and while the story is ultimately about what Charlotte learns about herself and her outlook on life, it just wasn't enough for me.
April 3, 2016
I enjoyed reading Beyond Evie and thought it was explained very well. It was quite a short book but I didn't think it needed to be any longer. I do feel sorry for Charlotte, as it would be awful to be betrayed and used like that. Her emotions through out the book were so intense yet sounded so real. It wasn't the best book I have read but it did a good job with showing the relationship between the same genders. It was different from any other book I have read and would recommend it if you want a quick read.
August 4, 2012
A short and bittersweet novel about a girl who falls in love with another girl in her younger days. Very honest and believable as a short chapter of a young person's life. Captures the innocence and obsession of a first love. Recommended for a quick read :)
October 16, 2012
Some beautiful imagery in some parts, I loved Noah and Amy, but in general the story was just disappointing.
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August 5, 2011compact yet so v intense.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews