Thursday, April 28, 2011

After January


title: After January
Author: Nick Earls
first published: 1996 University of Queensland Press

Meet Alex Delaney, awkward teenage boy of 17 waiting for the 20th of January, the day the university offers are printed in the appear. school is over, a far off memory, the future has to wait, and here is Alex stuck in the middle. he and his mum are at their beach house, expecting a normal summer, of early morning swims, reading, pool and poetry with Len next door and cricket. as long as Alex can remember this has been summer, slowly though people have stopped coming and development has changed the little town, this summer Alex meets a girl.

this is a fabulous summer romance told from the perspective of the guy, which I've never read before. it was charming, are very realistic, it was sweet in parts, but in a believable way. i think the thing that made it so true to life was the awkwardness. this was their first relationship, there were awkward moments, meeting parents, being given money for condoms because 'protection is important' or offering to fix a car when you have no clue about engines.

Alex is a quiet, deep thinking, poetry writer, and just gorgeous. he isn't characterture, or based on a stereotype of jerky jock or unbelievably sweet, but not cute guy, which are the typical boys in romance, he fits in the middle. he can't fix a car, but he makes a great loaf of bread. it's nice to get a story that's about average people, not broken souls, like in Sarah dessen (though i love her work) this is about talking to a girl because you have noting to lose, kissing on the beach and falling asleep holding hands. NO SEX! it's a sweet novel about a summer of growth. have i raved enough yet? all the characters are unique and hold their own. the relationships they all have with each other and Alex add to the story. Len and Alex are funny, talking cricket, poetry and pool each summer, and Fortuna's mother and father and so different, yet in love.

it's also has talk of parents lives, not as parents but as people, respecting the environment/anti-development talk and what you're offering the world, where you want to go. this makes it a deep novel and is well aimed for teenagers, though i found it a touch hard to read, but i think that was my mood. it isn't exactly a page turner or an all- time favourite, but it is probably my favourite teenage romance, it's what i want from my 1st boyfriend.

17 comments:

Ismé said...

i love books like this, I will have to read it, sounds great. I agree with you about the 'refreshingly normal' character, sometimes everyone being super special and destined to change the world depending on whether or not they eat that cheese sandwich is nice. It makes it really realistic.
Thanks!

Isme
The Book Slooth

BLINGLICIOUs said...

Sounds good:) will try and read:)
x

Luisa at Chicklish said...

This sounds great! Thank you for the review.

Anonymous said...

Oh thanks; I'm glad you like the pictures!
Well, I tend to just search about the internet for pictures that I like or am looking for/into.

Romi.x

Anonymous said...

Hi Anna! Thanks for the comment! I'm just writing up a post for WTWCTW! YAY! I'm back in action!
Thanks, I'm so glad you like the post on TDT! ( : HP rules!

Anonymous said...

I know; aren't they just teriffic! YAY! Typewriters!

Anonymous said...

Hi Anna!
Its a picture from a TV show that I like, called Black Books.
My sister named her cat after the rowdy durnk owner of the bookshop.(not pictured but will be soon!)
Romi.x

kate.o.d said...

so glad you loved this one. it's probably one of my favourite books. i usually read it once a year at least.

nick earls writes such lovely boys. you should read 48 shades of brown. dan's great. (but alex is my favourite)

i laughed at your NO SEX! exclamation. because of the sex scene. even though they don't go "all the way" i'd still call it a sex scene.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you liked the pictures!Thanks for letting me know! ( :
Urm, yes! I've made quite a few of the picture quotes, I'm actually selling my own ones on my etsy shop, though I haven't gotten them up yet. ( :

Jess - The Tales Compendium said...

Hi Anna,

Jess from The Tales Compendium here *waves*

Do you have an email address that I can contact you through? I couldn't find one on here...

If you don't want to post it on here, can you send me an email? jwillis87(at)hotmail(dot)com

speak soon! x

Anonymous said...

You so are artistic!
Ok, looking forward to your entry!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for your comment Anna and also for your entry! Good luck!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your comment!
Really? I personally adored the Golden Compass! It was the best! ( :
I've heard of If I stay, I did a Q&A with Gayle Foreman, author of the series, but I've not read it.

Anonymous said...

I know! snow is awesome!

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad!

Anonymous said...

I know, I love her store! And the carnival cards are like the prints, but smaller and cheeper!

Anonymous said...

I know! I really want one too!