Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Personal Development/Self Harm
'Freckles' by Cecelia Ahern
Alegra had been given the nickname at school, a bodily feature that she had inherited from her Pops, most definitely not her mother. She'd been fascinated with the dot-to-dot arrangement & particularly how, when joined, they formed interesting patterns including star constellations. When this peculiar past time & obsession had been discovered, all writing material had been confiscated, so she switched to using sharp objects. Years later, she was left with channels of white, scarred, raised skin, the constellations still clear.
Raised by her father, she had always had a curiosity about her mother, but members of her family had always been open about events surrounding that time. When she discovers the whereabouts of her absentee parent, she relocates with the intention of bringing about a happy reunion between mother & daughter. Six months later, after an encounter with an angry customer she feels compelled to think about the people she wants in her life & is her mother one of them?
'You are the average of the main 5 people in your life' - this gave me pause for thought, never mind Allegra. If you had to pick 5 people who influence your life, & have helped shape the person you are, who would you choose?.....& is 'giving everything for something worth the risk of ending up with nothing'? Isn't that kind of unfair on who or what comprised of the everything? I'm paraphrasing from the book here, but it does make you think. I love Cecelia Aherne's novels as I find that they always ask a question, pose a dilemma, make the read evaluate...something. There is often a message. In doing so, perspectives regarding people, places & surroundings can be altered, as Alegra experiences. She looks for her five people assuming that they can be found in the place she grew up, when in fact all bar one are actually immersed in her new life. If only she'd look hard enough & realise the importance of the roles they play in each other's lives.
I found this novel to be a bit of a slow burner. It didn't really get going for me until nearly half way through. I do tend to find that this is a running theme through Cecelia Aherne's books though..might just be me. However, they are always worth the wait & perserverence. This is a story about one girls struggle & determination to gain acceptance & recognition from the people around her, & to assert her place in the world. Allegra is a socially awkward yet quirky questioning character with a hell of a high tolerance for alcohol, lack of sleep & wild nights out ....but a likeable one.
I bought 'Freckles' for my best friend last Christmas, who still hasn't read it, but as another big Cecelia Aherne fan, I will now be recommending that she definitely does!
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