One of our Books of the Year 2015 - June 2015 Debut of the Month Audrey’s family life is reassuringly normal. There’s her Daily Mail reading mum, computer game addicted big brother, and well-meaning dad trying, and generally failing, to say the right thing. It’s sharply observed comedy, and very funny. Audrey has problems though which make her life different to most teens. She suffers from an anxiety disorder which means any contact with other people, even looking them in the eye, is very difficult. With real understanding and a light touch, the book describes her efforts to cope. Audrey’s tentative relationship with her brother’s friend Linus makes for a very sweet romance, while the story gives full weight to the pressures she’s facing. ~ Andrea Reece
A Letter from the author Sophie Kinsella
Dear Reader,
As the author of the Shopaholic series, I have always tried to write about contemporary issues that readers will relate to. To my delight, millions of readers across the globe have enjoyed the tales of my debt-ridden heroine, Becky Brandon.
I have now taken a new direction with my first Young Adult book, Finding Audrey, which I am excited to introduce to you. Audrey is a teenage girl suffering from Social Anxiety Disorder. She has experienced bullying, and as a result has become virtually a prisoner in her own home. This is the story of her journey to recovery, with the help of a boy named Linus. It’s sad in places, but funny, too, and romantic as only a teen story can be. Audrey has been through a difficult time but she never loses her wit, nor her positive spirit.
As a parent of teens myself, I am well aware of the tough issues that they face – from
bullying to screen addiction and fledgling relationships. I melded all these issues into the story of a family battling through as best they can. Perhaps that is one of the
messages of the book – the curveballs will always come in life, and all we can do is try our best, keep our chins up and stay looking forward.
It was a wonderful experience for me to write in a new style, to a new audience. I quite fell in love with the whole Turner family. Part of Audrey’s therapy involves her filming her family for a fly-on-the-wall documentary. The reader gets to ‘see’ the documentary through snippets of film script and this was an exciting new twist for me.
I hope that readers find the story of Audrey and her chaotic family a funny and uplifting one. I also hope that it provides reassurance to any young reader – or indeed parent - going through similar problems. Audrey is a brave, charming and resourceful girl and I hope she will inspire my readers as much as she has inspired me.
Sophie Kinsella
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