Amazon.co.uk Review
Feeling Sorry For Celia is a true one-off, a bright, funny and incredibly original read.

Witty and sharp, the book follows Elizabeth, an imaginative and intelligent teenager. A genuinely sympathetic and well-rounded character, Elizabeth divides her time between worrying for flighty best friend Celia, keeping her divorced parents happy, mourning her lack of suitors, running and homework.

The narrative takes the form of all Elizabeth's correspondence, from notes left by her infuriating mother to postcards from her eccentric runaway best friend Celia. Far from making the story disjointed, this device adds to its readability and helps to build suspense. All the characters including very minor ones are so well drawn that it is impossible not to get involved with them.

Perhaps the most hilarious parts of the book are the scathing letters that Elizabeth receives from the various organisations which have spotted her shortcomings, including the Young Romance Association and The Association of Teenagers.


Dear Elizabeth Clarry,
We feel that it is our duty to ensure that you are not getting any crazy ideas. This young man who's been talking to you on the bus? What's his name--Saxon Walker? He is simply not ever going to be interested in you.

My dear child, he is a popular boy, a cool boy, smart, funny, athletic and gorgeous. Perhaps in your imagination such a boy might be interested in you. But never in reality, Elizabeth. Never.

You are merely a running partner to him. No more. We do not wish to offend you, only to warn you.

Best Wishes,

Cold Hard Truth Association

These letters from Elizabeth's subconscious to herself are a really effective contrivance and a hilarious way of expressing how grievous she imagines her keenly felt faults to be. All readers will be able to identify with Elizabeth and remember all those internal confidence-destroying voices that everybody hears during their teenage years.

A really enjoyable funny and touching read. I don't even know where this book came from, it was just on my shelf and.... it has a review on the front from Marian Keyes saying she wished she'd written it, and I totally see what she means!

Reserved for the YA swap on Book Obs 7th Feb 09

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

I am going for a look at the shelf and will put this book on it! If you pick this book up, I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did, and help it to travel further.

I chose this one from the groaning shelves of the Camel and Artichoke last night. I am going to re-release it at Redbridge Green Fair, where I hope it finds its next reader.

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

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