Review: Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella

Fourteen year-old Audrey suffers from a severe anxiety disorder that leaves her a prisoner in her own home.  Her condition is so severe that she is unable to make direct eye-contact with those around her, even her family, using dark sunglasses to cover her eyes.  Though she's being treated for her disorder, it isn't until she meets her brother's friend, Linus, that she allows herself to believe that there is a hope for this debilitating condition. Linus makes her feel alive, energized. He doesn't look at her like she's a freak, or a weak victim of the bullying that caused this condition like her parents do. Linus allows Audrey to see the hope in finding herself, reinventing and rediscovering the brilliant and beautiful young woman she is.

It was challenging to relay the depth of the premise of the novel.  At first glance, you might believe this to be one of those “young woman finds a man who saves her” sort of novels.  It’s not.  While Linus’ character is the vehicle for Audrey’s change, Audrey herself is most definitely the driver.  Stuck at home due to her condition, Audrey is treated as a victim by her family, they walk on eggshells around her as not to upset her or intensify her anxiety.  So, when Linus walked through the door, startling Audrey into terrified silence, it allowed her to see that she’s not as fragile, as breakable, as she may have seemed. She wants a life beyond the doors of her home. Linus challenges her to see beyond the constraints of her disorder, to try to break out of the mold that has kept her prisoner for so long.

While the readers are never told directly what act led to Audrey’s condition, we do know that it was rather severe, involving the expulsion of several students and the termination of an administrator.  While, at first, this void in information was frustrating. it forced the reader to instead focus on Audrey and her recovery than to obsess about the act that caused it.  This tact will help young readers connect with Audrey, for any young adult experiencing bullying could easily insert themselves into Audrey’s character and comprehend what she must be experiencing.

Kinsella truly shines in this novel. She deals with a pretty tough and weighty subject, yet does it alongside wit and humor as to not bring down the tone of the novel. It’s a truly delightful read for all ages, for old fans of Kinsella’s work or new.  While the main character is female, the secondary characters (and a parallel storyline about computer games) would interest both male and female readers.  A fun and fast read to enjoy on a summer day!  Highly recommended!