Feeling Sorry for Celia

The cover's horrible. Don't look at it. If ever there were a case of "don't judge a book by its cover" this is it.

I love this author. This is the second book of hers I've tried, and I'm sure I'll be polishing off the rest of this series before the end of the year.

I guess I started them out of order, but I don't think it matters. This one focuses on Elizabeth Clarry (also a character in The Murder of Bindy MacKenzie) and is told through notes and letters, including imaginary letters from various "associations" (such as The Association of Teenagers) that represent Elizabeth's many anxieties.

This book reminded me of the pen pals I made growing up. It makes me feel old to think that I used to exchange addresses with people as readily as show more cell numbers, emails or Facebook friendships are exchanged now. The letters between Elizabeth and Christina are often laugh-out-loud funny, but they also represent so much of what is beautiful in a budding friendship.

Jaclyn Moriarty writes creatively and humorously about the pain and joy of growing up. I'm glad there are more of her books out there for me to read! show less

I thought it was going to be teenage fluff, but in the middle Shit Gets Real. Or as real as it can get with the caricaturish cast (negligent hippy-dippy Mom, flakey dad, Celia = classic Manic Pixie).

The letters from made-up associations are actually a clever way to get across the double-triple-guessing and self-criticism that make up a teenager's thought processes. The point after Elizabeth's dog died and Saxon and Maddie ended up together, and Lizzy was getting all the discouraging notes from these entities? I felt a shiver of recognition. That's exactly how depression talks.

Another thing I found I could personally relate to was the feeling of helplessness when your best friend gets sick, or is going through some things in her life, show more and you start to wonder about how things are between you and where you stand. How to be there for her? Was she really ever there for you? Should you even be thinking about in a reciprocal way? But in light of all these new developments, are you still best friends? Friends at all? Does old friend trump new friend?

There's a part where Elizabeth says that writing to Celia would be weird, because it would be like writing to her own self. Celia, without being told, should just *know*.

Then the letter from Celia of course shows that she had a different perspective on the same event. Just goes to show that we can't assume a person, even our BFF, will always remain our mind-twin.

The backbone of the story of course is the relationship between Elizabeth and Christina, and as it is with the epistolary format, it pulls you into what are supposed to be their intimate thoughts, so you feel connected with them sooner.

It was therefore so satisfying to watch how they started with a dumb school writing assignment and ended up to each other as the kind of best friend you'd have with you during a crisis. It's inspiring me to write all my friends and tell them, I'm sorry I've been so self-centered, and How have you really been? And since I have like, about 4 or 5, that shouldn't take long.

My takeaway from this is that I have to learn how to be a better pen friend, and real life friend. Actually, good friendship lessons all around in this book, messy incidents (almost suicide, teenage sex, cheating father) aside. How you don't have to pull a Grand Gesture to be Best Friend of The Year. Sometimes the best thing to do is just be attentive and Be There. And don't worry about how stupid and messy it feels, just write/call/chat/e-mail already. Etc.

I feel that this is turning cheesy so I'll leave it here. But the few people, you know who you are, you'll be hearing from me soon. show less

Another reread of an old favorite. I love epistolary books anyhow, and this one is particularly amusing with letters from little clubs and societies that don't exist. I really enjoy the localized Australian content in the book, which might make it difficult for some American readers, but serves to really set the narrative. Beyond that, the descriptions of what each character is going through are very realistic and thoroughly engaging.

While I generally like Moriarty's books, and even the ones that have unlikable characters (like Bindy McKenzie), I couldn't get into Feeling Sorry for Celia quite as much as I expected to. While I liked Elizabeth and Christina, I did not and could not like Saxon, Maddie, or Celia herself. She seemed like such a terrible and selfish friend. The idea that it's ok to grow apart from a best friend and keep doing what you want to is a good one, though, and it's a quick read.

HERE IS A REVIEW!!!! RIGHT HERE ON YOUR COMPUTER SCREEN!!!

Like the other [a:Jaclyn Moriarty|47290|Jaclyn Moriarty|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1199066598p2/47290.jpg] book I read recently ([b:Finding Cassie Crazy|12273769|Finding Cassie Crazy|Jaclyn Moriarty|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51MZzFcykPL._SL75_.jpg|2161186]), this is written in epistolary format and includes letters, the backs of postcards, and random notes. The notes from Elizabeth’s mother were probably my favorite bits as they all started in a similar way to how I started this review (HERE IS A NOTE!!! RIGHT NEXT TO THE REFRIGERATOR!!! ) and her mother would give her topics to think on and/or discuss—what she thinks of purple nail polish, what a catchy show more slogan could be for a product, or thoughts on socks. (I have a lot of thoughts on socks and have, on numerous occasions, been accused (rightly) of stealing socks from my roommates. I practice the old “sibling rule” that if you leave it in my room, it becomes mine.) Liz’s mother cracked me up--“I hope you feel better today. Please ring me at work if you are dead."

Because I read one other Ashbury High book before this one, I can’t help but compare and I enjoyed Finding Cassie Crazy more. The humor was more consistent and I found myself more invested in each of the relationships. The tone here felt more serious and, while I did find much of it humorous, those moments were further apart. (how many times can I say the word ‘more’?) Rather than focusing on a group of friends and their pen pals, Feeling Sorry for Celia catalogs the formation of one friendship (Liz and her pen pal Christina) while Liz is simultaneously having trouble in her relationship with her best friend Celia. I had a hard time with Celia’s character because she was flighty and (overly) adventurous. I see how Celia’s home situation contributed to her wanderlust but it doesn’t mean that I think she’s a good friend to Liz. The developing friendship between Liz and Christina was lovely, as they both supported each other from the get-go and actually cared what was going on in the other’s life. Celia seemed like one of those friends you dread calling because they will just ramble on about their life and never ask you about how you’re doing.

My friend and I were talking the other day about authors we adore enough to read everything they ever write. I think Jaclyn Moriarty is a kindred spirit. (Anne with an ‘e’ would definitely think so) She is funny, her characters are endearing, and she is successful at wring epistolary YA. Keep doing it, JM, and I will keep buying and reading everything you write. In fact, I have the two remaining Ashbury/Brookfield books already lined up. show less

Elizabeth's relationship with her mother is limited to fridge note, her inner teen is sending her warning letters, and now her teacher has forced a pen pal down her throat. If only her missing best friend would send her a letter, instead of forcing her to rely on a complete stranger.
This was funny, endearing, tender, Australian, unpredictable, and satisfying. I'd give this to fans of realistic school stories, especially comic ones. And while this was thoroughly entertaining, it was't fluff, I keep thinking about Elizabeth and her friends and family long after finishing the book. I am happy to see it it part of a series, hurrah!

Very cute book. I loved Elizabeth and her mom, and ended up not feeling all that sorry for Celia. The devise of using letters, notes, and postcards to tell the story was very interesting, and made for an interesting look into the life of a teenager. (One who isn't in love with any supernatural creatures at that!)