Tuesday, November 29, 2011

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart

The Loyal Order of the Basset Hounds. Ever heard of it? No? Well everyone at the elite boarding school Alabaster Prep has... including the naturally curious and uncommonly bright Frankie Landau-Banks.  Although everyone knows about the secret society of the most promising and and rich male students on campus, no one has ever tried to question it.  Once Frankie realizes she can't belong to the Bassets or even discuss the existence of the Loyal Order with her supposedly-Basset boyfriend, she decides to use her cunning, scheming mind to manipulate the Loyal Order to do her bidding.  By using an anonymous online identity, Frankie turns the Loyal Order completely upside down, but there's always a price to messing with the powerful.

With a satirical and anti-sexist/anti-classist feel, "The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks" is a book that everyone can read and relate to. The narrator is an omnipresent 3rd person who tells the story in a very matter-of-fact and straightforward manner, telling this somewhat peculiar story without a hint of sarcasm or judgement.  I laughed and laughed throughout the entire book, and also felt a sense of pride when Frankie did anything that pushed the sexist limits of her peers, teachers, and parents.  However, Frankie is by no means a flawless hero.  There are times when she is ruthless, egocentric, and stubborn, but those qualities just make her an authentic character that you continue to root for.

I'd say this book is perfect for ages thirteen and up, but there are plenty of in-jokes for adults who might like to pick it up as well (for example, Frankie's affection for P.G. Woodhouse). E. Lockhart has written quite a few books, and each one is absolutely fantastic, but "The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks" truly takes the cake with its phenomenal presentation, original characters, quick pacing, and lively, engaging narrator.

"The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks" by E. Lockhart has the Abigail T stamp of approval: this is legitimate young adult fiction.


Buy "The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks" on Amazon now!



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