Status
Available
Call number
Call number
F Mar
Genres
Collection
Publication
Orchard Books (NY) (1999), 256 pages
Description
During her senior year in a Catholic school in Sydney, Australia, seventeen-year-old Josie meets and must contend with the father she has never known.
Subjects
Original publication date
1992-10-05
Similar in this library
User reviews
LibraryThing member Khatera
The beginning of the book was very interesting which a good thing is for the reader. The novel is based on the life and the problems of Josephine, an Italian teenager who is nearly finished her schooling at St Martha’s High school. I think that many of her stories and problems are mainly related
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to teen problems and I think that it some parts of it can also relate to me. The book is based on real life teenager stories and as a result to that I think that many of us teens can understand what Josephine would have went through, and that we would agree with most of her feelings. At the moment I am on chapter four. I think that it is a really good book. Josephine is in her year that she will be doing her HSC, which must be very challenging for her. I can’t wait to continue reading! Show Less
LibraryThing member frances114
I throughly enjoyed this book. All the characters are well defined, and have their own personalities. They're fiery, passionate people, who, though are not always the nicest, give the book a vivacity and realism that makes one feel like you know them personally. This book is quite fast paced and
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never boring. I didn't enjoy it as much the first time i read it, but it certainly grows on you. Show Less
LibraryThing member Sashana
Oh what a tangled web she weaves! And no, I’m not referring to Shakespeare or even deception for that matter. I’m talking about Melina Marchetta and her wonderful way of weaving a story with such breathtaking and dynamic relationships. It’s almost as if I can feel the emotions that her
I’m not going to waste time (yours or mine) by giving you a plot summary. Frankly, you can read the synopsis, other reviews, or better yet, the actual book. Instead I’ll focus on sharing a few of the many things that made me love this novel.
1. My love for this book would not be complete without Josephine Alibrandi. She has such a warm heart and forgiving nature. I loved the way she welcomed her father into her life without resentment. I love that she has values and a strong sense of family.
2. Australia has been dubbed one of the friendliest countries in the world. However Marchetta has given the rest of us a glimpse of the real Australia. And while I am sure it is a country filled with smiles, rainbows, and butterflies I’ve learned that these are not its defining traits. It is a country filled with a rich history, diversity, prejudice, and some very kick ass slang. I mean, who walks around saying words like wog? And wagged? The Australians that’s who! And while most of the slang in this book went over my head it didn’t take away from the enjoyment factor (it added to it).
3. Can I just say how refreshing it was to read about ‘real’ Italians? Because it was! I am a little misled about their culture because of shows like the Jersey Shore and Jerseylicious (which I admit are my guilty pleasures). But these were far from the Gorilla Juiceheads we watch on MTV. Marcehetta showed us the gossipy neighbors, the outdated yet strong traditions, the fiery tempered and passionate Italians that are often overshadowed by their vulgar MTV counterparts.
One has to wonder what Australia is in hiding ‘down under’. Because Melina Marchetta is certainly a hidden gem.
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characters are going through; which leads me to believe that I’m either an empath or Marchetta is just that good. I’m going for the latter. I’m not going to waste time (yours or mine) by giving you a plot summary. Frankly, you can read the synopsis, other reviews, or better yet, the actual book. Instead I’ll focus on sharing a few of the many things that made me love this novel.
1. My love for this book would not be complete without Josephine Alibrandi. She has such a warm heart and forgiving nature. I loved the way she welcomed her father into her life without resentment. I love that she has values and a strong sense of family.
2. Australia has been dubbed one of the friendliest countries in the world. However Marchetta has given the rest of us a glimpse of the real Australia. And while I am sure it is a country filled with smiles, rainbows, and butterflies I’ve learned that these are not its defining traits. It is a country filled with a rich history, diversity, prejudice, and some very kick ass slang. I mean, who walks around saying words like wog? And wagged? The Australians that’s who! And while most of the slang in this book went over my head it didn’t take away from the enjoyment factor (it added to it).
3. Can I just say how refreshing it was to read about ‘real’ Italians? Because it was! I am a little misled about their culture because of shows like the Jersey Shore and Jerseylicious (which I admit are my guilty pleasures). But these were far from the Gorilla Juiceheads we watch on MTV. Marcehetta showed us the gossipy neighbors, the outdated yet strong traditions, the fiery tempered and passionate Italians that are often overshadowed by their vulgar MTV counterparts.
One has to wonder what Australia is in hiding ‘down under’. Because Melina Marchetta is certainly a hidden gem.
Show Less
LibraryThing member mcgarry
Yr 9 - Yr 10.
Josephine Alibrandi is seventeen, illegitimate, and in her final year at a wealthy Catholic school. This is the year she meets her father for the first time, and allows him to come back into her life, the year she falls in love, tests friendships, the year she discovers the secrets of
Josephine Alibrandi is seventeen, illegitimate, and in her final year at a wealthy Catholic school. This is the year she meets her father for the first time, and allows him to come back into her life, the year she falls in love, tests friendships, the year she discovers the secrets of
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her family's past and the year she sets herself free. Show Less
LibraryThing member shell70
Love this book as I did the movie. I was surprised to find out that the movie didn't stray from Marchetta's novel. A must read for all students.
LibraryThing member ankabemo
Good read- suitable for young adult collection
LibraryThing member msu-kballard
Looking for Alibrandi is about an innocent yet troubled seventeen year old. Josephine tells her own story is this conflicting book. The story tells of a confused, yet rebellious Italian girl who lives in Australia that doesn’t have a father. She goes to a Catholic school and is in trouble with
I would recommend this book to both male and female 15 years old and older. Whether you have these conflicts in your personal life or not , it is good reading because I am sure you can relate to something in this story.
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the nuns often. She lives with her single mom that after seventeen years mentions that Josephine’s father is back in town. She argues with her grandmother that tries to control every moment of Josephine’s life. Josephine has two love interest, one being a rich and intelligent young man that also goes to a private school and one being a motorcycle riding bad boy. She is a mixed up Australian/Italian who is always fighting with the Australians. Josephine uncovers a family secret that only she and her grandmother share. Long-lost dad comes back into the picture after almost eighteen years and while they both fight against developing a relationship, fate would bring them closer together. Josephine also has to deal with a friends’ suicide. From cover to cover, this book is full of controversy whether it be her own or a close friend. She searches for her own answers to a lifetime of mystery while experiencing every kind of torment imaginable. She is a very aggressive person that takes care of business, her family and her friends. This books deals with sex, attempted rape, family secrets, illegitimacy and prejudice. It captures your attention from the first page. I would recommend this book to both male and female 15 years old and older. Whether you have these conflicts in your personal life or not , it is good reading because I am sure you can relate to something in this story.
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LibraryThing member wsquared
It's Josephine Alibrandi's last year at her elite Catholic school in Sydney. She just wanted to get through the year without any problems, but things don't always go as planned. As a third generation Italian, Josephine doesn't quite fit in with the popular girls at school, who pester her with
This is a story about relationships -- Josephine's relationships with her mother, her grandmother, her father, the boys in her life, her classmates, and even Australian society -- and that is where the book's strengths lie, especially the characterization of the grandmother-mother-daughter dynamic. And while I thought the building of the bond between Josephine and her father was well-done, I never bought into either of the love interests. I also thought the time structure of the novel was awkward. A whole year is packed into a few hundred pages, so it's almost a series of vignettes, which doesn't make for a compelling read. There's also a weird plot point near the end that changed the tone of the book and seemed like a contrived fix to bring the plot points to a certain conclusion. Overall, it was an interesting coming-of-age story, but I'm not sure how relevant it would be to American teens almost 20 years from its original publication date.
I listened to the audio version of this book, whose narrator I never fully warmed to. The narrator's accent was at times charming, but veered to annoying in bits. I'm curious what my reaction to the story would be had I read it in print. But despite some of my misgivings with the book, I'd still like to see the film based on it if I could find a copy here in the US.
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racist remarks. And she's torn between her long-time crush, the perfect on paper John Barton, and the bad boy from the local public school, Joseph Coote. To top it all off, her father, who didn't even know she existed, returns to her life. We follow a year in Josephine's life as she struggles to find herself amidst these complications.This is a story about relationships -- Josephine's relationships with her mother, her grandmother, her father, the boys in her life, her classmates, and even Australian society -- and that is where the book's strengths lie, especially the characterization of the grandmother-mother-daughter dynamic. And while I thought the building of the bond between Josephine and her father was well-done, I never bought into either of the love interests. I also thought the time structure of the novel was awkward. A whole year is packed into a few hundred pages, so it's almost a series of vignettes, which doesn't make for a compelling read. There's also a weird plot point near the end that changed the tone of the book and seemed like a contrived fix to bring the plot points to a certain conclusion. Overall, it was an interesting coming-of-age story, but I'm not sure how relevant it would be to American teens almost 20 years from its original publication date.
I listened to the audio version of this book, whose narrator I never fully warmed to. The narrator's accent was at times charming, but veered to annoying in bits. I'm curious what my reaction to the story would be had I read it in print. But despite some of my misgivings with the book, I'd still like to see the film based on it if I could find a copy here in the US.
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LibraryThing member bell7
Josephine Alibrandi knows what it's like to deal with labels. She never felt like she fully fit in, because she was born in Australia but had Italian roots, and has a single mother. Now she's a scholarship student and a senior at a Catholic high school, still struggling to know herself. Josie has
Written in an almost-diary format, Josie has a compelling and authentic voice of a seventeen-year-old coming into her own. Each chapter is written in first-person past tense, but comes across as if the events she relates just happened. It's not quite a diary, however, as there are no dates heading up each chapter, and weeks can go by between pages. Almost an entire year is covered, as Josie learns about herself, her family, and her dreams. The story covers a lot of ground in terms of her relationships with friends, boys, her father, and her grandmother, but the theme holding the story together is Josie's coming of age and growing to know herself. Realistic teen fiction doesn't always age well, but this search for identity will always have currency, and the only parts that date the story are brief references to Doc Martens and a tape deck. Though not as streamlined or complicated as Jellicoe Road, this is still a book I would recommend.
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to navigate relationships with her mother, her Italian grandmother who seems to find nothing good to say about her daughter, and her father, Michael Andretti, who shows up out of the blue after abandoning her mother eighteen years ago. She wants to break free of everyone's rules and expectations, but does Josie even know what she expects of herself?Written in an almost-diary format, Josie has a compelling and authentic voice of a seventeen-year-old coming into her own. Each chapter is written in first-person past tense, but comes across as if the events she relates just happened. It's not quite a diary, however, as there are no dates heading up each chapter, and weeks can go by between pages. Almost an entire year is covered, as Josie learns about herself, her family, and her dreams. The story covers a lot of ground in terms of her relationships with friends, boys, her father, and her grandmother, but the theme holding the story together is Josie's coming of age and growing to know herself. Realistic teen fiction doesn't always age well, but this search for identity will always have currency, and the only parts that date the story are brief references to Doc Martens and a tape deck. Though not as streamlined or complicated as Jellicoe Road, this is still a book I would recommend.
Show Less
LibraryThing member RefPenny
Josephine Alibrandi is a seventeen year old Australian girl of Italian descent. She is in her last year at a Catholic school and she is illegitimate. During this last school year she finally meets and starts to form a relationship with her father, falls in love for the first time and learns some
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family secrets. This book has won many awards and become something of a classic. It is a status that is well-deserved. Josephine is frustrating at times, like most teenage girls, but her story is warm and original. A good read for teenage girls. Show Less
LibraryThing member Sashana
Oh what a tangled web she weaves! And no, I’m not referring to Shakespeare or even deception for that matter. I’m talking about Melina Marchetta and her wonderful way of weaving a story with such breathtaking and dynamic relationships. It’s almost as if I can feel the emotions that her
I’m not going to waste time (yours or mine) by giving you a plot summary. Frankly, you can read the synopsis, other reviews, or better yet, the actual book. Instead I’ll focus on sharing a few of the many things that made me love this novel.
1. My love for this book would not be complete without Josephine Alibrandi. She has such a warm heart and forgiving nature. I loved the way she welcomed her father into her life without resentment. I love that she has values and a strong sense of family.
2. Australia has been dubbed one of the friendliest countries in the world. However Marchetta has given the rest of us a glimpse of the real Australia. And while I am sure it is a country filled with smiles, rainbows, and butterflies I’ve learned that these are not its defining traits. It is a country filled with a rich history, diversity, prejudice, and some very kick ass slang. I mean, who walks around saying words like wog? And wagged? The Australians that’s who! And while most of the slang in this book went over my head it didn’t take away from the enjoyment factor (it added to it).
3. Can I just say how refreshing it was to read about ‘real’ Italians? Because it was! I am a little misled about their culture because of shows like the Jersey Shore and Jerseylicious (which I admit are my guilty pleasures). But these were far from the Gorilla Juiceheads we watch on MTV. Marcehetta showed us the gossipy neighbors, the outdated yet strong traditions, the fiery tempered and passionate Italians that are often overshadowed by their vulgar MTV counterparts.
One has to wonder what Australia is in hiding ‘down under’. Because Melina Marchetta is certainly a hidden gem.
Show More
characters are going through; which leads me to believe that I’m either an empath or Marchetta is just that good. I’m going for the latter. I’m not going to waste time (yours or mine) by giving you a plot summary. Frankly, you can read the synopsis, other reviews, or better yet, the actual book. Instead I’ll focus on sharing a few of the many things that made me love this novel.
1. My love for this book would not be complete without Josephine Alibrandi. She has such a warm heart and forgiving nature. I loved the way she welcomed her father into her life without resentment. I love that she has values and a strong sense of family.
2. Australia has been dubbed one of the friendliest countries in the world. However Marchetta has given the rest of us a glimpse of the real Australia. And while I am sure it is a country filled with smiles, rainbows, and butterflies I’ve learned that these are not its defining traits. It is a country filled with a rich history, diversity, prejudice, and some very kick ass slang. I mean, who walks around saying words like wog? And wagged? The Australians that’s who! And while most of the slang in this book went over my head it didn’t take away from the enjoyment factor (it added to it).
3. Can I just say how refreshing it was to read about ‘real’ Italians? Because it was! I am a little misled about their culture because of shows like the Jersey Shore and Jerseylicious (which I admit are my guilty pleasures). But these were far from the Gorilla Juiceheads we watch on MTV. Marcehetta showed us the gossipy neighbors, the outdated yet strong traditions, the fiery tempered and passionate Italians that are often overshadowed by their vulgar MTV counterparts.
One has to wonder what Australia is in hiding ‘down under’. Because Melina Marchetta is certainly a hidden gem.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Blueyonderdreams
Really great book, very easy to get hooked and invested in the characters.
LibraryThing member stephxsu
Josephine Alibrandi is 17, lives with her single mother, and must deal with her critical and past-obsessed grandmother. Little throws this opinionated and feisty girl off guard in her female-dominated world, but if anything can cause her to rethink all that she thought she understood about the
At long last, I’ve picked up and finished my favorite author’s debut novel, which also happens to be the last book of hers that I read. It’s fascinating—and quite odd, to tell you the truth—to read her first book last: it’s like peeking at a great author’s first draft. Nevertheless, LOOKING FOR ALIBRANDI was an enjoyable, if not spectacular, contemporary read featuring a feisty main character and a discussion of ethnic discrimination in Australia.
The great maturation of Melina Marchetta’s writing style over the past 20 years shows. Much of the character development in LOOKING FOR ALIBRANDI takes place in the form of dialogue: Josie’s grandmother, in particular, talks a lot about their family’s history, and Josie is often at odds with her grandmother as to where they stand regarding their position as Italian Australians in Australian society. Sometimes the character development feels choppy, for Josie will be acting like an immature brat one day, and in the next chapter, she will talk about how she feels herself changing as she learns more and more. Um, from where does this growth naturally progress? I scratch my head in confusion.
The best part of LOOKING FOR ALIBRANDI is probably Josie. In a genre where all too often female protagonists will be much blander than their authors intended for them to be, Josie is loud-mouthed, mean at times, unafraid to make her thoughts heard. She is very direct with the family members she disagrees with over various issues. Because of Josie’s opinionated point of view, readers are able to be immersed in a discussion over ethnic biases that existed in Australia at the time of this book’s writing, that may still exist today. Josie is unafraid to voice her complaint about how she is treated and thought of differently by her classmates. Sometimes this feels like too much telling and not enough showing, but it’s Melina Marchetta. Which means that even not at her fullest potential, she is still worth reading.
LOOKING FOR ALIBRANDI may not have claimed my heart as Saving Francesca and Jellicoe Road have, but it’s still, I think, a must-read for Marchetta fans, who will be able to appreciate just how far their beloved author has come.
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world, the arrival in her life of a potential love interest, a deeply suffering friend, her long-absent father, and a shocking family secret just might.At long last, I’ve picked up and finished my favorite author’s debut novel, which also happens to be the last book of hers that I read. It’s fascinating—and quite odd, to tell you the truth—to read her first book last: it’s like peeking at a great author’s first draft. Nevertheless, LOOKING FOR ALIBRANDI was an enjoyable, if not spectacular, contemporary read featuring a feisty main character and a discussion of ethnic discrimination in Australia.
The great maturation of Melina Marchetta’s writing style over the past 20 years shows. Much of the character development in LOOKING FOR ALIBRANDI takes place in the form of dialogue: Josie’s grandmother, in particular, talks a lot about their family’s history, and Josie is often at odds with her grandmother as to where they stand regarding their position as Italian Australians in Australian society. Sometimes the character development feels choppy, for Josie will be acting like an immature brat one day, and in the next chapter, she will talk about how she feels herself changing as she learns more and more. Um, from where does this growth naturally progress? I scratch my head in confusion.
The best part of LOOKING FOR ALIBRANDI is probably Josie. In a genre where all too often female protagonists will be much blander than their authors intended for them to be, Josie is loud-mouthed, mean at times, unafraid to make her thoughts heard. She is very direct with the family members she disagrees with over various issues. Because of Josie’s opinionated point of view, readers are able to be immersed in a discussion over ethnic biases that existed in Australia at the time of this book’s writing, that may still exist today. Josie is unafraid to voice her complaint about how she is treated and thought of differently by her classmates. Sometimes this feels like too much telling and not enough showing, but it’s Melina Marchetta. Which means that even not at her fullest potential, she is still worth reading.
LOOKING FOR ALIBRANDI may not have claimed my heart as Saving Francesca and Jellicoe Road have, but it’s still, I think, a must-read for Marchetta fans, who will be able to appreciate just how far their beloved author has come.
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LibraryThing member DebbieMcCauley
Josephine has a lot to deal with. Dealing with racism, meeting her father for the first time and the sucide of a friend. This is well written - a worthwhile read.
LibraryThing member Brooke_Stein
I have read the first 6 chapters and it has been a really good book so far and is enjoyable to read. It is about a school girl in Australia that goes to a catholic school which I can relate to the book very well by the lifestyle and schooling. Some parts of the book got me really interested to the
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story and some did bore me a little bit but it is still a very good book. I can't wait to finish the book and to have a good understaning about the story. Show Less
LibraryThing member Jezebel_Zakaria
The novel 'looking for Alibrandi' shows you the lfe of the typical high school girl. Findng a first love, having the usual family problems, and going to school on a day to day basis. Because of its feminine demanour and genre, I would recommend it as more for teenage girl reader, as it can be both
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addictive and entising. In a way, the comprehendment and moral of this book is that no matter how young the girl may be, their problems are still capable of being overwelming. Although I've only read th end of chapter 6, I can tell that the book is enjoyable,and fun to continue reading. Show Less
LibraryThing member Nadiaaaa
Looking for Alibrandi is a pretty decent book, and didn't take me forever to get into unlike other school texts that we have to read. It's interesting because we as teenagers can relate to some of the things that she experiences and her thoughts and feelings.
It also goes into depth about her
She goes on about how she likes this guy that hangs around with the 'kn ow it all character' Ivy, and her friends and how she goes to the school dance, and the point I'm currently reading is when she gets home after riding on the motorbike with Jacob Coote.
It also goes into depth about her
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family life and how she longs to meet her father, and when she finally does, he's different to what she thought he was. Being six chapters into the book, I still don't know what will happen, it's not redictable like some others. She goes on about how she likes this guy that hangs around with the 'kn ow it all character' Ivy, and her friends and how she goes to the school dance, and the point I'm currently reading is when she gets home after riding on the motorbike with Jacob Coote.
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LibraryThing member neichg
I have read the first 6 chapters of Looking for Alibrandi, and I am loving every page. I like the way that the story is told and the fact that it can be so honest in a discrete way. It is written by an Australian author, so I find it very easy to reate to the culture and ways of living in the
The story is about the main character Josephine - also known as Jozzie. She has a very close relationship with her mother as she is the only person that she lives with. She has never met he father and so he has had no significant impact on her whatsoever.
This book is very hard to put down and I would reccomend it to anyone who is looking for a good Australian novel.
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novel. The story is about the main character Josephine - also known as Jozzie. She has a very close relationship with her mother as she is the only person that she lives with. She has never met he father and so he has had no significant impact on her whatsoever.
This book is very hard to put down and I would reccomend it to anyone who is looking for a good Australian novel.
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LibraryThing member dalpoc
I read the first chapter of this book and couldn't put it down. I had to read more, and so I did.I found that this book related to my life and my school life with my friends. I like how it introduces each character individually. i feel that this book really explains how life is and how teenagers
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face their problems as it comes. Looking for Alibrandi is a book that describes a girl's passion about everything, it can really relate to people and I think as humans we can learn morals from it. It is an ordinary book that is not like a fariy-tale, but about real life situations. I can't wait to get my head back into the book and to see what the next issue is. Show Less
LibraryThing member nelliecalcutt
I have only read a few of the chapters, so far, but I have thoroughly enjoyed the book. I am in many diiferent situations to Joshephine, but I often find myself agreeing with many of her feelings, and I want to read more and find out about how she deals with the situations which I can relate to!
LibraryThing member darciebreeze
The beginning of this book is very pleasing. The start has already pulled me in and I can't wait to keep reading. The story is based around the problems and life of an Italian girl named Josephine, or nicknamed "Jozzie" by her elderly Nonna.She is nearing the end of her schooling life and is
Im only at chapter four, and yet I am really enjoying it and I hope it carries on this way.Its a pretty good book so far!!
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preparing for her HSC so many people at the age can probably relate to her. On the otherhand, i can't really relate to Josephine's story cos' firstly im not Italian and secondly i'm not going through my HSC. Im only at chapter four, and yet I am really enjoying it and I hope it carries on this way.Its a pretty good book so far!!
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LibraryThing member TLHelen
This is an amazIng book. It lets you access the world of a young girl of Italian background who is struggling to find her place in society. It shows her view of traditional Italian family life, social status and boys. She finally meets her father, who she has spent her whole life wishing about. We
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follow Josie Alibrandi as she journeys through the battlefield of teenage drama. Show Less
LibraryThing member carolvanbrocklin
Well, as usual it was a great book with a message that I want our girls to have but could you PLEASE watch the language.
Josie is an Italian born and raised in Australia and just like in many other countries in the world, she experiences prejudice because of this. "You're not Australian because you
She is also illegitimate which of course pegs her as a "bad girl" since it will be like mother like daughter.
She is also a smart little gal who is, as her teacher tells her, a sheep. She could be a leader but thanks to not having to courage to go against her friend Sera who is always coming up with wild things to get into trouble.
All in all, she is every high school girl struggling with friendships, grades, family and yes Sex. But even that was handled in a way that I could have endorsed if it hadn't been for the constant swearing. Come On People! Don't you have any sense of professionalism? Do you really think that Every person on God's Green Earth has to use the F word at least once a day?
Wish it had been better--it easily could have been.
Josie is an Italian born and raised in Australia and just like in many other countries in the world, she experiences prejudice because of this. "You're not Australian because you
Show More
parents aren't" one day, "You're Australian because you were born here" the next. This is her friends point of view. She is also illegitimate which of course pegs her as a "bad girl" since it will be like mother like daughter.
She is also a smart little gal who is, as her teacher tells her, a sheep. She could be a leader but thanks to not having to courage to go against her friend Sera who is always coming up with wild things to get into trouble.
All in all, she is every high school girl struggling with friendships, grades, family and yes Sex. But even that was handled in a way that I could have endorsed if it hadn't been for the constant swearing. Come On People! Don't you have any sense of professionalism? Do you really think that Every person on God's Green Earth has to use the F word at least once a day?
Wish it had been better--it easily could have been.
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LibraryThing member saskreader
Nice coming of age story. Young women or teenagers would probably love it. I liked the book more than the movie.
LibraryThing member jaeinsa
I loved this book. This is what got me started on the hunt for other Australian authors. I really liked the characters in this book.
Pages
256