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Saving Francesca

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About this listen

 Francesca is at the beginning of her second term in Year 11 at an all boy's school that has just started accepting girls. She still misses her old friends, and, to make things worse, her mother has had a breakdown and can barely move from her bed.

But Francesca had not counted on the fierce loyalty of her new friends, or falling in love, or finding that it's within her power to bring her family back together.

©2003 Melina Marchetta (P)2003 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd. Coming of Age Depression Depression & Mental Health Difficult Situations Family & Relationships Literature & Fiction Peer Pressure Romance Mental Health

Editor reviews

Teenage Francesca is having a tough time at her new high school, which has only recently started accepting girls, and things only get worse when her normally high-spirited mother has a depressive breakdown. Performer Rebecca Macauley does an excellent job capturing Francesca's struggles with just the right mix of plaintiveness and sass, and acclaimed Australian author Rebecca Macauley resists the temptation to tie everything up in a perfect bow. This is a well-written and immersive tale that provides a thoughtful meditation on themes of belonging, family, and identity.

Critic reviews

"A rich exploration of maturation, identity, family, and friendship." ( The Bulletin)
All stars
Most relevant
What a fabulous and well-written story! I have discovered a wonderful new YA author.

Not just for teens, this story is funny, poignant and speaks deeply about the struggle of growing up with a depressed parent. I loved the true-to-life evocation of the teens, and the story-telling voice was spot-on. For anyone 13 and up, I would say.

(Great narrator, too!)

Best Book I've "Read" All Year

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