I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella Narrator: Gemma Whelan
Length: 6 Hours 36 Minutes
Published by Random House Children's Books on June 9th 2015
Genres: Family, Friendship, Love & Romance, Marriage & Divorce, Social Issues, Young Adult
Pages: 304
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
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From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Shopaholic series comes a terrific blend of comedy, romance, and psychological recovery in a contemporary YA novel sure to inspire and entertain. An anxiety disorder disrupts fourteen-year-old Audrey’s daily life. She has been making slow but steady progress with Dr. Sarah, but when Audrey meets Linus, her brother’s gaming teammate, she is energized. She connects with him. Audrey can talk through her fears with Linus in a way she’s never been able to do with anyone before. As their friendship deepens and her recovery gains momentum, a sweet romantic connection develops, one that helps not just Audrey but also her entire family.
Why Did I Listen To This Book?
For some bizarre reason, I had assumed that Sophie Kinsella’s Finding Audrey would have something to do with Audrey Hepburn (QUEEN). Alas, it actually has nothing at all to do with Audrey Hepburn. Despite this, I actually ended up really liking Finding Audrey. I actually am glad that I listened to the audiobook as well because in addition to keeping me entertained for a day (to the point where someone asked if I was watching TV in my office – NOPE JUST AN AUDIOBOOK WHILE I DO MINDLESS THINGS) the audiobook version is quite charming.
What’s The Story Here?
Audrey has an anxiety disorder. She doesn’t go to school anymore and pretty much is homeschooled. However, when the book starts, Audrey’s mom is losing her damn mind, as they say. She is about to throw Audrey’s brother Frank’s computer out the window because she doesn’t want Frank playing games anymore because the Daily Mail says they are bad and her mom lives by the Daily Mail. Frank has this friend that he games with, Linus, who actually begins to form a friendship with Audrey and she finds it really easy to open up to him about what is going on and why she has anxiety. He helps her get through it, giving her small dares like asking questions of different people in Starbucks and such. Meanwhile, Frank really wants to enter this tournament for his computer game but yeah, his mom is all weird about computers and games. Alas. Also, Audrey has been given an assignment by her therapist where she’s been asked to carry around a camera and film things as a way to help her get beyond her anxiety.
I’ve never read Sophie Kinsella before but if all her books are this charming and funny, I will have to give more of them a shot, especially via audiobook.
How’s The Characterization?
Okay so the introduction to this book, the very first chapter is great. I love love loved reading about Audrey’s family. Her mother, especially, is well characterized, especially as she’s trying to get rid of Frank’s computer. I mean it’s not a cool thing to do, but honestly her heart is in the right place.
As for Audrey! So, she wears sunglasses all the time because of her anxiety. She gets really nervous about various different things. However, her anxiety is not from nowhere, she did legitimately come by it due to some awful girls at school, hence the reason why she isn’t in school. What’s great is that Audrey is a dynamic character. She starts the book lacking in confidence for herself and then with the help of Linus, she really finds her voice. I love that. I also love the relationship between Audrey and Frank. There is this scene near the end where Frank helps Audrey with something involving getting an apology and it’s kind of really great.
How’s The Narration?
Friends, the narration in Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella is actually fantastic. At first few minutes listen, I was kind of shocked because there was this British voice coming out of my iPhone. But, it just works for the story. Gemma Whelan is the narrator and she’s perfect. She sounds very put upon. It’s great. Like, it just is so appropriate for this audiobook! AND THEN during the on camera bits, there’s different narrators which adds a kind of nice flavor to the book.
Granted, Finding Audrey isn’t my favorite book of all time ever, but I thought it was a cute, fast read.
Sum It Up With A GIF:
You know in Big Daddy how the kid puts on sunglasses so he’s not afraid and so people can’t see him? Finding Audrey made me immediately think of that.
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I haven’t read anything by Sophie Kinsella and like you, I thought this book had to do with Audrey Hepburn like you but I’m glad it was still good!
Seriously, April, you have just been killing it with the audiobooks lately! Everytime I stop on over here you have another audiobook review. I love audiobooks, too.
I actually thought this one had something to do with Audrey, too! So you are not alone. I do want to check this out. And the audio might just be the way to go.
I loved Finding Audrey! I’ve been charmed by Kinsella’s adult novels in the past (the ones she’s written under this name, not the ones under a pen name), so I was hoping it would translate well into YA – and it did. Audrey was a great character to read about, and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting her and reading her story. Glad you liked it too!