“There’s nothing quite as good as folding up into a book and shutting the world outside. If I pick up the right one I can be beautiful, or fall in love, or live happily ever after. Maybe even all three.”
One of the best opening lines It literally pulls you in to the folds of A Straight Line To My Heart from Australian author Bill Condon.
Bill Condon’s narrative featuring Tiff is witty, observant and engrossing. Set in the period immediately after the end of Year Twelve Tiff begins to find her feet. Launched in to the world of journalism via the local paper she soon learns plenty from the tough reporter who sets out to show her the ropes. Not all of it is what she was expecting.
The banter and the descriptions together with the realistic dialogue really bring this novel to life. Through them Bill Condon achieves sensitive and witty characterisation. Reggie, Tiff’s grandad, is one such example. Combined with Bull they make up quite an unconventional family, but of course it works.
The narration is told from Tiff’s viewpoint. Intelligent and witty, she guides us through her summer with ease. The characterisation of this teenager is sensitive and respectful as the reader is caught up in both laughing and crying with her.
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