Saving Francesca (Audiobook Review)

Audiobook Review

By: Melina Marchetta

Narrated by: Rebecca Macauley

Published by: Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd 07/2006

Warm

 6hrs and 19 mins

Sample

Francesca is stuck at St. Sebastians, a boys' school that's pretends it's coed by giving the girls their own bathroom.  Her only female companions are an ultra-feminist, a rumored slut, and an an impossibly dorky accordion player.  The boys are no better, from Thomas who specializes in musical burping to Will, the perpetually frowning, smug moron that Francesca can't seem to stop thinking about.

Then there's Francesca's mother, who always thinks she knows what's best for Francesca—until she is suddenly stricken with acute depression, leaving Francesca lost, alone, and without an inkling who she really is.  Simultaneously humorous, poignant, and impossible to put down, this is the story of a girl who must summon the strength to save her family, her social life and—hardest of all—herself.

Reviewed by Lisa Kay

I just loved this one; an exceptional listen! Rebecca Macauley does an excellent job of sounding like sixteen year-old Francesca, as well as the other diverse characters in this wonderful coming of age story. Sure, there isn’t much of a stretch for her narrating an Australian accent, but she conveys Francesca’s teenage angst (something Francesca so doesn’t want to do!) and the interactions with other characters: teenagers – children – adults – males, all beautifully. I noticed she also reads some of Ms. Marchetta’s other books and that makes them even more of a draw. I’m so glad I found this author!

This is a wonderful, poignant, ultimately upbeat “coming-of-age” book that has Francesca stuck in what was previously an all-boys school; tossed in with people whom she wouldn’t normally be friends, she not only has to learn to adapt, but find herself. Plus, she has to deal with the unknown of why her energetic, over-achieving mother suddenly takes to her bed and won’t meet the day.

It is all presented with humor and tenderness and the lovely Australian lingo, such as ‘pashing’ for ‘kissing’. I happen to have the paperback by my side as I listened to this one (because I did it as a “buddy read” and I needed a reference for my discussion questions). I noticed in the paperback there were expressions like; “I'm chuffed” that were changed to “I’m pleased.” So glad I got to hear it on audiobook where it retained the “down-under” flavor.
Definitely a GoodRead – or GoodListen!

  4.06  ·  rating details  ·  5,732 ratings  ·  877 reviews on Goodreads

The Author

Melina marchetta

Voices behind the books

Rebecca Macauley