Freckles by Cecelia Ahern
Freckles is my first time reading a story from Irish author Cecelia Ahern. A story about someone with freckles trying to fit into her own life was just asking for me to read!
Freckles is told from Allegra Bird’s perspective, and this is where the beauty of this story comes through.
I must admit, when I started the story I found it took a couple of chapters to feel connected to the story because Allegra has very direct and a literal interpretation of the world around her. Social interactions do not come easily and her thought processes can at times be abrasive.
However, please stick with it, because for me, one of the most beautiful parts of reading this book is the contrast between Allegra’s defined view of the world and the emotional journey she finds herself on and the connections she has with those in her life.
This journey she takes begins after she receives an offhand comment from a stranger that we are all the average of the 5 people we spend the most time with. Her struggles and yearning to discover who her 5 people are, and how she seeks to move, grow and understand are at times deeply poignant. Yet there is also humour in her story and, although the phrase is over-used, it has wonderful heart-warming moments of connection and love at its heart.
I rate it a 4/5.
Reviewed by Ngarie Macqueen, Casino Library Coordinator.