Today Anna had the book club chat on Ustream about "Looking For Alibrandi" by Melina Marchetta. I didn't get home in time to participate but Sarah took some great notes and posted them here.
> The first question asked, is that if any boys were present, to include their views on the book. None are present and the female population has overridden the book club.
> In the US, the HSC is called the SAT and ACTs while the book take place in Australia where the HSC is the main exam for the final year students of High School. It is noted that a lot of pressure is put on students during the HSC (Higher School Certificate) where the events of this book partially involve.
> A question was posed on the behalf of John’s character, the contributing factors towards his suicide also touching on about how the author didn’t go into detail about his death. Contributing factors from the audience concluded that socio-political pressures from his father and family.
> Next question went into that if Josie had similiar expectations but dealt with it differently. Answers range from Josie, the protaganist, being a dreamer to having culture pressures.
> The next topic is that of a suicide and how it’s a delicate topic.
> It’s concluded that because Josie was more upset about her break up with Jacob, that John’s death was for dramatic effect due to the lack of intensity concerning the events.
> It is agreed with user tenshiie, that girls are usually more open with their feelings than boys who like to bottle things up as user EvoOba brings up the topic of how Josie and Ivy became closer as a result of John’s death. It is also noted, that also the cultural difference between John and Josie also affected with dealing with feelings – which led to a discussion about how people handle things differently.
> Mental illness is raised in the book club leading to topics like bipolar and seeking help.
> Goes on to touch on the topic of first loves, about the excitement and joy in the sense of a first love and then how the world suddenly comes crashing down when break up occurs. The issues of loving yourself before you can love another and trust come up.
> Did we relate to Josie? Most of the responses are a yes and that life is a learning process.
> The topic is diverted to the topic of Michael, Josie’s father. It is concluded that Anna agrees with user MissMushrooms that he was the catalyst to her change so without him, Josie wouldn’t have grown up as fast.
> Self discovery and teenage angst are the next topics, also breaking away from tradition in your family and having a mind of your own.
> General overviews of the book ranged from not liking it to it I-liked-it to I-liked-it–but …. it could have been extended.
