New Girl by Paige Harbison
Publication date: January 31, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Image and Summary courtesy of Amazon.com:
Welcome to Manderley Academy
Waiting to take it back.
When I first saw that this book was going to be a modern twist on Daphne DuMaurier's Rebecca, I got extremely excited. Without a doubt, it's one of my favorite novels. So, I think I went into this particular book with extremely high expectations - perhaps too high. Sadly, this novel was not what I expected it to be.
One of my biggest issues with this book was the antagonist, Becca Normandy. Though I understand the author's aim to make her seem an extreme version of the insecure teen, one driven to desperation by her own desire to be envied, Becca was just a few steps too far to the left. I felt that her promiscuity was a bit gratuitous; her need to be "wanted" by the hottest guys in school surely could have been conveyed without having her sleep with multiple partners - within the same night! Likewise, very few meaningful conversations took place between characters, at least while they were sober. Similar to the sex, I felt that the underage drinking was unnecessary. A bit of teen partying while away at boarding school? Sure. All major plot points taking place only after several shots have been consumed? A bit too far.
Furthermore, the plot itself lacked the subtlety of DuMaurier's work (though admittedly, that is an extremely high mark to meet!). Rather than much of the conflict being the narrator's internal issues, the stereotypical "mean girls" and rumor mill drove much of the action. Certainly a boarding school is a hotbed for these sorts of problems (at least, I'd imagine - I've never been to one), but I felt that the narrator (whose name isn't revealed until the end) suffered a bit from a lack of depth. This lack, I felt, came largely from the fact that her insecurities were externally motivated, not internally like the original. Also, I felt that the conflicts that arose, largely out of the narrator's romantic interest in Becca's "off limits" ex, were repetitive. Some variety in the routine "He likes me! We hooked up! Wait... why is he ignoring me?!" formula would have been appreciated.
All of that being said, there were certainly some positives about this novel as well. I really enjoyed the translation of Manderley the estate into a boarding school. It was a great way to make a classic setting into something more modern and high-interest to current audiences. Also, the narrator had one really redeeming trait, and that was her desire (though tempered with hesitation) to break free of everyone's expectations and push herself to experience new adventures. She debates whether it would be better to stay with her high school friends at the hometown college, or "spread her wings" by going far out of state. I think this particular struggle is one that resonates with many teen readers - and adults! Her journey of self-discovery, albeit perhaps too driven by others' opinions, was something with which I could identify. The ending of the book was also satisfying. I won't spoil it, but there was an excellent allusion to the end ofRebecca that made me smile. The cover art of this book is an additional strength. It certainly caught my eye, and I know it would do so for teenagers too!Overall, this is a book that I wouldn't personally recommend for a classroom library, or even a conservative school library. The partying and sex, though not graphically described, just played too big a role in the plot, and I wouldn't feel right recommending that as a role model. They became the focus, instead of the intriguing mystery that had so much potential. However, for a light and enjoyable independent read, perhaps this book would have been more appreciated.
Has anyone else had a similar disappointing experience with a modernized old favorite? I had to admit - I was seriously bummed!
I hadn't wanted to go, but my parents were so excited…. So here I am, the new girl at Manderley, a true fish out of water. But mine's not the name on everyone's lips. Oh, no.
It's Becca Normandy they can't stop talking about. Perfect, beautiful Becca. She went missing at the end of last year, leaving a spot open at Manderley—the spot that I got. And everyone acts like it's my fault that infallible, beloved Becca is gone and has been replaced bynot perfect, completely fallible, unknown Me.
Then, there's the name on my lips—Max Holloway. Becca's ex. The one boy I should avoid, but can't. Thing is, it seems like he wants me, too. But the memory of Becca is always between us. And as much as I'm starting to like it at Manderley, I can't help but think she's out there, somewhere, watching me take her place.Waiting to take it back.
One of my biggest issues with this book was the antagonist, Becca Normandy. Though I understand the author's aim to make her seem an extreme version of the insecure teen, one driven to desperation by her own desire to be envied, Becca was just a few steps too far to the left. I felt that her promiscuity was a bit gratuitous; her need to be "wanted" by the hottest guys in school surely could have been conveyed without having her sleep with multiple partners - within the same night! Likewise, very few meaningful conversations took place between characters, at least while they were sober. Similar to the sex, I felt that the underage drinking was unnecessary. A bit of teen partying while away at boarding school? Sure. All major plot points taking place only after several shots have been consumed? A bit too far.
Furthermore, the plot itself lacked the subtlety of DuMaurier's work (though admittedly, that is an extremely high mark to meet!). Rather than much of the conflict being the narrator's internal issues, the stereotypical "mean girls" and rumor mill drove much of the action. Certainly a boarding school is a hotbed for these sorts of problems (at least, I'd imagine - I've never been to one), but I felt that the narrator (whose name isn't revealed until the end) suffered a bit from a lack of depth. This lack, I felt, came largely from the fact that her insecurities were externally motivated, not internally like the original. Also, I felt that the conflicts that arose, largely out of the narrator's romantic interest in Becca's "off limits" ex, were repetitive. Some variety in the routine "He likes me! We hooked up! Wait... why is he ignoring me?!" formula would have been appreciated.
All of that being said, there were certainly some positives about this novel as well. I really enjoyed the translation of Manderley the estate into a boarding school. It was a great way to make a classic setting into something more modern and high-interest to current audiences. Also, the narrator had one really redeeming trait, and that was her desire (though tempered with hesitation) to break free of everyone's expectations and push herself to experience new adventures. She debates whether it would be better to stay with her high school friends at the hometown college, or "spread her wings" by going far out of state. I think this particular struggle is one that resonates with many teen readers - and adults! Her journey of self-discovery, albeit perhaps too driven by others' opinions, was something with which I could identify. The ending of the book was also satisfying. I won't spoil it, but there was an excellent allusion to the end ofRebecca that made me smile. The cover art of this book is an additional strength. It certainly caught my eye, and I know it would do so for teenagers too!Overall, this is a book that I wouldn't personally recommend for a classroom library, or even a conservative school library. The partying and sex, though not graphically described, just played too big a role in the plot, and I wouldn't feel right recommending that as a role model. They became the focus, instead of the intriguing mystery that had so much potential. However, for a light and enjoyable independent read, perhaps this book would have been more appreciated.
Has anyone else had a similar disappointing experience with a modernized old favorite? I had to admit - I was seriously bummed!
Ah poo. I love reimaginings of old stories. Though I haven't read the original Rebecca, this story caught my eye. Guess I'm going to have to pass on it for a while.
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