Thrust into the center of her parents’ bitter divorce, Emma Monaghan is surrounded by pure anger and confusion, in Laura L. Smith’s Angry: a Novel. Being the oldest of six children, she has the weighty responsibility of caring for her siblings. Things only get more intense as her father seems to spontaneously have an affair and leave their family. Emma feels as if everyone is blaming her for the divorce. Her only escape comes from the theatre as she assumes the role of Eponine for Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables. The play serves as metaphor for Emma’s own life.
Many teenagers will be able to easily relate to Emma’s experiences. In addition to divorce, the short novel addresses many other serious issues such as adultery, alcoholism, eating disorders and teenage pregnancy. Mixed into these issues are the average teenage concerns of fashion, cars, friends and gossip. Although religion does eventually play a large role in the novel, it does not dominate the text. Emma finds herself turning to God during hard times, but does not seem to devoutly believe in Him. Her conversations with God gradually move from casual comments to heartfelt exchanges. Angry is a great novel that accurately describes what it is like to be a teenage girl. I highly recommend this book to teenagers looking for a novel to identify with. Adults wanting insight into the teenage girl mind will also benefit from this great novel.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
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