She Is Not Invisible by Marcus Sedgwick
Review by M
The cover, feel and shape of this book makes it aesthetically one of
my favourites this year. I’d be tempted to buy it just for that.....
She Is Not Invisible is about sixteen year old Laureth who
takes her seven year old brother to New York in search of her author father
whom she suspects has gone missing. Her situation is fraught with
potential mishaps that are substantially multiplied when you realise that there
is something unusual about Laureth and there’s something unusual about
Benjamin, her brother, too. Actually, the whole scenario is compellingly unusual,
and it’s also funny and it’s warm.
The basic plot is a mystery but Sedgwick weaves in a number
of mysteries and games of his own which will delight many readers – especially the
last page! Clues of all sorts are placed throughout the pages and I liked that.
Essentially, the novel is about the different ways we see
things and how we act upon our perceptions. The novel also explores the subject
of coincidences and so it’s not surprising when coincidences pop up in the
novel (whether they’re sometimes used as plot devices or not could make for an
interesting debate; I was a little unsatisfied and things came together too
easily for me).
The novel is a quick read and on the whole, it’s a lot of
fun and easy. Although published by a teen/young adult imprint, younger readers
may also enjoy the challenge of some of the concepts raised (but I found some
of the details on the theoretical aspects of coincidence and synchronicity a
bit dull – even though it’s actually quite interesting!).
Like Sedgwick’s Midwinterblood, She Is Not Invisible is a
story that wants you to play and examine things within and beyond the novel.
If you enjoy this novel, I think you will love reading
novels by Rebecca Stead, like When You Reach Me or Liar & Spy.
PS. I haven't acted on the last page yet - I'm saving it!
PPS. I have a thing with a number too: 32
PPPS. Richard Parker sure gets around in literature. So much for shipwrecked!
PPPS. Richard Parker sure gets around in literature. So much for shipwrecked!
Publication details: Indigo, 2013, London, hardback
This copy: review copy from the publishers
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