So Much to Tell You
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| So Much to Tell You | |
 1995 Fawcett Books cover |
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| Author | John Marsden |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Young adult novel |
| Publisher | Joy Street Books (1987) |
| Publication date | 1987 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 160 pp (paperback) |
| ISBN | ISBN 978-1844289462 |
The 1987 fiction novel So Much To Tell You is John Marsden's debut book. It was instantly successful in Australia and US, and has since been translated into nine languages and awarded many highly acclaimed literacy awards including the Christopher Medal and the Victorian Premier's Award, and was declared the Best Book of the Year by the Children's Book Council. According to the author, it will act as an inspiration to other teens who have had problems with regaining the ability to talk.
So much to tell you is based on a true story. It is about a 15 year old girl called Marina whose face is scarred. Acid thrown by her father was the cause. She didn't talk to any one when she was sent to hospital, so she went to Harrington boarding school for girls to communicate. But, her silence goes on. Her english teacher Mr. Lindell gives her class journals to write in, but she promises not to write a anyhting in it.
But she starts to write in her journal, and tells more about her feelings, and tells how she becomes less self-concerned. Marina goes from not interacting at all, to opening up and socializing, as well as communicating. As the book goes on, Marina's weak feelings towards her father fades, and at the end of the book she goes to see him. The only words she says in the book are "hello dad" and "i have so much to tell you"
Contents |
[edit] Main Characters
[edit] Students of Warrington
Marina: Marina is the book's main character and narrator. Initially, she is heavily introverted and avoids contact with her other students.
Cathy Preshill: The closest thing Marina has to a friend for most of the book.
Sophie Smith: One of the most dominant girls in the dorm, Sophie is described as Kate's best friend and worst enemy.
Ann Martin: She stays in the same dorm as Marina, she goes on a trip to Japan and stays a while.
Kate Mandeville: Kate is the loudest girl in the dorm, but has a side to her that no one but Marina knows.
Lisa Morris: (no information)
Tracey (last name not provided): After Marina, Tracey is the most unpopular girl in the dorm, and is often more malicious to her than the others.
Emma (last name not provided):
[edit] Staff of Warrington
Mr. Lindell: Marina's english teacher, he invites Marina to stay at his place several times.
Marina's mother (name not provided): Marina's mother comes across as unsympathetic and impatient for Marina to regain her ability to speak.
Marina's father (name not provided): Marinas father is like "a atomic bomb" because he is always in her mind.
[edit] Origins of story
The book is partially based on a true story. Marina's character is based on a fourteen year old girl and a woman named Kay Nesbitt, whose face was damaged by a shotgun blast. In addition, the dedication in the beginning of the book identifies a certain John Mazur as the English teacher, Mr. Lindell, who gives Marina her diary assignment and is one of the people she places the most trust in.
[edit] "Take My Word For It"
A half-sequel with this title was written in 1992, from the point of view of Lisa Morris. It tells Lisa's story over the same period of time, as well as her observation of Marina, but then expands on this and shows Marina after her visit with her father. The second point of view aids the reader by answering some questions from the first, for example, the cause of Marina's nervous breakdown in early April, and the reason for Lisa's crying earlier.
[edit] References
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