Looking for Alibrandi (novel)
Looking for Alibrandi is the debut novel of Australian author Melina Marchetta, published in 1992. A film adaptation was made in 2000.
.jpg.webp) First edition | |
| Author | Melina Marchetta |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Marina Messiha |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Young adult novel, bildungsroman |
| Publisher | Penguin Australia/Orchard Books |
Publication date | October 1992 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover) |
| Pages | 260 pp |
| ISBN | 0-531-30142-7 |
| OCLC | 39508243 |
| LC Class | PZ7.M32855 Lo 1999 |
| Followed by | Saving Francesca, 2003 |
Plot
The novel follows its protagonist, Josephine Alibrandi, the Australian Italian daughter of Italian immigrant parents. Josie lives in Sydney and attends a Catholic high school–where she is disillusioned with the cliques and social politics of her snobby peers. Her usually sophisticated, sassy demeanour is challenged when she is overcome with the pressures of her senior year of high school: the suicide of a male friend, and meeting her estranged father who is in Sydney on a business trip. She confides in a young man with a bad reputation, who slowly turns into a romantic interest for Josie. This relationship, mirrored by the tumultuous relationship with her father, forms the centre complications of the novel as Josie tries to navigate through the complexities and hurdles she faces as a young adult.
Awards
- Won - CBCA Children's Book of the Year Award: Older Readers (1993)
- Won - Books I Love Best Yearly: Older Readers Award (1995)
- Won - Books I Love Best Yearly: Older Readers Award (2000)
Film adaptation
Looking for Alibrandi (2000) starred Pia Miranda as Josephine Alibrandi, Anthony LaPaglia as her father, Michael Andretti, and Kick Gurry as her boyfriend, Jacob Coote. Melina Marchetta wrote the screenplay.[1]