Prim Improper (Prim #1)

August 06, 2016

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Author: Deirdre Sullivan

Genre: Contemporary, Humour, YA

Blurb: Primrose Leary had just started secondary school.

Likes: her pet rat, Roderick; her best friend Joel, being a little bit different (but not different in the weird different sense - she wouldn't like to be the only bald girl in her class or the only girl who always smelled of ham, or anything).

Dislikes: living with Fintan (her mustachioed Dad); the boy-school that Joel's toddled off to without her, not having her mum around anymore.

Hilariously and cleverly written, Prim Improper is the debut novel from Deirdre Sullivan.

Opinion: This novel was written with the voice of a 13 year old as the narrator. The style resembles the one of a diary. However, I found this more interesting than other diary-style novels as Prim's feelings are in-depth.

There are random glossary definitions dispersed throughout the novel, which help to build vocabulary (of course) and help you to be as articulate as young Primrose.

However, she does use words like 'colouredy' which irritates me quite a bit.

However, with a young narrator comes childishness. I didn't mind this as her childishness is expected at her age. There are times when Prim can be rude to her father and times when she feels her father cares about no-one but himself. This is partly because she is grieving from the loss of a loved one.

However:


"But it is kind of nice to know that someone cares and is still going to be your family, even when you mess up and act like ... I don't know ... act like I've been acting."
 Recommendation: For the young (12 upwards) and the old alike! Although some Irish phrases might not be understood by others (but some are explained in the glossary so sure, it's grand).

Rating: ***1/2 - Three and a half stars out of five.

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7 comments

  1. Ooh, this looks good! I don't really mind when the narrator is younger, as long as the plot is intelligent enough. Plus I'd love to read about an Irish character because I'm 98% positive authors think that contemporaries can only take place in the US of A. Which is annoying. Anyways. Great review!

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  2. Oooh it's great to see another Irish book! ^_^ Although I think I'd be too old to read this book. I just couldn't handle the childishness. I have no patience for characters that annoy me.
    Another great Irish book is Asking for it by Louise O'Neill. You've probably heard of it, it's everywhere! But it definitely is not for younger readers!

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    1. Yeah, I've heard of it. I should check it out...

      Thanks! :)

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  3. Great review! It's always helpful to have a glossary to turn to when you're not quite sure of what something means... Especially with period books!

    Lauren ♥ | Sincerely, Lauren Emily

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    1. Yeah, the glossary was okay, I guess xD Thanks for commenting!

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Keep it all clean, man. Well, if you really wanna curse, use minor swear words. And I mean the minorest of minor ones.

"Or what?" you ask in indignation.

"Or else."