Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt
4/5 stars
Bloomsbury, 2013
310 pages
YA Contemporary
Scheduled to release March 26
Source: Received an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Lindsey Leavitt is definitely one of my favorite authors-she writes such funny and moving stories, usually with a strong focus on family, something I really appreciate. She's primarily written in the contemporary genre so I was surprised and interested to see that it looked like she was tackling historical with this, her latest release. Except I misunderstood the blurb-this book is very much set in the here and now albeit with homages to the past.
When Mallory discovers her cute boyfriend Jeremy has been cheating on her with some girl online, she reacts very strongly to put it mildly. Beyond dumping him, she decides to behave as if she lived in 1962 and plans to imitate the list her then teenage grandmother made. This includes forming a pep club, sewing a dress, and doing something dangerous. As Mallory drags others into her new obsession, her life becomes increasingly complicated and she starts to doubt her plan.
Remember how I said Leavitt writes good family stories? Well, this one is no exception. Mallory has a younger sister named Ginnie who is an excellent character as well as bickering parents (on the verge of divorce?) and the aforementioned grandmother whose high school years were perhaps not as idyllic as Mallory thinks. I cannot emphasize how much I liked Ginnie-she clearly thinks Mallory has gone a bit overboard but she is mostly enthusiastic in supporting her sister and reaps some great benefits as a result.
There were unfortunately some things I really didn't like though. The first one is probably just because I'm a bit older than Mallory and have survived my teenage years as well as being interested in history, I could tell her that the past is never as perfect as it seems in pictures and memories. Thank goodness Mallory learns this but I got a bit frustrated with her over the course of the novel because of that. The other problem was the timeline. Everything seemed to happen at warp speed, much faster than I would have expected. It just seemed exceptionally unrealistic to me.
Overall: A fun title from Leavitt-I continue to love her writing!
Other Opinions:
Cornucopia of Reviews
Tahleen's Mixed-Up Files
This sounds like a fun book. I'm always on the hunt for a contemporary book I might like and I think I will like it. The family aspect is wonderful! :) I love it when there is a sister-sister relationship.
ReplyDeleteMel@thedailyprophecy.
I adored this sister-sister relationship: it really lifted my spirits and made me so happy :)
Delete"I could tell her that the past is never as perfect as it seems in pictures and memories."
ReplyDeleteSo true! Great review. :)
It made me feel so old to be thinking that but it was my main thought when Mallory set out on her project.
DeleteI have heard some ok things about this book but, I have been really looking forward to reading it and it is always nice to hear about a good family relationship in YA thanks for your thoughts!!
ReplyDeleteKristin @ Young Adult Book Haven
I don't think this is Leavitt's best book (I would say that's SEAN GRISWOLD'S HEAD-highly recommended!) but if you like the concept or have enjoyed her other books, you should still check it out.
DeleteGlad it lived up to funny and cute, as well as dealing with family. Which I agree is so important but usually so lacking!
ReplyDeleteBrandi @ Blkosiner’s Book Blog
I think Leavitt does a great job of writing family-I loved that aspect here, in SEAN GRISWOLD'S HEAD, and in her PRINCESS FOR HIRE series.
DeleteHmmm it's always a bit frustrating when stuff just seems to 'happen' so quickly in a book, with no real build up or timing. Still, I've enjoyed Leavitt's books in the past, so I might pick this one up from the library at some point.
ReplyDeleteI think if you've liked her writing before, you'll like it here. It just didn't manage to surpass SEAN GRISWOLD'S HEAD for me.
DeleteI've been curious about this one. I love a good cute, funny contemporary but I'm not one to romanticize the past.
ReplyDeleteYou might find Mallory a little frustrating then like me but it's still a cute read if you like Leavitt's writing (or want to check out her writing).
DeleteThis book sounds fun, but I sympathize with you about the warp speed, LOL. That can be a tad bit annoying! But it looks just so cute, so I might could make it through. Honestly, I'm a huge sucker for contemporary and good familial relationships. Fab review, girly! (:
ReplyDeleteLoves,
Megan@The Book Babe
It's a really easy read-just took me a couple hours so I definitely recommend it when you're looking for a light read (maybe in-between some heavier dystopias or apocalyptics?)
DeleteI've never read any of Lindsay Levitt's books, but I also have this from NG and I'm excited to read it.
ReplyDeleteIf you like this, you have to check out SEAN GRISWOLD'S HEAD! I keep referencing that book as it's one of my favorites and it has set a very high bar for Leavitt.
DeleteI really love Lindsey Leavitt too, she writes such fun characters! I have this one and am super excited to read it. I'm glad that it turned out to be a pretty good read!
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy it-I'll be looking for your review!
DeleteI haven't tried any of Lindsey Leavitt's books yet though I've heard good things about Sean Griswold's Head. I am hoping to read this book sometime. I like books with good sibling relationships and while I think it is bad to look back at history with rose tinted glasses I think it sounds like a fun premise to accomplish the things on her grandmother's list. Hopefully she will learn something about the limitations on women in the 60s and learn to appreciate the freedoms she has now...
ReplyDeleteI highly recommend SEAN GRISWOLD'S HEAD-it's Leavitt's best book in my opinion. But this one could serve as a fun introduction to her writing.
Delete