Thursday, May 3, 2012

SKIN DEEP by Laura Jarratt - 5 STARS!!

An enthusiastic FIVE STARS for Laura Jarratt's SKIN DEEP



SKIN DEEP by Laura Jarratt is quite simply, a beautiful book. It's the story of Jenna, the girl who was horribly disfigured in a tragic car accident, and Ryan, the gypsy traveller who's forced to be more parent than child to his bi-polar Mom. 


There are so many things to love about this story: for starters, the title is perfect as the theme of the novel is really about learning the layers of beauty, and how it can bloom or get twisted, the deeper you go. One of the things I liked most was how well each character is developed--even the baddie, Stephen Carlisle, has his reasons. 


Throughout the story, characters act heroically, and terribly, each according to their personal journey and their circumstances at the time. Sort of like how real life works, huh? 


Imo, it's this sublime craftsmanship--Jarratt's ability to reflect real life at its most personal and challenging--which catapults 
SKIN DEEP to a higher level. This is a very smart book with a very big heart and I recommend it highly.