Beautiful Mess
Claire Christian
Since Ava lost Kelly, things haven’t been going so well. Even before she gets thrown out of school for shouting at the principal, there’s the simmering rage and all the weird destructive choices. The only thing going right for Ava is her job at Magic Kebab.
Which is where she meets Gideon. Skinny, shy, anxious Gideon. A mad poet and collector of vinyl records with an aversion to social media. He lives in his head. She lives in her grief. The only people who can help them move on with their lives are each other.
The winner of the 2016 Text Prize, Beautiful Mess is funny and sad and a bit screwed up and romantic and absolutely real. In other words, a lot like life.
Have a look at our mess of a Beautiful Mess blog post, with a Spotify playlist, slam poets and a couple of questions with Claire!
INTERVIEWS
Books+Publishing ($)
Hot Chicks with Big Brains Blog
ABC Brisbane, Drive
Read an article by Claire Christian in Whimn.com.au on why she wrote Beautiful Mess
ABC Radio, Sunday Evenings
REVIEWS
Booklist Online, June 2018
Books+Publishing ($)
Readings
Written Word Worlds
Lamont Books
Booktopia
Paper Fury
Kids’ Book Review
Kirkus Reviews
Diva Booknerd
Sapling
Reading Time
Bookish Friends
andBeautiful Mess
‘A raw, affecting coming-of-age story that starts a conversation about mental health.‘
‘Claire is such a lovely bubble of positivity. I’m excited to see what she brings to Aussie YA.‘
‘Beautiful Mess is a stunning read. Claire Christian has delivered a raw and moving debut with beautifully flawed, well-drawn characters who you can’t help but fall in love with.’
‘There are no easy answers in this book; its scenes explore debilitating anger and frustration, first sexual experiences and the importance of therapy in recovery. But there is deftness of touch in the writing and some genuinely funny moments. This is a strong, character-driven story from a talented playwright and novelist, which tackles some hefty issues with lightness and humour. It is an impressive debut.’
‘Beautiful Mess is a powerful, poignant novel about love, loss, and learning that even though we might feel cracked or broke at times, we are still beautiful…Claire Christian must be commended for tackling some of the most confronting themes in YA with sincerity and heart.’
‘An engrossing read that brings together Ava and Gideon, two emotionally flawed and troubled characters not unlike Libby and Jack in Jennifer Niven’s Holding Up the Universe or Eleanor and Park of Rainbow Rowell’s book of the same title.’
‘Beautiful Mess tackles young adult issues head on, but with a lightness of touch that lifts it from the dark topics it explores. A debut novel with memorable, authentic characters that touch your heart, float into your life and leave you wanting more.’
‘A truly touching story of young people trying to navigate their way through real problems. I highly recommend this novel and congratulate Claire on a great debut.’
‘Claire Christian delivers an honest and searing depiction of the flow-on effects of grief…A book with a lot of heart and hope and a useful compass for teens facing similar issues.’
‘Bittersweet and funny…A beautiful book with important words to say about mental health, love and brokenness.’
‘Beautiful Mess is a wonderful reflection of complexities of adolescence. Palpable, poignant and captivating, the narration of two adolescents finding moments of solace in one another. Claire Christian is a captivating, compassionate and remarkable debut author composing a narrative that will linger long after the final page.’
‘Beautiful Mess is the most sensitive explanation of depression and how it affects lives that I have ever read. If you read any other book and felt a bit uncomfortable about the depiction of depression, read this one and understand more. Recommend it to your teenagers, your students, your friends with teen kids. It might help them understand and recognise themselves in some of the pages.’
‘Tender and insightful…An enlightened look at youth suicide and mental health.’
‘Claire has created an authentic and informative book for young adults, while also an enjoyable read.’
‘The characterisation is strong and works wonderfully with the sinuous dialogue. In these darkened lives there are some light and funny moments, cleverly crafted by Claire Christian…All libraries for young adults should stock at least one copy of this book.’
‘A raw, beautifully written story that sensitively tackles grief, suicide, self-harm and first sexual experience.’
‘A funny and sad rom-com that doesn’t sugar-coat the grittier parts of teenage angst.’
‘The issues that are tackled in this book are important…Anxiety and depression, self-harm, suicide and grief are covered without making it feel like that’s all the book was written to do.’
Beautiful Mess doesn’t shy away from how rough the teen years can be, but also demonstrates the possibilities of healing and provides quite a few laughs to boot.’
‘The characters are engaging, and their emotional struggles are palpable…While the majority of the plot is dark and grim, support from caring adults and siblings brings about an ending that is realistic and hopeful. VERDICT Recommended for most public library young adult collections.’
‘This page-turning novel displays a great deal of artful charm.’
‘Tender and absorbing, this debut novel from Australia tackles challenging topics…with an open and loving hand. It deals with myriad emotions and allows the healing process to be organic. The sweetness of the characters rises above the darkness they carry, and their honest desire for acceptance…will resonate with a wide range of readers.’
