A Great and Terrible Beauty

Libby Bray. 2003. New York: Delacorte Press. 432 pages. ISBN 978-0-385-73231-4.

Plot Summary:Many different labels can be used for A Great and Terrible Beauty: it’s part gothic horror story, part fantasy and part a book about female relationships. Gemma is sent to an English girl’s boarding school in 19th century England after witnessing the murder of her mother in India. There, she struggles with fitting into the clique-ridden school, while also having visions of another alternate world ("the Realms"). Gemma secures her social place in the pecking-order of girls by bringing some of the most popular girls along with her on the visits to this other world. There Gemma can see her mother again, and the girls can live their fantasies. But they must always return to the mundane world of the school, where their fate is determined by their social class and parental ambitions. Oh, and along the way there’s some romance and Gypsies.

Critical Evaluation: A Great and Terrible Beauty is a sometimes confusing read. The exact nature of Gemma’s visions and how she brings along other girls is unclear. Also unclear are some of the revelations of the actions of former students at the school, including Gemma’s mother. Teen girls, however, will no doubt find the fantasy otherworld compelling, as well as the petty but painful rivalries among the cliques of girls within the school. This is definitely a girl’s book; the only role for males is that of romantic foils. The ending is left open for a sequel, of which there is one.

Reader's Annotation: Sixteen-year-old Gemma is sent from her home in India to the oppressive world of an all girl's boarding school in Victorian England.

About the Author: Libba Bray is the author of six young adult novels. A Great and Terrible Beauty is her first and is part one of a trilogy. Her latest book, Going Bovine, was published in September, 2009. It was awarded the Michael L. Printz award for excellence in young adult literature. Bray has worked as a waitress, nanny, burrito roller and advertising copywriter. Bray's great sense of humor doesn't really have a place in A Great and Terrible Beauty, but can be seen in her online blog (libba-bray.livejournal.com) and the video of her in a cow suit on her Amazon.com webpage (http://www.amazon.com/Libba-Bray/e/B001IGQHL6/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1266715562&sr=1-2-ent). Visit her website at http://www.libbabray.com/

Genre: Historical fiction, fantasy.

Curriculum ties:

Challenge Issues: N/A

Booktalking Ideas: Gemma has visions of a secret forbidden world. Where will they lead her and her friends?

Reading level/Interest Age: Grades 8-12

Why chosen: Recommended by my daughter.